The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-17
TAKES HIS OWN LIFE
Robert Cash Sends a Bullet
through His Brain.
REC ny Elected Superintendent of Durham
County Home, Then Di,chargtd on The
Ground of Incompetency
Especial to News and observer.)


Durham. y. c., May 16.-Robert Fl.
Cash, who on Friday of last week was
elected by the Board of County Commits
sioners as superintendent of the county
home and work house, committed suicide
last night about 7:15 O'CLOCK, by blowing
his brains out with 3S-calibre revolver.
The only known reason for the rash act
is dependency caused by the fact that
the commissioners discharged him yester
day afternoon from the new position TO
which he had been elected, on the ground
OF incompetency.
Charles Copeland. who lives at what
is known as the Jack Pool home place,
about three and a half miles from Dur
ham. heard a pistol shot which attract
ed his attention. He looked in that di-
rection and saw a man tottering up the
road. The man raised the weapon to his
head and fired again, after which he
sank to the ground. Mr.. Copeland went
to the man. who was an entire stranger
to him and found his coat on fire from
the first shot fired. He extnguished the
blaze and then came on to Durham inn
metLiately to inform the authorities.
Coroner Maddry. Dr.. Y. P. Boddie and
others went to the scene. The man was
identified as being Mr.. Cash.
The first bullet went through the coat
and vest and top of the pants, and was
found in one of the pockets. This did not
penetrate the body. The second ball
crashed into the upper part of the head.
and as the man lay upon the ground,
portion of his brains oozed from the
wound. He was alive, but unconscious.
He was removed to the Watts Hospital,
where he died at 1926 o'clock this morn
ing. Deceased was So years of age and
leaves wife and married daughter,
Mrs. Ed. Nicholson, who resided with
him. They knew nothing of the sad oc-
currence until several hours had elapsed.
Prof. j. A. Matheson has been re-
elected superintendent of the Durham
Graded schools for the next scholastic
year. The examination of applicants for
teachers in the city schools will be held
tomorrow morning at the Morehead
school building.
The grand jury at this weeks term of
Durham Superior court reported the
court house, Jail and convict camp in
good condition. and the inmates at the
county home reasonably well cared for.
The annual sermon before the gradual
ing class of the Durham Graded schools
will be preached on Thursday night, May
29th, ty Rev T. NJ. n. George, of New
Bern, in Trinity Methodist church. Com
mencement exercises occur in the More
head school building on Friday. May
Both. DR.. Louis Smith is to deliver the
address.
Mrs. j. E. O'Neal passed away in East
Durham yesterday afternoon quite sud
denly. Deceased was 81 years of age, and
leaves husband and two children. The
funeral took place from the residence
this afternoon at 4 o'clock.
Owing to another accident to the large
engine OF the Durham Traction Com
pany it is not definitely known when the
street ears will be put in operation. For
awhile yesterday afternoon one of the
cars was out on the line. and ran nicely
w. A. Irwin says the Irwin Cotton
Mills Company will build a new mill in
the near future to be known as Irwin
Mills No 2. 1t will probably be loca ted
in or near Durham, will have $1,000
spindles, Loco or more looms and will
cost several hundred thousand dollars