The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-15
GONE To MEET Jesse.
Charles Ford. one of the Jesse James ~Rs-
movers" Commits Suicide.

Charles Ford. one of the Jesse James ~Rsr
movers" Commits Suicide.
RICHMOND, NO., May 1.-THE city Of
Richmond has seldom been so startled as 1t
was yesterday morning by the report hIat
Charles Ford, the brother of Bob Ford, the
slayer of Jesse James, had committed sur
eide by shooting himself. The news spread
rapidly, as all reports of like character do
and Immediately number of people re-
paired to the residence of Mr.. j. I. Ford,
Chariey's father, about a mile east Of the
:ity. Upon reaching the residence Of
the Fords the report was confirmed
In al, its particulars. The young RsR vas
found lying on the side OF the bed, dressed
in his pants and shirt. His hands were
folded across his bosom and buIkct hole in
bis left breast told the story of his death.
The ball bad passed through his heart and
death must have been Instantaneous. His
face was placid, and there was . faint smile
on his lEDs as if a feeling of pleasure and
peace bad come over hiE as Ies spirit took
its flight. The beddjag was undisturbed
and the room in good order, showing that
he had expired without a struggle.
By ihfs side was lying 45'oaliber Colts re-
voEver. with which the deed was
done. The weapon was heK so close as t6
blarken his ShiTs bosom. Upon inquiry
your correspondent Learned that Charley
was cheerful and apparently happy the day
bef0re, giving ne Indication OF his intention
TO cake his O0n life About eight O'Clock
iIs requested has mother TO procure sorva
sTorphiDe for him, MT telling why de
wanted it The reaSOIs assigned for the
act are Numerous, soHse asserting that re-
;;norse for his part 1.-THE ''remOvar' of Jesse
'Tas the cause, Others that it was the feai
of the
VB&Sgs&FcE or FRANK JAMES,
who will -sson be at tllberty once more and
who, in S&arley's' opinion, would probably
wreak ver-geaneeGF him for tbe,ttsSth Of
Jesse, ard others still saying that fsSease
pIeying apOn his-sy stem caused his,Gespair
No regUst is, expires Sed at his death. 1&nd IN
fact hceling of relief perva6es disc con-
munitS. TheTreRTtrk is Frequently heard
This e the nobe5t act of his Iife'' The cor.
oner szmmoneda Jury and proceeded 20 aScer-
tain tkc cause of cath. The eviderce giver
at the inquest showed that FGpG was an
habitEal morphine eater, ofteQ ctnSuIniRy
ten OJ,twelve grains of the drug days tina 1
he WIS also SER Ously affected with oatarIh
of the bladder, which was at timeS,very pain
full, and thatiste also suffered greatly fro m
indigestion. BE left no letter explain
ing or accounting for his dsed of self
destruction. The jury retained a Ner-
dict that Ire came to his death from
a pistol SHOT inflicted by hfs ,own lhand.
Charley was nlder Indictment dor the bus
robbery at TOrth Lexington. This cease
was enteretzls the spring term .ef ,tFeaClin-
ten Circuits CTurt but on ao1Dunt 'Sf his
Illness "a forfeiture of his recQauizance with
leave TO Get aside was taken The general
Impression IS that he died waihoutsa dollar,
having speEt all the money he received
tor his work in the detection and kill
ing of Jesse James. Robert EOrd, who was
in Kansas City at the time, YVES telegmphed.
The deceased will be buried al the cemetery
at this place to-day. Charley had been
Spendingts, couple of weeks with ilsis par
entS. honiug "a brief sojOun IN the country
might benefit his failing health, bot despair
seems *o.lhaEe Overtaken him, and at last
becoming greater than he could bear he
ended Ills troubles with the ballet.