Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-08
FOUGHT FOR A HOME.
Mary Cole Desperately Reslsts Her
Step-Father's Intrusion.
TIE PISTOL REFUSED TO GO OFF.
Failing In Her Attempt at Suicide, She
Faints Dead Away.
A POLICEMAN cRITIcIsEs HIS CHIEF

The family of Tobias Kennedy, OF Benton
alley and Race street, Allegheny, furnished
amusement for the police yesterday. and
gave one officer an opportunity for few
words which may cause him to lose his shield
and clue.
Tobias. K Kennedy, who has stand in the
Allegheny market, married Mrs. Cole,
who then had two daughters and house on
Benton alley. This was about 20 years ago.
The married life of the couple was always
believed 10 be happy. Three children were
born to them, and when Mrs. Kennedy died
she left will conveying the property to
her two daughters by her first husband.
Mr.. Kennedy then commenced series of
litigations to obtain for his children an in
terest in the property.
Suit has followed suit. Cross proceed
ings have been commenced on either side,
without ever settling the case.
CHASED CUPID AGAIN.
During all this trouble over mixed-up
laws. it is alleged. Kennedy for time laid
aside his legal entanglements to once more
chase Cupid. His race for hymeneal hap
piness was successful. and q Miss Mcguire
became Mrs. Tobias Kennedy, the second.
The children were left behind for the time,
under the care of Miss Mary Cole, daugh-
ter Of his former wife. The newly-married
even forgot the troubles of the children of
his first love. ~
As the honeymoon waned, memories of
the past returned, and Mr.. Kennedy again
sought the advice of his attorney, J. D.
Ramsey, Esq. The latter, it is stated. told
Mr.. Kennedy be must gain possession Of the
property. The advice was at once put into
effect.
Yesterday Mr.. Kennedy watched his
chance, and while Miss Cole was away from
home he went to the house and took charge
of Affairs. When Miss Cole returned her
stepfather refused her admission. She
begged, but her pleadings were
of no avail. She then hurried to
the City Hall, and told her
story to the police. Acting Chief of Police
Kornman went with her to the house. He
called Mr.. Kennedy out, and while he was
a neighbor's house, out on q roof, and from
there she Jumped down into the backyard.
At the same time she exclaimed, "Now 1
have possession of my home"
DECLARED SHE WOULD DIE.
Hearing the noise, Mr.. Kennedy and
Detective Kornman rushed back. When
her stepfather appeared. Miss Cole struck
tragic attitude and declared she would die
rather than give up. Then from her bosom
she drew a handsome revolver. In the pres
ence Of all she pointed the pistol at her
heart and pulled the trigger. There was
no report, because the pistol was not loaded,
and when she could not commit suicide, she
tainted.
The girl was resuscitated, and when the
Assistant Chief left, the family all seemed
reconciled and disposed to settle the ques-
tion Of possession peaceably, but last night
something happened for which Officer Shoe
maker arrested Mr.. Kennedy, and then
stood guard over the house.
When the 200-pound policeman was
asked about tine affair he refused any infor-
nation. He said he had charge of the
house. and would not let anybody speak to
the inmates. He also refused to allow the
prisoner to give his side Of the story. When
the reporters told him what Acting Chief
of Police Kornmsn had given out about the
case his only reply was that Detective
did not know anything about the
case, and did not know what he was talking
about half the time anyway"