Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-04-25
BLUEFIELD LETTER.
A BRUTAL AND UNPRO-
VOKED MURDER.
Good >amaritans Celebrate.
A SAD ACCIDENT.


hat help to inhabit this mighty coun- a
nv and that knows OF the Richmond j
Planet. We hope with the deepest Z
and most sincere reality and do be- I
ieve that your journa' will finally be- 1
come the favorite and pride of all ma S
lions of this land in the journalistic 1
world.
We had the pleasure of visiting Blue /
Ridge Springs during the past week,
witnessing the Good Samaritans Cele-
brating the emancipation day on the
9Th of this month
This was q very grand occasion, be-
ing designated day set apart for the
Good Samaritans OF virginia TO cele-
brate so we learned.
The parade was an important feat
ure OF the day, being headed with
the members OF the Order in their re-
gala, followed by citizens
Rev VI. E. Johnson of Roanoke City.
Va. delivered a very enthusiastic and
appropriafe sermon a. IL O'Clock to
an over-fiowing congregation IN the
BAPTIST hurch. Prof. r P. Armstead
one of Lynchburg's most accomplish
ed and ablest attorneys addressed the
citizens at night on one OF his famous
subjects Is the Negro worthy oil be-
ing an American citizen"
Prof Zach Hunt, of Hollins, Va,
made a very great and telling speech.
He dwelt upon the youth, the great
work that was awaiting them, that
they must prepare themselves with
education and many other good things
he said for the encouragement OF all |
He gaid whatever white men do the /
Negro would do it also. He proved
that the Negroes brain was sufficient
to cope with that of our white brother
in any thing under the canopy OF heav-
en-. Prof. Hunt is one of the ablest
orators of the state.
MIR. James Cloud, a young man who
was once employed here in the yards
of the n. & w. r as brakeman, which
position he resigned during this year
has been away from the city for two or
three months. He returned on Friday
evening, late on freight train. There
was a little trouble with Mr. Cloud
and one OF the policemen last year The
latter endeavored to arrest Mr.. loud
and failed to do so. Mr.. B. B Bowling
: is the man to whom we have reference
who is now an ex-police.
AS Mr.. Cloud was on his way up
Princeton Avenue, one OF the most
business streets in he city, said he
, heard some one call him, Hello Jim -
James said he turned to see what he
wanted Che was still walking up the
D street) and he heard the click Of pis-
{ tol. When he realized what was going
3 on the man was trying to shoot him
q He being armed with a revolver en-
s deavored to reply but it was too late
The ex-poiiceman had fired the fata
y shot before Mr.. cloud was prepared OF
3 was able to find out what business hs
!, wanted with him. The poor youni
!, man only lived few hours after hi
: was shot. Thank God he lived longel
. enough to tell the story of the case
/ For all that there wasn't any bench
e warrant out for the young man. No
% only that. this city has sworn official
to discharge duty of this kind unles
N otherwise ordered by the sergeant o
W chief of police. But this white ma
one of the so-called law-biding citi
: zens of Bluefield would over step tn
- bounds Of law.
eF Mr.. Bowling had nothing of any de
60 scription of warrant for th- man. Nj
Q Cloud said Bowling told him to ha
Q that he had a warrant for him and
rs consider himself under arrest. II
knowing Bowling as he did, knew b
was an ex police. He knew there wa
q new set OF officers elected and al
Us pointed.
ia This was a straightout cold-bloode
-, murder case.
~ B. B. Bowling's case was called at
~ o'clock Saturday. A full investing
Dy ton of the evidence in the examini
rts ton will show that Bowling had I
ce written warrant. City Sergeant,
to p. Hawley. who is said to have i
as structed L. A. Brown and b. b. Bow
{ q ing to capture Cloud for some caus
mt this we were unable TO obtain. as
oh would not tell anyone. Chief of Poll
H. I'D 20 a Mayor
y presence of the surgeon DIR. j. +. Flo
D ~, and many others that he had new
10y told anyone that he had MESA
me from Wytheville to arrest Jim Clou
ave The first witness stated that he saw
ar revolver in the colored mans har
ner But he did see Bowling fire and
an pistol in his hand. He stated he "
;no about 100 feet from the scene.
The corners jury in this case ref
ed to say if Bowling was guilty or n
Four times Justice Thomas sent tn
aid out, instructing them that as he G.
strued, the verdict was that y
Cloud came came to his death at
ing m. in April 18th, 1895, from a gun g
wound from pistol in the hands
keo B. B Bowling while said Bowling '
attempting to arrest said Jim Clou
bet WhereupOn the Coroner. Squire Tho
Jhi- as dismissed Bowling on the grou
that the evidence showed that he
acting in the discharge of duty as
officer, and was therefore justitiabl
n a We would like to ask the public
ex- could he be iustifiable when he
,o,,d not an officer, in numbering this mt
O. The Sergeant, Mayor and Chief OF
past th ne IND "a swing this man the
oil is tho-;tv To arrest Cloud or bring
EDl- Iood or oliun
This was an awful low down, brU
inhuman murder. 1t throws a sad
1ica- Election over our town in this n
;hese teenth century of civilization.
made man ought to have had a trial D.
-ever means and dealt with to the fullest
tent of the law.
When Bowling was policeman
treat and Cloud had some little difhc'
znev- at that time Bowling tried to al
= him and Cloud would not let
Many have said this was the obje
Bowling killing this man.
We o5lv wish we had time and s
to give the full details of the a
IS the Bowling is walking the street
you though he had never harmed any
Why is this? We learn they
% this is a white mans city and mus
Sark respected. 1t does not matter if
a. are as white as the drippings OF S
when they go wrong they shall
g.. tainly hear from us.
tac'' The remains of Mr.. James
all ON was shipped to Wytheyille, his n
home. Mr.. Lee Austin accomp
the corpse. The young mans m
there and father are living.
set at Rev. X. Z. Fox, the aDie ana
might ring pastor of Scott st. Church is
ing a great revival in progress a
church. Eighteen have already
a hope in Christ and large
Der inquiring.
Mr.. ] J. Edmonds of Elkhorl
d stop Va, had very SID accident to
what TO him while at work last Thurs'
the coal mines by slate falling
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