The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1883-11-24
tlgIllsrrs on atfsetns I

~ Attempt usas ~ TIE iiis ~ thHfisf
fafti NE 4iaftf ~ tfiss iHmss tlfsd
pos w rafif ~ illdaee fsfs, wi,a ~
Hisa theii Alm N ils usthHess.
iifnsusn. No Nee y
denafal ssttamam Was created ~ ihis
ciiY Yesterday i,y tbs news thai an ssleiupi
had lesn MAIDS " aasassiBata thaflsf
Ford, The elder ~ The Ford l8ys, the SLAYER
~ iesse James. Tho account. following
close unon the alleged mysterious dsap
peafanco VI The younger laaihef, bob, IN
New Yafh, created mnfe n a asnsslian
than u would othtfwiss have done, and tho
opinion prevailed fdf tins that friends of
the dead bandit had NJ last organized 10
seek revenge fDf his death, The news waa
found to b. reliable, and proved that
Charley Ford lad really had narrow ~.
cope from death NJ tho hands II unknown
aisallanis. last Tuesday night Charley
Ford was, aa he has bern for two weeks
rast, stopping NJ tho house ~ his father,
~siah e situated n tho country, about two
miles hnrh " this city. This house l. the
ordinary farmhouse, with the usual out
tulldngs, anh having, like most farmers
places IN this region, dense growth Of
weeds In the yard. These weeds are
suillcicn " high aud dense % afford
place nf voncealmrnt for a mum.
hcr VI men, and persons hidden among
Them could easily ilnd mn ambush cum'
mandng the entrance t1 the house, nn
Tuesday night seven men, MI well mount
cd, were Noticed riding la the direction OF
the Ford place, but, though they do not mp
pear to have been masked, none OF them
were recognized by tho people they passed
on the highway. These seven men reached
some point near the Ford place, tothored
their horses, aud then, as subsequent
events proved, made their way TO tho
housc, aud under cover OF tho increasing
darkness entered the yard aud concealed
themselves IN the heavy growth Of weeds
already mentioned. How long the men r..
malnud thus hidden il unknown, but they
waited until Charley Ford came out Of tho
house, as he did at an early hour In tho
evening. lilo had no sooner got fairly out.
side tho door finn n perfect fusilado Of
shots was opened upon him from the weeds,
aud that be was not shot down &C once IA
only explaiuahe upon the theory that the
darkness rendered the aim Of his nssailnnts
uncertain Ford did MT retreat into tho
house, but drow his pistol In an Instant and
dashed NJ once In tho direction OF the shots.
As ho did so tho men concealed IN tho
weeds lc,ped 10 their foet and ran, Ford
shooting at them ns they clambercd over
the fence, but hitting none OF them. at least
10 far as known. The band rcgaincd their
horses, which had been fastened In tho I'm.
mediate vicinity and gallnpod away.
IL is said that Charley Ford's readiness
with his pistol when tho ambush was
sprung upon him was because the attack
was not complete surprise, but what be
had been anticipating for some days.
There arc ruinors that he had been notified
Of an attempt TO lie made upon his life. and
that since this notification he bns held dhim.
self IN readiness for defense at n moments
warming Il Is held by many that the
would.ba nssaHsins were not exactly avun.
goru of tho James boys. but were mado up
OF farmers OF tho region whore Fords
father lives. IL Is reported that a strong
feeling exists against allowing either Char.
ley or Bob 10 live In tho nnighborhood. aud
that Charlcy's return homo and prolonged
stay Induced resort 10 summary means
Tor either putting him out OF the way at
once or Tightening him from tho vieinius
That such an affair should occur, and so
close 10 tho city, and te kcpt qule. for yome
days, seems strange, hut persons octupy..
Ing official position, and others OF goqi
standing, vouch for IL truth. The affair
viii 40 laxsssis sated, aud an eDdeavor made
10 learn who were Involved IN the crime.