The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-09
P. |. FORD MURDERED
The Well Known Author Killed by
His Brother.
WHO THEN COMMITS SUICIDE
The Novelist Had Refused to Let
His Brother Have Money
Story of the Crime.

New York, May s.-Paul Leicester Ford,
author OF Janice Meredith '"The Hon
orable Peter Sterling and many other
books, was shot and killed at his desk
yesterday by his disinherited brother,
Malcolm Webster Ford, former champion
all-around American athlete of America.
The murderer calmly surveyed his dying
brother for few moments and then shot
himself dead.
1t was about TO- 80 o'clock when Malcolm
Ford entered the house at 81 East Sew
enty-seventh street, where Paul Ford
lived. The author was at that time work
ing in his library on the second hoor.
There was only one person In the room
with him, histsecretary, Miss Elizabeth X.
Hall.
When Malcolm Ford entered the room
he walked straight to his brothers desk,
and leaning over it began to talk IN,
low tone. Miss Hall. did not hear dis,
tinctly what was said. But she heard
enough to indicate that the conversation
was about money matters.
There was enmity between the brothers
of eleven years standing. Since the
death of their father they have not. been
on intimate terms. The father, Gordon
Leicester Ford OF Brooklyn. disinher1ted
Malcolm at his death, although his. es-
tate amounted to some $4,000, 000, which
was divided among the other children
This action Is said to have been due to the
determination OIL MdlCO1u W uVFoIo
self to athletics.
/ Yesterday Malcolm was evidently IN
inacial straits and was asking for money,
which was refused. .a ~.
Suddenly, and without any warning,
Miss. Hall heard a pistol shot. She
sprang up and looked around. She saw
Malcolm Ford standing half turned toward
her with his arms folded and pistol IN
his right hand. Paul Ford had sunk down
in his chair
Malcolm Ford was standing looking at
his brother, who seemed to be striving 10
gain his feet. 1t must have been apparent
I to Malcolm Ford that his shot had been
effective, for he made no attempt TO re.
peat it. AS the girl ran forward to assist
her employer, Malcolm Ford turned and
exclaimed: 'sNow watch me kill myself"
With the words he took the muzzle OF
the pistol in his left hand and pressing 1t
close to his body, directly over his heart,
he fired. He fell forward on the floor in
stantly, dead. 49,.
When the excited family called DR..
Baruch, Paul Ford was unable to speak,
although sseveraltimes he endeavored to
do So He did not lose consciousness Tor
some time, and recognized apparently the
persons who were in the room with him.
He died about half an hour after he was
shot. r. "
Dr.. -Baruch at once gave his attention
! to Mrs. Ford, who was completely pros
| trated. She is very soon to become a
mother, and it was feared that the terri
Bile shock might be serious. She was at
| first extremely DESTROYS of being per
mitted to see her husband, but DR.. Baruch
feared the effect If she were allowed to
/ do so, and finally succeeded IN persuad1ns
! her not to insist upon it. $50
4 paul Leicester Ford was 81 years: old, "Jan
ice Meredith" being perhaps his most popular
novel. He was married about a year ago t
Miss Grace kidder, daughter of Edward II
Kidder of Brooklyn, He was the son Of Cor
4 don leicester Ford of, BROOKLYN. who dice
| eleven years ago and left an. estate of some
i $4,000 900, divided between his children, witt
the exception of Malcolm W. Ford Mr. Fore
Sterling" 1.-THE TRUE George Wash
isgton,", 1.-THE Many-sided Franklin,
which . ran serialiy in the Century
''Tattle Tales of Cupid a collection Of shor
stories. He also edited the writings O.
Thomas Jefferson. in ten volumes; the writ
ings of John Dickinson. In three volumes
and numerous other works relating to Ameri
can history aud autobiography. He was {
member of the. Players Reform and Groliel
clubs, the Century Association and Sons O.
the REVOLUTION. - ---- = ~ .'E<
Malcolm w. Ford was born in Brooklyn
Feb. Z, 1852 He was educated at the Brook
lyn Polytechnic Institute. He took I'D ath
letics while at school. and for a number O.
years won championships in this country AND
Canada in the 100 yard rum 220-yard run ant
quarter mile run, as we'll as for the 120-yart
hurdles, running broad and running higt
jumps. He, was the all-around amateur
champion for half dozen wears. f-E ~