Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-05-16
GONE TO MEET JESSE.
Charles Ford. one of the Jesse james Gre
MOVERS" Commits Suicide.

Charles Ford. one of the Jesse james Gre
moSers," 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, the
slayer of Jesse James, had committed sui
eide by shooting himself. The news spread
rapidly, as all reports Of like character do;
and Immediately a number of people re-
paired to the residence of Mr.. j. I. Ford,
Chafiey's father, shout 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 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 faint smile
on his lips as if 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 a struggle.
By his side was lying As 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 no indication OF his intention
to take his own life. About eight O'Clock
he requested his mother to procure some
morphine for him, not telling why he
wanted 1t. The reasons assigned for the
act are numerous, some asserting that re-
morse for his part in the removal of Jesse
was the cause, others that it was the fear
of the
| VENGEANCE OF FRANK JAMES,
who will soon be at liberty once more and
who, in Charley's opinion, would probably
wreak vengeance upon him for the death of
Jesse, and others still saying that disease
preying upon his system caused his despair.
No regret is expressed at his death, and in
fact feeling of relief pervades the CON-
munity. The remark is frequently heard:
This is the roblest act of his life." The cor
Oner summoned jury and proceeded to ascer-
tain the 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 day; that
| he was also seriously affected with catarrh
of the bladder, which was ct times very pain
| full and that he also suffered greatly from
| indigestion. He left no letter explain
ing or accounting for his deed of self
| destruction. Inc jury returned YER
dict that lie came to his death from
a 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 Clin-
ton Circuit Court, but on account of his
illness, forfeiture of his recognizance with
leave TO set aside was taken. The general
impression is that he died without dollar
having spent all the money he received
for his work in the detection and kill
ing of Jesse James. Robert Ford, who was
in Kansas City at the time,was telegraphed.
The deceased will be buried at the cemetery
at this place to-day. Charley had been
spending couple of weeks with his par
ents, hoping brief sojourn in the country
might benefit his failing health, but despair
seems to have overtaken him, and at last
becoming greater than he could bear lie
ended his troubles with The bullet