McCurtain Co. OK - OBIT: Lee. T. Ford Submitted by: Sandie Welch sandiewe@verizon.net Return to McCurtain County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/mccurtain/mccurtai.htm ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== McCurtain County Local Newspaper: May 2, 1924 LEE T. FORD, OF IDABEL, KILLED BY UNKNOWN ASSASSIN ____________ (From McCurtain Gazette) Saturday evening, April 26, between 8:00 and 9:00, while Idabel people were busy in their stores taking care of the usual Saturday night's trade, at the picture shows, or at home amusing themselves in a pitch game or engaged in other indoor sports a terrible tragedy was being enacted at the home of Lee T. Ford, a baker by trade, in East Idabel. It was then that Ford was shot twice, dying before making any statement. It appears that the killing took place while Ford was standing out near the garage at his home, and so far as the Gazette is able to state, there were no eye-witnesses to the tragedy. It appears that Ford was standing, when the first shot was fired, near the automobile in the garage, with his left hand on his right breast. The shot passed between his two front fingers, entering his breast just above the nipple and emerging through or near the spine. The second shot was in the back, showing, that he had turned in an effort to reach the house. Those who heard the shots say that the second shot followed the first within a few seconds. It is said that Ford cried out for help, but this fact is not well authenticated, and there is no authentic information as to the identity of the slayer. An inquest was held over Ford's dead body soon after the facts had become known to the officers, the verdict being in effect that Ford came to his death from gunshot wounds, fired by parties unknown. When County Attorney Mifflin arrived at the Ford home, along with other officers, Mrs. Ford was in the house while the body of her husband lay stiffening in death only a few feet away. Sheriff Richard Jones and his deputies were on the scene soon after Ford was killed and at once started an investigation. They found the family car, a Ford sedan, packed with bed quilts and other necessary articles to be used by persons taking a journey, also a hand bag containing woman's apparel, powder puffs, vanity boxes, and everything necessary for a lady's toilet. No arrests were made Saturday night, but Victor Buchanan, jailer, was detailed to watch the house and his vigil carried him through the night. Sunday morning at an early hour, Sheriff Jones placed Mrs. Ford, wife of the dead man, in the county jail to be held for investigation. No charges had been filed against her Monday evening. We have heard so many different versions of the affair, and none of them backed up by authentic testimony, that we refrain from going into any details until an examining trial is held and the facts connected with the killing are thoroughly established. It is a sad case, even admitting the innocense of the party held in jail suspected of committing the crime. A home is ruined. A husband is dead and the two children of the Fords are left without the sheltering and loving care of a father and mother. The children, a boy and a girl, are at the home of Mrs. W.A. Jones, a sister of Mrs. Ford, calling for daddy, too young and inexperienced to fully realize the enormity of the tragedy which took "daddy" away. "April 26th appears to be a fatal day for McCurtain county and Idabel," said County Attorney Mifflin, Monday. One year ago last Saturday, April 26th, an entire family was murdered near here. The Pope family, the wife and children, were murdered as a man would go about killing a pen full of hogs. A.J. Pope, husband of the murdered woman and father of the children, together with Aaron Harvey, were arrested for the crime, tried and convicted. They were given a death sentence and were electrocuted in the penitentiary at McAlester a few months ago. The Pope boy was given a life sentence which he is now serving. This was considered the most heinous crime ever committed in Oklahoma, but the murder of Lee Ford, while lacking the enormity and heinousness which characterized the crime first mentioned, promises equally revolting features. After the inquest the body of Ford was taken to the L.P. Coffey & Son's undertaking establishment where it was prepared for burial. WITHOUT BAIL Mrs. Lula Ford charged with the murder of her husband, Lee Ford, at their home in Idabel on the night of April 26th last, faced her examining trial Friday afternoon before Judge F.C. Harkey. The hearing was had in the district court room, which was filled to overflowing by men and women who were interested in the proceedings. H.P. Hosey and Judge J.N. Fortner appeared for the defense while L.E. Mifflin, county attorney, and M.F. Hudson assistant, had full charge of the prosecution. At ten minutes past two o'clock the defendant, Mrs. Ford, was brought into the court room, being supported across the room to a chair in the prisoner's box, her every movement showing the severe nervous strain under which she was laboring. Dressed in severe black, with black veil and hat to match, her face looked more the face of a nun or "Sister" than one who less than two weeks ago was known for her showing of perfect health, with cheeks of rose and light, elastic step. She sat in her chair rigid and motionless, looking straight ahead, but showing suppressed emotion. Once or twice through the progress of the trial she gave way to her feelings and at one time neared collapse. Several witnesses were examined, and testimony taken. At the close the court's verdict held her on the charge of murder and ordered her back to jail without benefit of bond. This ends the second chapter in this tragedy in local life. The third chapter is yet to be written. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to McCurtain Archives http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/mccurtain/mccurtai.htm