Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-31
JUDGE ELLIOTTs ASSASSIN.
The Feeling Yesterday-..An Interview
With the Prisoner Talking
of His Sister.
Special Dispatch to oourier.yournaI.l

In frankfort. But0rd's S manner and
conversation at times to-day have
given rise to much discussion as to the
question of his sanity and the crazy
plea so frequently resorted to by mur-
derers in desperate cases. The idea
that Buford was or is a maniac, and
not responsible for his acts, finds no
lodgment in the credence of anybody
in Frankfort. Buford is talking a
little wild" was remarked to minis
ter. " Yes was the reply, she is
laying aside the stole and assuming
the role Of lunatic. " He may be in
a measure demented on the subject of
his and his sisters supposed wrongs in
the matter of the suit; but he knows
as well as any man that his assassina-
ton of Elliott was a dastardly crime.
for which he ought to suffer. Judges,
lawyers, everybody, sneered at the
mere suggestion of his insanity.
INTERVIEW WITH COLONEL BUFORD
COLONEL BUFORD's DREAM.
Late this afternoon went around
to the Jail, and, looking through the
iron grated door to the far end of the
corridor, saw Colonel Buford sitting
before the window, with his body bent
over, staring vacantly at the floor.
Upon being called he arose and walked
languidly to the door. In answer to
my inquiry, he said he was not well.
His stomach was out of order and
his mind much troubled. Said he /:
Some one came to the window Just
before the court met this morning :;
something he said fixed my mind on
an occurrence last night. | have been
unable to think of anything else. But
for that would have been at myself
in court. When | think of it | can
not control my feelings and keep the
tears from my eyes.
Reporter-Why, colonel, | thought
you very self-possessed in court.
Colonel Buford-No, my thoughts
we're on a sort of vision, or dream,
that came to me last night. l thought
was once more at my home with my
sister Mary, in peace and prosperity.
Then was at her grave, and when |
awoke my face was wet with weeping
for her 1t was after midnight, and /
got up, but could not drive the vision
from my mind until day, and after
wards that man at the window called
tup again. In the court 1 was look
ing out of the back door at the sky.
and fancied that it was so to happen
that | was to visit once more my sis
ters grave. [ thought the Judge
asked me whether was ready to 20
to my sisters grave, and | answered,
Yes. General Green Clay Smith,
he being a distant relation and a
preacher, was sitting by me, and he
said the Judge asked whether | was
ready for the trial. Then | realized
where ! was, and told the court |
waived an examination.
Colonel, said |, are you con
sclous that these troubles have unbal-
aneed your mind ?"
Colonel Buford -" This legalized
robbery and assassination of my sister
have occupied my mind constantly for
years, and troubled me so that | have
moved about, and hunted and fished
as diversion"
Reporter" Were you crazy when
you killed Judge Elliott ?"
Colonel Buford-"0h, | am as ca
pable as any man of transacting any
business or discussing any subject
but when | get to thinking about that
suit it excitS and troubles me"
Several leading questions elected
only repetition of the above answer
He again and again referred to his sis
ter, saying that nobler and gentler,
more cultivated woman never lived,
and then his eyes, in spite of his
efforts to ropress them, would fill with
tears.
Drawing him back to the killing, |
said Were not all the judges of the
appellate bench as much to blame as
Judge Elliott in the matter of your
sHitY
Colonel Buford-0h, yes. All were
equally culpable.
Reporter-Why, then, did you sin
gle out Elliott as the object of your
vengeance?
Colonel Buford-Well, I never had
any respect for him after his pitiful
apology for the robbery; and then
Pryor had children. When my sister
was making her will | promised her
And here he stopped.
Reporter-It is reported that you
are to be taken to the Louisville Jail 2
Is it?" He replied in a careless
sort of way.
Then he added ." 1t does not make
any difference to me.
Reporter do not think that any
thing makes much difference to you
now.
Oh, no" he replied, in weary
sort of way; nothing makes any DIFF
erence to me now.
Reporter-It is thought that a
special term Of court will be held in
May for your trial.
Col. Buford-Well, | do not care
when or where or how it is held.
reporter = Have you employed
counsel.
Col. Buford-No, do not want any
counsel. | have employed no one. /
did not know that what | said about
my brother Henry's shooting me would
be published. | do not care if every
thing bearing on this case is published,
but every little thing | saw about
other matters ought not to be pub
lished.
Reporter-Have you read the
funeral sermon upon Judge Elliotts
Col: Buford-No; l have not seen
it. Who preached it2
| told him that it would be pub
lished tomorrow, and he said ho would
/ read II