The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-22
SIGILANTES OR AVENGERS /!

an Attempt Made on the Life of Charles
ESrd, the Slayer of Jesse James-Fired
Upon by Party of Hidden Foes, who All
Miss Their Aim in the Darkness.
RICHMOND, Mo-, Nov. ID.
General excitement was created in this
city yesterday by the news that an attempt
had been made to assassinate Charley
Ford, the elder of the Ford boys, the slayer
of Jesse James. The account, following
close upon the alleged mysterious disap-
pearance Of the younger brother, Bob, in
New York, created more of a sensation
than it would otherwise have done, and the
opinion prevailed for time that friends of
the dead bandit had at last organized to
seek revenge for his death. The news was
found to be reliable, and proved that
Charley Ford had really had a narrow es-
cape from death at the hands of unknown
assailants. Last Tuesday night Charley
Ford was, as he has been for two weeks
past, stopping at the house of his father,
which is situated in the country, about two
miles north of this city. The house is the
ordinary farmhouse, with the usual out
buildings, and having, like most farmers
places IN this region, dense growth of
weeds in the yard. These weeds are
sufficiently high and dense to afford
q place of concealment for a num-
Der of men, and persons hidden among
them could. easily find an ambush com.
manding the entrance to the house. On
Tuesday night seven men, all well mount
ed, were noticed riding in the direction Of
the Ford place, but, though they do not ap-
pear to have been masked, none of them
were recognized by the people they passed
H.,
some point near the Ford place, tethered
their horses, and then, subsequent
events proved, made their way to the
house, and under cover of the increasing
darkness entered the yard and concealed
themselves in the heavy growth of weeds
already mentioned. How long the men re-
manned thus hidden is unknown, but they
waited until Charley Ford came out of the
house, as he did at an early hour in the
evening. He had no sooner got fairly out
side the door than a perfect fuSilade of
shots was opened upon him from the weeds,
and that he was not shot down at once is
only explairable upon the theory that the
darkness rendered the aim of his assailants |
uncertain. Ford did not retreat into the |
house, but drew his pistol in an instant and !
dashed at once in the direction of the shots. |
As he did so the men concealed in the |
weeds leaped to their feet and ran, Ford !
shooting at them as they clambered over |
the fence, but hitting none of them, at least |
so far as known. The band regained their |
horses, which had been fastened in the i'm
mediate vicinity and gallOped away.
1t is said that Charley Ford's readiness
with his pistol when the ambush was
sprung upon him was because the attack
was not a complete surprise, but what he
had been anticipating for some days.
There are rumors that he had been notified
Of an attempt to be made upon his life, and
that since this notification he has held HIM
self in readiness for defense at moments
warning. 1t is held by many that the
would-be assassins were not exactly aven-
gers of the James boys, but were made up
Of farmers of the region where Ford's
father lives. 1t is reported that strong
feeling exists against allowing either Char
ley or Bob to live in the neighborhood. and
that Charley's return home and prolonged
stay induced resort to summary means
for either putting him out of the way at
once or frightening him from the vicinity.
That such an affair should occur, and so
close to the city, and be kept quiet for some
days, seems strange, but persons occupy
ing official position, and others of good
standing, vouch for its truth. The affair
will be investigated, and an endeavor made
20 learn who were involved in the crime.