The Semi-weekly leader., 1915-06-30
KILLS TWO NEAR SUMMIT.
On Account of Family Trouble n. A.
WestbrOOks Stays Father and
MOther-in-LaW.

Summit, Miss, June ~. &c. Y.
Cleveland, an aged farmer OF
Amite county, and his wife were
shot to death Monday afternoon at
their home near Thompson post
office, about nine miles from Lib.
erty. Miss, by their son-in-
law, Allen Westbrook. Westbrook
blamed the Cevelands for being
responsible for the separation OF
Westbrook and his wife. The
young man went to Liberty last
night and surrendered to the sher-
itf. He admitted the double kill
ing, but beyond stating that he
felt justified in killing the aged
couple refused further to discuss
the crime The Clevelands were
about seventy years of aye and
were the head of very large and
prominent family in this county.
The trouble leading up to the
killing started about thirty days
ago over the ownership of crop of
truck grown on land claimed by
both Westbrook and Cleveland
Westbrook. it is reported. made
threats and Cleveland appealed to
the court asking that he be placed
under a peace bond. Westbrook
was given a hearing Saturday and
was discharged.
In the interim the daughter of
the Cleveland couple, who is mar
ried to Westbrook, left her hus-
band taking with her their three
children. Following his release
from the peace bond charge West
brook, it is stated, demanded the
custody of his children. openly
charging the CIevelands with fore
ing his wife to leave him.
A formal demand was made for
the children Sunday and was refus-
ed and WestbroGk then went to the
home of the Clevelands where his
wife was supposed to be stopping.
He found the house vacant, as the
aged couple following their return
from court Saturday had stopped
over with some neighbors.
Westbrook took up his station at
the house and about noon Monday
saw Mr. Cleveland and his wife
coming up the road in the direc-
tion of their home He entered
the house and shortly afterward
Mrs. Cleveland came in, going to
the kitchen to prepare the monday
meal.
Westbrook opened fire on the
woman with shot gun and slight
Iy wounded, she ran into the yard.
He fe, lowed and killed her. Cleve-
land, attracted by the sound of the
shots. rushed to his home and was
met by Westbrook who then direct
ed his fire at the aged man The
first shot dropped the farmer and
Westbrook approaching the pros.
trate body fired several other
charges at close range. Eight shots
1t is said were fired.
The only eyewitness to the shoot.
ing was a young son of the Cleve-
lands, a boy about sixteen years of
age. He told a disconnected story
of the tragedy.
Westbrook and his wife had been
married about eight years. The
young woman " no is about thirty
years of age, fearing to encounter
her husband after the hearing on
the peace bond is said to have gone
to Meridian where she has rela-
tives. She left Sunday afternoon
and was not Informed of the death
of her parents until late Tuesday.
The first information to be re-
ceived here of the double killing
came when a local funeral director
was instructed to arrange for the
burial of the CIeveIands. Their
funeral will take place tomorrow
Westbrook, who is about 39
years of age. enjoyed a favorable
reputation in Amite county and
was considered an industrious far
mer. He was BnowD to have an
uugovernable temper which several
times in the past has threatened
to draw him into trouble. He was
formerly married and divorced.
Judge Jackson today announced
that he would Immediately call a
special term of court in order to
give Westbrook a speedy trial.
There is no talk of mob violence.
though the neighborhood in which
the Clevelands resided is very much
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