The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-14
BOB FORD's CAREER.
&c Was Always Fearful OF the Death
That Overlook Him.
From the PHILADELPHIA Record.


From the Philadelphia Record.
CREEDR, COL. June 9.-Ever since Bob
Ford killed Jesse James ten years ago he
has been fearful Of the fate which finally
overlook him on Tuesday, when he was shot
and instantly killed by Deputy Sheriff
Kelly.
Ford has given deal of trouble to the
Creole people. Two months ago, after at
tending prize fight, he and Joe Palmer
went shooting around town, hunting for
one Of the pugilists and apparently indiffer-
ent as to whom they killed. Very early
next morning a number OF the sober citizens
Of the place got together in secret. They
considered whether it would be better for
the peace of the town to hang the two des-
peradoes ct once or first invite them to
leave. Because no one knows in what county
Creole is located and because there has been
no legal organization by which lawful peace
officers could be elected. this meeting was
absolutely necessary. Finally they took a
vote on the subject. Bob Ford and Joe
Palmer missed hanging by just three votes.
A messenger carried the news to the des-
perAdoes. He found them IN bed and dead
broke. They borrowed $50, however, and
took the early morning train out of town.
Ford hung around Colorado City for a few
weeks, aud then went back to Cresde. Bob
Ford, since he sprang into notoriety by
shooting the famous outlaw. Jesse James,
has been somewhat of a wonder on the
face of the earth.n He always said that he
could not stay away from the familiar scenes
Of his old life in the west, and be knew that
sooner or later he would meet death at the
muEzle Of a revolver.
THE MURDER OF JESSE JAMES.
Ford killed Jesse James April s, 1882. In
a small frame shanty in the suburbs of st.
Joseph, Mo. James, who had long been a
fugitive from justice because OF his daring
train robberies and cattle stampedinR, was
10 close hiding. Nobody knew where he
was except Bob and Charley Ford, who
were members Of his band and enjoyed the
intimacy and confidence OF its chief.
The detectives had vainly tried to capture
him, and at last Gov. Crittenden of Mis-
souri, set the price of $4,000 on bis head. 1t
was for this that the Fords killed him.
They pretended to have come In from a raid
In western county and sought shelter In
Jesse James asylum. For several
the three men lived together on
good terms, aud yet the opportunity
never came to catch James without his
weapons until at last one day they were In
the living room, and James, who was rear
ranging some articles OF furniture. took off
bis belt and laid it, with bis pistols, on the
Ing off a picture when Bob Ford drew his
pistol and sent bullet through his head
from behind.
GOV. CRITTENDEN's POLITICAL DEATH.
The Fords told what had been done and
gave themselves up to the authorities. The
cOld-blooded and trecaherous murder, sane
toned as it was by the legal reward.
created the utmost sensation throughout
the west. At first it WAS necessary to look
the murderers in Jail and put large posse
to protect them from the popular fury
Jesse James was deided In cheap literature
AID made hero of in ths Dick Turpin,
Cartouche style, and for a long time the
Fords we're held up to popular execration.
Bob Ford was indicted and brought to
trial. He pleaded guilty and was promptly
convicted. Gov. Crlttenden pardoned him
In the court room. 1t then leaked out that
Crittenden had arranged with Ford to kill
The bandit James. He promised him $40, 900
and pardon. Then money was paid.
Since then Gov. Crittenden has not been
heard of in Missouri politics. 1t politically
gave him his quietus
FORD WAS DEsPIsED FOR HIS ACT.
The Fords went into theatrical ventures
snc figured in a wild western drama, in
Il which the scene of the shooting of Jesse
James was reproduced. 1t was not sues
\ cess, although it drew in some Of the cities,
like. Cincinnati and Chicago. in the dime
q museums. Ford used to tell his friends that
he was consumptive and had not long to
4 I'VE, but he was sure he would die with his
boots on for all that. He said: ~ can't
Keep away from the west. l feel drawn
back here, and they despise me now since
GOT the drop on JESSE
Strange TO say, Frank James never at
tempted avenge his brothers death, but
uled OF consumption after having been CON-
yerted from desperate into a respectable
citizen in Kansas City.