The New York herald., 1879-03-27
He Attributes His Deed to a Decision
Adverse to His Sister. +.
III E WAS so RR Y"
But Talks CoolIy About the Crime and
Others He Premedltated
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

John NJ. Elliott of the Court of Appeals at quarter
past O'Clock this afternoon in front of the ladies'
entrance of the Capitol Hotel. in this city. The
weapon used was double barrelled shotgun loaIed
with twelve buckshot in each barrel. Judge Elliott
In company with Judge Thomas Hines, was coming
up Ann street when they met at the steps of the
side entrance of the hotel by Bpford. who ap-
pcared equipped for hunting. Buford spoke first to
Judge Elliott saying. Judge. believe 1 will 60
snipe hunting. Won't you go along?' To this
Judge Elliott replied. no." well then" said
Buford won't you take a driver"
DID SHOOT?
At this point Judge Hines turned away and had
gone about six feet when tho gun fired and Judge
Elliott fell upon the sidewalk without uttering
word Buford looked down upon him and said
I'm sorry" He then lifted his head and put his.
(Bufords) hat under it. Judge Hines turned back
and tried to raise the body found that life was
extinct. He thought the shooting done by acci-
dent until Buford spoke to the Deputy Sheriff and
policeman, who came Immediately to the scene.
ARREST coMMIrrAL OF DUFoRD
Buford Immediately gave up his gun to the police
man. saying he did so:-"Be careful with that
gun. put twelve buckshot in it for Pryor" Ho
made resistance whatever the officers who ar.
rested him, and Immediately took him before
Esquire Gwynn. who. after brief examin alton. com.
mitted him to Jail. On his way to the magistrates
Office. or just before he started for it, he handed
letter to the deputy sheriff addressed as folIows:-
"whoever may get this note ask earnestly to do
liver 1t to the person to whom it is directed"
CAPITOL HOTEL, March &C. 1879
Whatever may happen to me desire that my
in equity and in law that belongs to me- I only ask
that my body shall be laid by my sister. Many f.
Buford. whom loved so well. whose robbery and
assassination wish to try. THOMAS BUFORD.
INQUEST HELD.
The body of Judge Elliott was taken to a room in
the Capitol Hotel and coroner's inquest held.
The following verdict rendered by the jury
eve. the jury. find that the dead body now before
us is that of John NJ Elliott. of Boyd county, Ky
who was at the time of his death Judge of tho
Court Of Appeals and resident temporarily at Frank
fort. and was killed and murdered in said city on the
Goth inst by being shot through the body by
Thomas Buford. with a ublo-barreled shotgun"
INTERVIEW WITH COLONEL BUroRp.
In ten minutes after Mr.. Buford taken to Jail
the HERALD correspondent called upon him ana held
the following interview
"Have you any objection.to talking with me upon
the subject of the killing Of Judge Elliott ?"
"None IA the least. will toll you all about it,
He then into the particulars Of the land suit
lately decided against him in the Court of Appeals
entitled Buford. administrator. VS.. Guthrie. He
Mary F. Buford. had been robbed and murdered by
the decision of the Court of Appeals. 1 thcn asked
him to give me tho particulars of the killing.
THE STORY THE KILLING
''Oh, that is easily told' said he. II made up my
mind to kill him. l thought Monday would
kill both him and Judge Pryor. ana took walk to
il could not Pryor account of his chill
dren. finally concluded to do Twelve months
ago. in March or April. came to Frankfort deter
mined to kill Judge Pryor and had twcntyfour
buckshot in flannel bag for him and somebody
else, but changed my mind
We'll. why did you change your mind?"
"Judgc Pryor knew all the particulars Of my case.
He knew how my sister had been wronged and could
have controlled tho decision. but the case was not
yet decided and determined to wait"
TELL me about the killing OF Judge Elliott"
81 made up my mind to kill him. not because no
was the hrst to decide tho against me. but be-
he gave Judas kiss. Hc came to mo aftor
the decision and said. Colonel did all I could for
you.' knew that was rc.' knew tho profession
was against me-"
HARpINo ON ITS LAWSUIT.
Here he went again into the particulars Of the caso
and upon being sskcd TO tell about the shooting OF
Judge Elliott, said: MY gun loaded with twelve
buckshot In each barrel. thought this morning
would go snipe hunting. met Elliott and said to
him. Judge. believe will go snipc hunting won't
you 60 alongr Ho said. No. Ithen asked him IL he
wouldn't tako drink. and raised my gun and pulled
the trigger. It went of clear as a bell
SORRY.
"IIe fell upon the pavement. and then was sorry
I leaned down and placed my hat under his head I
wished to treat him with as much courtesy as he
had shown in the robbery and assassination of my
sister by his decision. II the most ignomnious
game that riy gun killed. was arrested then,
and gave tho Sheriff letter TO my niece, Annie P
Wallace You the letter. simply gave her
all my estate in law and equity. and asked to bo
buried by my sister. did not intend 10 kill Judge
Hines or Judge Pryor. I killed Elliott to try my
case to show that they could not rob and assassnate
with impunity.
TO srsrEn's GRAVE.
last week was down In Henry and knott on
my sisters grave and to gain this case or die
with her. know what have donc. I made up my
mind. and AM ready to take the consequences I
had pistol in my pocket, and intended to use IL IL
tho shotgun failed. but II did not fall
PUBLIC rEELrSa.
The announcement Of this horrible tragedy put An
end TO all business in the city. The streets have
been crowded with people all the afternoon and IL
has been seriously apprehendcd that there will be
riot. The Sheriff has summoned Q large posse of
citizens TO guard tho JAIL and militia have been
notified TO be in readiness in Of sn outbreak
Judge Elliott universally popular. generous and
kind-hcarted to n fault. His wife was In the
hotel. and her distress was hcartrcnding Hundreds
Of citizens have called TO Wow tho remains. The
shot toob effect in the right side near the lower rib
and passed. through to the other side Death was al
most instantaneous. The Court of Appeals was ad-
ourned until April 8, out of respect for the deceased
The burial will probably take place to morrow after.
noon. Governor McCrcary win have to make Nh ap-
pointment to hll the vacancy upon the Appellate
Bench.
CAREER OF THE DECEASED.
Chief Justice John M. Elliott was born in Scott
county, Va, May l6. 1870. whilo quite young he
moved with his parents into Kentucky, where he
received his education at the public schools. He
adopted law as his profession. and admitted
TO tho Bar and commenced practice In 1sl3.
In 1s47 no was . member Of tho State House
OF Representatives. and In 1869 chosen
Inv dou1Ocrnffo noSro fati "a