The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-04-23
INVITES TROUBLE.
Monroe ]. Harris, a Henderson
Negro,

Writes an Article About tie Recent
Tragedy here In Which lie Boldly
Exults Over the Death of Policeman
Rober.son-"It Should Give Us Sat
faction to Know That the Colored
Man Used His GUN il, the Protection
CT H.msc, and Ills Rights, and That
He is as SkilifuI In Placing !tis Bull
lets as the White riau," re Says
Language Calculated to iliilorie Pas
sion and Provoke Trouble.
The people of Henderson are Il
peaceable, law-abiding people-too
conservative, perhaps-and this very
spirit of conservatism seems to have
been construed into "a spirit OF fear
or cOwardice by some OF the negroes.
After the unfortunate occurrence
week before last when two men were
killed, the difficulty being brought on
by the negro, it was hoped that the
community would not be SO stirred
again. There was q great deal OF feel
ing and considerable wild talk. All
kinds of rumOrs were rife and excite
ment was high. But cool heads and
calmer Judgment prevailed. Further
trouble was averted, If indeed there
had been any danger of such, and a
feeling of bitterness had given way
to feelings only OF regret and sorrow,
when an inflammatory article, full OF
falsehood and Misrepresentation is
written by Henderson negro and
published over his signature. The
article was signed by NJ. J. Harris
and was published in the Littleton
True Ref01ner, edited by a negro.
After relating the circumstances
which led up to the trouble-the pur-
chase of reserved seat ticket by
Bruce at Sparks Show and seating
himself among the white people; his
being required to move, &c, Harris
says:
Later Mr.. Bruce met and engaged in
conversation with Policemen Robertson
and Crockett, during which, Crockett told
Bruce he was a niger, Bruce replied that
he recognized the fact that he was col
| ored, but that he was not a niger, but a
Negro Crockett said they were all the
| same, and when Bruce said they were
not the same, Crockett gave him the lie
and the same was returned by Bruce. at
which Crockett knocked Bruce down with
his billet (biliy) and shot him while down,
assisted by Robertson. Bruce used his
gun to save himself while the two We're
shooting at him, and he succeeded III
shooting Robertson twice, one bullet took
effect in the abdomen which proved ia
| tai. Crockett was shot once and re-
| 4o.,I, ,x-ar,pl tno
| ball struck his watch case.
This was one of the most brutal al
| fairs ever witnessed; two men shooting
| one little 20 year old boy who weighed
| only about 123 pounds. The action
stirred up much excitement and as one
white man and one colored man is dead
the result of the brutal attack-it
| should give us satisfaction to know that
the colOred nlan used his gun in the pro
lection of himself and his rights, ana
that he is as skiHtHl iu placing his bullets
as the white man.
| while we lament the loss of the brave
boy Bruce, we are glad to know that he
| died for his rights, and gaLant!v sent one
| Ofhis assaIants on ahead Ofhim.
! an. j. HARR!S.'
Italics as above are ours.
Just as passion had subsidized and
twas desired that the awful tragedy
should be recalled only as a memory,
the infiammatOry article OF this inso-
lent negro is Haunted in the faces OF
our people. This publication has
caused great Indignation and out
ragged public feeling. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that Henderson has among
her citizenship, white or black, a man
who would write such an article cal
culated to provoke trouble. Such a
character is a dangerous element in
any community.
A correspondent OF the News and
Observer, writing on the subject in
Wednesdays paper, says:
ct is to be hoped that deliberate
determination will take the place of
idle threats and that all such, who
have so strong prejudice, may be Or
dered to find shelter elsewhere