Dr. Thomas G. Ford

In late 19th century Shreveport, Louisiana, Thomas Ford was seen by many as an angel of healing. He was a medical doctor who could save people who were thought to be beyond hope. But in 1886, Dr. Ford became something else entirely as he shot a man in broad daylight in New Orleans.

The Grave

Dr. Ford's name does not appear in stone in Greenwood Cemetery, but records indicate he was buried in the Hancock Vault. Photo by Tarah Thomas

The Work

Dr. Ford was instrumental in the early years of Shreveport's charity hospital, both providing care and serving on the hospital's board. Photo courtesy of Shreveporthistory.com

The Man

Dr. Ford was admired throughout the area for the care he gave his patients. In the December 23, 1877, issue of the Shreveport Times, a poem about Dr. Ford that was written by a grateful patient was published. Photo courtesy of The Shreveport Times and Newspapers.com

The Crime

In 1886, Dr. Ford shot his wife's alleged lover in a crowded saloon in New Orleans, Louisiana. He would be arrested, tried, and convicted, but receive a pardon from the governor. Most newspapers in the state defended Dr. Ford's actions. Photo courtesy of The Louisiana Weekly Journal and Newspapers.com.

Despite a conviction of manslaughter, Dr. Ford would continue as a medical professional in Shreveport and an active member of local politics and society. Despite his many contributions to the city and the large scandal in which he was a central figure, no monuments to him appear in any city cemetery; his body quietly resting in a vault that does not outwardly bear his name.