The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-20
Especial to The Messenger.)

NSpSSIdl " II hSSSSISGI.)
Tarboro, N. c., March 16.-Dr. J. NJ.
Baker shot DR.. H. T.. Bass this morning
about 9 o'clock. Only one ball took eff
feet, this entering the abdomen just
above the navel and to the right. DR..
Lee, of Norfolk, an expert in abdominal
surgery, arrived on a special train
about 2 o'clock this afternoon. DR..
Tayloe of Washington was also sum-
moned. 1t was determined to perform
an operation, but there is little hope
entertained for the wounded man. The
latest information obtainable is that
DR.. Bass is dying.
These are two of the leading physi-
clans here and both have many warm
friends in the community. The tragedy
occurred in front of the p%ostoffice. DR..
Bass was standing outside, near the
door and seized DIR. Baker just as he
came out of the postoffice. Struggling
they crossed the side walk into the
street, where DR.. Baker freed himself,
but before he could retreat more than
a few feet, DR.. Bass caught up with
him again and seized him. Two or
three bystanders then attempted to in
terfere by pulling DR.. Bass back and
as he was being pulled back, DR.. Baker
drew his pistol and fired twice in rapid
succession. During the struggle which
ensued by DR.. Bass and those holding
him, he pulled his pistol which was
discharged over the heads of the crowd.
DR.. Bakers friends contend that
his act was justifiable, that it was don
solely in self defense. Not a particle
Of evidence discloses the remotest ele-
ment of murder. After the shooting,
DR.. Baker went into his office and
placed himself in the custody of the
sheriff. Pending the result of DR.. Bass
wound, DR.. Baker is to be admitted to
bail from day to day, the bond being
fixed at $4,000. A most hostile feeling
has existed between these two men for
a long time.
An Account from GoldsborO.
Especial to The Messenger.)
Goldsboro, N. c., March 16.-The
news has been received here today from
private sources of a sensational shoot
ing ARRAY in Tarboro in which W. men
prominent in social life as we'll as high
up in the councils of the medical pro-
fession of the state were implicated,
and one of them DR.. H. T. Bass is now
in a critical condition. DR.. Bass and
DR.. Julian Baker met in the postof1ce
in Tarboro this morning and after eX-
changing a few angry words, they en-
engaged in a fisticuff. Bystanders sep
arated them n they were each being
held. DR.. Baker pulled his pistol and
shot at DR.. Bass four times, two of the
liver. 1t is understood hat there had
been bad feeling between the two men
on account of a controversy over a
local hospital and professional jealousy
At last accounts DR.. Bass was in a
critical condition and a specialist from
attend the wounds, and until the spe-
cial surgeon arrives, no operation viii
be attempted and the extent and seri-
BUSINESS of the wounds cannot be deter>
mined.
DR.. Baker has not yet been commit
ted to Jail but is under arrest in his
office pending the examination of the
wounded man by the experts.
BY Telephone t. the Fayetteville
Observer.
DIR. H. T. Bass, a powerful man,
weighing 200 pounds, met DR.. J. NJ.
Baker, who is a small man, weighing
about 40 pounds, in the postoffice door
at 10 o'clock this morning, and, without
any alteration, struck him and drag
ged him out on the sidewalk, where he
continued to beat him. DR.. Baker man
aged to escape by leaving his coat with
his assailant, but was overtaken by
DR.. Bass who, getting his head under
his arms, began beating him again. Dr..
Baker, while in this position, then drew
his pistol and fired twice; one bullet
entering the abdomen. The wound is
a mortal one, and is similar to the one
that killed the late President McKin-
ley. DR.. Bass was also armed with a
pistol, and is sal to have had it drawn
when the fatal hot was fred. There