The Florida star., 1901-02-22
ATTEMPTED MURDER 1T ZERO.
A Georgian Named Reed Shoots POstmas-
ter GifTord with shotgun.

ter clifford With shotgun.
Saturday morning, February 10th, at
Vero, an uncalled for and premeditated
attack was made by c. ID. Reed on H. 7.
Clifford. This occurred about O'Clock
in the morning. Reed used a shotgun
loaded with No. shot, and it is thought
fired both barrels with the full intention
of killing his man.
Mr.. Clifford was watering his horse and
as he led the animal from the barn he
saw Reed coming toward him with a
shotgun, but thought nothing of it until
Reed stopped at distance of about so
feet away and aimed the gun at him.
Quick as q fash Mr.. Clifford threw
himself sideways behind the pump and
water bucket, q movements that undoubt-
edly saved his life. He received twenty
eight shots in one thigh, eighteen in the
other, one in his knee, two in his groin,
four hit him in the abdomen, but did not
enter his body.
About dozen glanced from the pump
and wounded his head, shoulders, hands
and wrists. One shot passed through
both sides of the upper portion of the
water bucket, but the water stopped sew
eral that struck it lower down. The
horse was wounded also.
After firing Reed hastened away and
succeeded in evading the sheriff and his
deputies until Wednesday, living in the
woods and receiving the assistance of
friends and relatives in that section.
Sheriff Brown went to Vero Saturday
afternoon by first train and spent his en-
tire time until ne was located Wednesday
afternoon, being out several nights with
his deputies in the search, arriving home
about 4 O'Clock yesterday morning.
Reed was arrested Wednesday after
noon by Deputy Sheriff A. p Gore, who
located him on Johns island, about two
miles north of Vero. Reeds friends
claim he was about to give himself up
when placed under arrest.
He gave bond in the sum of $500 for
his appearance at the spring term of cir
cult court. 1t is supposed that his friends
stood on his bond on account of mis-
large family, which is entirely dependent
upon him.
Reed has wife and five daughters.
1t is also understood by his bondsmen
that he is to vacate the land he occupies,
which is owned by Mr.. Clifford, and is TO
stay away from there; not even being
allowed TO move his family-this is TO
be attended to by friends so as to prevent
any further trouble between the two
families
Reed had rented land of Mr.. Clifford
and there had been some dissatisfaction
about the crops, but no heated words
had passed for over three weeks.
Vero is postofice and small settle
ment on the river about six miles south
of Woodley station, and is about equi-
distant between Sebastian and Fort
Pierce.
After being shot Mr.. Clifford walked TO
the house before he lost Consciousness.
His family cared for him until DIR. Platts,
of Fort Pierce, arrived, accompanied by
DIR. Z. Van Hood, a noted surgeon of the
south, who was visiting at that place.
They dressed the wounds, extracting sew
eral shot that had passed nearly through
his thighs.
They say unless complications set in
Mr.. Clifford will recover.
Mr.. Clifford is 62 years of age, has large
property interests at Vero, and is well
known and most highly respected by the
residents of Indian river, as well as in
his native state of Vermont. The COM
muuity have been very active in show
ing their sympathy with him in this
trouble.