The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-28
South Perry Street Was the Scene Of
 Tragedy. JOHN RANDOLPH
 WENT TO JAIL Adventurous Career of Former Probate Judge Has
 Tragic Ending. Fell Out With Kinsman Who Had Been His Friend Because of Money Matters-Interment at Oak
 wood Cemetery This

Francis c. Randolph, ex-Probate Judge of Montgomery County and ore of the most picturesque and striking figures in the history of Alabama, was shot down and instantly killsd by his cousin, John Randolph, a prominent and well known citizen of Montgomery at 3:25 o'clock yesterday afternoon in front of the office of the latter at South Perry Street. The weapon used was a shot gun.
 The body of Judge Randolph lay prone as 1t fell by the trunk of tree at the curb. in pool of blood, until 1t was removed to the establishment Of Coroner W. H. Tice on South Court Street. Immediately after the shoot ing John Randolph was driven to the County jail in a carriage where ne sur rendered and where he spent last night. His preliminary hearing will take place Tuesday morning before Justice M H. Screws.
 The funeral of Judge Randolph will take place at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon from the residence of his son-in- law, w, L. Stewart. on Columbus Street. The services will be conducted by Rev. Stewart Mcqueen. rector of the Epis- copal Church of the Holy Comforter
 Out of the tangle of conflicting state ments made in reference to the trag- edy, it is definitely drawn that mone- tary differences between Judge Ram dolph and his cousin was the direct cause of the killing which threw the business district into fever of excite ment.
 Both men were almost universally known in Montgomery and to most people the killing came as great sur prise To a number of intimates, how ever, the tragedy was looked for throughout yesterday Judge Randolph had, 1t is said. made several threats against the life of his cousin during the day These threats were made so openly that there is little doubt that they were communicated to John Ram dolph The assertion was on the lips of everyone on terms of intimacy with either of the two men that John Ran doIph had received a written threat from the man he killed
 A Stern Alternative.
 Counsel for MT. Randolph said yes- terday afternoon after the tragedy that their client knew that it was his life or the life of Judge Randolph that had to be taken. In fact Judge Randolph was heard to say Friday night that by 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon he would either kill a man or tho man would kill him, and he expressed the opinion that it would be the otha~ man. Tho older man even suggested to intimate friends disposition of his body if he should be killed.
 Bad feeling between the two cousins had existed only a short time. For years John Randolph loved Judge Ran nh The name of Judge Randolph was often on his lips and throughout the varied career of the man he shot to death yesterday afternoon, John Randolph stuck to him, believed in him ard de- tended him. Friends of John Randolph assert that the breach between the two men has been widening for several weeks. It Is further alleged that con stant demands had been made on John Randolph for money, and that after making a final demand for $500 to be deposited to his credit in the First Ma tIonal Bank Judge Randolph threatened to slay his cousin if the money was not deposited by f o'clock yesterday af- ternoon.
 Judge Randolph's reputation in Montgomery was that of a turbulent man, who had no fear of a revolver or of it's use. An old saying around Montgomery is When Frank Randolph puts on his pants, he's got gun on him"
 The revolver of Judge Randolph caused the death of two men, and the friends of John Randolph say that he knew what to expect and the only way to guard against the inevitable.
 Trouble was Expected.
 Certain it is that both men were expecting the crisis yesterday after noon. Throughout the day, Judge Randolph had been drinking heavily. Ten minutes before he was killed he was in the cafe of Reese Martin on Perry street next to the office of the Montgomery Abstract Company of which John Randolph is manager, where he was talking in a maudlin manner. He abused the church and its institutions and walked out of the cafe unsteadily to meet his death.
 John Randolph was waiting the cri- sis quietly. He worked in his office throughout the day but was prepared for what was going to happen. As fudge Randolph left the Martin cafe. men who knew both of the cousins well. realized that the crucial moment had arrived. A friend of John Ran dolph and Judge Randolph started to enter the office just a few seconds nrior to the shooting, but was warned bv his friend not to go into the office. Tbe friend offered no explanation but rnaraIv said Co on your way. l fear that something is going to happen that s,o,, would not like to be involved in" Soutb Perry street was almost de- ,arted at that particular moment. Within a few feet was Dexter avenue sIi,,a with saturday shoppers and coun- irvnen on their regular weekly visit To the city. but this usually busy street was practically without pedestrians in tt0 inn of Mir Ran
 No one office of the Montgom Company with Inc exceI ldolph and his sIose per mes W. Smith, proprieto all saloon