The Iola register., 1902-08-08

town than the elder Kirby. That he
should deliberately shoot to death his
| first born son does not seem reasona-
BILE, and he was undoubtedly most
sincere in what he told the officers
that he wished he had allowed the boy
to cut him to pieces with the razor
before he pointed gun at him. In
several matters it is known that the
sons and father seemed to be on the
most affectionate and deferential
terms. The old man dropped hint
that the boys actions had worried
him for years and that he had recent
| ly been driven almost wild.
The fatal affair seems to be the
tragic lending of a family trouble
which has existed for years, unpre-
meditated, but none the less shocking
and heartbreaking.
County Attorney Goshorn stated
next morning that no coroner'sl in
quiry into the shooting will be held,
there being no doubt or dispute as to
the perpetrator.
The elder Kirby complained this
morning OF being .sick at his stomach
and the officers believe that he attempt
ed to make away with himself last
night. In spite of the evident terrible
strain under which he was laboring
when he was taken to the jail he soon
fell asleep. 1t is believed he took
dose of some drug in the hope Of end
ing his life, and either took Ltoo little
or too much. 1t is said he told one
Of the doctors that he would make
away with himself If he got a chance.
The doctors lwho looked after the
corpse state that the bullet resulted in
almost instant death. 1t entered the
left temple, passing clear through his
head. The boys body was covered
with the little marks which indicated
the habitual use of hypodermic
needle with which he injected cocaine
into himself. a needle was also found
in his pocket.
Next morning it was stated that the
dead man always carried his razor in
his vest pocket and that possibly it
fell to the walk when he dropped
down.
A young man who formerly went to
school with Leslie Kirby stated today
that if ever q son gave his father
trouble the dead youth had given his
father trouble. Several people have
been found by the prosecuting attor-
ney who were near the drug store at
the time of the shooting. Baxter ID.
McClain has been retained by the de-
tense as attorney.
Mrs. Kirby who has been i'll is
standing up under the blow with cour-
ageous fortitude, but Mrs. Leslie
Kirby is completely prostrated. The
remains Of the dead man will be taken
to the old home at Tonganoxie tomor-
row morning for burial.
VIEWS OF ELDORADO PAPERS.
As the REGISTER stated in reporting
the terrible shooting affair in which
Leslie Kirby came to his death at the
hand of his father, lola people know
too little about the past history of the
family troubles to be able to Judge
intelllgently as to the responsibility
for the tragic ending. AS the COM
ments of the Eldorado papers, where
the family lived before coming here,
are significant, extracts from both are
given here.
The Eldorado Republican says:
''The Kirbys came to Eldorado sew
eral years ago, the old gentleman
buying the corner drug store and two
residence properties. The father con-
Quoted himself, while here, like gen
tleman. The boys were inclined to be
tough, at times, being periodical
drinkers; and kept the father in u
torment of hell much of the time.
Ralph ran a jewelry shop here and it
is said had reformed and was getting
along all right. Both young men
were married. Leslie was reported to
have been mixed up in a shooting
scrape in Leavenworth before coming
here"
The Eldorado Times says:
''There is no sympathy manifested
or expressed in Ell Dorado for the
dead man, While here he was given
to hard drinking and was a confirmed
user of cocaine. His father had sent
him to institutions for treatment sew
eral times and had endeavored in
every way to save his boy from des-
truction. The family lived in Ton
ganxie before they came to El Dorado.
Ralph Kirby, the other son, was also
addicted to drink but appreciated his
father's kindness and to ok advantage
of an opportunity to throw off the