The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1911-03-15
SAD TRAGEDY At TENNILLE
,poF Johnson KILLED PRONII-
VENT CITIZEN ON STREET.

trouble Grew Out of Expelling Boy
From School, and Reports De-
famatory of Character.
Relatives in Dawson received a
.olagram Thursday afternoon stating
tba+ Prof. Haley n. Johnson, super
,ntandent of the Tennille public
schools. had shot and killed DR.. T.
NJ Kelley, a prominent citizen of that
town.
prof Johnsons brother, Mr.. AL
bert Johnson, and brother-in-law,
Mr. VIM. Littleton, accompanied by
At+orEey John R. Irwin, left on the
fret train for Tennille.
They have all returned home, and
from Mr.. Irwin The News obtained
the particulars of the unfortunate
tragedy:
Cause of the Trouble.
The difficulty which ended so
tragically arose over sixteen-year-
aid son of DR.. Kelley, who was
. nunil in the school. Prof. Johnson
had trouble with the boy and eXpell-
od him last December, but he was re-
inetated and again expelled about
three weeks ago, at which Dr. Kelley
became incensed and notified the
hoard that Prof. Johnson must leave
tbe school, at the same time charging
him with immortality and conduct
greatly detrimental to his character.
The faculty refused to discharge
Prof. Johnson, who offered to ami
cably arbitrate the matter, and pro-
nosed to submit the issue as to the
truth of the charges to Masonic
brethren. To this proposition, it is
said, DR.. Kelley turned deaf ear,
and declared his determination to
hack I'D his assertions. Overturas of
Deace and reconciliation from John
son were Indignantly rejected, and
it is said threats were made to the
effect that Johnson must leave or
suffer the consequences.
Shot Kelley Five Times.
On Thursday about II o'clock
Prof Johnson, as was his custom,
went to the pOstoftice for his mail
and met DR.. Kelley, and after few
words the shooting occurred. KEEL
ley was shot four or five times and
fell mortally wounded on the side
walk. 1t is reported and denied that
Kelley shot twice. 1t is also
TumOred that son of Kelley
came up while the shooting was
in progress and fired six times
was in progress and fired six times
at Johnson as the latter was retir-
ing from the scene of the trouble.
Johnson went to the office of Mr..
H. M. Franklin and was pursued by
a crowd who threatened to lynch
him, but were prevented by his cool
head and resistance.
Public sentiment, it is said, how
ever, has undergone considerable
change in JohnsOn's favor.
TelephOned for Sheriff.
AS soon as the mob retired Prof.
Johnson telephoned to the sheriff at
SandersviHe the fact of the murder,
and requested that the officer come
to Tennille, as he desired TO deliver
himself into the hands of the law.
Court was then in session in Sans
dersville, and the grand jury re-
turned a bill of Indictment for muir
der against Prof. Johnson by three
o'clock the next day.
Win Not Ask for Bail.
The case has been set for trial
at an adjourned term of Washington
county superior court on the first
Monday in May, and Prof. Johnson
will remain in Jail at Sandersville
until that time, as no effort will be
made to have him admitted to bail.
Besides Colonel Irwin of Dawson
Prof. Johnson has secured as counsel
Evans Evans of Sandersville, ].
n. Hines Of Atlanta, and w. H. Bur
well OF Sparta.
Greatly DepIOred.
The tragedy is greatly regretted
by Mr.. JOhnson's numerous friends
IN this county and section. He was
raised in Terrell county, and came
up from among the humble walks of
NE by his own efforts, energy and
integrity. No young man ever went
out from here more respected or
mighty esteemed than Haley Johnson.
HIS friends in Terrell, being i'm
pressed with his former life, must
conclude that the killing was forced |
upon him, and was not malicious
and willful.