Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-09-02
Killed In SeH-Deiense.
"TAY" REED, FORMERLY OF MEXI-
co, COMPELLED TO SHOOT A
MAN IN TEXAS.
Reed Empties the Contents of q Shot
gun Into L. Lash, Who Provoked
the Killing Reed Was Justi-
fed in His Action.

From copy of the Childress( (Texas)
Star, it is learned here that ''Tay"
Reed, formerly of this city, shot and
killed man named L. Lash at Estel-
line, Texas, last week. From the
newspaper account of the affair, 'sTay"
was, it seems, justified In killing the
man, as Lash followed him from place
to place, making threats TO takeReed's
life. "Tay" Reed, as he was famil-
iarly known IN Mexico, where he lived
for many years, is brother of Mrs.
r. P. Hopkins, of this city, and VIM.
F. Reed, proprietor of the Merchants
Hotel in Moberly, and while he resided
here was known as quiet, peaceable,
gentlemanly citizen-the last man in
town who would likely get into q
scrape of this character without justi-
tication. When~Wm. F. Reed was in
the mercantile business in Mexico his
brother s'Tay" was associated with
him and everybody was his friend.
Prior to moving to Texas he lived on
East Monroe street.
The Childress Texas Star in speak
ing of the unfortunate affair, says:
A telegram was received in Child
ress Tuesday morning, stating that
Mr.. J. A. Reed had killed L..Lash at
Esteiline. No details could be learned
Tuesday; but Tuesday night several of
our citizens attended the examining
trial at Memphis. From several who
attended we gathered the following
facts:
1t seems that Lash became offended
at Reed on account of q story in cir
culation touching a scandal affecting
Lash, and Lash told friend that he
intended to kill Reed.
"You had BETTER let Reed severely
alone," replied to party. "You can't
buIldoze him."
81 am not going to try to bulldoze
him." replied Lash; "I'm going to
kill him.
The party warned Reed. Lash had
made threats against several other
men and was known to be a quarrel
some and dangerous man, and Reed
prepared to defend his life. Lash
made himself obnoxious on Monday
and Reed expected trouble all day.
Tuesday morning Lash began to fol-
low Reed from place to place. Reed
went to the depot at train time. Lash
followed. Reed returned to the store
in wagon-Lash followed. Reed
made several other movements and
Lash followed.
No one was looking when the first
shot was fred. But Reed fred with a
double -barrelled shotgun. The shot
took effect in Lash's shoulder and
arm, Lash having his arm In
his bosom at the time. Reed fred the
other barrel of his gun. The buck
shot were buried in Lash's side and he
ran into his room and closed the door.
A friend of his went into the room and
found him lying on the floor, with
his face to the wall, dead. Two pis-
tolls were lying side by side on the
bed. This friend closed the door when
he entered the room and remained in
the room about a minute. He insists
that Lash was unarmed and that the
pistols were on the bed when he en-
tered the room.
Other parties state that Lash was
armed while he was following Reed.
This, however, is no contradiction of
actual facts, as Lash may have laid
his weapons on the bed when he en-
tered the room. 1t is also said that
Lash stated that he twas going to kill
Reed on Tuesday"
The evening before the killing Lash
went to his room, secured weapon
and walked toward Reed. Reed
pointed his gun at him, saying:
"Don't you come any nearert"
"Don't shoot" exclaimed Lash; 81
don't want to hurt you"
Reed lowered his gun and Lash be-
gan to surreptitiously move, probably
with view of leaping forward and
grasping the gun.
@Don't come any nearer" Reed
reiterated. 81 don't want to hurt you;
but you went to your room, got your
pistol and came over here to kill me.
I am not strong enough to cope with
you physically and you can't get close
enough to get hold of this gum"
Lash made some reply and walked
away. The next morning he thrust
his head In the door of a dining room
and said with foul oath: ftReed, we
are going to settle this matter to-day
and am neeled."
From the facts in the case Reed
was justified in his action.
Public sympathy at Estelline. lie
greatly in favor of Reed.
The justice of the peace fixed
Reeds bond at 5000, which was
readily given.
Mr.. Reed came down to Childress
Wednesday morning with his wife,
who went up Tuesday morning, to be
with him in his trouble.