Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-09
NOVELIST MURDERED.
Paul Leicester Ford Shot by Ills
 Brother.

NEW YORK, May 9.-Paul Leicester Ford, the celebrated novelist, was shot and killed in his home at B East Sev- enty-seventh street yesterday afternoon by his brother, Malcolm Webster Ford, the athlete, who then committed sui eide.
 The brothers had been enemies for eleven years, since the death of their father, Gordon l.. Ford of Brooklyn, who left an estate valued at $2,000.000 to all of his children save Malcolm, whom he disinherited because of his connection with athletic sports.
 Paul Ford was sitting at his desk in his house coat when Malcolm entered the room. His wife, who is in a deli cate condition, was in her room up stairs.
 When Paul refused Malcolm's de- mand for money, the latter drew re- yolver and shot him ill the left breast. Paul fell to the floor.
 Malcolm stood looking at him mo- ment and then shot himself through the heart, dropping dead beside his crippled brother. Pasl Ford lived for ten minutes. The only words he ut tered were:
 Il want to die bravely.v
 Paul Ford was married last year to Miss Grace Kidder, daughter of Ed ward H. Kidder, wealthy merchant doing business in this borough and liy- ing ill Brooklyn.
 Previous to that Malcolm Ford was separated from his beautiful wife, who was Miss Graves of Brooklyn.
 This combination of facts served to increase the long standing bitterness between the two brothers.
 Soon after the will of the late Cor don Ford was read Malcolm Ford, then living at Babylon, N. r., brought suit against Paul Leicester Ford and his other brothers and sisters to compel an accounting. He alleged that despite the fact that his father had threatened to disinherit him he had an agreement with the other children by which he was to have a share of the estate.
 It was alleged by Malcolm Ford that if it had not been for the opposition of ais brother Paul there would have been no difficulty in arranging the settle ment which he alleged he had consid- cred certainty.
 The matter has dragged through the law courts ever since, and day by day the feeling of Malcolm Ford against the other members of his family had become more bitter, especially against Paul.
 After his marriage Paul Ford moved from the old homestead in Brooklyn to a splendid new house in East Seventy seventh street. He was weak and a hunchback. His brother of course from his long athletic training was powerful man. In a physical contest the author stood no show.
 Malcolm Ford visited his brother yes- terday. The old controversy concern ing the money was brought up. Mall colm demanded a settlement. Paul refused. The tragedy followed.
 Paul Leicester Ford was one of the best known novelists in the country. His novel, Janice Meredith" enjoyed remarkable sale and is still consider cd a productive piece of property. In it's dramatized form 1t was great suc- cess and was played throughout the country, with Mary Mannering in the star part.
 Mir Ford before his success with Janice Meredith turned out a his torical novel, "The Hon. Peter Ster- ling" that was also q great success. He was the author of many other works, several plays and had arranged for the publication of new novel in the near future.
 Because of his physical deformity MT. Ford was more or less of hermit. He suffered great deal, and, consid- ering his handicaps, the amount of work he performed was wonderful. It is said that he had the finest private library in New York packed away in vaults in the old family residence on Brooklyn Heights.