The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-05

room on Clark Street where poker was
In 1883 Bruce shot and killed Anthony
Connolly and for this he is still held ia
kindly remembrance about police headau si,,
avenue and Harrison street. one of the
worst places In that section even in It's
a. pull and de1ed the officers He had a
pleasant habit. of giving change for 81 no
matter what denomination of bin the Gus
toner placed on the bar. II the customer
protested he was beaten and thrown out
ordered drink and laid down a $40 gold
piece. Connolly gave him change for 81.
Bruce put down another SO piece and again
that he thought he might have been mis-
taken in the amount he gave Connolly
peated he knew ne had not been mistaken
IN the amount first put down and ne pro pro
as he raised his hand with the weapon.
Bruce. shot and killed HIM. Before Con-
in the thigh and giving Cody flesh wound
Bruce was tried and acquitted shorty
thereafter Bruce had street fight WITH
Whalen vas afterward murdered, and was
terribly beaten by the politician Thers-
after Bruce devoted himself exclusively
to his detective business.
SENTENCED TO PRISON.
In 1886 Bruce again came into notoriety by
the shooting of Henry Devine in Mrs. Da-
vis's boarding house. on Washington street,
Just west of the Times Building. Devine
lived then with his wife, who was then
known as Lille Devne. Bruce was passing
along the street about midnight and De-
vine and his wife were quarreiing 1t IS
claimed that Devine threatened to Kill MS
wife and she cried for help Bruce heard
the door he was met by Devine, who.
Bruce. claimed, carried long knife. Inc
to use the blade Bruce drew his revolver
and fired at him,lthe bullet taking effect
At the trial he was sentenced to one year
in the penitentiary which ne served IN
Joliet Devine recovered and went to Des
Moines. Ia, where he later shot ana seri-
ously wounded police offlcer. sf1e was
sentenced to seven years in the penlIen-
Madison. When Devine left Chicago he de-
serted his wife, who then adopted The name
Of Vail and has since been known as Lille
tertiary for a term of seven years few
weeks ago and is now at , Joiiet- s,,rne, ~
Chicago and founded Bruce's Private De-
tective Agency, with an office at the south
streets. where his sign of huge eye sur.
rounded by the letters; De att 70 2ea AL.
year ago he walked into cen,ra sta a.
laid down huge revolver that he had
killed James Hoban, character Well known
tive,s office ana found Hoban covered with
blood, but not fatally hurs. Bruce said he
had caught Hoban trying to break into his
Each was fined s..
Bruce was short, thick-set man. with
piercing black eyes and a black mustache:
He wore wide-brimmed white hat and
was frequently seen about the cigar store
next TO the Chicago Opera House, together
with a small spaniel, his inseparable COM
panion during his leisure hours. OF late
years he has done some good work in the
detective line. He was an Intelligent man;
liked by those who We're well acquainted
with him, quiet at all times. but exceedingly
sensitive when drinking, and at such times
handy with his gum.
A STORY TOLD ABOUT BRUCE.
Innumerable stories are told of Bruce's
earlier and more tempestuous career. One
showing his rough -and-ready disposition
is related by st. Louis newspaper man
Who knew him well years ago. Bruce dis
covered, without the aid of search war
rant, that his exchequer was INADEQUATE TO
insure a comfortable journey to Chicago,
whittier he had determined to journey, after
exhausting about all his ingenuity in an
endeavor to enjoy life in St. Louis, so he
started out TO tramp II. Away out III Iil-
nois he came across farmhouse one bright
summers Sunday just about dinner time,
and bethought him that it would be capt.
tai idea to ask for something to eat, the
smoke from the kitchen stove indicating
to him that substantial farmers sun
Approaching the house in his own in.mitabe
way. he knocked but received not the ex-
the kitchen Bruce discovered the house to
be vide open and not a soul in sight. He
quickly surmised that the good people had
lsft dinner to cook itself while they We're
attending church, short distance away,
intending to come back in due time to do
the pork and beans and potatoes ample
justice.
Bruce walked boldly into the house, set
the table, dished up the, to him, extremely
tempting vfands, and sat down to eat
Scarcely had he begun to appease, his
knocked at the door and asked for some
thing to eat Bruce greeted them kindly
anG invited them to come right in and have
something with him. Astonished and de-
lighted the two men walked in, and then
the three, without taking time to say much.
ate of the farmers good things until ma
ture admonished them to desist.
All this time Bruce's ingenius brain had
been Planning how to get out of what he
farmer and his good wife returned. fitting
his chair back In true farmer fashion,, he,
in the most nonchalant manner, said:
'Gentlemen, you must now. excuse ME
for few minutes, as l have a very sick
colt back here in the barnyard requiring Il
little immediate attention. Here are some
good, old-fashioned' pumpkin pies and a
pitcher of milk, to which you are Welcome;
enjoy yourselves until my return
Going around the barn Bruce sought
little hill about 200 yards away, command
ing a good view of the house, where he
concealed himself to await developments.
No sooner had he snugly eneeonced himself
in the little clump of alder bushes than
ing two strapping big boys, approach the
house, whereupon there was a perfect ex-
ample of Bedlam broke loose. for the farm
err and his boys gave the txo tramps a
most unmerciful beating, while Bruce en-
joyed the fun.