Daily Republican., 1879-03-28
THIRD EDITION.
AssAS.INATIoN OF A JUDGE
Auaxe John VI. Elliott shot Down
by Got Thomas BufHrd-The Cause
q DeetslOn Agaiusl the Murderer.

a ApcCthi NSSPa'Ch ho"
Ky., dated yesterday, says:
Accustomed as they are to alnos,
daily announcements OF crime. Ken
Auckians were shocked to day as they
never have been before by til. assassi-
nation of one who had heen elevated by
the people to a position on the Supreme
Bench Of his State. To-day. at p. M,
In the State Capital, Frankfort, Judge
John N. Elliott was murdered without
warning by Col. Thomas Bufori.
Judge Elliott and his colleagur,-
Judge Hines, having left the State
Hous., were on their way to dinner at
the Capital Hotel. In front CT the ho-
tel ia " we're met by Buford, dressed
in hunting style. He asked Judge
Elliott whether he would go snipe- hunt
ing, aud, receiving negative response,
requested him to take drink. This
was refused. Judge Hines had moved
away about six feet. The discharge
Of gun was heard, and Hines turning,
saw ElliOtt PROSTATE. BuDrt bent
over him, and placed his own hat un
der the dying Judges head. Elhott's
death was almost instantaneous, the
contents of the barrel discharged-l2
buckshot--passing through his body
from the ri ght to the left side. Hines
ut first thought tae shooting accidental =,
but Buford exclaimed that II was not,
aud surrendered himself to two officers
who came up almost immediately after
the shooting.
The only interview had with the
prisoner was by "Courier Journal
r,portar. He entered into the particu-
lara Of the lawsuit lately decided
against him in the Court of Appeals,
entitled Buf ri, Administrator, against
Guthrie. II. went over the whol"
ground, AMI said his sister, Mary T.
Buforl, l. ad been robbed and murdered
by the decision of the Court Of Appeals.
C,rresponden.--Please give me the
particulars OF the killing, Mr.. Bulord.
Mr.. Buford-Oh, that is easi y told. !
made up my mind 20 kill him, |
thought on Monday that | would kill
him ard Judge Pryor, hut | thought Of
.Jud - Pryor's children. and took a
walk to ~. If could not save Pryor
on account of his children. | finally
concludsd to doso. Twelve months ago,
in March or April, | came to Frankfor,
determined to kill Judge Pryor. | had
"a hucksh in flannel lag for hin,
and somebody else, but changed my
mind.
Core, pondent-Wrli, why did yor
chang" your mind'
Bltorh-JudIe Pryor knew all th"
particular Of my ca'r. He knew how
NV sister had been wronged; and could
have controlled the decision, but th'
case was not yet 4. cided and | deter
mined 10 W .it.
Correspond nt-Trll me about tht
killing OF Judge Elliott.
B ford-I mace up my III nd TO XII
him, not because he was the first 10 de
eide tie case against me-, but becaus,
h. gav- IN. Judas kiss he cam" t.
me- after the decision and said: '1' i
oncl. did all could for you;
knew the profession was against m"
sny gun was loaded with l. backsho
in each barrel; thought this morning
would 60 suipe-h hunting; ! met Juds'
Elliott aud said TO him: Judge, BE-
lieve will 90 snipp- shooting; won
YOU 60 along" H., said no. | the,
,skrd him il he would not 60 and tak'
a drink, and raised my gun and pnlIe'
the trigger. 1t went off clear as a bell
He fell upon the pavement, and th"I
Twas sorry. leaned down and plac
ed my hat und+r his head.
40 nit mn l,i
courtesy "a he had shown in the rob
berry and assa's nation OF ny sister by
his decision. It was the most ignOmn.
ious game that my gun ever Killed
Twas arrested then and CAV" tn" Sh"r
ilf a letter to my niece, Annie o. Wal
lace. You can see the letter. ! sim
oily gave her all nay rstat" in Law and
equity, and asked I" be buried by my
sist,r. did not intend 10 XIII Jud!t
Hines or Judge Pryor. killed Eliot
10 try my ease, to showthat they could
not rob ard assas.inate with impuni
ty. Last week was down in Henry
ard kurlt ell my sisters grave anc
swore to gain this suit or die with her
know what have done. ! made NJ
my mind, and am ready to TAKE tn,
consequences. had pistol in iu'
pocket, and intended to use it il tlt
shot gun failed, but it did not fail.
The disgrace of this crime is felt
keenly throughout the state, and very
bitterly condemned in despatchea iron
all parts OF the State.
PUBLIC FEELlSG.
The announcement of TINS horilil'
tragedy put all end to all blSInr,7 It
III. citv Tn. stitrts hav. been crowd
ed with people all the afternoon, an
il has ben seriously appr-h"nird tina
tber. will h. a rot. Tine sheriff Ia,
summou-i n large poss" Of citizens It
guard the jail, aud tue militia haH'
I,.pu notified TO ~. in reahInrss III cas-
ofan outbreak. .Iudge Elliot was uhi
yer.aIly. popular, generous aud klDd
hearted to taui. His vii. war II
the hotel, and her distress was heart
r4ndiny. HUI dIed5 OF citizens have
called 10 ci"w the remains. 1he sh"
took effect N th- right sli", near Vi
lover rth. ard passed thf"ngh "
th. Other sid-. Drath was almost H.
stau'aupoua. The Court OF hupea.
was adjourned unli April 5, out OF re-
sva,t for the decreased. The burla
will probably take plac- to morr"" al
t4rnoou. Governor u -Irrtry VII! har
TO make an arpolntmrnt to ii | the Va
rsu,.y upon tn Appellate Bench.
f.At