The Republican., 1890-07-05

Alleghany bar, and another, the
deceased wife of Col. J. G.. Lynn.
The Judge was rigidly honest, rei
able and straightforward, steadfast
to the right, and true to friends and
friendship, positive and candid, but
not prePmptOry or obstinate. He
could not be otherwise, and be IA
Bruce.
The mind and pen are not all weary
of the subject just finished, still they
most willingly and gratefully turn to
his brother Normand, for whom too
much of that which is good can not
be said or told. Normaud Bruce
was born in Cumberland, in 1907, but
became a resident of the Glades in
early life. His education was limited,
but he never suffered for the want of
bet,ef one. A farmer, or rather
grazer by occupation, in his more
early years-he always was a man of
energy and force of character, Ever
man of the people without any eff
fort to he so. Elected to the Legis-
lature in 1888 and 1884, though with
I'but little taste for legislation or legis-
Iative honors. The most popular
man really we eyer knew, and not a
sarticle of ii was ever "sought or
hught." No man was ever freer
firm the disgusting practices of the
denagogue than he. In those days
at east, man could be popular and
RESPECTED without prostituting his
manhood.
Ht was elected sheriff in 1912 over
John M, Carlonton, strong man,
who lad a party advantage of from
100 to2O0. Besides, Bruce had some
powerful men. in his own party
(WhiD against him, yet he was tri-
umphlntIy elected. The upper end
of the county was nearly solid for
him. He made an excellent officer
in eyey respect, strong and energetic
Whenever such qualities were need
ed. buthuman and forbearing Wher-
ever su.h would answer the ends of
duty. The office at that day was one
of far greater responsibilities and
dignitythan clothed in later years. 1t
fell to lis unhappy lot to execute
William Christ, foul murderer.
The kird-hearted sheriff had arrang-
ed for his deputy edwin GiIpin) to
do the .pb, but as the hour approach
ell he concluded the unpleasant duty
was hisand not the deputy's. The
victim himself requested to be hung
by the man who had been 50 humane
to him. We saw the official hand
sever the tensiOned rope and the
guilty onsIsent from the world he
DE had 50 :uuch offended. Though
a'SSy sttf the time. the good sheriff
took lis to the cell of the doomed
mfn'the night before. He was en-
EjsHsing his pipe, with the dark coffin
# bis elbow, laden with not less than
item pounds of ginger bread, his chos-
en- food. The sheriff took from his
pockst a pair Of new slippers and
hand I'd them to "Mr. Chtist," as he
addbssed him. "Will they answer
for Tomorrow ." "Oh, yes" was
the cheerful answer. This was in
Now, 1913. Afterwards he was
elected County COMMISSIONER
about 1850. A most excellent sheriff
he WAS, model indeed, to be re-
memhered and associated with Rich
ard Beall and Moses Rawlings.
In the early part Of MS term atfthe
age of 36, he was married to Eliza
beth Bruce (only daughter of George
Brure) one of the celebrated "rrinity
Lizzies." Bruce, Beall and Sides, all
cousins, named Elizabeth after their
grandmother TOmilnson. This mar
riagn broke the unity of this much
admired little circle of charming
young ladies. Soon after Lizzie
Sides was married to VIM, NJ. Ma
graw, and later Lizzie Beall became
the wife of NJ. Sherry. The wife of
N. Bruce still survives as the widow
Dickinson. enjoying good health. on
this side of the PSalmists allotment.
1t has often been asserted she and
her first husband were first cousins,
bat not quite so nearin blood. They
we're the respective grandchildren Of
the two most remote Bruce ancestors
in the county, Norman and Andrew.
After the close of his three years
shpi ifalty, he embarked largely IN
the grocery business. combining with
it other important enterprises, one
being an investment in large coal
property in Somerset county, Pa,
now worth 81 100000 No doubt that
he would have been wealthy man
had his useful life not been cut off so
early, at Al. We ask pardon from
readers for interpolating little per-
sonal incident that occurred in the
few last weeks of the life OF the SUBJ