The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-27
THE DANGERS OF
STORY WRITING
A Burglars Literary Effort May Con.
vict Him.
THE MANUSCRIPT WAS FOUND
In IL the Story ofa Mysterious Murder
Was Told in Graphic style-.Its Au-
thor is Now Accused OF Having
Committed the Crine.


markable criminal case is interesting
the authorities of two states, as well
as of several features involved, which
are decidedly unique in character and
of absorbing interest.
The sentence of John Higgins, alias
William Woodford, sent UP from Tole-
do few months ago on a four-year
sentence for burglary, has been COM
muted for the reason that he is to be
tried in the courts of Adrian, Mich,
on the charge of having committee the
mysterious murder of former Alder
man Lafayette Ladd, in that city, on
the 18th of April, 1896 Laud was for
merly a resident of this city, where he
has many relatives living at the pres
ent time
The crime was a brutal, cold blood
ed affair and had the perpetrator been
apprehended at the time, it is doubtful
if the authorities of Adrian could have
prevented a lynching, so popular was
the murdered man in the city which he
had served as an official for some
years.
About 2.3O o'clock on the morning of
April Il, 1896, Mrs. Ladd was awak-
ened by a rustling sound in the apart
ments occupied by herself and hus-
band. Her first impression was that
mice caused the sound, but an intuitive
apprehension of something wrong, Ad-
rian having suffered from so many de-
predations i'm the better residence por-
tiOn of the city about that time,
prompted her to attempt to awaken
her husband, who was a very sound
sleeper. She touched him gently, but
he did not awake. She then raised her
head very quietly for investigation.
She was startled to perceive, just over
the footboard of the bed, the head of a
man. He was sitting in a rocking
chair in front of the dresser inVeSti
eating the contests Of the drawer. Mrs.
Ladd again endeavOred to awaken her
husband, but, failing, she attempted
the eXpedient of a slight cough, hop
ing thus to frighten the burglar away.
Just then Mr.. Ladd awokc, and, upon
being made to understand the situa-
tion. raised up in bed and demanded:
What are you doing there?"
wANTON MURDER.
Without uttering a word. the man
arose from his chair, drew a revolver
and fired point blank at Ladd. Then,
the house as he entered, by a bay WIN
dow in the front portion of the build
ing
Mrs. Ladd started to get up and fol-
low, but her husband restrained her
and requested that she Immediately
summon a physician and notify the
police.
A doctor soon reached the home and
IL ,1,f
calibcr. had entered the left breast
near the nipple, passed downward and
lodged in the intestines. DIR. Wyman
was hastily summoned from Detroit,
and an operation was performed. but
the unfortunate victim died at las that
afternoon.
The robber had taken, besides quite
a sum of money, Mr.. Ladds gold watch
and spectacles, and these, it was hoped,
might prove some clue looking to the
apprehension of the criminal.
Time passed and several arrests were
made, but the murderer was not ap-
pretended. The numerous burglaries,
however, We're at once discontinued in
Adrian. a few days later. however,
there began a series of perpleXing rob-
berries and burglaries in Toledo. They
portion of the city, usually among
prominent business and professional
men. Despite the work Of the city and
private detective organizations, for a
long time not a trace could be secured
loking TO the capture Of the guilty per-
son. one night the house Of we'll
known wholesale merchant was robbed,
Among the articles taken was hand
IL 1, i.
Two or three days later a barber told
Detective Jack Carew that a young
man who posed as a student had Of
fercd very peculiar looking gold watch
to him at a ridiculously low price
Carew and his partner, Tom OBrien.
at once began to investigate and learn
ed where the man boarded and roomed
Upon reaching the house they saw the
object Of their search, Judging from
descriptions given by the barber, stand
ing upon the porch. Carew started
boldly up the walk. OBrien having in
the meantime gone in the back way
and started up the rear footpath The
fellow evidently did not suspect any
thing until just as Carew came up to
him he suddenly pulled a revolver and
f@'d. But O'Brien had reached him
GH5 struck up his arm, the bullet whiz-
zine by Carew's ear Both OF the Of
/ fccrs seized him, and for a time there
was a desperate struggle. He was
| placed in Jail, charged with rohbing
| the residence of John p. Weed of the
| wholesale house Of Weed, Colhurn &.
| Co. But none of the property was To-
! Gated at the time.
THE STRANGE STORY.
Just as the officers were almost in
| despair of convicting him, Carew learn
ed in some manner that the fellow, who
| gave his name as William Woodford,
| had conveyed information outside the
| Jail to have package shipped by ex-
| press TO his sister, a schoolteacher in
| Jackson, Mich, He intercepted the
! package before II was delivered. and il
! was returned to Toledo. Besides sew
! eral articles of considerable value, but
| which We're not identified as to owner
! shin at the time, there was remarka-
! bly, Well-Written manuscript story. 1t
was singular tale, written as though
! for publication, and would have done
| credit tn any old newspaper man. IT.
| was story Of a man who had killed
| another to protect his own person, and
/ expresses many regrets the expression,
! "A Life for Life" appearing several
! times therein. There were a number
! Of well-written and decidedly romantic
| incidents neatly woven into the narra-
| tive. and Detective Carew asked Wood
ford what the manuscript referred to.
Woodford was at first very much sur
prised to learn it had fallen into the
! officers hands but attanntad IN laugb