Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-09-24
JOHN KEETON STAYS
ROBERT POWELL
Tragedy At Carnival Grounds
Said To Be Sequel To Domes-
tic Troubles

John Keeton, apparently infur-
lated at meeting Robert Powell,
e, strolling with Mrs. Keeton
thru the carnival grounds at the
Deatherage lot, Second street.
Thursday night shortly before 8
O'Clock, startled those nearby by
drawing a pistol and shooting
Powell. The latter, bystanders
assert, turned to run in an effort
to get away. Keeton is said to
have advanced toward him and
fired at him, the shot taking effect
in his back and he dropped. Pow
ell was unable to get up, and died
where he fell few minutes lat
er.
Keeton and his wife left the
grounds Immediately Informa-
ton was sent to Chief of Police
Claud Devore. The latter was
soon upon the scene, but found
that the tragedy took place out
side the city limits, thereupon
rendering the apprehension Of
Keeton the duty of the sheriff, if
the gun-user was still there. II
was Learned that Keeton started
towards the city and Chief of Po-
lice Devore soon had a Gordon Of
police guarding all points OF
egress from the city, but Keeton
went from Second street direct to
the county Jail, where he gave
himself up,
Il guess you might as we'll put
me in, for I did it." Keeton said,
according to Jailer VIM. Burgess.
who was present when the man
arrived.
did what?" queried the jail
er. who had not heard of the
shooting
81 shot a man; it was my duty"
Kceton is said to have replied, as
he was taken to a CELL He talked
no more of the tragedy except to
state he did not know how bad
Powell was hurt, when asked by
the jailer if he had killed him.
Keeton later said that Powell had
struck him in the face.
There was considerable com
motion on the carnival grounds,
when the tragedy took place,
large crowd having assembled to
witness the usual parade. into the
grounds and to the show en-
trance.
While on the carnival grounds,
Chief Devore took the names of
a number of eye-witnesses to the
tragedy. Meanwhile Powell was
breathing his last. Coroner Muncy
was informed, and after some
time the body was removed to the
Muncy undertaking establish
ment.
Mrs. Keeton fell in faint at
Main and Second streets, and was
revived after some time, a ply
sician being summoned to her aid
The woman created a furore in
1.-THE uptown streets by her crying,
and it was some time before the
details of the tragedy were OBJ
tainable. She approached ply
sician and hurriedly informed him
of the tragedy, beseeching him to
hurry to the carnival grounds and
do what he could for the injured
man, stating she would pay the
bill.
News of the shooting soon
reached the city and was the top
ic of conversation for some time.
1t developed that upon the arriv-
al of the physician at the show
grounds, Powell had died. Cor
oner Muncy, who had been sum-
moned, secured testimony from a
number Of witnesses after which
he had the body removed.
When news reached Mrs Powell
aged mother of the murdered man
she tainted, and it was several
hours before she could be reviv-
ed. She is in advanced are, and
/ the dead man was her only sup
port and relative. according to
neighbors. The condition of Mrs.
Powell Friday morning was still
serious. She insisted that the body
of her son be brought home,
which was done Friday morning.
Powell, who was employed as
fireman on the concrete mixer on
the city streets, was an ex-service
man, said to have fought with
lvalor He had been a resident OF
!, Richmond most of his life He
has had trouble before as a result
of alleged attentions paid Mrs.
Keeton, and was placed under a
ipeace bond not long ago as a re-
suit Keeton, who is we'll known
about the city, has been employed
on farms near the city for some
| time. He has been separated from