The evening Republican., 1902-05-09
NOVELIST MURDERED
Paul Leicester Ford Shot by
His Brother.
SLAYER TAKES HIS OWN LIFE TOO
Startling Tragedy which Occurred
ut the Authors New York Home
the Result of Controversy
Over Property.

NEW YORK, May 9.-Paul Leicester
Ford, the celebrated novelist, was shot
| md killed In his home ut 33 East Sew
| enty-seyenth 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 $1,000 1000
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 hen Malcolm entered
the ROOM His wife, who is in Il deli
cate condition. was in her room up
stairs.
When Paul refused Malcolm's de-
mand for money, the latter drew a re-
yolver and shot him in 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. Paul Ford lived for
ten minutes. The only words he ut
tered were:
II want to die braveIy.'
Paul Ford was married last year to
Miss Grace Kidder. daughter Of Ed
ward II. kidder, q wealthy merchant
doing business in this borough and liv-
ing in 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. Y. 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 share Of the estate.
1t was alleged by Malcolm Ford that
il it had not been for the opposition Of
his brother Paul there would have been
no difficulty in arranging the settle
ment which he alleged lie had cOnsid-
cred Il 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
splendid new house in East Seventy
seventh street. He was weak and
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. NAL
colin demanded settlement. Paul
refused. The tragedy followed.
Paul Leicester Ford was one of the
best known nOvelists in the country.
His novel, Janice Meredith" enjoyed
Il remarkable sale and is still consider
cd productive piece of property. In
its dramatiZed form it was Il great sue
cess and was played throughout the
country, with Mary Mannering in the
star part.
Mr.. Ford before his success with
Janice Meredith turned out n his
torcaI novel, "The Hon. Peter Ster-
ling" that was also 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.
Mr.. Ford enjoyed wide acquaint-
ance in society. Before he became
famous as an author he travelled wide
ly, becoming acquainted with many
of the most prominent people in the
United States. He was an intimate
friend of George w. Vanderbilt to
whom he dedicated one of his books.
Because of his physical deformity
Mr.. Ford was more or less of a hermit.
He suffered a great deal, and, consd-
cring his handiraps, the amount Of
work he performed was wonderful.
1t is said that he had the finest private
library in New York packed away in
vaults in TIE old family residence ON
Brooklyn Heights.
PnIma's Trfumphal Journey.