Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-10-25

J. M. Scott was shot AND killed at
Ladd, Ark, Tuesday afternoon about
2 o'clock by E. P. Ladd, the well
knwon lumberman of that place. The
tragedy occurred at Mr.. Ladd's resi-
dence, and there were no witnesses
present. Mr.. Ladd came to Pine Bluff
Tuesday night and surrenderd to
Sheriff James Gould and Deputy Sher-
iff Charley Dyer was employed to
guard the prisoner. He was never
taken to Jail.
On Wednesday morning. Mr. l.add
was arraigned before Justice Of the
peace L. E. Cheek, and waived pre-
'liminary hearing, and will be held to
await The action of the grand jury.
His bond had not been fixed up until
noon Wednesday, but there is little
doubt in the minds of his friends that
he will be granted bail.
The particulars Of the killing are
meagre indeed Beyond the simple
statement that he had shot and killed
Mr.. Scott, Ladd declines to make any
statemnet whatever regarding the un-
fortunate tragedy. The sheritfs S OF.
flee was notified soon after the kill
ing occurred. and Mr.. Ladd, in tele-
phone message to the sheriff, stated
that he would be up on the next train
to surrender. The train was late, but
Ladd came as he promised, and was
at once placed in the custody of an
officer
Coroner r. D. McGaughy was mott
fed of the killing and left at once for
the scene An inquest was held Tues
day night. but as there were no wit
nesses the jury returned a verdict to
the effect that Mr.. Scott came to his
death from pistol shot wounds infict-
ed by pistol in the hands of f. P.
Ladd.
Scott was shot twice and il is stat
Aed that the shot which entered his
head was the fatal shot.
When Ladd reached town Tuesday
night number of friends who had
heard of the unfortunate occurrence
fastened to his side and preferred
their assistance to him in any way
they could render any service. 1t
was evident that he would have no
trouble in giving reasonable bail.
AS bond could not be made Tuesday
night, an officer was employed to
guard him, and he was not placed in
Jail at all.
Scott was married man. and had
a wife and son, the latter but fourteen
years of age He also had a niece liv-
ing with him, and dependent upon
him, so it is said.
In statement made later in the
day to Graphic representative Wed
nesday, Mr.. Ladd, who has most per-
sistently refused to talk concerning
Athe tragedy, stated that he had shot
Mr.. Scott purely in self-defense. He
expressed the deepest regret over the
occurrence, and said that no one could
be more grieved over it than he. At
the same time he declared that he
could not help it; that it was purely
case of self-defense.
Mr.. Ladd stated that he had been
in the lumber business in Jefferson
county for thirteen years, and this
was the very first trouble of any kind
he had ever had with any of his men;
~ and considering the class of employees
# he had to deal with he deemed this
8 very good record He was sure that
H. those who knew him best would agree
with him in the statement that moth
ling short of absolute necessity would
A drive him to the deed that he had
Y committed.
While Mr.. Ladd has persistently re-
used to talk concerning the matter,
umors on the streets are rife, ana the
raphic learns from a most reliable
0ource that some of them are entirely
Erroneous. To dispel some of them,
II may be stated that the whole trou-
Die originated over business trans
Action between Messrs. Ladd and
Vcott. Several days ago it was stated
"A IA the columns of the Graphic, as Will
bc remembered by the readers OF this
paper, that Mr.. Ladd would close
sdown his mill at Ladd shortly, owing
8tc the fact that his available timber
supply had given out. Mr.. Scott, at
the time of this announcement. sought
Employment with the Sawyer and
Austin Lumber company in this city,
| and the latter company at once tele-