The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1911-09-13
RECITES INCIDENT LEADING UP
TO DIFFICULTY, AND SAYS
HE SHOT TO SAVE SELF.
HIS GOOD NAME ALSOINVOLVED

Before He Fired the Fatal Shots,
Told of Early Struggles, and in
Conclusion PatheticaIly Pictured
Aged Mother Waiting For Him
to Come Home.
A Tennille dispatch says the most
important part of the trial of Prof.
Haley N. Johnson occurred Thurs
day, when he was put on the stand
to tell the jury, in his own defense,
of the killing of DR.. T j. Kelley and
what passed between them before
the tragedy occurred.
Prof Johnson told the story of his
birthplace in Terrell county, how he
had to struggle for an education,
and many other hard experiences he
had during his early manhood, and
then related the trouble he had with
T, ]. Kelley, Jr., which led to the
killing.
His evidence in general was to
the effect that Tom Kelley, Jr., came
to his room to get him to help him
with his Latin lesson and then went
off and made a remark that was very
injurious to his character. He
met R. A. Kelley, brother of DR..
Kelley, a few days after he had heard
of the report, and told him there was
absolutely no truth in the report,
and that he wanted to meet DR.. Kel-
ley and have a peaceable settlement.
DR.. Kelley then wrote him a note
and asked him to meet him in the
rear of one of the offices in TennilIe
and they would have a settlement,
but that he would be accompanied by
7. J. Kelley, Jr. and one other. On
the advice of friends, Prof. Johnson
testified, he decided it would not be
safe, and refused to meet DR.. Kel-
ley.
Several other notes were exchang-
ed, but to no advantage.
He then asked the advice of the
board of education. They advised
him to resign and leave town, but
he said he had his good name to
shield, and refused to take their ad-
vice, He then sought the advice of
the Masons, of which he and DR..
Kelley were members, but they could
not make them reach an agreement.
The next day at 1920 a. m, re-
cess, Mr.. Johnson started down to
the postoff1ce to get his mail and
just as he passed the Tennille Prog
ress office he saw DR.. Kelley passing
sideways across the road, going to
the other side of the street.
The accused on the stand told the
story of the actual killing as fol-
lows:
As Johnson looked up Dr. Kelley
put his hand to his hip pocket and
remarked, "I'll kill you, damn you"
When he made that remark John
son drew his pistol from his coat
pocket and fired rapidly, two or
three shots taking effect and killing
Kelley almost instantly.
Johnson then turned and ran
around the rear of the hotel with
l. j. Kelley, Jr., shooting at him.
His first plan was to go to San
dersyille, but he turned back to-
wards town with 'his pistol in his
hand. He met George Smith and
Joe Tyler in front of Bashinki's
store and said: Men, I'll fight a
lair fight, but don't let them kill
me-"
The men took him to the South
ern railroad office and telephoned
Tor the sheriff, who came for him
and put him in the county jail,
"nere he has been since the killing.
Professor Johnson said, 81 killed
nlm' but it was in self-defense."
Professor Johnson went on the
stand at $3.50 p. m. and remained
until $3.50 p. m. He was calm and
cool throughout the recital of his
statement.
The court room was crowded to
Us capacity, and interest in the case
was intense.
lie told of leaving the place of the
homicide and giving W to the sheriff,
IL conclusion making a pathetic
S'ene by stating that his poor old
mother, dependent upon him, is
%"slting him at his old home in
Dawson
Numbers of witnesses were heard.
among them Miss Donnie Hatch, a
"acner in the Tennille Institute,
telling of the conduct of DR.. Kelley's
sun at school, which was the cause