The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-03-19
FATAL SHOOTING IN TARBORO.
DIR. BAKER KILLS DIR. BASS.

Monday morning, March 10Th, DIR.
Julian NJ. Baker shot DR.. HI. T. Bass,
and DIR. Bass died Monday night.
The following special was sent to the
GreenviIle Reflector Monday:
"Tarboro, N. c., March 16.-Dr.
Julian M. Baker shot and fatally
wounded DIR. II. L. Bass here this
morning. The shooting occurred in
front OF the postofice about 80
o'clock. The two physicians met in
the postofice when DR.. Bass made a
fist attack upon DIR. Baker, pulling him
out in the street and knocking him
down. Baker shot Bass twice in the
abdomen before they were separated.
Two parties grabbed Bass and prevent
ed further shooting, although he shot
once in another direction after being
pulled off of Baker.
CDR. Bass is MORALLY wounded and
cannot live. Surgeons have been tele-
graphed for and they are coming on a
special train from Norfolk.
CDR. Baker is under arrest.
"There has existed some bad feeling
between the two physicians for some
time which grew out OF controversy
over case of charity at the hospital.
"LATER. The immediate cause for
tho attack is unknown though pre-
su,ned to be the outgrowth OF PROBES
SIGNAL differences. Both men had been
Tor sometime going armed for one an.
other.
cat 3 p. m. DR.. Bass is sinking rap
idly and there is but the falntest hope
for him.
"Bakers friends claim self defence u
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The following account OF the affair
appeared in the Raleigh papers Tues.
day:
--ra-knrn N e. March 16@Special
This morning at 9 o'clock in front Of
tho postofice in Main street, DIR. J. M.
Baker shot DIR. II. T. Bass and il,flict.
ed what may turn out to be fatal
wound. The pistol ball went through
both walls of the stomach and pene'
trated the liver. Two shots were fired
by DIR. Baker, only one taking effect
DR.. Bass pulled out his pistol after he
vas shot, but says that he does not re-.
member whether he shot it or not
Anyway the pistol was fred, but the
ball went oyer the heads of the crowd
It did no harm.
After the shooting DIR. Bass wslked
to his Office and soon afterward was
carried to his home. Immediately DR.
Leigh, of Norfolk, was wired for and
he came on special. DR.. Moore, Of
Elm City, and DIR. David T. Tayloe, oil
Washington, arrived in the afternoon
about half past four o'clock. An oper.
alton was performed. The missions in
the stomach were sewed up and the
liver packed. At this hour 6 o'clock,
DR.. Bass is living, but the surgeons
who were present have stated that il
will be nothing short of miracle il
DR.. Bass RECEIVERS.
The shooting is the result OF bitter
feeling existing between these doctors
of long standing. DR.. Bass attacked
DIR. Baker and fight then ensued. As
to exactly when and how the shooting
occurred the statements that haye been
made In the street are conf1icted. Some
say that the fatal shot was fred while
the two men we're actually fighting
Others say that DR.. Baker shot DR.. Bass
after they were pulled apart. When
the first shot was fired it seems that DR.
Bass had his hand on DR.. Bakers pis
toll, from the appearance of burnt pow
der on DIR. Bass hand. DR.. Rake1
contends that he acted in seif-deiense
Soon after the shooting DR.. Baker
gave himself up to the sheriff. By
agreement Of council he was this after
noon placed under a five thousand,
dallar bond, It was thought that .
trial would be held this afternoon, bu
it has been postponed.
| Both DR.. Lass and DR.. Baker ar,
physicians of fine standing in the towl
and have many friends. Business wa
practically at standstill all day, a
this most unfortunate occurrence cam,
like shock to all. Late this afternoon
DR.. Bass made his will and then mad
q statement about the shooting tina
was taken down In writing.
TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY