The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1892-03-09
DURHAM RECORDER.
WEDNESDAY, March 8, 1892.
HE READ DIME NOVELS.
with a Black Mask and a Pistol N
Wanted to be q burglar.

lie Is Just siAJcch sSesis oiN "Ns ."
read dime and nickel novels.
He secured a pistol, and a black
silk handkerchief served for mask
He broke window pane and entered
a house to burglarize it. Discovered,
he showed fight. There was con
fiict and now he is near deaths door
with pistol ball in his neck.
And his poor old gray-haired faith
er and mother speak with sobs and
their voices tremble and their poor
old hearts are breaking.
Not at the shooting" says the
father, as his frame shook with emo
ton and tears slreamed down his
cheeks, but at the awful disgrace
that is brought upon u.s."
It's an awful and pathetic story;
another terrible occurrence charged
to the long list of those due to dime
novels.
Young Harry Gray, son of DR.. j..
NJ. Gray, the veterinary surgeon, Is
the victim, and his life low hangs
upon thread.
1t was early last night that the
tragedy occurred, AMI the place was
tine house of Mrs. W. B. Cox, on the
corner of Ivy and Baker streets.
Mrs. Cox is now in Baltimore. \
cousin of Mrs. Cox, Mrs. sarah
Waters, a widow lady, has been liF-
ing with her, and during Mrs. Cox's
absence has charge of the house. She
has been staying there alone at night
most of the time, but occasionally
Some gentleman assisted in the pro-
lection of the premises.
Last night Mrs. Waters went to
the Catholic church with Mr.. J. T.
Williams, a young man who is a
friend of the family and who stays al
TN. Clarke's hardware store.
The two returned from the church
about Q o'clock, and Mr.. Williams
escorted Mrs. Waters TO the door VI
the residence. He bid her good night
and was preparing 10 leave wheu
both he'and Mrs. Waters noticed q
light up stairs.
The light disappeared, but in few
moments was seen again: M
Wars started to the door. and
would have gone on but Mr.. Will
Jams restrained her.
Help and officers were sent for
They entered the house and searched
As one of the closet doors were open
ed they saw the barrel of a shining
revolver. The offer fired, and a
the same time there were two othe
shots almost simultaneously. Tn
burglar fell 70 the floor with a grua1
Williams covered him and said:
"Give up your pistol or / will shod
again."
81 woa't do il. Kill me. Kill me.
Don't shoot, " ordered the Officer
and he ierk.d the pistol from tn
wounded mans hand.
Then he bent over the youth an
found him gasping for breath. Wit
knife the mask was cut from hi
face, and there lay Harry Gray,
well known boy Of just sixteen year
Again the boy cried for the Office
10 kill him, and then said he wa
choking ~ death. His collar wa
cut from him, and he vas carrie
down stairs.
A messenger was sent az once I
DIR. Gray, who lives but block dis
tant, and for a physician.
DR.. Gray arrived IN a few mo
ments, and his grief was sOnethin
that the spectators will never forge
With tears falling from his eyes b
talked TO bis boy in a broken voict
and cried out in distress.
DR.. Lawshe came sDon and at ono
pronounced the wound dangerous
Soon afterward the boy was carrie
10 his home at l76 Ivy street.
This morning the father Is almo.
broken down. He talks Of tue aiTai
between sobs. and the Occurre.c
falls heavily upon his white head.
His mind has been poisoned,
said be, by dime and nickel novel;
although we have done our best
keep them from him He has alnos
broken our hesrts-fniDe and Mr.
Gray sand lin afraid il will kin Il
both.
And oh, please say that" Tier
the old mans voice broke and tfl
tears fell rapidly. 'He-has tile
best mother in the world, and i
II don't know what 20 do"
He then stated that his son arrive
al home at Z O'Clock last night, al,
told them be had 10 SO party 81,
was going out. So often had this &C
CURED that nothing wa thought o
il.
The next known Of him was find
INK him almost dead-shOt Will,
burg.arizing a house.