James A. T. Ledford (1867 - 1903)

A GREEN COUPLE from the East End came to town the other night, and after some hesitation procured license to marry. Their names were J.A.T. Ledford and Miss Mollie Green. The woman was some older than the man, but neither had been married before and she was as unsophistocated as he. To add to their discomiture, a gaping crowd filled the clerk's office when it was learned that there was going to be a marriage, and the tortures of the pair as they slowed up before Elder John Bell Gibson could not have been greater if they had been standing on the gallows instead of the marriage alter. They stood as if transfixed after the ceremony was over, nor did they budge till the preacher said "you are married now!" They then departed with a sigh of relief and hied themselves to the green hills from whence they came.

At Harmon’s Lick meeting house, near Dripping Springs, in this county Sunday afternoon, James Rodgers shot and instantly killed Bud Ledford. Ledford was shot through the head, and never spoke after receiving the wound. Rodgers came to town immediately after the shooting and surrendered to the authorities. The men were brothers-in-law, and from the best information obtainable had had previous trouble over land matters. Sunday, Ledford came to the church, and finding Rodgers there, went to Crab Orchard, returning shortly under the influence of liquor and advanced on Rodgers, at the same time making an attempt as if to draw a weapon, when Rodgers shot him. Ledford was 31 years old and leaves a wife and four small children. Rodgers is 37 years old and has a wife and several children.”