Fayetteville (Arkansas) Daily Democrat, November 7, 1936, p. 1. NOTE: The
item below was somewhat abbreviated from a lengthier article as noted by the
ellipsis.
TWO FATALLY WOUNDED IN SPA HOSTELRY
Former Owner of Shows Murdered and Second Man Suicides
Hot Springs, Ark., Nov 7--Detective Chief Herbert Akers said last night he
was convinced that litigation in Florida led to the fatal shooting of a
wealthy sportsman and a former business associate in a fashionable hotel
here. He and Coroner J. P. Randolph described the deaths as murder and
suicide.
The officers said Robert Alexander, 65, of Detroit, Mich., shot Ed(ward)
Ballard, 63, of French Lick, Ind., once interested in the ownership of a
number of American circuses, and then ended his own life with the same
weapon last night.
The shooting occurred in Alexander's apartment in the Hotel Arlington.
Hundred of delegates were attending the annual convention of the Arkansas
Education Association in the hotel at the time.
French Lick sources estimated Ballard's wealth at "from S20,000,000 to
$100,000,000."
"Friends of the two told me that they were former business partners but had
quarreled recently," Chief Akers said. "They advised me that Alexander sued
Ballard for $250,000 in Miami, Fla., alleging breach of contract, but that
the suit was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction."
Ballard came to the resort city six weeks ago from New York, where he had
been a hospital patient. Alexander arrived Wednesday.
Advices (sic) from French Lick said Ballard formerly owned Sells-Floto,
Hagenback-Wallace, John Robinson Shows, Golmar (difficult to read) Brothers
and Al Burnes circuses. He and associates sold their interests to the
American Circus corporation several years ago.
He owned extensive land and hotel property in Indiana including the West
Baden Hotel that he gave to the Jesuit order of Monks two years after the
start of the depression.
Miami, Fla., reports said Ballard and Alexander operated a casino some ten
years ago in Palm Island, Biscayne Bay. Ballard erected a large bay front
building for a residence, later deeding it to the Miami post of the American
Legion in a deal involving cancellation of delinquent taxes.
Chief Akers said he learned from friends of the two that Alexander visited
Ballard in his apartment several hours before the shooting and that Ballard
later expressed belief they would be able to adjust their business
differences...
Ballard was shot three times--in the chest and twice in the right shoulder.
Two bullets pierced Alexander's lung...
Ballard is survived by his wife, who was with him in Hot Springs; a son,
Charles, who will be graduated from Yale in June; and a daughter, Mary, a
student at a girls' school in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Alexander was well known
in Detroit.