Robert Jester, 35, Says He Shot Nathan Lankford, 56, in Self-Defense, May 11, 1926

High Point Man Is Shot and Killed. . . Robert Jester Slays Nathan Lankford, Claims Self-Defense

High Point, May 9—Robert Jester, 35 automobile salesman, shot and killed Nathan Lankford Sr., 56, here, about 10:30 o’clock this morning Almost before the report of his revolver had died out, Jester was speeding out of the city in an automobile, but he came back and gave himself up about 6:30 o’clock. He is now held in the local jail without bond.

The fatal shot was fired in the street directly in front of Lankford’s home, while the latter’s wife and son looked on. The bullet entered the breast in the region of the heart, and Lankford died within five minutes.

Will Plead Self-Defense

When Jester gave himself up to police, he refused to make any statement as to how the killing occurred. He said he would have nothing to say until arraigned in court. It was intimated that he consulted his lawyers before he submitted himself. The only declaration he would make when interviewed by a reporter was: “You may say I will plead self defense.” He also said he was sorry that he was forced to do it.

Ther were several eye witnesses of the killing. Mrs. Lankford said she was standing in the street near her husband and that her son, Nathan Jr., was also present. Her daughter stated she saw it from the front porch. With bitterness in their voices all three described it as a case of cold-blooded murder. The wife and son caught Langford as he staggered when the shot was fired, and held him up in the street. A doctor was called, but the wounded man died before he arrived.

There are two theories as to the motive of the killing, and Jester declines to shed any light on them. One is that Jester came with a pistol, prepared for trouble. This is discredited, however, by some who say that Jester has been in the habit of carrying a weapon and that he found a use for it after he had gotten in an argument.

Quarreled Over Children

According to information obtained by the detectives, Lankford and Jester became involved in an argument over Jester’s children. The children, it was alleged, had been trespassing on Lankford’s property. This morning they walked across Lankford’s garden. He told them to stay off, and they walked across the garden again, it is said. This time they made offensive signs at Lankford by placing their thumbs in the nose and waving the fingers, Mrs. Langford stated.

Lankford then threatened to have them arrested, and about that time Jester road up, accompanied by his wife, she said. Lankford is reported to have spoken to Jester about the matter and an argument ensued, the latter get out of his automobile. The altercation waxed warmer until Jester fired his pistol.

From page 8 of The Concord Daily Tribune, Tuesday, May 11, 1926

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-05-11/ed-1/seq-8/

The newspaper article called the deceased man Nathan Lankford Jr. and Nathan Lankford Sr. I believe Sr. is correct, and have changed the headline to remove “Sr.” Please let me know if the headline was correct and the article was incorrect.