The Russellville Democrat., 1893-08-10
DRIVEN TO DESPERATION.
Thomas A. Lstts, of Fort Gibson, Shoots
 Frank Boudinol.
THE PARTICULARS.
Three Men Had Cowhided Lstta, Covering
 Him With wluchestsrs.

FoRT GIBSON, I. T., August 7.-- i Special. ]-The shooting affair
 which took place here on tue 5rd instant betSoen Thomas A. Latta and Frank Boudinot and Mark
 Matheson was no surprise to those who have known Latta and tho
 events which led up to such an un fortunate affair. The ease, which is most interesting one, dates
 back some months. Latta is assist
 ant postmaster, an office he has held with perfect satisfaction to the pub lie for three years. On the night of the 17th of last March the mail pouches from this office were robbed while being conveyed by the carrier from the office to the depot. Latta made an immediate examination of the case on the night it occurred, and seemed to have found clue enough to arouse a suspicion on Matheson and Bou- dinot, who mp to this time had al ways been con idered, though not
 men of an enviable reputation,
 honest. This suspicion caused him
 to have the rooms of Matheson and
 Boudinot examined by man who
 worked at the hotel at which they
 boarded, which resulted in the ind ing of pieces of three registered pack age envelopes, two of which bore the name of the "third assistant postmaster general, thus leaving no doubt as to what they were. Through some means the suspicion become noised abroad, and though Latta up to this time had said noth- ing of his suspicious. Boudinot and Matheson came on to him and Mir. Scott, the postmaster, at their place of business, and told them that they understood that they had circulated the reports, but Ilatta and Mr Scott denied the charge, and told them that no such report had become circulated by them. At this Matherson and Beudinot called them damned liars and cursed them for everything imagin- able and wound up by saying that they intended to investigate the matter to the bottom and if they found out that they (Latta and Scott) had accused them they would have to answer to them personally, as no man could islander them and live.
 This act, as matter of course, only strengthened the suspicion in the eyes of Latta, and when he had inn parted the evidence he had accumu- lated to the postof6ce inspector who came out to look into the case, his views was shared by that officer and he decided to place both under arrest, but decid- ing that it was a little doubtful whether they conld be convicted on thi evidence. and believing that more could be obtained, it was fl. nally decided to wait while, and Latta was instructed to take charge of the case and strain every effort to gain new points. To say that he followed these instructions can be seen by what followed:
 Some weeks after the first assault on Latta and Mr. Scott, Bondinot went and apologized to Latta for the way he acted, and said that + there was any charges against him he wanted them investigated at once. He said that he could prove he would have had no motive in robbing the mail, as he, at that time, had $500 in money, and that of the $500 he had then about $250 left. In view of the fact that man, who Latta had shadowing him knew that about four or five days subsequent to the robbery Boudinot had purchased exchange from Condon's bank at Coffeyville, Kan, on New York to the extent of $700, and few days later had called in J. E Campbell, of Alluwee, l. T., at Vinita, l. T., to identify him so that he could get it cashed, this did not seem an altogether plausible story and this fact only added to the suspicion which now was shared as fully by the depart ment as by Latta. Not withstanding the fact that Latta had no confidence in Boudinot he says that he was surprised few nights later when on leaving the house of young lady with whom he was keep ing company to have Boudinot step from behind tree near the gate and express desire to speak with him. Just what was said at this meeting is not known, but it is thought that it was about the young lady who Boudinot had gone with some and of whom he was desperately jealous. The young lady being a most estimable young woman and above reproach, her name is withheld. This meeting of Boudinot at the dead of night was repeated three nights later, but in- stead of being alone, Boudinot had with him this time three men, and Latta says that had the young lady not have been with him he thinks they would have killed him.
 Time passed on without any more troubla until few weeks ago, when Latta received a letter from Boudin, ,t in which he assailed hia eharaetar in vary aavera ferms