Constable Duff was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest two men. Constable Duff was with a deputy sheriff when he arrested two men, Marsh and Schultz, about 7 miles west of Versailles for stealing mules. Constable Duff and the deputy remained downstairs while the suspects went upstairs to change clothes. When the two men returned Constable Duff and the deputy started out with them. When the men attempted to escape Constable Duff fired on them and Schultz turned and shot Constable Duff, killing him. Marsh was apprehended later and was sentenced to seven years. Schultz fled the county and hid out for some time near Marshall, Missouri. Schultz had a friend he previously served with in the Army working in a saloon there. After some time he had the saloon keeper make arrangements for him to leave the country but the saloon keeper tipped off the town marshal and a Mr. Aulgur. When Schultz came to the saloon he was caught in a stake out and when challenged fired on the men. Schultz was shot and killed with sawed off shotguns and taken to Versailles to collect the $700 reward for his capture.

Constable Duff was survived by his wife, Sudie. Interred: Versailles Cemetery, Versailles, Missouri.

Article by Brent Marchant