Ford, John P 1839-1880

FORD

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 7/10/2016 at 15:35:18

STORM LAKE PILOT - Wed, Oct 13, 1880 - On Monday night about 10, John Ford, an industrious and well to do Irishman went from Storm Lake to his farm a short distance north of this city and while putting his horse in the stable was shot by a concealed assassin. The bullet entered immediately over the heart, struck a rib and glanced downward into the stomach where it yet remains.

The wounded man ran in the direction of the residence of Mr Newcomb and the assassin seeing that the shot had not brought down his victim tried a second time but without effect. Mr Ford finally reached the house of his neighbor in a weak and fainting condition. He was cared for and Dr Kerr of this city hurriedly called to the bedside of the sufferer. He found the wound as above described and while it is possible that Mr Ford may survive, the chances are largely against his recovery.

The act was the most cowardly possible. All unconscious of danger or harm the victim was caring for his horse in a place where the assassin had a full and fair view and putting the deadly weapon through a crack and within two feet of the heart of the fellow being tried the well nigh fatal shot!

The annals of crime do not reveal an act of greater cowardice or villainy, if subsequent events shall demonstrate, beyond the shadow of a doubt, just who the murderer is, then we are not at all sure Judge Duffie will ever try him or that the State will ever receive benefit from his labor. Our people are opposed to mob rule or law but there are occasions when the ordinary law seems to be unequal to the emergency.

Of course, the question will arise in the mind of every citizen: What object did the assassin have in attempting to take the life of John Ford? this is a question difficult to answer and so far has received no answer. Mr Ford apparently lived peaceably with all mankind and the object in killing him must be told by subsequent results. Of course rumors and surmises of all kinds are flying thick around the streets and before we go to press one or more arrests will doubtless be made. Sheriff Weddington, Marshal Becker, Deputy Huff and other officers are on the alert and will do their whole duty.

Finally the surmises centered on one Abe Shreve, a young man whose parents have resided in Storm Lake for several years. Said Shreve was married a few months ago and at the time Mr Ford was shot was working on the farm of E.C. Cowles one mile north of town. This farm is tenanted by J.W. Messenger.

The officers closely examined the tracks made by the assassin and also learned that he had recently borrowed a revolver from his brother. The weapon was secured and two chambers had every appearance of having been recently discharged. The officer found that Shreve had changed his leather boots for a pair of rubber ones. Search was made for the missing boots and they were finally found secreted in a wagon. When placed in the tracks in the corn field they exactly and precisely fitted.

The course taken as the cowardly villain ran from the scene of his cowardly act led through some patches of cockle burrs and Sheriff Weddington naturally and wisely came to the conclusion that no man could pass through those burrs without having a large number attach themselves to his clothing. The overcoat of Shreve was found and sure enough a large number of the stickers were on the coat. Upon these and other links in the chain of circumstantial evidence Sheriff Weddington determined to arrest Shreve.

He had come to town and when near his fathers residence was taken into custody. He tried to manifest surprise and of course ask "What is this for?" He remained in jail over night and this morning was brought before A. William Esq, for preliminary examination. The prisoner waived the examination and was remanded to jail until the November session of the District Court.

Later Thursday morning - Mr Ford died last night.