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ANOTHER TRAGEDY.JAMES KUYKENDALL DIES BY THEHAND OF JOHN SMITH,ftfnrcler in tlif* Firlt Dogiw 1* the Verdict of the Jury— Tit# Murderer In Jail at Clinton Without Hall A Dispute Over •2 the Cause of the Murder.A terrible tragedy was enacted in tin quiet town of Farmer City about noon on Saturday, when John Smith, an old and respected citizen murdered his neighbor, James Kuykendall, in cold blood. John Smith has for many years boon a prominent and respected citizen of Farmer City and no reproach has ever been thrown on his name. He is a dealer in coal and has his place of business near the track of the Big Four railroad.He does an extensive coal business and employs some men to help him. About a year ago there came to Farmer City a Kentuckian by tin* name of James Key-yendall who entered into the employ ot Mr. Smith. Things seemed to move smoothly till recently when Mr. Smith discharged Kuykendall for non-perfor-fance of his duties around the coal yard. Kuykendall was a poor man with a wife and children and was living in one of Smith's houses Alter he had been discharged Smith requested Kuykendall to move from the house and this ho proceeded to do.On Saturday Kuykendall went out to get some one to help him pack his goods. He secured William Raegs a neighbor to come and help him. As they were comingback past Smith’s house Smith came out and Kuykendall told him he wished to settle with him. To this Smith agreed and some conversation was had about the settlement, Kuykendall desired Smith to take as payment some garden which he had planted but Smith said he wanted the money. Tnis caused some dispute and Kuykendall said he had only enough j I money to take him back to Kentucky, i Smith gave him the lie and in turn was i invited out into the street. ISmith ordered Kuykendall to move on 11which he refused to do, and after a few hot words Smith shot unce. The ball did not take effect, whereupon Kuykendall | warned him not to shoot again, out the warning was disregarded and the second shot took effect in the hip. It cut through an artery. The wounded man fell to the ground and Smith offered at once to go for a doctor. While he was gone the wounded man died. When they returned Smith at once went to a justice of the peace, gave up his revolver and himself saying he had shot a man.lie was taken in custody and Sheriff Levi Murphy of DeWitt county took himto jail at Clinton.Last Saturday evening an inquest was ty held and the jury was composed of the p following well known men of Farmer City: vv Messrs. C. C. Covey, N. vVelch, A. N. I .Campbell, M. P. Neal, James Hite and J. LQ. Jones. After a thorough inquiry a verdict of murder in the first degree was y returned.Mr. Smith was present at this inquest. Farmer City has been thrown into a fever of excitement by the awful tragedy I as the murderer is a prominent man. He is L/ possessed of some means, being rated at from $20,000 to $30,000.He has always born an excellent reputation and stood high among his friends andneighbors.He has but little to say with regard tothe crime only that he was afraid of Kuykendall and it had been rumored that he was a bad man, liable to take his life or destroy his property at almost any time.On the other hand Kuykendall sinco living in Farmer City has always been industrious and careful.No word of reproach can be cast on him and his death is indeed sad. A large sum of money was raised on Saturday night in order to send the widow to her home in Lancaster, Kentucky, and to send the body there for burial. There are various opinions held among the residents of Farmer City concerning the murder and much sympathy is expressed for Mrs. Smith who is an estimable lady.12V11fhsclernurcagi(thnr- a nuir nr I Aiiic VIArthicotgrlt;th;wewtatye;th;wt
Newspaper Details
Bloomington Weekly Leader
Bloomington, Illinois, US
Thu, Aug 02, 1894
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
FL, USA 16 Nov 2021
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