The herald., 1895-06-12
kENNEN-LANSON killing
Coroner CampbelPs Of
ficial Inquiry
JURY RETURNS MURDER VERDICT
Nothing New Developed at the
Inquisition
CAUSE STILL A MYSTERY
Self-Defense and Temporary Insanity to
Be the Defense
EXAMINATION SET FOR 2 p. Nj. SATURDAY
Lawsons Body Sent North Yesterday-More
Interviews on the Subject Further
st. Louis News About Kennett


Lawson detective agency yesterday and
mourning was within. But every inter-
est was centered in the inquest that was
held dufing the afternoon at Orr & Patter-
sons, and to preparing and conveying
the body to Oakland. kennett rested
quietly in his cell at the county Jail and
received the visits of his many friends.
He remained as cool as he was when he
killed Lawson, and even now that the
excitement is over, few details have been
added to his first story. But they are
important.
The Inquest
At 2 O'Clock Coroner Campbell began
his inquisition and evolved the story
substantially as related in The Herald i'm
mediately after the tragedy.
DIR. Bryant was examined and testified
that he had held an autopsy over the
deceased and had extracted three bullets,
two OF which would have been fatal, both
having passed through the heart. He
said there were powder burns on both of
the hands and he described the condition
of other portions of the body.
Deputy Sheriff Dennis Kearney told of
his presence in Lawson's office about 4
O'Clock in the afternoon, and of X en-
nett's movements after entering. He told
how the latter had gone with Lawson
into the private Office and how immedi-
ately after, the three shots had been
heard in quick succession, with slight
pause before the last. lie had heard
no quarreling or angry words. Kearney
described the position of the body and
the plan of the r, ON where Lawson had
fallen, kearney, had known kennett for
several months, but had never conversed
with him re arding Lawson, so had
never heard any threat, against the life
OF tho detective from him. He related
taking kennett to Jail, but had nothing
to say. He was holding Kennett tightly
on the way, and the latter had remarked
that he would not try to get away.
Alfred awson, jr.. son of the detective.
corroborat ed earneys testimony. and
told that the relations between his father
and kennett had always been most AMIGA
BILE, except when they had trouble over
the Etzler sult. Lately they had parted
company and the matter had grown
worse. He said his father had rever gone
armed and would not allow any weap
ons around. Young Lawson was very
much affected when speaking of his
father, and once burst into tears. He
thought his father was showing Kennett
the door when the latter fired.
He was positive his father did not owe
kennett any money. and said he could
show receipts to prove it. HI said he did
whom he claimed were behind the muir
derer's back. He spoke of the kindly
feeling his father had toward Kennett
and said the former would never bave
used the language he is said to have
used, especially IN room alone and un-
armed. His father, he said, was a man
who could always control himself.
Under Sheriff Clements told of the posi-
tion of Lawson's body. He was the first
to reach the scene from the outside. and
he saw Lawson die within ten minutes
after the shooting.
lated what Kennett had said in an inter
View held half an hour after the shooting.
p. J. Kennedy the county jailer, who
spoke with Kennett, said that the pris-
Oner had told him Lawson owed him sew
eral hundred dollars. and that he had
said he held Lawson responsible for his
wife's unfortunate death; that Lawson
had grossly insulted him and had sprung
forward to assault him, when he opened
fire. Lawson SAID "Oh" at the first shot
and got two more as he fell.
Horace Davis. a stenographer, told OF
kennett's having been in gay spirits in
Lawyer Haas office. He was away from
the Office five minutes, and when he re-
turned the tragedy had taken place.
The jury was but few minutes in ar
irving at he conclusion that Alfred B.
Lawson had come to his death from gun
shot wounds inflicted by Ferdinand b.
kennett. Attorneys w. A. Harris, Ben
Goodrich and J. L. Conrov, who will de-
Send their friend Kenneth. were present
ct the inquisition as interested listeners.
Examination of kennett Set for Saturd ay
Deputy Sheriff Con b. Mallory of the
district attorneys office yesterday swore
to complaint in the township Justice
court charging II. b. Kennett with the
murder of Private Detective A. Is. Lawson
on Monday. Kennel was brought before
Justice Young and his examination set
for Saturday afternoon at o'clock.
h Dennis kearney applied for special let
teIs uf minisration in the afternoon to
the estate of the deceased, on account
OF the absence of the family. The prom
ETY. which is to be looked after does not
exceed $500 in value.
The body OF the murdered man was
shipped to Oakland last night.
In the first report of the affair 1t was
said Henry L. Gage visited kennett and
volunteered his services and sympathy.
but MIR. Gage personal friend OF Mrs.
Lawson. says he did not see kennett
and tina: the report was circulated under |
msinformarion.
DR.. f.. A. Bryant, who has had ZEN |
nett in charge since his wife's death. |
reiterated yesterday the statement pre- |
'viously made. that the distracted man
was not responsible for his actions most |
he has laid her death at Lawson's s door,
and has been broo1ing over the Latter.
actions toward him continuously.
At about o'clock in the morning he
had sent down and later went to Insley's
office to warn them that Kenneth was
not himself and to send him nome should |
he put in an appearance. He himself
ordered his patient to keep his room, but
Kennett went down TO see Lawson and
the deed was done.
deputy Constable Il. Beecher, of Roscoe
robbery fame. is working zealously in
the interests of his friend kennett. He
claims that Kennett will easily be cleared
OF the murder as soon as the case comes
into court. 1t will be proved that Ken
nett had made an engagement with
Lawyer J. W. Kemp, next to Lawson's
office. 20 meet Lawson Monday and as
sign his claim of $500 for Il consideration
OF 500. That he kept the appointment
and in the scene that followed, in self-de.
Tense killed Detective Lawson.
nore Of Kennett
81. LOUIS. June 11-f'erdinand Ken
nett who killed a man in Los Angeles,