Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-05-30
MEMPHIS TRAIN ROBBERY CASES
SET FOR WEDNESDAY.
JACK KENNEDY DISPLEASED
QUAIL HUNTER" SAYS HE HASN'T
LOST HIS NERVE.
Kennedy and Jennings the Star At
fractions mt the Wright County
Court-kennedy Has Conf
dence in Ability of
His Lawyers.

HARTV1LLE, MO, May 29.-(Special. }
The regular March adjourned term of the
Wright county court was opened by Judge
Argus Cox at Hartville this morning and
the famous Memphis train robbery cases
were set for Wednesday, when, it is ex-
pected, both sides will be ready for trial.
1t was learned from good authority that
the prosecution will be ready and Kennedy
and Jennings both declare that they expect
trial this time, land what is more, we
want it,
Jack Kennedy, William Jennings and Joe
Shepard were brought here from SPRING
field Jail yesterday morning and while the
other alleged robbers are confined in the
Hartville Jail, it was deemed advisable to
place heavy guard over the first named
trio.
Jack Kennedy is not at all pleased with
the would-be sensational reports (as he
calls them) that he has lost his former
confident air, and says he never felt bet
ter or more confident of an acuuittal in
his life. He says he has better show
with his Mansfield attorney than he would
have with all the lawyers in Kansas City
for him.
The crowds seem to take a great interest
in Kennedy and Jennings, and follow them
back and forth from the court house. The
tention at first. but later treated 1t as a
good joke and answered many questions
not touching the Macomb robbery.
Elmer Byrum, the self-confessed accomp-
lice, Is of the opinion that he will not re-
cefve due leniency for having turned state S
evidence, but like Louis Nigh, James Fag-
ly and Oscar Ray, he talks but little now,
as the accused rural assistants of Kennedy
and Ryan have concluded it would be best
to await until the time of their trial. The
defense will be represented by Colonel l..
o. Neider and Hon. Thomas H. Music of
Mansfield. The prosecution will be Prose-
cutting Attorney Ball, R. L. Good and T. II.
McGregor, of Springfield, and w. ]. Orr, of
West Plains.
VIII Try Nigh First.
1t does not seem to be the intention to
try Kennedy first. Prosecutor Ball has
elected to try Nigh first and then Joe
Shepard. Kennedy may have to wait until
the last.
This is a great day for Hartville. BY
daybreak the court house was surrounded
by farmers, who had left their fields and
come to town to see justice done 10 train
robbers. They, are determined looking
guilty man escapes and that the laws of
Wright county are vindicated Many of
then, will stay in town until the trial ends.
tedium by swapping horses and telling
stories.
MANSFIELD, MO-, May 2s-(Special) }
1t has been a busy day in Mansfield for this
is the relay point for the many persons
who journey to Hartville where the trial of
John Kennedy and his alleged accomplices
is in progress. From the moment when the
first streaks of dawn stretched across the
hills until late tonight the principal topic
of conversation has been the trial. There
was excitement indeed when the train
came from Springfield, bringing John Ken
nedy, Jennings or Ryan, as he is generally
called, and Joe Shepard The idle gossipers
to catch glimpse of real live trainrob,
bers,'' as they declared were the men in
the custody. of the deputies. Kennedy,
Ryan and Shepard were taken to the hotel
Immediately. During the walk Kennedy
spoke to several acquaintances and return
ed the stare of the many spectators who
STOOD with eyes open and mouths agape.
One Of the attorneys for the bandits Col
onel Neider walked to the hotel with Ryan.
Kennedy maintains an air of calm indif-
ference that gives the impression that he
is either intensely morose or Sullen in the
extreme. Those who know him say that
his caimness under trying circumstances is
his Leading characteristic.
a few moments after the prisoners ar
rived there was a whispered consultation
and the deputies decided TO permit Ken
nedy and his former jailmates to have an
eye opener as the natives call the first
drink. The entire party adjourned to a
nearby room, and the prisoners soon
emerged smacking their lips.
During breakfast Ryan persisted in iok-
in Kennedy's vicinity. The latter refused to
join Ryan's funmaking, and held himself
aloof from such proceedings.
After breakfast the prisoners were hand
cuffed and were hurried across the rough
country roads to Hartville, the county seat,
thirteen miles away.