St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1944-04-14

the missing gun-the gun that
"Cat-Eye" said he had thrown
away at Forty-fifth and South
Parkway-defense attorneys bat
tied to get Lyons released under
$4,000 bail.
Politics caused the killing. Ac-
cording to Lyons statement to the
police he had gone to the Forty
eighth street police station early
Friday afternoon complaining that
Kelly and Max Barbour, both sup
porters of Commissioner Sneed,
had torn down Grants campaign
signs. Grant opposed Sneed on the
Democratic ticket. Sneed was seek
ing reelection.
Later that night the police called
Kelly and Barbour in for question
ing. Both denied the charges and
were released. Kelly on leaving the
police station went direct to the
Forestville school where Grant was
holding a meeting. He met Grant
in the hallway of the school and
questioned him concerning the
police incident. Grant denied any
knowledge of it. Lyons interrupted
by saying. 81 am the one who went
to the police this afternoon, Levitt. u
"YOu Dirty Ratw
Kelly is reported to have replied,
"Why you-dirty rat, stool pigeon,
1 ought to kill you"
Lyons claims that Kelly had his
hand in his right hand pocket in
dicative of having a weapon. "Cat-
Eye" retorted, 'I'm perfectly able
to take care of myself" They
clashed and scuffled outside. Two
shots were fired and Kelly died
instantly, shot through the right
shoulder and head.
Lyons hurried from the scene
hailed a passing motorist and went
to Forty-eighth street station
where he gave himself up. On his
way there he claims that he threw
the gun into a vacant lot. This gun
which Lyons claims he threw away
and with which he shot Kelly, was
wrenched from Kelly, Lyons says
during the fight. Police have been
unable to find this gun although
they did find a .3s calibre revolver
with two empty chambers in the
back of the sound truck which
Lyons drove during this campaign
for Grant.
At the inquest, Saturday, which
was continued until April q, Attys.
Bindley Cyrus and Earl DickersOu
represented Lyons and Joseph
Clayton represented the Kelly
family.
Strenuous efforts were being
made Monday to have Lyons re-
leased on bail. Claiming that he
fired in sef-defense and could not
be held on murder charge, Attor-
ney Cyrus was trying to raise the
huge bail bond of $4,000.
Burial in st. Louis
While police were working to
clear up the case, Kelly's family
was making arrangements for the
funeral which was held at the Rev.
Clarence II. Cobb's First Church
of Deliverance, Forty-third and
Wabash, Wednesday at II o'clock.
The Rev. Mr.. Cobb ofFiciated
with the Rev. Richard Keller of
Beth Eden Baptist church Of Nor
gan Park assisting. Maurice Cooper
and R. L. Knowles, well-known
singers, rendered vocal solos. The
obituary was delivered by Atty.
Claude Holman. Local 444, Walters
and Bartenders union, the organi-
cation Kelly headed, offered reso-
lutions. The body was shipped to
st. Louis for burial.
In commenting on the Staying
County Commissioner Sneed said,
'tKelly's death was an unfortunate
happening. He did not deserve to
be killed over such triflings. The
killing was brutal and am very
angry about it."
Other leaders with whom Kelly
had dealings also deplored the in
cident.
Kelly had long been the storm
center of political and labor activi-
ties on the South side. Thirteen
years ago when white labor rack
eteers transferred their interest
from the bootleg business, which
the repeal Of the prohibition law
ended, they sought to include the
populated Negro district in
their scheme Of labor plundering.
Fearing their presence, with the
added strong-arm tactics, would in
cense the community to riot fare
up, it is said they thought "Negro
front" would serve the purpose bet
ter, and ease any cheat" that would
come from the law.
According to the best informed
sources, the leaders of this South
side invasion were Danny Stanton,
slain a few months ago, Murray
HUMPHREYS, and Max Caldwell, all