Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1898 — SLAYS TO END FEUD. [ARTICLE]

SLAYS TO END FEUD.

William Kent Kills Brother on a Railway Train at Girard, 111. Noble Kent was shot and killed by his brother William at Girard while the train was stopped for coal. Noble Kent was the elder son of Abner Kent, a wealthy farmer who died last February, leaving William Kent, the younger brother, most of the estate of $20,000, Noble only being freed from the debts he owed his father. Noble was enraged at this and swore vengeance on William, saying his father had been influenced in writing the will. Noble appeared at the Kent home soon afterward and fired a ball into William’s head. He escaped and William finally recovered and offered $290 reward for Noble’s arrest. The Springfield police captured Noble after he had made a second attempt to shoot William and made an assault on a trainman while going to Springfield. William could not pay the reward, as his mother would not assist him in securing the money. The police held Noble for the reward. Finally William secured • the money and wired the sheriff to bring the prisoner to Carlinville. As they neared the coal shed at Girard William entered the coach where Noble sat beside the sheriff, handcuffed, and fired five bullets into Noble’s body, 'four entering his head and one in his breast. 'William attempted to shoot the sheriff, who tried to prevent the assassin from firing again, and then swnng out the coach door and made his escape. The verdict of the coroner’s jury accuses William Kent of willful murder.