The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-26
KILLED BY A SHERIFF
A DESPERATE CONVICT BITES
THE DUST In WAYNE
COUNTY.
A SUNDAY MORNING TRAGEDY

ShGEfU scout ShOOtS JeSSe A1unh AH
Self-defense-- Runn's Son Assisted
Him in Escaping From Jail and He
Repeatedly Defed the officers of
the Law--When Shot He was Riding
along the Road with His Wife--The
Sheriff Fully Exonerated.
GOLDSBORO, n. c., Nov. 25.-(Spe-
cial) AT the September term of
Wayne County Superior Court Jesse
". Bum, notorious white man, wide
ly known and feared throughout the
county, was convicted of a criminal of
fense of an iucestuous nature, and SEN
fenced to twelve months imprison
ment in the county Jail He was ac-
cordingly duly imprisoned in the Jail.
Soon afterwards his son, Joe Bum,
visited him in the Jail and surrepti-
tiously conveyed to him a file, and
within few days thereafter, and when
only about ten days of his sentence
had been served, Bum filed his way out
and made good his escape at night,
carrying another prisoner with him.
Sheriff Scott made several attempts
to surround Bum with a posse, but
without effect.
But as the days rolled on Bum grew
holder, and finally the sheriff saw that
any attempt to surround him with
posse would result in the death of
some Of his men, and rather than jeop-
ardize their lives he determined to
cope with him alone. And when this
conviction was formed in his mind,
brave man that he is, he went forth
Saturday night alone in his buggy to
the Bum neighborhood, and with the
dawning of Sunday morning he began
accommodating the approaches to
BUnn house.
lie spent ali the morning driving the
roads in the vicinity, and about 12
O'Clock he learned that his man bad
recently passed a certain locality, and
giving rein 10 his horse he came into
the public road and discovered BuN
some distance ahead Of him and fol-
lowed by his son Joe and wife in
cart. The sheriff drove rapidly for
ward and passed Joe Bum, thus sand
Wiching himself between father and
son. and bore down upon Jesse. but
saw the sheriff and Immediately drop
ped his* reins and grabbed his gun.
Sheriff Scott called to him to surreea.-
der, but his only reply was persisfent
effort TO get his gun leyeIIed On the lat
ter, who, from his buggy. calmly
watched the gun Of Bum as ii came
on and on round to a deadly aim. and
then the sheriff fired, put not an in
stant too soon.
Bum returned the fire, and then
dropping his gun grabbed his pistol.
but fell back dead before he could use
II, the pistol falling from his hand in
the road, some 30 or 40 feet from where
the gun fell. Bunn's feet i'm falling
got caught in the springs of the road
cart and his body hung dangling head
downward
The sheriff got out of his buggy and
running forward caught Bunn's mule
ana Immediately said, Mrs. Bum did
| hit you ?"
She replied. NO am not hit.'
Thank God for that said the brave
sheriff, and handing ner the reins he
eXtricated Bunn's body and rolled il
over to the roadside.
~ this time Joe Bum and his wife
had come up and Sheriff Scott walk
ing mp TO him and shaking his finger
gravely in his face said to him. ..,Ioe
Bum there lies your father dead
Killed him. ! had it to do. and Won are
responsible for his death. If Won had
not carried him that file and aided him
in breaking Jail he would not now be
lying dead here before YOU"
1t was tragic scene terrible i'm its
lHHFffIi
Joe Bum sank down under it and
wept bitterly.
ne news spread rapidly THROUGH
out the neighborhood and the ouiet
rural Sunday was changed into a day
OF public gathering. In the meantime
ohefiff Scott, having appointed guards
over the body and Bunn's weapons.
came on to Goldsboro and gave himself
over 70 the coroner, DR.. Thos Hill, re-
porting what had occurred Dir. Hill
Immediately summoned a jury of in
quest and proceeded to the scene
where the jury were impanelled and
the BODY of Bum examined. 1t was
found that but one ball struck him.
38-calibre,. in the vicinity of the kid
neys. 4 number Of loaded shells and
cartridges were found in Bunn's pock-
ets The examination of witnesses was
then begun and was concluded in this
city at noon to-day, when the follow
ing verdict was rendered:
We, the jury after hearing the evil
dence, agree to bring in the following
verdict: That Jesse w. Bum, an cs-
capped convict from the county iail.
came to his death from a pistol shot
inflicted by Sheriff b. r. Scott. Of
Wayne county. while attempting to
arrest the said Jesse w. Bum and
while Bum was resisting arrest, and
that it was in the proper execution Of
his office in upholding the law of the
land and his necessary self defense.
"(Signed) Robt Hicks, L. b. Bass,
Jno. Fl. Hill. J. i. Norman, Jno. II.
CHM, j. w. Lamb. jury.
Certified to by the coroner"
The entire law-loving public of the
county endorse Sheriff Scott's action,
admire his bravery and applaud his
heroic purpose to do his duty or die.
In the hands of such a sheriff Waype