The bee., 1883-07-21

where the Union troops were in camp.
Bruce had seven brothers and three
sisters, All are living to this day ex-
cept one. Mrs. Bruce, the mother, is
also living. Her home is in Kansas.
Bruce has one brother with him in
Washington. The rest of the family
are scattered about the country.
Bruce began his career rs Il free
man Us teacher. lie taught the
first colorcd school ever opened in the
United States. This school, begun in
Hannibal, furnished him his first earn
ings. lie was ambitious. His small
savings he employed for his education.
lie went to Oberlin college, and there
he worked ut night saving wood to
pay his way. He only partially coin
pleated his course at Obcrlin, on ac-
count of his poverty. He went. 10
Mississippi soon after the war closed.
He commanded the confidence of both
races, and WAS Of valuable assistance
in the reconstruction Of the state. He
was the sergeant-at-armS OF the first
Senate in the recognized Legislature
after the war. In 1872 he was ap-
pointed assessor of taxes for the coun-
ty Of Boliver. The following year he
was appointed sheriff and tax collec-
ter. He was reelected to these Offices
without opposition. At the same time
he was made Il member of the board
of levee commissioners. His aggre-
gate bond at that time was $120,00O.
In country where all the property
owners then were rebel brigandierS he
had no difficulty in obtaining the bond.
Indeed, that is one of Bruces pecul-
iarities, that he has the power of cap
turing the regard and liking of even
his most bitter political opponents.
He is the only colored man who has
ever served a full term in the United
States Senate. He is tall and stout.
His well-rounded figure would weighs
probably 200 pounds. He stands very
straight, and is very dignitied. He is
familiar with no one: he is SO polite
and respectful to every one that he
meets politeneSs and respect from all.
His face is round and very full about
the jaws, which are clean shlven. His
color is strong clear yellow. Many
Cubans are darker than he. His fore
head is high and broad. His eyes are
black, with sparkle OF fun i'll them,
shown even when he is most dignilied.
His nose is small, but OF African type.
\ small, dark muStache curleS i'll at
the corners of his full-lipped mouth.
His hair is fine, thin, wavy, and is
now thinning out, threatening bald
ness. lie dresses quietly, always
wears Il high hat, and raises it French
fashion tc every one when he bows.
He married five years ago, the dau-
ghter of Il successful Colored dentist
at Cleveland. They made a bridal tour
of six months in Europe. Mrs. Bruce
is highly accomplished woman who
is SO nearly white no one who did not
know her would suspect the fact of
her having colored blood. She is of
slight figure, well rounded and devel-
oped. Her hair is delicate shade of
blonde, her skin is fair, her eyes are
blue, her features are regular, and her
teeth as even and white aS tlUse of a
heroine in anovel. She dresses with
good taste. She is very ladylike, and
has been very well received i'll Wash
ington since her husband has entered
official life.
They have Il handsome house on N
,,VrUUU, iIIUu CuLII
streets. 1t is in q row of brick houses
set up on high terrace. The houses
have good basement, two stories and
a manSard. They are valued in the
market at $4,000 each.