The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-08-21

We frequently read of terrible tray
edies elsewhere and these occurrences
hardly make an impression on us
longer than the moment OF their
perusal. But when they come close
home to us it is quite different.
One of the most shocking affairs
that ever occurred hereabouts, and
one of the most unprovoked and das-
tardIy wilhal was the tregedy-a
double murder perhaps-which was
enacted on the Southbeund pasSen-
ger train near Middleburg, Tuesday
afternoon. One man was killed out
| right-shot through the head by SO
calibre bullet fired by viciou. and
| worthless negro and another with
pistol shot wound in the abdomen
and several OF his intestines perfo-
tated lies in the hospital in Raleigh
in precarious condition not expected
to live.
The particulars seem to be about
as follows: A gang of sixteen negroes
were on their way from Lynchburg,
Va, to Louisburg, n. c., to work in a
tobacco stemmery. Coming by way
| Vi IhC oLi Wv i'St'i
| train to Norlina and boarded the
Southbound passenger train from
Norfolk at that point. Capt. W. Z.
| Clements, one Of the cleverest and
most popular conductors III the ser
vice of the Company, as we'll as one
of the most courteous and mild man
nered. was in charge of the train.
After leaving Norlina five of these
| Negroes left their coach and went back
into the mex, one, occupied by white
people. They were acting in b"i>-
ferrous and disorderly manner and
| soon commenced to sing. Their
| singing it is said was remarkable for
volume rather than melody and
coarseness instead of elegance. Capt.
Clements passed through taking up
tickets. Approaching the negroes
he told them they were in the wrong
coach and asked them to 60 into tn"
other one and be more quiet. One or
two readily assented and seemed
about to go while Joe Cole. ST., who
appeared to be the ring leader, pro-
tested and became very insolent.
He gave the conductor to understand
that he could neither make them be-
have themselves nor put them out.
Without display of temper yet posi-
tive in his orders Conductor Glenn
ents told them that he did not want
to have any trouble and again asked
that they 90 into the next car and be-
have themselves.
| Understanding that they were
going to leave Capt. Clements went
forward to start back collecting
tickets. Thinking perhaps the con-
ductor had gone for assistance the
negroes soon followed, or they may
have gone for the purpose OF as
saulting him as they did. At any
rate it is said t;aey left the coach with
curses and threatenings and upon
getting into the coach set apart for
negroes, just as Capt. Clements was
coming through, Joe Cole, Sr., threw
off his coat and saying. I'VE are all
brothers here and are going to stick
together" he made pass at the con-
ductor. There was a general mix-up
of negroes all around him, pistols
were drawn and it looked as if his
life was in imminent danger.
Seeing a pistol in the hands Of one
Of them thrust into the face of Capt.
Clements his colored porter, Jim
Mitchell, attempted to get hold OF it
saying Don't shoot my conductor"
He closed with the negro and made a
brave and noble effort to disarm him,
risking his own life to save Capt.
Clements Mitchell was shot in the
abdomen. receiving a wound from
the effects of which it is not believed
he can recover. Hero is Jim Mitch
ell, an honor to his race and worthy
the respect and admiration of all
men. ..Greater love hath no man
than this, that he lay down his life
for his friend.'
Seeing the disturbance in the for
ward car Mr.. Fred Stevers, Roadmas-
ter of the First Division of the Sea-
board Air Line Railway, who was on
the train coming to Henderson, ran
in to the assistance OF Capt. Clements
and his porter. as did number of
other passengers Joe Cole, wit tn
pistol drawn, was in the act of shoot
ing Capt Clements when Mr.. Stevers
struck the negro in the face with his
fist and partially knocked him down.
He then grasped Cole in his arms and
the affair turned to a hand to hand
struggle between the two. In order
to free himself from the man in whose
iron grasp he was Cole raised his pis-
toll and fired. Evidently seeing the
danger he was in and trying to get
81,
possible MIR. Stevers threw his head
back. The nature OF the wound he
received shows this. But be could
not avert his doom. Cole's pistol
blazed and the murderous bullet went
crashing through his right temple
just above the cheek bone. ranged
upward and lodged in the top part
of the skull on the left side. He
dropped to the floor and death was
instantaneous.
After the shooting Cole attempted
to escape by jumping from the train.
He fought his way to the platform
and got as far as the steps. Men
were hanging on to him with despera-
tion and determination and although
he fought like an enraged tiger he
was finally overpowered but not sub
dued. 1t was necessary TO tie him
and to do this the bell cord was cut
and used for the purpose. The pull
ing o! the bell cord confused the en-
gineer and the train was stopped.
This occurred near and in sight OF
Middleburg.
Three of the negroes were captured
and bound hand and foot Those
who assisted in the capture were E
f. Norman. Brinkleyville; Capt. J. p