The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-07
mrs. ". FRANCIS BROWN
SHOT TO DEATH
Her HUSBAND IN
CRITICAL CONDITION

This morning at about seven O'Clock
o. A. Richards shot to death Mrs. w.
Francis Brown, a charge OF Duekshot
tearing her. head and face to pieces.
Richards also shot her husband. w.
Francis Brown, about the head and
face, infiicting injuries which 1t is
feared will result in death.
The shooting occurred at q truck
farm on Lake Hunter. just at the
edge OF town. The farm was owned
by Brown. and Richards was cropping
on shares. 1t is stated, that Rich
ards refused to allow Brown to have
the latter's share of the crop, and
there has been some feeling on this
account for some time. Yesterday
Brown told Richards that he must
get OF the place. and there were
some angry words. Richards finally
attempting to strike Brown with q
hammer. Brown warded on the blow
took the hammer away, and nailed
up the house which Richards had
been occupying.
This morning Mr.. and Mrs. Brown
together with Frank Arel, who was
working for Brown, drove out to the
farm in wagon and found that dur
ing the night the house had beer
broken into. and Richards and his
wife were in possession. Richards
was hoeing in the garden, and wheT
Browns wagon came in sight Mrs
Richards called her husband whC
came on run, entered the house anC
a little later appeared with a gun
presented. Richards commanded tn,
Browns not to get out of the wagon
Neither Mr.. or Mrs. Brown made an.
Responsible. Brown is rather dea
and may not have heard what Rich
ards said. Brown started to leave tn
wagon, where upon Richards opene,
fire, discharging his gun twice. On
load of buck-shot struck Mrs. Brow
in the head and face, infiicting injul
les which caused death in a few mir
utes. The other load took effect 1
the side of Browns face. His injul
les are serious and may prove fata
Just before the shooting began ARE
jumped from the wagon and raj
None of the occupants of the WACO
: had any weapons whatever.
Brown turned the wagon, and wit
his dying wife in the vehicle, q
} tempted to drive towards town. Ar
overlook the wagon and brought IL
! dead woman and injured man to the
\ home in the old Lakeland Hot
building.
Richards and his wife came.
town and surrendered to the author
ktfes. and he fs now In jail
The facts as above were brougl
out at an inquest impannelled
Judge Thompson and made up of Il
q Following: ]. H. Davis, ]. w. MART
D Dan Johnson, G. w. Friend, d
. kScarborough and w. ]. Estridge. tt
t principal testimony was given by Il
: only two eye witnesses to the affai
g Mr.. Arel, and Boyd Heath, the twelv
z lyear-old son Of Mr.. w. H. Heath, wi
: had been hired to haul some potato
for Richards.
: The corners jury still has the ca
h in hand and is making a very tho
1 Tough investigation of the matter d
time for the preliminary hearing h
, not yet been set.
At four o'clock this afternoon y
= Bown was resting easy, and his pf
stefan states that unless blood po
oning or other complication sets
!. he has a chance to recover.
Arrangements for the funeral
~ Mrs. Brown will not be made un
word is received from her relatives
' New Jersey. Mr.. Browns kindred
= Michigan have also been notified q
his sister from Perry win arrive he
tonight
~ Mr.. Brown came here from Tam
. about three years ago. and has CT
= Quoted a general painting busine
He and his wife have always depo
H. ed themselves in such way as
u command the respect and friendsl
of all.
Richards has been in Lakela
about two years. Little is known.
= his past. Some time ago the Ri
ards lived in the Lakeland Ho
- building. and at that time 1t is 81
he had serious trouble with his wi
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