The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1901-09-19
PROBABLE MURDER


the floor, with the head next to the
window, aud bis double barrelled shot
gun lying across bis knee. The whole
top Of his head, including one eye,
was blown square OF, aud the two
lobes Of bis brain were lying one on
each eide OF his feet. The load. after
passing through hIs head, passed
through a pane OF glass in the win
dow about 9n a level with mans
head when standing, and piece Of
the skull was found outside on the
ground.
II was firsl reported that Mr. Keith
had committed suicide, aud Coroner
English went TO Llberlyyillc Saturday
morning, had a jury summoned and
held aud inquest. The verdict of the
jury was suicide, but Coroner English
disagreed With the finding, aud we
have since been informed that the
members Of the jury would like to
change their verdict II they can, as the
circumstanlial evidence points to mur-
der rather than suicide or accident.
1t seems that Mr.. Keith had been
missing wheat sacks from his barn,
and although be could not tell whether
any OF his wheat, which was stored
loose IN the tenement house, about
Que hundred yards from the barn, had
been taken, be was satisfied that the
sacks were not Carried away empty.
For several nights Mr.. Keith had been
sleeping upstairs with one OF his little
boys, who had been sick, while bis
wife occupied n room down stairs with
the other children. Some time during
the night she thought she heard Mr.
Keith get up, but paid no further at
tcntiun to il, IS be bad been in the
habit Of getting up to attend to the
WAITS OF his liSle son.
1t is presumed that hc heard some
one outside at the BAN, got up, and
slipping on his trousers aud socks,
procured his shot gun and loaded II,
went out 10 the graGary aud surprised
the thieves; that they bounced upon
him, wrcuched tho gun from him aud
shot him. This theory is lenablc for
Il number Of reasons. The top Of his
head was shot squArely off from the
eyes up, which could not have been
the case II be had placed the muzzle
Of the gun to his forehead aud fired
the shot himself II would have been
impossible ior him to have shot him-
self 10 that way, the load passing on
out Of the window on q level with his
head, without the gun having been
carefully arranged and secured by
some continuance on level with his
head, and n string or something at
la'chcd to the trigger with which to
discharge il, aud there was no sign or
evidence of such preparation having
been made, but the gun was lying
naturally across Que knee, which was
drawn up. lie was lying on bis back
with his head towards the window,
when, II be had placed the muxzle to
his forehead leauing forward, aud dis
charged 1t himself, he would most
likely have fallen forward or all IN
kcap, the direction of the load would
have been upward aud nnnih 20! have
passed out Of tho window on level
with his head o. il did; aud there
we're several splotches Of blood on the
lloOr several feet irom the body toward
the wheat, which might indicate that
bis body was placed 10 the position in
which II was found after he was shot.
The ceiling Of the house was low, and
the bare juists overhead showed signs
of having been freshly Clipped off, as
II there might have been u struggle
for the gun in which Il had several
times struck tho ioists. 1t was not
an accident, for there IL no couceiy-
able way ia which the gun could have
been accidentally discharged aud the
load have struck him and have taken
the course It did; so the general i'm
preston in the neighborhood now is
that II Is case OF murder and not one
OF suicide or accident.
AIR. Keith was a man Of cheerful
disposition, very domestic in his habits,
loving his wife and children, and there
was not happier or more harmonious
family in the county. lie was pros
porous, owned splendid farm, was
IN easy financial circumstances, aud rs
the saying goes, "didn't owe dollar
Ia the world" Tho evening before
he and his wife were talking over the
things to do next day, so that they
might get ready to spend Sunday with
his sister. who Is here from Texas vie
i.ing relatives; and there 10 nothing
In bis conduct, his family relations or
his business affairs, that would suggest
suicide; but every circumstance points
TO murder.
Deceased was q sou OF Mr.. John u.
Keith Of Liberty township, was born
aud reared In that vicinity, and was
in bis seth year. lie was . consistent
member OF the Christian Church, en-
Icyed In high degree the confidence
and respect of all who knew him, and
his tragic death has east n gloom over
the whole community. He leaves a
devoted wife and four children. father,
mother. brothers and sisters, and a
large circle of relatives and friends to
mourn his unnatural death.
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Prof. David NJ. Brewer, drsmatist