A Mississippi Genealogy & History Collection
Brooklyn Man Slain in Row Over Cowbell
Clifton McLendon Killed and Father Wounded in Shooting Affray; Jim Byrd Is in Jail.
Hattiesburg, Miss, Feb 28, 1933 - One man was slain, another seriously wounded and a third was arrested on a first degree murder charge today as a result of a quarrel over a cow bell at Brooklyn, MS.
William Clifton McLendon, 19 year-old school bus driver, was shot to death and his father, Joe McLendon, was wounded in the chest in the shooting affray in front of the post office building. Jim Byrd, 41, a neighbor, surrendered to officers immediately afterwards, and was brought to the county jail here.
County attorney William Haralson said Byrd told him he had had trouble with the McLendon's for some time after moving to a farm near their place. Last night, Byrd was quoted as saying he placed his cow in a pasture and this morning found the cow's bell missing. Hes said he met the McLendon's and asked what they knew about it. Byrd said a quarrel followed and he fired when the others made motions toward their pockets. The county attorney said Byrd admitted all three had been drinking.
Byrd, a disabled war veteran, has a wife and several children. The elder McLendon is also the head of a large family.
The Leader Call
Tuesday, February 28, 1933
