AT FARMER'S BRANCH.
_______

Officer Laningham Killed J.
Langford This Forenoon.

At 11 a. m. to-day, the sheriff's department receive a telephone message from Farmers Branch, to the effect that Off Laningham had just host and killed J. Langford two miles south of Farmers Branch, and had surrendered to Constable Stratton of Richardson, and that Justice Blewitt was there holding the inquest. The message further said that family troubles were at the bottom of the homicide.

The parties to the killing were well-to-do farmers in that section and were neighbors. Laningham will probably make bond. there has been no one in from Farmers Branch to-day and nothing in addition to the meager details of the foregoing telephone message is known here in regard to the tragedy.

KILLING AT FARMERS BRANCH

Theophilus Vanlandingham Shot and Killed John L. Langford Yesterday

THE LATER WAS A FARM HAND

The Slayer Admitted to Bail by Justice Blewett - Vanlandingham's Version of the Killing

Yesterday morning Deputy Sheriff Sloan Lewis received a telephone message from Farmers Branch, saying that a farmer named T. Vanlandingham had shot and killed a man named John L. Langford. Later he received news that Justice C. H. Blewett of Richardson had inquested the remains and, after hearing the evidence, placed the bond of Vanlandingham at $500. He furnished sureties and was released.
Mr. Robert Eaton, a well-known farmer who resided in the neighborhood of Farmers Branch, said to a News reporter last evening:
"I knew both men and do not believe there is a jury in Dallas county that will ever convice the slayer. Langford was a Tennessean, and has a wife back in the old state. At least he told me that a woman who bears his name was left behind when he came to Texas. A Dallas undertaker took charge of the remains and interment will take plce to-day. Vanlandingham has lived in Dallas county for many years and is will-liked by his neighbors.

Another Account
Farmers-Branch, Tex., Aug 2. Theophilus Vanlandingham shot and instantly killed J. L. Langford, his hired man, at the home of the former, two miles from this place at 6:30 a.m. Immediately after the shooting he rode a half mile over to J. A. Sullivan's and surrendered and delivered to Mr. Sullivan his weapons, a shotgun and pistol.
Justice of the Peace C. H. Blewett was telephoned to and came over from Richardson, accompanied by Constable Stratton, to hold an inquest. Testimony at the inquest brought out the fact that it was a case of family affairs. Also that Langford was shot three times in the breast, face and shoulder. On his person was found a pistol and six cartridges, also $3.15 in money. He was a man of about 35 years and a native of Tennessee, though he has been in this country several years.
Vanlandingham was released on $500 bond, pending an investigation by the grand jury.
Vanlandingham has lived here for fifteen years and has always been considered peaceable.

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The Dallas Morning News - August 3, 1898
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams