The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-04-12
inquest over
Boys BODY TO
Be HELD TODAY
Attorney Bristow says Ply
sical Facts Point to Muir
der on Part Of Father;
Facts Not Defined.
MOTHER TELLS STORY
OF ALLEGED SUICIDE
Youngster Shot Self With
Rifle After Being Whip
ped by Father, She Says.

How John Maynard Kendall, 16.year
old junior high school student, received
bullet wound which caused his death
at Hardy sanitarium at about 8 O'Clock
Tuesday night had not been 'soverd by
county officers at o'clock Wednesday
afternoon.
His father, j. A. Kendall, aged SO,
who lives one and half miles north
of Ardmore is being held in the coun-
ty Jail, pending a coroner's inquest
which was scheduled to begin at 3
o'clock. The findings of the Jury will
determine whether the father will be
charged with murder, or will decide
that John came to his death as the re.
suit of self.inflicted wound.
Looks Like Murder
"The physical facts look like murder, {"
County Attorney j. Il. Bristow said on
Wednesday morning. Yet the story told
by the boys mother is going to be a
deciding issue with the coroners jury
and also with jury in district court
should the father have to face a charge
Of MURDER" he continued.
Unless it is plainly shown that mur.
der has been committed. there will be no
charges filed. The mothers story be.
speaks suicide. and I don't think q
mother would lie TO shield her husband
when the life of her son is in question"
Mrs. Kendall Tells Story
Mrs. Kendalls story is simple and
without shadow of doubt lingering in
il. Mr.. Bristow said. The boy was Of a
studious nature, was bright and intelli-
gent and was more given TO reading
than to other activities, the mother
said.
Tuesday afternoon when he came
home from school he did part of his
chores. then secured his mothers per.
mission TO go TO n neighbor's to bor-
row some books, according to Mrs. Ken
dall's testimony. He did not have his
fathers permission to go, she said.
When his father learned that he had
gone, without his permission. and had
not completed his chores. he became
angry and stormed about the place,
the story continues. The father went
after John and meeting him on the road
whipped him with a switch; then they
returned home together.
At supper time the boy appeared surly
and ate little when he was urged Mrs.
Kendall said. His father showed signs
of anger and told him that If he wanted
to run away, he couldn't do II. Mrs.
Kendall told the county attorney. The
boy left the supper table and went into
the adjoining room.
Mother Heard Noise
Mrs. Kendall said she heard sound
like something heavy falling TO the
floor. Her husband walked from the
dining room out onto the porch. while
she went into the room where shs
found John lying on the floor. n small
bullet hole in his brain and 30 caliTe
rifle on the floor nearby. An ambulance
and doctor We're called but the boy died
shortly after.
Other Stories Differ
According to Mr.. Bristow, severa,
other witnesses have different stories,
one story which is borne out by several
neighbors. Is that Kendall was seen TO
come out of the house and stand on
the porch with rifle In hand just after
screams We're heard.
Details OF this story were In posses
sion of the county attorney this morn
ing, and he was hesitant in being eN'
plicit because OF the questionable cir
cumstances included therein lie said
the story would be given tn the jury.