Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-11-02
MISSOURI STATE NEWS.
How Wood Hite was Removed.

HOW wood Hlte was Removed
The killing OF Wood Hite, for which
Robert Ford, who shot Jesse James in st.
Joseph last April, is on trial at Plattsburgh,
1t will be remembered, was the result of q
quarrel between Liddn and Hite that origi-
| mated in Kentucky, about two months pre-
vlous to the fatal meeting of the men in Ray
County. 1t is well known that the elder Hite's
home, near Adairville, Ky, was for years the
rendezvous of the leading members of the
James gang. The house well removed
from the town, and the outlaws ran but little
risk in coming and going at their pleasure.
The topography of the country about the re-
treat of the bandits was well calculated to
cover fight in case of surprise. During
the latter part of 1881 Liddu made his home
with the HiteS, not caring to ven
ture back into Missouri, where the OFF,
GERS were continually on his track. Early in
January of the present year Wood Hite ac-
cused Lidd1 of being too intimate with old
Hite's wife. Liddil denied the charge, a
quarrel arose between the two and each
pulled his revolver. Several shots were ex-
changed, but neither was wounded. Liddn
retreated from the house, mounted his horse
and left the State, journeying direct to Ray
County. The shooting scrape between Liddl
and Hite took place after the former had
quarreled with Jesse over the killing of Ed
HITLER. Jesse and Wood were great friends,
Snd Liddil thought that plan had been con-
cocted by the two former to kill him. Under
this belief he came to Missouri and joined Bob
Ford, who was then living with his sister.
Mrs. Bolton on farmabout two miles ont of
Richmond. The other inmates of the house
were VIII Ford, Bob's' invalid brother; Ida
Bolton, and Mrs. Bottoms youngest child. A
week or two after LiddiPs arrival
the door suddenly opened one morn
ing and Wood Hite entered. The
family were at breakfast at the time Hite
entered and, knowing the enmity that ex-
listed 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 TRADE against Liddil,
peating 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 children
sprang to one corner of the room, passing in
range of the bullets, but escaping without in
jury. Bob Ford moved toward the door, to-
ward which Liddil was also backing between
the shots. The men were firing diagonally
across the room, the bullets passing uncom-
fortably close to the children, who were rush
ing about franticaly endeavoring to escape.
After several shots had been exchanged, Bob
drew his revolver and fired twice at Hite, who
fell to the floor with a bullet through his
brain, but whether it came from LiddiPs 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 Hites death.
During the shooting Liddil was wounded in
the leg, while Hite, at the first fire, was shot
through the arm. Hites death opened be-
tween liddil and Jesse a still wider breach,
and the former probably surrendered to es-
cape the bullet of the latter. The killing of
Hite occurred early last February, just previ-
Gus to the raid made on the Bolton House by
Timberlake and Craig.