Huntsville gazette., 1892-06-25
JUDGE J. 3. MORGAN KILLED.
Henry Foster Sent Bullet Through His
Brain-He Approached His Victim
From the Rear and Fired Two Shots.

most shocking Tragedy tnab ever HSureu
in the criminal annals of Upper Missis-
sippi occurred near here this morning,
when Judge James Bright Morgan was
shot and instantly killed while sitting
in crowded railway car by Henry c.
Foster, fellow attorney Sensational,
because of the high social and business
standing of both the participants; thrill
ing, because of the unusual surroundings
of the crime, and tragic, because OF Its
fatal termination. Back Of 1t all there
is a story of professional disputes, and
some say Of professional jealousy, and
Of public Gaming that was finally
wiped out by the blood of him who adj
ministered it. Tonight in this usually
peaceful little hamlet the rain is falling
softly on a bereaved home, while its
melancholy patter is heard In the jail
across the town by two brothers who
are incarcerated there on the charge OF
murder. Shorn of the fringe of preju-
dice woven about the crime by those on
both sides who are interested in it, the
story is substantially as follows: Early
has been lifelong resident of the
county, bade his wife goodbye, and,
with some little joking remark to an
other member Of the family, walked
down to the railway station, intending
to take the morning train for Memphis,
where he was engaged in the practice OF
law. This morning he stood and
chatted with various friends while wait
ing for the train, and appeared to be In
excellent health and absolutely with
out suspicion of the doom that awaited
him.
Finally when the train which was late
rolled up to the station Judge Morgan
boarded it and entering the ladies' coach,
took the second seat from the front door
on the left going north, sharing it with
his friend Col Ira d. Oglesby, promi-
nent attorney of Mississippi. Judge
Morgan sat next to the aisle of the cas
while Col. Oglesby occupied the place
beside the window.
Immediately behind them sat Mr.. and
| Mrs. p. P. Van Vleet, of Memphis. The
| train had proceed about seven miles and
half, and was just pulling out from
| AIden's station, when Henry II. 9. Fos-
ter, who had boarded the train at the
abova mentioned point, came down the
aisle. He looked neither. to the right
| or left, but seemed to know where the
| man for whom he was searching sat.
| Behind Foster was his brother. Albert.
Foster reached point beside Judge
| Morgan and with an exclamation that
was drowned in the roar of the train
| drew 44-caliber revolver, aimed de-
| liberately at Judge Morgan's head and
| fred. The ball entered back OF the
ear, and passed through the head COM
ing out on the left cheek. The wounded
| man without cry or word fell side
ways against Col. Oglesby. But Foster
| was not satisfied with this, for, stepping
quickly forward, he fired again, hitting
the already dead man in the right arm.
The ball also pierced the body through
and through, coming out about the left
| hip. Instantly the crowded car was
thrown into the widest excitement.
Men shouted and women terror stricken
behind the seats, meantime Foster STOOD
cooly about with his smoking veal or
in his hand. No one made an effort tc
molest him, but when the little station
of Horn Lake was reached he left the
car, and accompanied by his brother
gave himself up to Squire Halliday.
Sheriff Rollins, of DeSoto County, was
at once telegraphed for, and upon arriv
ing at Horn Lake, took charge OF the
prisoner. Meantime the body of the
murdered man was stretched out on two
seats that had been turned face to face
and covered with shawls and papers
The wounds bled profusely and by the
time the train reached the Illinois Cen
tral depot in Memphis. the floor OF the
car under the body, and the cushions o.
the seat whereon it lay were dyed Grim
son.
The cause which led to the tragedy
had its origin in lawsuit in which
Henry Foster and Judge Morgan were
opposing counsel. Foster, the attorney
of f. L. Wright, desired to regain fol
his client charge Of the fathers little
girl, years of age, who had been with
its mother since her divorce from
Wright, two years ago. Foster instl
tuted habeas corpus proceedings, and
while in the clerks Office at Hernandt
became engaged in quarrel with
Robert K. L. Morgan, son of Judge
Morgad. They would have come tc
blows had not Clerk Maxwell and Sheriff
Rawlings separated the two combatants
Al that time Foster, it is alleged, wal
very abusive of Judge Morgan. Hi:
language was repeated by Robert to his
father the next evening on the arriva
of Judge Morgan at fernando from
i Memphis. He saw Foster at the depo
and went to him and said he desired T.
see him. Foster, who was with some
ladies, remarked, II will see you tonor
row." Judge Morgan replied, mo, sir
you must see me now," and as Foste
turned from him Judge Morgan strucl
him with heavy cane which he car
ried. Foster tried to get out Of his way
but Judge Morgan followed him up an
| rave a terrible beating. The result o