The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-03-24
M.RDss
DIES SUDDENLY
Expired Wednesday Msralag
Frem DlIatIen q lhe Heart

Raleigh. MARCH 2s.--Former Supe-
rior Court Clerk W. N. Russ, Of RAJ
leigh. died Wednesday At 1915
O'clock. His death was sudden and
came from dilatation Of the heart
Mr.. Russ was In apparent good
health Tuesday and, retired at the
usual hour that night. shortly after
IL o'clock, feeling nauseated, he arose
and sat on the side Of the bed for a
few minutes. His nausea relieved, he
sat down in chair. and in a few
minutes was dead.
He complained shortly before the
end came, and physicians were sum-
moned. DR.. J. F. Jordan arrived
first. Mr.. Russ died just as he ar
rived. DIR. Hubert Haywood. Jr. ar
rived a few minutes afterwards.
Mr.. Russ was a man who had made
many friends. for he was genial
man, his good nature and jollity be-
ing features Of his life. He was the
center of any crowd in which he hap
peued to be, and was among the most
popular OF men. having large &C
quaintance throughout the state. For
years before he entered into politics
he was travelling salesman, having
great success In this line and In life
insurance work.
In 1894 Mr.. Russ was elected mayor
Of Raleigh, and proved most en-
cient Official. AT that time the mayor
presided over, the city police court
and the remarks Of Mayor Russ In the
hearing OF cases and trials became
celebrated throughout the state. Dur
ing his term as mayor he took great
interest In the schools OF the city.
Elected for three terms as mayor
Mr.. Russ was, in 1888, elected as the
clerk of the superior court OF Wake
county. and In December, 1888. re-
signed his position a. mayor to ac-
cept the county once. He was re-
elected In 1902 and again In 1905,
holding the position for three terms,
twelve years, and proving one Of the
best and most eficient clerks Of the
court In the state In 1910 he was
not nominated for reelection and re-
tired from once last December. en-
tering this year into the insurance
business with Mr.. ~. r. Crawford.
In the inceptionlof the movement
to erect a monument to the memory
Of Ensign Worth Basley. Mr. Russ
was selected as the chairman OF the
committee having this In charge. HI
gave his hearty cooperation In thu
work. and AZ the unveiling of ths
monument in the capitol square val
in charge OF the exercises Of the day
which he conducted most admirably.
The death of Mr.. Russ, occurring
at an early hour Wednesday. mad,
1t impossible to arrange thep,dcfail,
Of the funeral. These win be an
nounced later. ~
Sketch Of His Lie.
Mr.. Russ was born IN Wake count,
on June the 9Th, 1857. and was th'
son of the late Major J. p. II. Russ
who was at one time secretary o.
state. and Adeline Elizabeth Hutch
ms Russ. On March 81. 1891. he wal
married to Miss Henrietta williams
OF Greenyille.
During his early manhood Mr.. RUS
was q commercial traveller. and wal
very popular throughout the state. III
later went into the Insurance busi
ness. In 1894 be was elected mayo
Of the city Of Raleigh He WAS re
elected In 1896 and again In 1898. Ii
the fall Of 1895 he was elected clerl
OF the superior court OF Wake county
and resigned as mayor In Decembcl
OF that year. 70 the once OF clerk o
the court be was reelected In $50,
and again In 1906, retiring from ono
In 1910.
At the time OF his death Le Wac en-
gagged in the Insurance business viii
Mr.. W. r. Crawford In this city. III
was a member OF the Church OF tn
Good Shepherd. being one Of tn
vestrymen.
Mr.. Russ Is survived BY his widow
and four chiIdren-Misses Bette an'
Julia and Masters Richard and VIII
liam Russ, Jr. To all OF these Their
goes the deepest sympathy Of this en-
tire community, IN which Mr. Rus
was held In great esteem.