Lafayette LADD

  General Notes:

Taken from the Adrian Daily Telegram, Lenawee Co. MI.
Murder of Lafayette Ladd
Originally Published between April 27, 1898 and August 11, 1898:

The examination of John Higgins, accused of last year's murder of Lafayette Ladd, commended (sic) this morning. Ladd's wife was the first witness, but said she was unable to identify the man who calmly broke into their bedroom and shot her husband when he confronted the intruder. The next witness was Jennie King, who saw Higgins earlier on the day of the murder. He inquired about sporting houses in Adrian, and claimed to be a palm reader.

John Higgins was bound over for trial in the murder of Lafayette Ladd, which occurred April 16, 1897. The most damaging testimony came from Edward O'Hearn, who walked with Higgins on the streets surrounding the Ladd home (corner of Michigan and State streets) prior to the crime. Higgins inquired about sporting houses and O'Hearn told him to see a woman named Emma Lesh. He also asked about the family who resided in the handsome Ladd home. O'Hearn saw Higgins again several days later in Toledo and was asked what O'Hearn had heard about the what the authorities knew about the Ladd murder. Higgins then paid O'Hearn $5 to keep him informed.

After a long session to seat a jury, the trial of John Higgins for the murder of Lafayette Ladd got underway. In an unusual development, the judge has ordered that all jurors will remain at the courthouse throughout the trial, and rooms will be fixed for them. After the opening statements, the first witness was Lucinda Ladd, widow of the deceased, who said she could not identify the man who shot her husband in their bedroom. She was followed by the four physicians who attended Mr. Ladd and performed the post mortem.

The on-going trial of John Higgins for the murder of Lafayette Ladd continues to draw great interest. An unusual number of ladies are attending today, as they thought it would be so intensely interesting. Some even took their lunch at the court in order to keep their good seats for the afternoon session. Much has been made of the long criminal life of the defendant during the testimony. It is expected to go to the jury within the next day or two.

The notorious Nibs O'Hearn decided against standing trial for burglarizing Dr. Grandy's store in Fairfield by pleading guilty. He also said he was alone in the affair, and the charges were dropped against two others. After pleas from his attorney, Nibs was sentenced to 13 years at the Marquette prison, far away from John Higgins at Jackson. Higgins, convicted of the murder of Lafayette Ladd, was found guilty mostly on the testimony of O'Hearn.

Lafayette married Lucinda B HAWLEY on 12 Apr 1868. (Lucinda B HAWLEY was born on 19 Jul 1843 in Rome Center, Lenawee Co, MI and died on 12 Jan 1927 in Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI.)

Lafayette next married Ann UNKNOWN. (Ann UNKNOWN was born in 1837 in NY and died on an unknown date.)