The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-11
Bruce Sometimes Passed for
a White Man Away
From Home.
HENDERSON STIRRED UP
Bruce Cursed Policeman and One Struck Him
With His Billy, Whereupon Bruce Fred---
Robertson's Body Taken 10
Henderson by i:20
Train.

Policeman ]. w. Robertson. who was
shot by the negro, James Bruce, in Hen
derson on Thursday night. died at Rex
Hospital last night at half past nine
o'clock
The body was taken to Henderson this
morning on the 1920 train by Rev. j. s.
testant church there, and Policeman os-
car Falkner, who came to Raleigh yes
terday by the evening train.
The dead mans wife, his son, Roy
Robertson, and his daughter Miss Pearlie
Robertson, who came in yesterday morn
ing. also returned with the body.
Bruce's condition was extremely criti-
cal up to the time of going to press, but
Dr. Hubert Royster stated last night
that he would probably live until today.
Immediately upon the arrival of the
special train yesterday morning at about
half past three o'clock both the wounded
men were taken to Rex Hospital, where
DR.. Hubert Royster, assisted by Drs J..
H. Tucker and Hartwell Bass, of Hender-
son, operated upon them without delay.
Both men were placed in the same oper-
ating room and the surgeons went from
one to the other, back and forth as
rapidly as possible.
Policeman Robertson had one bullet
wound only, but that was a terrible one
The BALL of 32-caIibre. - entered lust
below the curve of the ribs on the rieut
side of the abdomen. It's course was
downward, and it pierced the small in
testines near the spinal column, making
one large rent in the bowels. The hemor-
rhage was very great. and the wound
is so far back thai it was difficult to
get at it. Then the officer was very stout
and there was layer of full four inches
of fat over the abdomen. His heart.
too, was weak, and that made matters
worse STILL He sank steadily all the
time since arriving here.
Bruce has three bullet wounds and a
cut over the left eve, made g.. - billy
of one of the policemen.
One OF the bullet wounds is below the
cut, but this does not seem to be Sc
rious at all.
The other two are in the abdomen. One
entered over the stomach and injured
the diaphragm, but did not penetrate
the stomach at all. The other wound
is in the left side. midway between the
ribs and the hip. The ball perforated
the intestines in four places, taking an
upward direction. The four openings
were sewed up and the blood washed
out of the abdomen.
RALEIGH MANS ACCOUNT.
A Raleigh man who was in Henderson
f~hk oF H. ,l
large part OF the day yesterday, gave to
News and Observer reporter last night
the following account of the trouble:
James Bruce, who is about one-six-
teenth negro. bought a reserved seat
ticket for John Sparks circus, the ticket
seller thinking he was white man. He
took his seat among the white people,
and the policeman detailed to the show
ordered him to go over to the section
set apart for eolored people He OBJ
jected. but claiming that he had paid
for his seat and had right to it, but
behaved quietly and left his seat
After the show was over Bruce went
up to where Policeman ]. w Robertson
and Robert Crockett were standing and
began cursing them. One of ;he police
men struck Bruce on the side of che head
with his billy, whereupon Bruce began
firing and the policemen returned the
fire.
The same gentleman stated that all
Henderson is very much stirred up over
the affair, and that there is a great deal
OF feeling over the horrible affair. How
ever, there has bee nno indication of
trouble
James Bruce. it seems, is very we'll
known in Henderson. He is about 81
years old. and nearly white. In fact
could pass for white man anywhere
mat he was not known. 1t is reported
mat he often went away on trips and
passed as white. sleeping in the same
room with white men at hotels, and so
on.
He was employed by the hardware
hrm OF Daniel & Co. in Henderson. and
Mr.. Daniel regarded him, it is reported
as one of his most trusted employees. al
lowing him to sell goods and handle
money for the firm.
He has always been regarded as a
quiet, well-behaved negro: but was given
a great deal of liberty by his emnIover
who paid him literally. In fact Jim
Pruce always dressed as We'll as anv one
in Henderson.
Policeman Robert A Crockett was
saved. II appears. in an almost miracuI-
Gus manner. bullet from Bruce's re-
volver struck him in the chest; but he
had in his upper vest pocket heavy