The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-29
HE DEFEHM9ED HIS HONOR
And That : lis Family, and His Con-
ko;i0nCe Is Clear.
HAD Al E AGREEMENT WITH LLOYD
The La : Promising to Do Nothing Di,honor-
able to Bring Disgrace on His Sister,
But II Was Broken-He VOL
unfairly Surrendered.

The Age-Herald having been the first
paper to print the news of the supposed
Gauss Of the killing of Barlow Lloyd by
John A. Gafford, the latter sent last
night to the Age-Herald his own state
ment of the case, written by himself.
Special to The Age-Herald.
Greenville, Ala, Aug. 2S.-Two weeks
and three days before the tragedy I went
to F. B. Lloyds house, accompanied by
his father, who went at my request.
1 asked Lloyd about this talk about
my sister and himself, and he dsnied
that there was any ground for the talk.
We parted in the friendliest manner, and
it was agreed that everything should be
friendly, but that Lloyd was to so con-
duct himseIf that no further talk would
arise. We.were on perfectly amiable
understanding, and Lloyd spoke in the
lindest manner of our old friendship and
of our being brothers in the church. He
and his father zach invited me to re-
main to supper, but 1 did not remain.
This was on Saturday evening.
On the next Monday my sister went
to Spring Hill church in neighbor's wa-
gon along with his family, and the de-
ceased went in his buggy and carried a
young lady relative of his wife. He paid
such marked attention there to my sis
ter that general indignation was ex-
pressed by the decent people who wera
there, and wound up by transferring the
young lady who had accompanied him
to the wagon, and taking my sister in
her place and coming as far as his house
with her, a distance of three or four
miles. The next day he and his father
came down to where was, and we had
a perfectly friendly talk and parted SO.
I didn't know anything about the church
trip at the time.
The day before the shooting my sist
used his horse and buggy all day. The
day of his death we met and asked him
why ne had broken his agreement. We
talked about the matter few moments
when he suddenly drew a large revolver
and I instantly shot him. He jumped up
and fell out of THE buggy, and I walked
up the road about 100 yards and ssnt
Charlie Dees down, telling him had shot
lloyd, and to go down and do all he
could for him. 1 also sent Claude Pal
mer and Earl Lewis down for the same
purpose. sent word by Mr.. VIM.
Butler aria others to Sheriff Shanks that
1 would come in and surrender in a day
or so.
The next day surrendered to Neil CAT
ford, my brother, and VIM. j. Creech,
they having been de,putizsd by Sheriff
Shanks. They delivered me to Shanks at
the house of Malt Hawkins and we all
came to Greenvi1le.
Lloyd has tried to frighten me out by
threats sent by others, but I would not
go. We were both cool and sober at the
time of the killing.
Yes, Mr.. Lloyd was a brave man. HIS
nerve was better than mis- Judgment. We
never had any conversation that was not
perfectly friendly in our lives until the
killing. At the time Lloyd paid fEe for
me in Montgomery no cause existed hs
Tar aus know for any but the friendisst
feeling between u.s. l had never had any
hint of this until I was in Coalbu.g
,talloed with F. H. Gafford, of Birming-
ham, on the subject, and when I came
home 1 went Ito investigating. But
every one naturally kept what thsy kniw
from ms. The sheriff offered to take me
to Montgomery, but did not want to CO.
My conscience is clear in this matter,
although / deeply deplore the necessity
for this trouble. / am sorry for Lloyd's
widow and children Mrs. lloyd is oae
of the best women have ever met. Had
her husband not forced this trouble she
would not have been a widow today.
Had not felt entirely justifiable would
not diave surrendered. as 1t was in no
sense compulsory.
JOHN A. GAFFORD.