The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-04-05

armed his servants, and that from eve
window in the front of the house a shotg7
: was directed toward his party. The pos
= parleyed with Buford to no effect, and tn
began regular seige of the house, with,
believe, occasional but fruitless exchan!
of shots. After three days and nights Il
Sheriffs party withdrew, and the Sheri
declined to do anything more with the e.
ecution. Then Buford's lawyers secured
rehearing in the Court of Appeals and d
cision was rendered against them last Sa
urday, Judge Cofer delivering the opinion
Col. Buford had been in Frankfort pend
ing the decision of the court. 1t cannot b
learned that he made any threat against an
of the Judges, but yesterday morning b
called at the residence of Judge Cofer an
remained with him for some time. 1t
now known that he had a pistol in hi
pocket during the interview. and is no
doubted by Judge Cofer's friends that Bu
tord had it fully in his mind to kill tha
gentleman when he went to the house
When Buford got to the front door afte
the interview-the two had been talking il
an upper room-he called to Judge COTE
to come down and help him find his um,
brella, which was before his eyes in the
rack. For some reason, although it does
not appear that Buford had made any show
of violence in Judge Cofer's presence, Mrs.
Cofer was suspicious OF him, and herself
went down stairs and handed Buford his
umbrella.
Buford lett the house, and little while
after met Judge Pryor, also of the Court of
Appeals. Stopping him Buford said
''Judge Pryor, have you anything against
me 2" The Judge answered. Why, certainly
not, Tom" Buford went on to say some
thing about the suit, when Col Weissinger,
a lawyer of LOUISVILLE, took Judge Pryor by
the arm, and the two went off together. In
a conversation after the murder of judge
Elliott, Buford said: 81 thought on Monday
I would kill both him and Judge Pryor,
but thought of Judge Pryors children.
and took a walk to see if I could not save
Pryor on account of his children. 1 finally
concluded to do So Twelve months ago, in
March Or April, I came to Frankfort
determined to kill Judge Pryor. 1 had
twenty-four bnckshot in a flannel bag for
him and somebody else, but changed my
mind"
After the talk with Judge Pryor it
appears that Buford went home, got his
shotgun and hunting bag and came back
20 the Capital Hotel, where Judge Elliott
was boarding He waited at the entrance
for Judge EIliotts coming. A little after 1
0 clock Judge Elliott accompanied by Judge
Hines, another associate who was only re-
Gently elected to tho bench, came to the
door of the hotel Rnford stepped up to
Judge Elliott ''Judge," he said I'm
going snipe hunting, will you colne aong?"
Judge Elliott thanked him, but sald he
could not go. "Then, said Buford, will
you take drink %
Whether Judge Elliott answered or not,
will never be known. Judge Hines had
Just walked away to speak to friend, when
Buford put the gun to his hip and fired one
IF the loads into Elliotts body. The twelve
ouckshot entered his right side, making a
lole not larger than a half dollar. The
,wo were not six feet apart, and Judge
Elliott fell back dead without a word or
. eroau. Buford looked at him for a
moment, while the Mortified spectators held |
pack, said "Im sorry" then took off his |
own hat, raised Judge Elliott up, and
,ut the hat between his head and the paveN |
nent. Then he was seized by those around, |
. policeman came up and Buford quietly |
unlimited to arrest Handing the gun to
he officer, he said, "Be careful of that;
put put twelve buckshot in the other
arrel for Pryor" On the way to the
ustice's Office he handed letter to the
fficer, addressed on the outside, "Whoever
nav get this note ask earnestly to deliver
to the person to whom it is directed.
he letter was as follows:
CAPITAL HOTEL, March 26, 1879.
Whatever may happen to me, l desire that my
eice Annie q. Wallace, shall have everything,
9th in equity and law, that belongs to me. only
SIX that my body shall be laid by my sister, Mary
= Buford, whom loved so well, whose robbery
nd assassination wish to try.
To a reporter of the Courier-Journal
,uford afterward said: II made up my
lind to kill him, not because he was the
rst to decide against me, but because he
ave me Judas kiss. He came to me
fter the decision and said: Colonel, | did
Il l could for you. knew that was lie.
new the profession was against me. My
un was loaded with twelve bnckshot in
ach barrel. 1 thought that morning l
ould 90 snipe hunting l met Judge
and said to him; Judge, ] believe
will 60 snipe hunting won't you 60
onp? He said, No. I then asked him
he wouldn't go and take a drink; and
len raised my gun and pulled the trigger.
went eff clear as bell. He fell upon the
ayement and then was sorry. 1 leaned
own and placed my hat under his head /
wished to treat him with as much courtesy
, he has sh )wn in the robbery and assassi-
alton of my sister by his decision. 1t
as the most ignOminious game that my
IN ever killed. was arrested then, and
I'VE the Sheriff q letter to my neice
~ II Nl,.,l lat
simply gave her all my estate IN law and
luitv, and asked to be buried by my sister.
did not intend to kill Judge Hines or s
ldge PRYOR. l killed Elliott to try my
Lse, to show that they could not rob ana
Id assassinate with impunity. Last week /,
was down in Henry, and knelt on my
sters grave aud swore to gain this suit or
e with her. l know what | have done.
ade up my mind, and am ready to take !
e consequences. had pistol IN my !
,cket. and intended to use 1t If the shot
IN failed, but it did not fail
Buford was committed 10 jail, and o :
roe posse gf citizens summoned to guard :
e bnilding. After Buford got inside he !
ent over to the officer who held the gun,
ssed the weapon, and said: 'Go1 have
me good service for once There were =
any threats of lynching, but no overt
tempt at violence. A company OF mil :
was called out later and guarded the
il all night.
The BODY Of Judge Elliott was taken to bis
ON in the Capital Hotel his wife having
an informed of the murder only few 4
omeuts before. Judge Lindsey OF the d
,urt OF Appeals, who is prominent can ,
date for Governor, was instructed 10y his !
saciatts to announce 70 all persons cons
rned. that the court would be adjourned
til MAY next, before which time 1t u
opposed that Judge Eihoits successor
d be appointed. The murdered man