The Cairo bulletin., 1908-05-24
JNO. R. FORD ACQUITTED
Continued from First Page)

closed his place of business two
/ hours earlier that night because Ford
was ugly and he Feared he would
come back and make trouble. Said
he closed two hours earlier because
he was tired and his bar keeper was
also tired tChief Egan says Beck
with told him that night that he told
Lewis and Kimmous to leave as he
intended to close. He did this he
cause he felt sure Ford had gone
after his pistol and there would bel
trouble when he came back. He did
this in order not to have any trouble
in his place Beckwith also told
Chief Egan that when Lewis called 4
Ford a liar the latter reached over
the counter to grasp 4 bottle to|
strike Lewis. but he Beckwith.
showed Ford's hand aside and told
him not to make any trouble. This
testimony did not get before tn
iury) HEA Wil -
Geo. Ballou a brick layer, testified
to what occurred at Beckwiths about
the same as others. on cross eXami-
nation he denied the official report
! Of the coronel's jury which stated
that he had sworn that he saw Ford
pass through the hall ana man fol
lowing him with something in his
4 hand.
! c. A. Cooksey told of Ford visiting
his saloon at Sixth and Commercial
Just before the shooting and he was
not angry This was Just after
Lewis and another man had passed
up the street and LOWS was angry
and was trying 10 get back.
Ruby Jackson bartender at the
time at Bourgeois & Dun's told e
angry talking there ny Lewis and
Kimmons. the former making threats
and wanting to go back and fix some
body
Or. McNemer told of seeing Lewis
and Kimmous at Bourgeois & Dun's
and again at Eighth street. Lewis
trying 10 get back and using violent
language
VIM :. Dunn said ne was limb
man from New Madrid: was in Cairo
on the night of Oct. 80 1901 came
down Eighth street and when he
7 reached side door Of Newton Riddles
place a man came dashing out and
, rme7t after a shot was fired. Shot
was fred after man had come out
/ John Coleman emhalmer, stated he
took charge of Lewis body and found
Z no bruises on head
John Gardner was bartender at Al
bert Laurents across street from
/ Riddles. heard shot and ran over,
saw Lewis body and knife lying near
! body
| Guy p. Eichenberger saw Ford on
night Of tragedy; came to Blue Front
restaurant and change 800 bill. No
ticed nothing unnatural about him.
John shepherd bartender for Ford,
said he go pistol from lnce's gun shop
and gave it to Ford Lett Ford at
| McCann's saloon.
Edward J. Malev testified that he
bad Ford In charge the night OF the
tragedy and took him home; after ar
irving home Ford said Lewis came
at him with a knife. and he (Maleyl
noticed two cuts in mis- tFordsl coat
land called his attention to them. He
turned the prisoner over 10 the
sheriff the next morning Crhe coat
was shown to the Jury. 1t had cut
Ia inches on the outer side of the
left sleeve about midway between the
elbow and shoulder. and another 24
inches long under the left sleeve near
the arm pit The former was straight
mp and down on the sleeve. the lat
ter slanting slightly from the top
| backwardD Witness did not know
how the cuts came in the coat.
Sam West saw Ford at police head
quarters on night Of Oct. 30. Maley
called attention to cuts in coat
Court then adjourned till after
noon the defense stating that two
witnesses who had been subpoenaed
were not present
John Ford Tells His Story.
When court convened after dinner
/ John r Ford. the defendant was put
on the stand He said he had lived
in Cairo five years was put in county
iail Oct. 81. 1907, had been in bust
ness three years. was in Beckwith's
saloon Oct 80. 1907. between and s
.ocluck took drink ann invited friends
TO drink among them Lewis and Kim
mons Lewis said "Tll take this drink
with YOU brit you insulted me once. ="
said I have never insulted anybody.
Lewis said You are a lying -- -
- - had never seen the man be
fore In my life, had my revolver at
the time. went from Beckwith's to
my place. stayed 20 or 81 minutes