Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-09
MURDER AND SUICIDE
PAUL LEICESTER FORD KILLED
BY HIS BROTHER.
Latter Then Turned His Weapon UpoY
Himself-Financial Troubles
the Cause.

Paul Leicester Ford the novelist Was
shot and killed yesterday by his brother.
Malcolm Webster Ford. writer and athlete.
who Immediately sent bullet into his own
breast dying instantly. The shooting oc-
CURED at 1920 a m. In the handsome new
mansion which Paul Leicester Ford had
built at 81 East nth street, New York city.
AT the time of the shooting there were in
the house. besides the two brothers. Mrs
Paul Leicester Ford. Miss Elizabeth r.
Hall, the novelist's secretary, and the SER
wants. The novelist was sitting at his desk
In one corner of his library
Malcolm w. Ford called. as he often had
done and went 10 his brother at his desk
Words were exchanged in tone so low
mat Miss Hall could not hear what was
sara. though she says that possibly she
might have distinguished the words II she
mad been paying any attention To this par
ucular meeting Of the brothers Suddenly
there was revolver shot and Miss Hall
ran from the room.
Meanwhile Malcolm Ford had called her
AS she turned toward him he placed his
revolver to his heart fired and fell diving
instantly. When Miss Hail turned to look
at Paul he was stil standing al his desk
but rapidly losing strength. She helped him
10 sofa and then ran next door for Mr.
Paul Ford S physician. DIR. Emanuel liaruch
In less than five minutes DIR. Baruch arrived.
ana the dying man. still conscious was
carried up to room beside his wife's and
placed on his bed He spoke to his wife
and asked the doctor for his opinion. show
Ing that he expected death and was going
TO meet IL calmly and bravely. About
twenty minutes after he was shot Mr. Ford
died.
The bullet which killed Paul Leicester
Ford just grazed the top of his heart and
passed through a large artery ascending
from 1t. The bullet which killed Malcolm
ford was hred with the same accuracy OF
aim, for Ii made a wound scarcely an inch
lower than the one which killed his brother
In fact, the wounds Were almost Identical
1t appears that Malcolm Ford called to
get money from his brother and. meeting
with a refusal, shot him. DIR. Baruch said
that the murder was result of temporary
mental alteration on the part of Malcolm
Ford, due to nervous exhaustion.
1t Is said that there was enmity between
the two brothers and consequent bitterness
and that II was Of eleven years standing;
that never since the death OF their father
have they been on intimate or brotherly
terms This alleged enmity on the part OF
Malcolm is said to have been brought about
by the fact that the father of the boys dis
inherited Malcolm. and that this action
on the fathers part was because he did not
wish Malcolm to devote himself to an ath-
letic career
Police Captain Brown said last night that
Malcolm w. Ford had for some time been
causing much uneasiness to the family
through evidences OF an unbalanced mind,
tackled his brother during a period of tenn
porary insanity, then taking his own life.
The cause Of Malcolm Ford's act" said
Captain Brown. 'can be explained by in
ference. For some time past his financial
affairs have been pressing him. and he has
repeatedly asked and received material as
sistance from his brother. 1t is presumed
that his importuning had been such and
his demand so excessive that his brother
had been forced to refuse further aid"
Paul Leicester Ford was thrty-seven
years old. novelist of much note, Janice
Meredith" being perhaps his most popular
to Miss Grace Kidder, daughter OF Edward
II. Kidder of Brooklyn. He was the son of
Gorden Lester Ford of Brooklyn. who died
eleven years ago and left an estate of some
S2,Oo0,09. divided between his children with
the exception of Malcolm w, who was dis
inherited by the will.
Mr.. Ford was the author of THE Hon.
Peter Stirling" The Great X and A
Train Robbery" The True George Wash
ington," THE Many Sided Franklin" (Which
ran serially in the Century,. "Tattle Tales
of Cupid" Janice MereCitn." which ran
seriaHy in the Bookman, 1885, and a col
lection Of short stories. He also edited
the writings of Thomas Jefferson In ten
volumes. the writings of John Dickinson I'm
three volumes and numerous other works
relating to American history and bibliog-
raphy- He was member of the PLAYERS.
Reform and Grolier clubs. the Century As
ISOLATION and Sons of the Revolution.