Butler County KS Archives Obituaries.....Kirby, Leslie August 7, 1902
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Peggy Luce pegsue59@cox.net and   December 18, 2006, 5:11 pm

The Walnut Valley Times, August 8, 1902, Volume XXXIII, Number 29
LES KIRBY KILLED

Leslie Kirby was shot and killed by his father, T. F. Kirby, at Iola last 
evening at 9:00 o'clock. A message came soon after the affair had happened and 
informed the people here that Leslie had attacked his father with a razor and 
that the old gentleman had shot him down. There were no witnesses to the 
shooting except Ralph Kirby, another son, and all parties refuse to discuss it. 
The Kirbys moved from El Dorado to Iowa five or six weeks ago and opened a drug 
and jewelry store. They were enjoying a good trade. Les he was addicted to 
drink. When he entered the store after supper he began abusing his father and 
brother. This trouble was settled and the boy began to sweep out the store. He 
was standing outside the door when his father shot through the screen and the 
boy fell to the pavement with a bullet through the temple. Death was 
instantaneous. In his hand was found an open razor. Immediately after the 
shooting the father went to his home where he was arrested. He made no effort 
to escape. He refused to discuss the matter further than to say that he acted 
in self defense. He said that Leslie attacked him with a razor and he shot to 
protect himself. There is no sympathy manifested or expressed in El Dorado for 
the dead man. While here he was given hard to drinking and was a confirmed user 
of cocaine. His father had sent him to institutions for treatment several times 
and had endeavored in every way to save his boy from destruction. The family 
lived in Toganoxie before they came to El Dorado. Ralph Kirby the other son, 
was also addicted to drink but appreciated his father's kindness and took 
advantage of an opporunity to throw off the habit. He had quit drinking and was 
behaving himself, but Mr. Kirby labored with Leslie in vain.

Leslie Kirby was of an antagonistic nature and when angered exhibited the 
fierceness of a wild animal. He was very aggressive. On one occasion when they 
were in business here, Leslie threatened his father's life and attacked him. 
Ralph was taking his father's side of the controversy and pulling out a gun 
shot at his brother but the bullet struck a button and glanced off.

It is said that Leslie killed a negro at Tagonoxie before coming to El Dorado.

Public opinion in El Dorado seems to be unanimous, everybody expressing the 
belief that it is better that Leslie is dead but that it is regretable that it 
should be his father who killed him. Much sympathy is expressed for the old 
gentleman who has had a much troubled life with so many shadows in his 
declining years. Les leaves a wife and one daughter, a girl of about three 
years.

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