The herald., 1895-05-01
Tragic End of a Son of kentucky'S
y Governor
VENGEANCE OF A HUSBAND
The Woman Follows Her Paramour Into
the Hereafter
Deadly Work Done by an Outraged Spouse In
the City Of acknowledgements
Dealing Bullets

LOUlSNlLlE, N.Y., april oo'-ih d
shooting affray today Arch Brown was
shot and killed by Fulton Gordon, Cor
don was shot by Brown and Mrs. Gordon
was shot and killed by her husband.
Brown and Gordon's wife were in the
house at 1925 Madison street. Gordon
caught them together. He at once at
tackled Brown and shot him fatally.
Brown returned the fire and injured Cor
don. Gordon then turned the weapon on
his wife ana sent bullet through her
stomach. killing her instantly.
Arch Dickson Brown is a son and pri-
vate secretary of Governor Brown OF Ken
lucky. The Gordons are highly connected
also. Gordon is under arrest.
Nine shots were fired. The guilty
couple were taken completely by sur
prise. Brown had prepared, however, for
such q visit and his pistol was lying
near. Before he could reach it the en-
ragged man had commenced firing. His
aim was true and every shot must have
taken effect, as Browns body was rid
died. Brown fred few shots, staggered
to a chair in corner, sank 10 it mo-
ment and then fell over dead. Gordon
then turned to his wife and fired at her.
striking her in the body. Though mortal :
ly wounded she was able to get down the
steps and run twenty feet to cellar.
Nine shots were fired.
1t now transpires ;that Gordon was not
injured. He was covered with blood and
was thought to have been shot. He is.
however. in commissions. Mrs. Gordon
was Miss Nellie Bush of this city, and
comes from one Of the most prominen ;
families in this city. She elopsd with
Gordon about ten years ago and moved to
Frankfort. She was about 80 years old.
She leaves three children. On account
OF the high family connections the MUIR
der has caused great sensation. Young
Brown was recently divorced. 1t is un-
derstood the reason for the divorce was
Browns intimacy with Mrs. Gordon.
Gordon was arrested.
The news of the tragic death Of Arch
Dixon Brown, son and private secretary
Of the governor, reached Frankfort short
ly after o'clock. A telegram from Dre
Young Brown, Jr.. carried the sad intell.
gence to Governor Brown, who was at the
time sitting in his Office conversing with
the secretary of state and commissioner
of agriculture. He was completely over
come when apprised of the sad fate OF his
son, to whom he was as devoted as it was
possible for father to be. The governor s
grief was uncomfortable and he gave way
to the most piteous lamentations. Gov
crnor Brown and Secretary Headley left
at 8 O'Clock for Louisville.
The following telegram found in Mr..
Browns pocket no doubt is the direct
cause Of the double murder:
LOUISVILLE, KY, April %, 1895.
To Archie d. Brown, Governors Private
Secretary, Frankfort KY:
Do not write any more. Come Tuesday.
Meet me at 8.
tSigned) P. NJ. G.
Upon receipt Of the above telegram MI.
Brown came to Louisville and proceeded
to the appointed place, which is an evil
resort at 1905 Madison street, where at
1:S5 o'clock today the tragedy occurred.
At noon, Brown, with Gordon's wife,
knocked at the front door OF Lucie B.
Smiths Madison street house. They
were admitted by Matte Mittington, a
co!ored woman. and Immediately repaired
to the upstairs front room, which had
been previously engaged. Thirty minutes
later rather tall man knocked at the
door OF the house and was admitted. This
was Fulton Gordon. He engaged the front
lower rroom. saying woman would join
him shortly. The man closed all the doors
and a few minutes later a commotion was
heard above, followed by succession of
pistol shots. Then there was hurried
movement down stairs as Mrs. Gordon
aoI &pAv -
rang out and she fell dead on the porch in
the rear yard. Gordon left the house i'm
mcdiately and a few minutes later
Browns corpse was found in the upstairs
room. Policemen Reilly and Lapaille
rushed down Walnut street and saw a man
running for a buggy tied to post at the
corner of West street.
The man was bloody" said Officer
Reilly. "and nmediately Jump at the
conclusion that ne was the murderer.
ran and grabbed him.
Gordon, for he turned out to be Cor
don. said to me: ''I shot both of them.
caught them in the act. They are both
dead. I am shot. too. Come with me
and I'll show YOU where they are.
Gordon was as pale as a ghost and was
O'iuohsiy very WEAK. Ldpalle, mVSelf
and Gordon walked to the house. Just
as we got inside the front door Gordon
staggered and was aboutlto fall when
caught him. He was in fainting condi-
tion. / summoned the ambulance. and
as soon as that arrived we sent Gordon
to jail
Never was there more sanguinary bat
tie than the one fought on the sec ond
floor OF Lucie Smiths house. Gordon had
little difficulty in getting into the room.
as the fact that there are no broken
locks indicate that the entry was left un-
latched. AS soon as Gordon gained ac-
cess desperate duel evidently began.
Brown had 3S-caliber revolver. which
was empty after the tragedy. Gordon
must have had two pistols, as six bullets
pierced Browns body and three of them
pierced Mrs. Gordon. The bed on which
Mr.. Brown ana Mrs. Gordon lay was COW
erel with blood. showing that one or
both had been shot while in that position.
or in the struggle one or more of the
wounded had fallen there. Gordon him