Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-26
. THE FORD BOYS.
The K,IIIng OF HIte.
Sd. Loalfa GIobe-Demoornt.


The trial of Bob Ford, who killed
Jesse James in st. Joseph, Mo-, last
April, for the murder of Wood Hite, a
member of the famous James boys gang,
and an own cousin of Jesse and Frank,
which is now taking place at Plattsburg,
is causing great excitement among Off
Gals. Mrs. Samuels. mother of the
James brothers, Mrs. Jesse James. Char
lie and Capt Ford, Sheriff Timberlake.
of Clay county, and Police Commission.
er Craig, of this city, and other persons
prominently noted in connection with
the removal Of Jesse, are in attendance
upon the trial.
The killing of Hite, for which Bob
Ford is now standing trial, was the re-
suit of a quarrel between Llddil and
Hite that originated in Kentucky, about
two months previous to the fatal meeting
OF the men in Ray county. 1t is well
known that the elder Hite's home, near
Adairsville, KY, was for years the rem.
devious OF the leading members of the
James gang. The house was well re-
moved from the town, and the outlaws
ran but little risk in coming and going at
their pleasure. The topography of the
country about the retreat of the bandits
was well calculated to cover a flight in
case of a surprise. During the latter
part of 1881 Liddil made his home with
the Hites, not caring to venture back
into Missouri, where the officers
were continually on his track.
Early in January Of the present
year Wood Hlte one day accused Liddil
OF being too intimate with old Hite's
wife Liddil denied the charge, a quar-
rel arose between the two, and each pull
ed his revolver. Several shots were ex-
changed, but neither outlaw was wound.
ed. Liddil retreated from the house.
mounted his horse and left the State,
coming direct to Ray county. The
shooting scrape between Liddil and Hite
took place after the former had quarreled
with Jesse over the killing of Ed. Mil
Ter. Jesse and Wood were great friends,
and Liddil thought that plan had been
concOcted by the two former to kill him.
Under this belief he came to Missouri
and joined Bob Ford, who was then Hv-
ing with his sister, Mrs Bolton, on a
farm about two miles out of Richmond.
The other inmates of the house we're
Will Ford, Bob's invalid brother, Ida
Bolton, and Mrs. Bottoms Youngest
child. A week or two after Liddil's
arrival the door suddenly opened one
morning and Wood Hite entered. The
family was at breakfast at the time Hite
entered, and, knowing the enmity that
existed between the men, it was obvious
that the meeting might terminate in
bloodshed. Liddil advanced toward
Hite and extended his hand, which the
latter accepted, at the same time giving
Liddil an assurance that he felt friendly
toward him in spite of their late lively
but harmless episode, but scarcely had
the party seated themselves at the
table when Hite began q TRADE
against Liddil, repeating his former
accusation. Liddil gave him the lie,
and accused him of being sent by Jesse
James to kill him. Instantly both men
sprang to their feet, drew revolvers, and
opened fire. Mrs. Bolton and her Chill
dren sprang to the corner of the room.
passing in range of the bullets, but
escaping without injury. Bob Ford
moved toward the door, toward which
Liddil was also backing between the
shots. The men were firing diagonally
across the room, the bullets passing un-
comfortably close to the children, who
were rusnlng ABOUT frantlcally endeavOr-
ing to escape. After several shots had
been exchanged, Bob drew his re.
volver and fred twice at Hite, who
fell to the floor with a bullet
through his brain, but whether it came
from Liddil's or Ford's revolver has
never been ascertained. The body was
removed from the house and thrown into
an old spring on the farm, where it was
found by officers after Liddil had sur
rendered and told the story of Hite's |
death. During the shooting Liddil was
wounded IN the leg, while Hite, at the
first fire, was shot in the arm. H1te's |
death opened between Liddil and Jesse
a still wider breach, and the former |
probably surrendered to escape the bull |
let of the latter. The killing of Hite |
occurred early last February, just previ-
GUS to the raid made on the Bolton |
House by Undertake and Craig.