The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-07
THE FIRST OF Ills RACE.
Sketch of the Colored Statesman,
Ex-senator and Register Bruce.
From Chattel Slavery to the United States
Senats-His Marvellous Career-In-
teresting Anecdotes.
T. G. crawford,s Washington Letter.

T. C. Crawford's Washington Letter.
B. X. Bruce is signature found upon every
greenback and national bank bill now issued
by the government. Bruce is the Registrar of
the Treasury, very honorable office, pre-
viously held by GLENN w. ScofieId, who was
transferred from this place to the bench of
the Court of Claims. Bruce is the most sue
cessful colored man ever produced in this
country. He is to-day the most prominent
man of bis race, not even excepting Frederick
Douglass, who is growing old, and at
times shows signs of second child
hood. Bruce has accomplished a mar
Vicious success at an early age. Born a
slave Che is now only forty-three years of
age) yet look at what he has accomplished
in spite of the letters of his original condi-
ton. He has educated himself, made a
comfortable fortune, has served ore full
term in the United States Senate, is now the
possessor of an Office which pays salary of
$4,000, and is married happily and FORUM
ately. Indeed, there is scarcely anyone in
the country, black or white, who has had
career upon which fortune has smiled SO
completely as upon Bruce. Bruce's luck is
a proverb among the colored people If any
man is perfectly happy it is he. AS one of
his friends said: Bruce rises in the morn
ing in a condition of ecstacy, aud lies down
at night in dream of perfect bliss" As he
is perhaps the only happy man in the
country his remarkable career in reaching
this condition is worthy of ex-
tended notice. His record as an
honest man is unimpeached by his
enemies Although he was in politics when
the Bourbons charged all sorts of corruption
home to the member of the carpet-bag gov
eminent, Bruce has always borne an honest
name. He invested his savings in land in
Mississippi just after the war, and continued
to do SO while actively connected with the
Mississippi Legislature. He owns a hand
he has number of comfortable dwellings.
Now that he is confined in Washington, he
rents out his plan taton to various tenants
He was born a slave, in Prince Edwards
county, Virginia, March l, 1S41 His master
was a genial, kind-hearted, careless old
and the son were playmates. The
white boy had = special instructor.
Bruce was very quick; the white boy
very dull. So the colored boy reaped the
real benefit of the instruction. Bruce says
he cannot remember the time when he could
not read. He never knew any of the dis
agreeable features of slavery. He was al
ways a pet. He was permitted to do as he
pleased. When he was grown, if he had
asked for permission to go North for visit,
he would have had no trouble in going.
Several years before the war Bruces master
removed to Missouri. At the outbreak of
the war the old man died, and the son went
Three Bruces went over to the Federal side
by going to Hannibal, where the Union
troops were in camp. Bruce had seven broth
ers and three sisters All are living to this
day except one. Mrs Bruce, the mother is
also living Her home is in Kansas Bruce
hoe brothar with in,
The rest of the family are scattered about the
country.
Bruce began his career as freeman as
teacher. He taught the first colored school
ever opened in the United States. This
school, begun at Hannibal, furnished him
his first earnings. He was ambitious. His
small savings he employed for his education.
He went to Oberlin College, and there he
worked at night saving wood to pay his way
He only partially completed his course at
Oberlin on account of his poverty He went
to Mississippi soon after the war closed He
commanded the confidence of both races,
and was of valuable assistance in the recon-
struction of the State. He was the Sergeant
alarms of the first Senate in the reorganized
Legislature after the war. In 1872 he
was appointed assessor of taxes
for the county of Bolivar The
following year he was appointed
sheriff and tax collector. He was reelected
same time he was made a member of the
board of levee commissioners. His aggregate
bond at that time was 100000. In a county
where all the property-owners then were
rebel brgadiers he had no difficulty in OBJ
tanning the bond. Indeed, that is one of
Bruces peculiarities that he has the power of
capturing the regard and liking of even his
most bitter political opponents.
He is the only colored man who has ever
served full term in the United States SEN
ate. Only one other colored man has ever
been a senator. Revels, OF Mississippi, was
elected to fill an unexpired term of ten
months. He is a preacher. He made no
mark in the Senate. Bruce is the only col
ored man who has ever presided over the
Senate.
He is tall and stout. His well-rounded fig
ure would weigh, probably 200 pounds. He
stands very straight, and is very dignified.
He is familiar with no one he is so polite
and respectful to every one that he meets po-
likeness and respect from all. His face is
round and very full about the Jaws which
are clean-shaven. His color is a strong clear
yellow. Many Cubans are darker than he
His forehead is high and broad. His ewes
are black, with a sparkle of fun in them
shown even when he is most dignified His
nose is small, but of the African type A
small, dark mustache curls in at the corner
of his full-lipped mouth. His hair is fine,
thin, wavy and is now thinning out, threat
enlng badness He dresses quietly, always
wears high hat, and raises it French fashion
to every one when he bows.
He married, five years ago, the daughter of
a successful colored dentist at Cleveland.
They made 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 developed. 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 those of
heroine in a novel. She dresses with good
taste. She is very ladyike, and has been
very well received in Washington since her
husband has entered official life here.
They have handsome house on n street,
Iot,raa, NJ IL al i, T.. 4