The Red Cloud chief., 1884-05-17
GONE TO MEET JESSE.
Charles Ford. one of the Jesse James "Re
movers" Commits Suicide.

ShoTACS HOEus u u n Jesse JduncS ne
movers" Commits Suicide.
RICHMOND, Mo-, May THE city of
Richmond has seldom been so startled as il
was yesterday morning by the report that
Charles Ford, the brother of Bob Ford, tho
slayer of Jesse James, had committed sui
eide by shooting himself. The news spread
rapidly, as all reports of a like character do,
and Immediately a number of people re-
paired to the residence of Mr.. j. I. Ford,
Charley'S father, about q mile east of the
city. Upon reaching the residence Of
the Fords the report was confirmed
in all its particulars. The young man was
found lying on the side of the bed, dressed
in his pants and shirt. His hands were
folded across his bosom and a bullet hole in
his left breast told the story of his death.
The ball had passed through his heart and
death must have been instantaneous. His
face was placid, and there was a faint smile
on his lips as if a feeling of pleasure and
peace had come over him as his spirit took
its flight. The bedding was undiSturbed
and the room in good order, showing that
he had expired without 4 struggle.
BY his side was lying a 40 caliber Colts re-
volver, with which the deed was
done. The weapon was held so close as to
blacken his shirt bosom. Upon inquiry
your correspondent learned that Charley
was cheerful and apparently happy the day
before, giving TO Indication Of his intention
10 take his own life. About eight O'Clock
he requested his mother 10 procure some
morphine for him, not telling why he
wanted it Tie reasons assigned for the
act are numerous, some a~SSertingothat re-
morse for his part in the removal of Jesse
was the cause, others that il was the fear
of the
VENGEANCE OF FRANK JAMES,
who Will soon be at liberty once more, and
who, ia Charley'S opiara, would probably
wreak vengeance upon him for the death OF
jesse. and others still saying that disease
proving upon his system caused his despair.
No regret is expressed at his death, and in
fact a feeling of relief Pervades the CON-
munity- The remark is frequently heard:
This Is the noblest act of his life" The cor
naer summoned a jury and proceededto aScer-
tain tho cause of death. The evidence given
at the inquest showed that Ford WAS an
habitual morphine eater, often consuming
ten or twelve grains of the drug a day; that
he was also seriously affected with catarrh
Of the bladder, which was az times very pain
ful. and that he also suffered greatly from
indigestion. He left no letter explain
Ing or accounting fsr his deed of self
destruction. The jury returned a Yer.
dict that he came 20 his death from
4 pistol shot inflicted by his own hand.
Charley was under indictment for the bus
robbery at North Lexington. THIS case
waS entered at the spring term of the Ciin-
ton Circuit Court, but on account of his
illness, a forfeiture of his recogniZance with
leave Ia set aside was taken. The general
impression is thai he died without a dollar,
having spent ak the money he received
for his work in the detection and kill
ing of Jesse James. Robert Ford, who was
in Kansas City ~ the time. was teiegraphed.
The deceased vii De buried al the cemetery
at this place To-day. Charley had been
spending a couple Of weeks with his par
eIitS. hoping a brief Sojou-n in the country
might benefit his failing health. bat despair
seems 10 have ID, ertaken hirn, and at last
becoming greater thai he could YEAR he
ended his troubles with The bullet