Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1904-08-04
GRAY SPEIGHT.
The Sad Ending of q Life That
Listened to the Voice of
the TemptOr.

the TemptOr.
The death of Gray Speight is still
shrouded in mystery. The perpetra-
tor of the blow that led to his death
is still unknown. No one, save the
dead man and his adversary, seems
to have known the cause and cir
cumstances under which the mid
night conflict was waged. The murd-
cred man himself chose to seal his
lips, even in the hour of death, and
thus afford his antagonist a loop
hole of escape. But tits not the pur-
pose of this article to discuss the
crime, but rather the of
man Gray Speight vas
Gray Speight first came under
public notice in G~oldsboro several
years ago, when he was elected to a
position on the police force, and in
that capacity, for a time, he made
n of the most fearless and daring
officer that ever graced the uniform
of a guardian of the peace and a pro-
tector of the populace. For a season
he served we'll and faithfully; but
he chose to toy with "the cup that
cheers" and the serpent that lies
hidden within It's depths steathily
crept forth, and at the oppcrtune
moment coiled itself about its unsu-
specting victim and claimed the
mastery. True to its mission, it
stood guard over its victim and de-
fed conscience, reasons pleadings,
and the government of the will,
till at last, on that fatal night, it
stood unclothed and assumed its
true form in the person of Satan
himself, and danced with glee as he
directed another of his victims to
deal the blow which finished his
work-ended the career of a human
soul on earth and left a home wild
owed and orphaned.
How different it might have been!
GraySpeight was no commonplace
man. He was endowed with those
characteristics that go to make he
rOes: He was a man of nerve, bold,
fearless, quick to see an advantage,
and prompt in action when a decis-
ion was reached. He dared to face
danger, and did it unfincingly; and
in the discharge of his duties as an
officer let no obstacle or impeachment
bar or sWerve him ia the accomplish
ment Of bringing offenders to the
bar of justice.
Some years ago, while being tried
on a charge (Which was never
proven) in the Superior Court in
this city, he evidenced to the specta-
tors, Court and jury, that his mind
was as active, and his brain as cum
ming and as fertile as those who
sought to enveigh and hold him in
the clutches of the law. In fact, he
outwitted them all, and walked from
the court room from under a chain
of circumstantial evidence that
seemed almost impossible to elude-
a free man.
He was considered a dangerous
man. And yet, no man is as bad as
he IS painted, when once he begins
to travel The wrong path! Like
others before him who were led 3
captive slave against his own better
judgment, he Was possessed o
many good traits, which were al
swallowed up and hidden from the
eyes of those who were not his init
mates. And, although he traver5et
the road that ultimately led him t.
a swift and merciiess destruction, WE
choose to think kindly of him fo1
what good there was in him.
This mans fate is strickingly sac
and ought to be a lesson to thost
around US who dare to trust fate anC
follow blindly and wilfully the broaC
road that gives latitude to passion
and full sway to the pleasures C) Q
earth-unmindfuI Of the hereafte
and of God!
God endowed Gray Speight witt
the elements of a noble manhood :
but he seemed to think lightly c
his capabilities; and the wooing G