Dynamiter of School Had Good Reputation

Maniac, Who Caused 42 Deaths, Won Many Friends, say Villagers at Inquest.

Special to the Blade

Bath, Mich., May 24 - Andrew Kehoe, farmer who dynamited the consolidated school
here last Wednesday, killing 42 children and adults, was the respected friend 
and neighbor to the parents whose children he destroyed.

This was brought out at the Monday inquest into the wholesale killing conducted by
county officials.  Villagers confessed to a friendship and association with Kehoe.

He was the last man, several testified, they would expect to be a super-killer.
But they have accepted the evidence, and believe it was Kehoe who planted the 
dynamite beneath their school, making this village an almost childless town.

Sidney J. Howell, 61, told Prosecutor William C. Searl of Clinton county 
that Kehoe was a good friend but a poor farmer.  While he had no ability 
with crops, he was an expert at fixing farm machinery.

Bus Driver Paid. 
         
Wood Keyes (sic - Ward Kyes), 31, driver of the school bus, said that Kehoe 
gave him his check 10 days before the disaster.  Kehoe, according to Keyes (sic),
told him to keep the check - it probably would be the last one he would ever get.

Kehoe's fear of being trapped in the death house he had prepared for little 
children, was told by Albert Detloff, blacksmith, and member of the school board.  
Detloff testified that he, Kehoe and Frank Smith, school janitor, were examining
a new water pump.  Kehoe, according to the witness, seemed in a hurry and consulted
his watch.  He asked if his time was correct.  Once he disappeared into the basement,
         
Found Brother Dying.

Frank Smith, school janitor and brother of Postmaster Glenn Smith,
who was killed in the explosion, told of helping children escape.  
He ran to the street where he found his brother dying.

Tears rolled down Smith's cheeks as he told of his last conversation with 
his brother.  "I'm hit hard.  Don't feel bad if I go", the dying man said,
according to the testimony.

Joseph T. Sleight, neighbor of Kehoe told of driving to Lansing with Kehoe
when he purchased a large amount of explosives which he stored on his farm.
         
Tells of School Friction.

Floyd Huggett, principal of the school, said that there had been some friction
between Superintendent Huyck and Kehoe, but was not sure as to what caused 
the trouble.  The inquest was continued until Tuesday, when members of the 
state police and Charles V. Lane, state fire marshal, will be called.