The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-08

Under the title of Mar Killed by a
Turkey / find the following in the New
York Sun. credited 10 the Kansas City
Journal:
Judge Samuel Ashe. OF the first North
Carolina supreme court. was killed by
a trukey gobbler. One day, after he had
become very old and inhrm. ne was p.aS-
ed in a chair under the shade OF n tree IN
his yard. a red cap protected his ancient
noddle from the attacks of the nieS, ana
his comfort was so well provided Tor IN
every way that a sweet s!umoer stole
upon him and caused him to nod. A large
turkey gohbier. which patrolled that pre-
ciEct, mistaking this for a challenge. I'M
mediately gave battle On n sudden the
judges sweet siumoerS were broken by
the flap OF hostile wings. and ere he could
collect his scattered senses a well direct
ed spur smote him in the temple. and he
fell down and gave up the ghost
We have heard that pumpkin custards
are unknown in Kansas. as. owing 10 the
fertility OF the soil. the parent vines run
SO fast the little pumpkins are ragged
TO death.
We nave always regarded Kansas as
an agricultural and ~grasshopper region
seldom from an intellectual point OF
view.
North Carolina history cannot be
squashed or lightly hoped over by our
bucolic friends in Kansas. Our traditions
are crystalized: our legends are EN-
tombed in amber"
1t is such an thing for
judges of the supreme court 10 fail down
and give up the ghost at the blow OF n
turkeys spur that we must give credit
where 1t is due. wheeler's History OF
North Carolina states that Samuel
Spencer and VIM. Thomas were members
from Arson county TO the first provincial
congress at New Bern, August. ia,
(Which was the first movement OF the
people as a state. adverse and opposed
TO the royal governmento Samuel Spen-
Ger was appointed. with Waightstill Az
cry. from the Salisbury district. on the
provincial council OF safety. which was
the real executive OF the state during
the i~nterregnum between the abdication
of Governor Martin 9TH royal GOVERNOR
in 1775. and the ascension OF Richard
CaSwell. the governor under the conSti-
tuition of 1116.
The character Of Samuel Spencer be-
longs to Anscn county. His talents were
appreciated by the country, for he was
associated in its defence in both a civil
and military character. Under the colo-
NAL government he was clerk Of the court
for Arson county, an office or much
profit.
"His conduct appears to have given Of
fence while in the discharge of his du-
ties. as will be seen by the petition OF
solomon Crofts and others.
NSamue Spencer was one OF the three
judges of the superior courts, first elect
ed under the constitution Q1IO. He was
in the convention assembled at Hillsboro
in July. IFS. to deliberate upon the fed
eral constitution: was its active and able
opponent, and contributed greatly to its
rejection in that body.
"He died in 1894. His death was caused
by a most singular circumstance. He had
been in i'll health, and was in the YARD,
sitting in the SUM-. A large turkey COB
bier was attracted by some part OF his
clothing. which was red, for which color
turkeys have a great antipathy. .
The turkey attacked the judge most
furious1y and before assistance could res
cue him so severely was he injured that
he died in a short time from his injuries.