The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-08
JOHNSON IS HELD
WITHOUT BOND IN
KILGORE KILLING
Eight Witnesses Are Exam
ined BY Coroner At lnveSti-
cation After Which Slayer
Ordered Held

Following the investigation Of the
killing of william c. Kilgore by Rob-
ert E. Johnson by Coroner. D. Rus
sum yesterday. johnson was held
without bond on charge of murder
to await the action of the grand
jury.
The killing of Kilgore occurred
Tuesday afternoon at the terminus of
the Fountain Heights car line. John
son admits the killing, but claims the
unwritten law, charging that Kill
gore had at various times been I'M
duly attentive to his. wife.
Mrs. Johnson. who was present
when the killing occurred. refused to
make any statement at the coroner's
investigation, stating that she would
not talk about the affair until afier
a conference with the attorneys for
her husband.
The investigation took up the
greater part of yesterday and about
eight witnesses were examined, the
majority being residents of the VI
entity in which the killing occurred.
Saw Shots Fired
Mrs. D. W. Bragan, the first wit
ness heard stated that she had no.
ticed Mrs. Johnson. her husband and
Kilgore standing near the intersec-
ton of Twelfth street and Thirteenth
avenue and engaged in conversation.
She stated that a little later she no.
tieed the two men in a scuffle and
that Kilgore broke away and started
to run when Johnson fired three
shots and that Kilgore fell to che
ground. She stated that Johnson
pointed his gun at Kilgore after he
had fallen to the ground but could
not say whether another shot was
fired or not.
In answer to questions. Mrs. Bra
gan said that she had known Mrs.
Johnson to go out with men other
than her husband.
Mrs. N. b.. Thompson, mother of
Mrs. Bragan, testified that she heard
two shots fired while in her resi-
dence and that on looking out of
the window she saw Kilgore stag
ger and fall to the ground. She
testified that she was only slightly
acquainted with Mrs. Johnson.
Went to Dance
Miss Lillian Sharpe testified that
she was a former college chum of
Mrs. Johnson. and that on one occa-
sion she had accompanied Mrs John
son, with two young men, to a dance
at Edgewood park.
Miss Jessie d. Thompson testified
that on the afternoon of the killing
she saw Mrs. Johnson, Mr.. johnson,
Mr.. kilgore and man unknown to
her, engaged in a conversation for
about Is or 20 minutes She was not
near enough to hear the conversation
but stated that she saw Kilgoro
start TO run and that Johnson grab
he'd him nd n
stated that Kilgore broke loose from
Johnson and started to run and as
he did SO johnson fired two or three
times. She testified that Mrs. John
son went to parties" with strange
men.
c. l.. Harmon testified that he had
been out with Mrs. johnson on sew
eral occasions and that she had al
ways conducted herself with pro-
priety.
Says Ixflgore Unarmed
Jim Watson, jitney driver. 1903
Twelfth avenue. north, who was
present at the time of the shooting.
and who was the last witness to
take the stand, declared that Mrs.
johnson met him at the end of a
trip and had told him that her hus-
band wanted to see him at their
residence. Upon arrival there, Wat
son 5aid that he found Kilgore and
johnson arguing over the latter's
wife. Watson quoted Johnson as
asking Kilgore IL he had been out
with Mrs. johnson, Watson declar-
ing that he received an affirmative
answer from Kilgore. Watson said
that johnson then told Kilgore that
on a previous occasion, he. Johnson,
had told Kilgore if he ever went out
again with Mrs. Johnson, that the
husband would fix" him Watson
was unable to relate the interven-
ing conversation, but said that John
son slapped Kilgere after the latter
had called him a liar. tussle en-
sued, in which Kilgore tore John
sons shirt from his body and re-
vealed the gun which was concealed
in Johnson's belt, the witness said.
Watson said that Kilgore grabbed the
gun but Johnson overpowered him.
and took the weapon away from
him. Kilgore then lodged behind
Mrs. Johnson. who was standing
nearby. but was again brought into
the range of the weapon. He turned
his back, evidently in an attempt to
protect himself, and was fired upon
Kilgore then walked around Wat
sons jitney, the witness said, which
was parked at the scene and as he
ga so, Johnson Tired two other shols
into his back. Watson said that XIII
gore was unarmed and offered no
resistance after he had first been
shot.
Watson also testified, after ques-
tioning, that Kilgore and Johnson
had gone to a point near the fatters
house in Watsons jitney. at about u
o'clock of Tuesday He also testi-
fled that he attempted to intervene
in the difficulty but was unable to
bring about a peaceful settlement.
After the shooting Watson said he
left the scene.
william c. Kilgore, Sr., of Angus
ia, Ca father of the dead youth,
was present during the inquest, and
displayed a deep interest in all ques
tons and answers. He has issued
statement to the effect that he will
use his entire resources toward
bringing about the conviction of
! Johnson and that he would aid the
authorities in every way in gather
ing up evidence.
IVY lss =