Biography: William was the husband of Laura V. Magaha, and They were married on 24 March, 1880. In the 1880 census
William and Laura were living with Laura's mother on Fort Ave and he was listed as a laborer. They spent their married life
living in South Baltimore. William in the 1910 census was listed as living on E. Barney Street and his occupation was a huckster.
William and his oldest child were involved in an argument in 1913. Article out of the Baltimore Sun read as follows " With
his father, William Kirby, 53 years old, 222 East Barney Street, in critical condition at Mercy Hospital from a broken Skull,
Howard Kirby, 31 years old, 1703 William Street, fireman attached to number 8 Truck Co.,is locked up at the Southern Police
Station, on the charge of striking his parent,held without bail on instructions from Justice Levinson.
Kirby was arrested yesterday afternoon, two hours after his father was taken
to the hospital by Sgt. Ramsay and Patrolman Newell. The arrest was made in the Truck House, Frederick and Caton Aves., after
the young fireman had been stripped of his equipment by acting Captain Bramble.
The alleged assault occurred about 2 oclock at Light and Randall Sts., Patrolman
Newell heard shouts and saw a man lying on the pavement.
Newell found Kirby unconscious with blood flowing from a wound in the
back of his head. He was rushed to Mercy Hospital, where Dr. John Hogan performed a minor operation.
Kirby said he and his father had frequently quarreled about trival
matters. He said his father met him as he was going home for dinner, made several accusations against him and tried to assault
him and that he pushed the elder man away".
Another article taken out of the Sun papers a couple days later.
" William Kirby 58 years old of 202 East Barney Street, who on March 31,was assaulted and beaten by his son, Howard Kirby,
1703 William Street, died shortly after 8 oclock last night in the Mercy Hospital. Corner Thomas R. Chambers will, in all
probability, hold an inquest tonight in Central Police Station. The son is now in jail, where he was committed by Magistrate
Levinson, of the Southern Police Court, for a futher hearing on April 15.
The assault occured at Light and Randall Sts. Father
and son met there shortly before noon and an argument followed. Blows were struck by the son and the father fell to the ground.
Young Kirby went to his home and later to No.8 Truck House, on Frederick Road, where he was a ladderman. Later in the day
he was arrested there by Sgt. Ramsy and Patrolman Newell, of the Southern District. Before being taken to the Station he was
suspended by his Captain and stripped of his equipment".
William's death certificate states his cause of death
as homicide -------- fracture skull by being struck or pushed and head hitting against the pavement. William Kirby was buried
in Cedar Hill Cemetery located on Ritchie Hwy. We went to the cemetery and they gave the location as Sec. G. We have been
unable to find his grave, but that was the information given to us when we visted Cedar Hill
