New Britain herald., 1916-02-12
DENTISTS FIGHT IN
 ST. LOUIS HOTEL Knives, ReYolyers and Dental h.
 StrumentS Used in Battle FORMER BUSINESS PARTNERS
Dr. Kennerly Accused Dr. Johnson of Theft and Wanted Him Expelled
 Participants in Struggle Prisoners.

St. Louis, Feb. 12,-Why Dr. Charles w. Kennerly, of San Antonio, Tex, and pr. A. F. Johnson of St. Louis, college classmates, former business partners and even now lodge brothers in the Masonic order, fought with knives, revO1Vers and dental inStru- ments in the locked room of one of the top floors of a leading down town hotel here last night, was disclosed today by a crumpled piece of paper found in Dr. Kennerlys pocket.
 The paper was an affidavit, copies of which had been sent to Masonic officers here, in which pr. Kennerly accused his former associate in the dental business of failure to pay a $2,500 debt and of withholding other funds which Dr. Kennerly claimed were due him. The affidavit asked th at pr. Johnson be expelled from the order because of the alleged wrongs to Dr. Kennerly.
 Dr. Johnson Near Death.
 pr. Johnson IS st the City hospital today lowering between life and death, his face and body terribly slashed and a wound through Eoth hips and the groin made by bullet from revol- yer. pr. Kennerly, also cut about the face and on both arms, is prisoner at the hospital, police charge against him awaiting the outcome of Johnsons injuries. Two other partici- pants in the fight also are prisoners today, Walter A. Diefenbach, of San Antonio, Texas, at the hospital with his throat badly slashed, and Charles 1 Lody at the police headquarters. Con- 1 f1icting stories were told by Kennerly Lody and Diefenbach. Kennerly said he "just happened to be in Diefen- l bach's room,'' when Lody and pr. l Johnson entered, the latter with re- l volver in one hand and a knife in the 1 other. Kennerly said he came to St. Louis to collect the money he claims ! from Johnson, but denied he used a
 revolver or that he fought except in l self defense.
 Fought in Self Defense. Lody said that as assistant to Dr. l Johnson he accompanied the latter to Diefenbah's room on a professional 1 call. Diefenbach, according to Lody, had posed as "Mr Arnold' and had requested pr. Johnson to perform scme dental work on Mrs Arnold" in their room at the hotel. As he and Dr. Johnson stepped into the room, Lody said. Diefenbach attacked Lody and pr. Kennerly attacked Dr. John- son. On the bed two pillows and a sheet were nodded into the form of the woman" Dr. Johnson was to treat. Lody admitted cutting pr. Kennerly and Diefengach but said he did it only to save his own life and that of his employer, pr. Johnson. Diefenbach admitted registering as Mir. and Mrs. D. F, Arnold of Mobile, A1a' He said pr Kennerly had arranged the dummy on the bed. Diefenbach formerly lived in Granite City, III. Six months ago he was married and moved to San An tonic. Two weeks ago he said he left San Antonio and few days ago met Dr. Kennerly in St. Louis. Kennerly and Johnscn were graduated from the Washington State University Dental college about the same time, ten wears ago.
 Diefenbach Explains Plan.
 Diefenbach at hospital today told of the plan used by pr. Kennerly and himself to get pr. Johnson to the hotel room. His story agrees in the main with the story told by Lody. Kennerly denied that ne had instruct ed Diefenbach to lure Johnson to his office, and Diefenbach said he did not know Johnson was to be attacked Diefenbach' admitted that KennerIy paid his expenses to St. Louis from San Antonio, where Diefenbach was two weeks ago.