The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-17
MANY ARRESTS MADE
 ON MURDER CHARGE Ohatchie Tragedy Involves a
 Large Number CONSPIRACY IS CHARGED Coroner Has Visited the Scene of the Killing and Made Complete
 investigation for Future Report
CONSPIRACY IS CHARGED

Anniston, January 16.-(Special. "A deep-laid conspiracy is said to have | been at the bottom of the pitched duel which was fought at Ohatchie, in this county, Saturday, resulting in the death
 of Shelton J. Kennedy, well known farmer, and his son, Sarge Kennedy. aged IS. Coroner J. L. Murphy has acted upon this theory and has pre- ferred charges. against Dr. John E. Pearce as the principal and Cross
 Pearce, his son: William K. Kennedy. father of Shelton J. Kennedy; Ada Ken-
 nedy, sister of Shelt Kennedy; Will Jenkins, Tom Jackson and Lee Bain,
 alleged principals.
 All of these men are incarcerated in the Calhoun county jail, where they were placed late Sunday night by
 Sheriff c. T. Brooks, pending pre-
 nminary hearing, the date for which
 has not been set.
 Hundreds Visited Scene Coroner J. L. Murphy, who has com pleted his investigation into the affair, states that hundreds came to the scene of the bloody duel Sunday from An niston, Gadsden and surrounding ter ritory. and that about 800 were pres ent at the burial of the two men. The coroner says there is every in dication that the younger Kennedy was
 shot in the back while running, and there seems to le evidence that both men were shot from the rear, he says.
 Buckshot, Winchester rifles and pis- tols, as well as, birdshot, are in his possession as evidence to be used m the hearing. The death of Sarge Ken nedy, heretofore a mystery, is now at tributed to Cross Pearce, son Of Dr. Pearce. The young man had Win chester in his hand when his dead body was found. The barrel stuck into the ground when he fell and when this was later discharged the barrel burst. All of the inen were heavily armed during the affray, it is said, and one gun was found beside tree after the smoke had blown away which has not been claimed.
 Father Against Son
 The tragedy smacks of the pioneer | days of Kentucky, being equal to Breathitt county in some of its phases. | William Kennedy, the aged man In Jall, was arrayed against his own son, ana | it is said that the latter attempted to brain him with an aX before the shoot- | ing began. The sister of the older dead man had also sided With the Pearce faction and her testimony will
 
 the hearing, it is said.
 Cause of the Killing
 pr. Pearce was a dentist by profes- | sion and owner of a sawmill al the scene of the shooting. The troupe grew out of his attempts to restrain | the Kennedys from interfering with | his use of some land which was nec- essary for the transportation of lum- l Der to and from his mill. This hght | has figured in the Calhoun county courts for several years and the men have become widely known by this | fact. t..a ...s.e | Another feature which Is said to
 have contributed to the i'll feeling be- tween Shelt Kennedy and Dr. Pearce l was the allegatior that Pearce had
 been living illegally with Ada Ken nedy, sister of the dead man, for sev- eral years He was indicted for this | last year, 1t is said, but the case was not made good against him.
 | Other human interest features to the 1 tragedy tend to make it one of the most thrilling in the criminal history of the county. It has aroused intense interest here. where all the men in volved are well known, and at Gads- den, where Pearce is said to have been involved a few years ago as result of the killing of policeman.
 Kennedy was sorry
 According to Dr. Pearec the killing was justifable, Kennedy having fired on him first, not knowing that the writ of injunction had been granted. When this writ was allowed. 1t Is said the attempt to place the Kennedys under peace warrants was not allowed. and Pearce attribute this fact as the cause of the duel. He says that he expressed | sorrow to Kennedy that he was forced | to slay him and that Kennedy also ex- pressed regret that they had not set | tied their differences amicably. May End old Feud
 | It is general'y believed that this | tragic continuation will end the feud which has been brewing between the | two families for many years resulting | in numerous pers/nar difficulties and | exchange of shots. Others believe, however. that if young Pearce is freed | or if John Fearce returns to the scene | of the shooting. the trouble will De renewed by relatives and neighbors of
 the Kennedys and that the feud is far I from ended.
 | The arrests in this case were the first made by Sheriff C. T. Brooks, who as | sumed office Monday morning.
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