, 1881-01-23
Great Excitement Near Chattanooga,
Tenn., Attending Two Assas.
inaii0ns.
L 0olored Woman in Georgia Murdered
and the Body Saturated with Coal
OIL and Burned.
4 Maniac Shoots and Kills the Clerk Of
Steamer On the Mississippi River.
INSURANCE CONSPIRACY.


l. IowA C1rY, la., Jan. "A trial in which
all this part OF lowa<and many leading
! merchants Of Chicago and elsewhere are
! much interested, was ended III the District
Court Of this city to-day by 4 verdict finding
the defendant, 4. 4. Kennedy, ST., guilty OF
conspiracy to burn and defraud
This case has created more Excitement
than any since the famous Boyd-Wilkinsou
murder trial In this city, years ago. The
history Of 1t shows up species Of mercantile
piracy from which the reputable business
men of the West nnd wholesale houses III the
East have greatly suffered. The defendants
in tho suit wero 4. a. Kennedy, Sr., a. 4.
Kennedy, Jr,, f. c. Lyman, James
A. Kedheld, and G. H. Brown. They
had bean carrying on operations as general
merchants at Oxford, In this county, under
the firm na1ne of J. 4. Keddeld It. Co. since
some time in 1S77, until they were burned
out on the night Of Jan. f, 1870 There Is no
doubt that, during the existence OF said firm,
4. 4. Kennedy, ST., was in large part the
business manager, although not ostensi-
bly, partner. He disclaimed any
financial interest in tie firm Of
Redieid Sc Co., and every and all other inter-
est except that of father desiring the sue
cess and welfare Of his son.. 4. c. Lyman is
the son-in-la# OF 4. A. Kennedy, Sr., and at
the time of the fire was found in charge Of 4
store at Daytonvi1le, in Washington County,
Iowa. Lyman. it was claimed, had an ar
tanRement with Redficld &Co. to furnish him
for the most part what merchandise and wares
he might need, and Lyman in turn was to
send whatever produce came to his store to
RedfeId T. Co., at Oxford. Before Lyman
went to Daytonvl!le he had an Interest In 4
store with Kennedy, Sr. Wien the fire oc-
CURED the firm OF Red1ield & Co. was in
debted to merchants in various cities,
principally In Chicago including Field,
Letter d Co., for merchandise I'll sum
OF over S1A,0O0. These goods, after
being placed in the Redfed store, were ill
sured in the German-American and SPRING
field to the amount OF $4,000. The defend
ants were indicted for conspiracy, and the
punishment for the offense is imprisonment
in the Pcnitentiary not to exceed three years.
The plot OF the conspiracy, as alleged, was
that u suitable and cheap building should be
erected at Oxford; that a pretended firm, to
be known as the firm Of Redfield {:
Co.. should be formed; that the pretended
firm Of Rel6eid & Co. should first establish
a reputation and credit with Wholesale
houses in Chicago and other cities for regu-
lar and prompt payment; that upon the
strength Of the reputation so established,
they should purchase large lots Of goods and
OH credit; that the goods
should be brought to Oxford and
placed In the cheap building; that in
suranco should be procured upon them;
that they should be removed from, the store
by fraud and stealth, and disposed of; and
that the store building should then be
burned and the insurance collected from the
Insurance companies for th5 loss of goods
that were not in fact destroyed. This was a
serious charge, and to 1t the defendants en-
tered the plea OF So Not guilty. The trial of
The case lasted fourteen days. District-At-
torney Smith was assisted by Judges Murphy
and Lynch, OF Davenport, and by Levi Rob
nson, Of this city. Kennedy had for his
counsel George Boa, Milton Remley, and
:. S. Rauck. That the verdict is against |
Kennedy Is not due to the want Of a stout |
lefense. 4 desperate effort WAS made on |
both sides, and. although some Of the most |
1ificult points Of law were raised in the |
rial, Judge Shane was i complete master |
n every case. The case will be appealed to |
he Supreme Court.