John Ford Warned Before His Murder, Nov. 10, 1920

Lincolnton, Nov. 10--The funeral of John Ford, aged 22, who was killed Sunday night at Gastonia, was conducted last afternoon in the Methodist church of this city by his pastor, Rev. J.T. Mangum, assisted by Rev. W.S. Wilson. A large number attended the funeral from town and country and the floral offerings were beautiful and numerous. The remains were buried in Hollyhock cemetery in this city. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Ford, of this city, and three sisters and three brothers. He was manager of the moving picture show of Lincolnton and in this capacity was widely known and had numerous friends. Nothing new has developed here as tending to show who killed the young man. An anonymous letter is said to have been received by Ford about three or four weeks before his death. A local citizen stated today that Ford showed him this letter. In substance he says the letter warned Ford to be careful where he went and what he did. That he was in very great danger if he did not act very cautiously. The writer of this letter stated, according to his informant, that he was a stranger to Ford but attended his picture show. The letter was dated High Shoals but the envelope did not show a High Shoals postmark. Search is being made for this letter. It is thought that this was in the dead man's pocketbook but the pocketbook could not be located yesterday, it being supposed that the robber ssecured the pocketbook. It is said that Ford did not think seriousl of the unsigned letter and that he believed it was mailed in Lincolnton owing to the hour he got it from the postoffice box. Theories and opinions as to the final outcome of the affair fly thick and fast but a considerable number believe the statement of Ransom Killian, the other young man with the girls on the night of the tragedy, who was in Gastonia today testifying before the coroner jury. (From the Hickory Daily Record, Wednesday evening, Nov. 10, 1920)