Clinton County Republican-News
June 23, 1927

DEFENDS KEHOE BEFORE CROWD

Sidney J. Howell, Bath Farmer, Narrowly Escapes Beating Sunday

Sidney J. Howell, Bath farmer and friend of Andrew Kehoe, narrowly escaped 
a beating Sunday while he was extolling Kehoe's memory to a crowd of curosity (sic)
seekers on the site of the ruined Kehoe farm buildings.  Among other things Howell
is quoted as saying that "Mr. Kehoe was such a fine man that he would never have
done what he did unless he had been insane."  Unable to put up with such a statement
a Bath resident, father of one of the pupils injured in the school explosion, 
grabbed Howell by the throat.  W.G. Conklin of Dewitt, happened to be nearby 
and sent Howell home before he got the thrashing he probably would have received.

Reports from Bath show that Howell has been defending Kehoe ever since the disaster.
He has been warned by both the prosecutor and sheriff but declares he has a right
to talk as much as he wants to.  Free speech is every man's prerogative in this 
country but it may be carried too far, althought (sic) Howell evidently doesn't think so.

Although a month has elapsed since the Bath tragedy crowds still continue to visit
the village on Sundays and holidays.  Last Sunday the throng was so great that 
officers had to be sent out to direct traffic.