The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1893-11-04
KENTUCKY TRAGEDY
A SHINING BROTHER SHOT DEAD
The Perpetrator ,Journeyed All the Way
From Kansas to Avenge His
Sisters Wrongs.

C1No1NNAT1. Oct. 80 The news of
terrible murder across the river reached
this city today.
Strangely, too, the first information
of the tragedy was brought by the man
who had committed the crime.
The victim was his brother, and the
slayer, as he related the shocking de-
tails, expressed neither regret nor re-
morse.
Last May sensational shooting affair
near Big Bone Spring, over in Ken
lucky, occurred. George Lonsford, a
farmer about 27 years old, and his
brother Amos, lived in that vicinity.
Vita the latter resided their sister,
Josie, some 10 years of age, and con-
sidered weak minded. Reports began
to circulate regarding the relations of
Amos and Josie. These rumors finally
reached the ears of George. One day
the brothers met, and George called
Amos to account. There were hot
words, and, pulling his revolver, George
shot Amos. George sought safety in
flight and soon found his way to Kan
sas, where ne settled on farm. The
wound was not serious, and before pub
lie comment on the affair and it's cause
| had ceased, he had recovered sufficient
ly to be out. The neighbors took up
the matter and Amos received white
cap warning that it would be advisable
for him to leave that locality. He SEN
sibly disappeared before the threat
could be carried out. Josie hired her
| self out as cook. Some ten weeks ago
Amos came back and rented house at
Ford's crossing, a hamlet some thirty
four miles southwest of this city, and
not far from the line of the Louisville &
Nashville road. He induced his sister
to come and live with him. No objec-
tions were made by the neighbors, and
it seemed as if they had forgotten the
affair of last spring. Recently on aunt
of the brother visited George in Kan
sas and told him that Amos and Josie
were living together again and had re-
sumed their relations. AS soon as he
could make the arrangements George
took the train for Kentucky. Last
Sunday, to everybody's surprise, he
suddenly appeared at Ford's Crossing.
He at once sought out his brother and
confronted him with the information
that had reached him out in Kansas.
AS if confirming the story he found
Amos and Josie residing in the same
house. Amos vigorously denied that
there was anything wrong in their re-
lations. He had merely brought his
sister to the house so that he could take
care of her. The brothers parted with
out trouble, but George fingered in the
neighborhood. AS it developed he had
determined to watch Amos and his
! sister. He claims that he saw enough
to confirm his suspicious and the stories
: that had been told him. He then de-
termined TO kill both brother and sis
) ter. He armed himself and went to the
house. After telling Amos that he had
discovered the truth, he pulled his re
volver and opened fire. Two bullet:
struck Amos in the side. He fell to the
d floor, and in less than half an hour was
! dead. George had turned the gun OF
E Josie after shooting Amos. He hest
e tated and then lowered the weapon
y saying he would spare her life as sh
y did not have good sense and was not t.
y blame After the tragedy George lief
e the scene and made his way towart
y Cincinnati. He reached here yester
% day No effort was made to arrest him
although he did not try to conceal him
self, and in fact, declared he woul
e surrender himself when wanted.
4 81 came from Kansas" he said, ser
y pressly TO kill both of them. After
p had killed him I turned to shoot hei
n when the thought struck me that sh
5. was weak-minded and not accountabl
for her actions. For that reason
!. spared her life"