The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-10-20
BAXTER ON TRIAL.
FOR SHOOTING OF
FORD LAST MONTH
Defense Attorney Asserts the
Affray Outcrop of Family
Feud of Old Standing.
The State rested ut 3:l5 O'Clock
after calling nine witnesses,

The case Ct the state OF Oklahoma
versus r. $. Baxter, charged with the
murder. OF A. c. Ford, opened in the
district court this morning with Judge
I. W. Champion presiding. The jury
was empanelcd at 11:0O o'clock.
Baxter is alleged to have shot and
killed Ford at the fair grounds on the
night of September 10, while the two
were engaged in n scuffle.
H. II. and Il. s. Brown are repre-
senting Baxter at the trial, while the
states attorneys are County Attorn-
ey James Mathers, Assistant County
Attorney Hodges and j. b. Champion
Attorneys for the defense announc-
sd plea Of not guilty, and indicated
that their arguments would be based
on n plea of self defense.
In opening the case, County Attor-
ney Mathers stated that the prose.
cution Will make effort TO prove tina,
Ford was at the fair grounds on the
night Of the shooting. accompanied
by his wife and baby, and three or
| four friends; that several Of the men
in the party commenced at friendly
| scufflo and wrestling bout; that while
they were thus engaged Baxter ap-
+, preached. and hcsind ;'oisistnricd scuf.
| fling, apparently ia q friendly man
ncr, but which developed into .
fight. continuing for time dur
Ing which both men fell 10 tho ground,
and winch finally ended in both men
rising. and while standing at dis.
/ lance Of three or four feet apart.
Baxter pulled mis- gun and shot Ford
/ IN ihc stomach.
| IL. IT. Brown in his opening address
on behalf Of the defendant stated tha.
the whole affair had started with the
McCfory Ford shooting scrape which
occurred some time ago. and during
the hearing of which Baxter had been
| summoned as witness. lie further
stated that ihc member of the Ford
family had threatened To run BaXtcr
out OF town. Baxter, Brown said
fair grounds Brown stated further
protect himself, secured u special
permit TO carry gun. He was also
appointed special police officer at the
fairg rounds. Brown Stated furthrf
that Baxter and his wife were ut the
fair grounds and came upon the Fords
and several others. who jumped on
him and beat him. During the scuffie
Brown asserted. Baxter pulled his
gun and shot u protect himself,
j. L.. Miller. first witness called
stated that he was ftom Wichita Falls
and had been employed aa Il night
watchman ut the cXhibi, hall. Ills
attention was first attracted to tn,
scent OF tch shooting ho said. when
he saw two men fall TO the ground
Miller stated that he went over and
attempted to separate the men, and
while doing so a person whose name
he did not know. hit him on the jaw
and dazcd him. Miller said he told his
the fellow who struck him then beg
ged his pardon and told him to 'gC
ahead. When he recovered from his
dazcd condition. Miller said. the TIVE
men In the scufflc We're ten feet
away standing up, one man held IN,
arm OF the other man. but he was un
able to state which was doing IN,
holding. While they We're In this po
sitlon. Miller said, Baxter pulled hi,
gun and shot. Baxter left the seen,
with his gun In his hand. Miller tcs
lifted that there wcrc but two men
Ford and Baxter, engaged In th'
struggle. and that Ford was IN his
shirtslcevcs and unarmcd.
Buck Taylcr, next witness. calle,
testified with statements corrohoralln,
those advanced by Miller, with IN,
single exception OF the part durinl
which one man was holding the arm
OF the other, which Taylor stated HI
did not scc Taylor stated that tn,
man who had struck Miller Wa
named FLOYD.