I originally started to look into Waddell Keith as a potential suspect in the death of Theodore W. Haley. However, upon further research I found that he was not involved. Waddell was born in Cook County, Illinois, the son of Waddell Wadsworth Keith Sr and Leota Vivian Snowdine. Waddell seems to have had some difficult adult years. When he registered for the draft in 1940 he was working for the Wallace Brothers travelling show. In 1943 he was charged with attempted rape and dishonorably discharged. However, after being sent to Leavenworth Prison he was released early and his military status restored to him in 1946. Were the charges later dropped? He was later killed on the street in open view under equally unclear circumstances – he was stabbed in the heart, staggered a few feet, and died.
| Vitals & Events | |||||
| Event | Date | Place | Notes | ||
| Born | 21 Feb 1919 | Chicago, Illinois | to Waddell Wadsworth Keith (b 1896) & Leota Vivian Snowdine (b 1896) | ||
| Died | 19 Aug 1953 | Kansas City, Missouri | Stabbed on the street | ||
| Immediate Family Members | |||||
| Relation | Name | Birth Date | Birth Place | Death Date | Death Place |
| Father | Waddell Wadsworth Keith | c1896 | |||
| Mother | Leota Vivian Snowdine | c1896 | Sangamon Co., Illinois | ||
Documentation
Burial Records:
- Camp Butler National Cemetery – Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, USA
Military Records:
- Morning Reports: LJAAF, La Junta, Colorado – 1016th QM Platoon T, AB
- National Cemetery Interment Control Form: Keith, Waddell W. Jr.
- WWII Draft Card: Keith, Waddell W. – 1940
Newspaper Articles:
- Daily Sentinel:
- 1943, Nov 29: Notice of court martial and conviction of Waddell Keith
- Kansas City Times:
- 1953, Aug 20: “Man Dies of Stab Wound”
- Kansas City Star:
- 1953, Aug 29: “Step in Murder Cases”
Vital Records:
- Deaths-
- 1953: Waddell W. Keith – Kansas City, Missouri
