Bertie County NcArchives News.....Connor,  M.  A.  Murdered 1910
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Dennis Phelps dmphelps@nc.rr.com September 10, 2006, 7:57 pm

Windsor Leger Vol 23 1910
Windsor Leger Vol 23, Thursday October 27, 1910
Chief Police Conner Killed in Attempt to Make an Arrest;  Murderer Suicide’s

The Tragedy Occurred About One Mile From Town.  Deed Committed by Negro Boy 17
Years Old.  Both Die Instantly.

Mr. Conner Survived by a Widow and Infant Child.  Excitement Intense for Short
While.

In an attempt to arrest Bossie Sanderlin, colored, a boy of only 17 years of
age, Monday afternoon, about 7 o’clock, Chief of Police M. A. Conner, was shot
and killed.
	After killing his victim, Sanderlin then turned the pistol on himself and blew
his brains out.
	The trgedy occurred one mile from town.  Sanderlin was wanted for drawing a
pistol on a colored man and was chased out of town in the forenoon.  Later in
the day it was learned that he was hiding over the bridge, near Sandy Point in
the house of aunt Margaret Sanderlin.
	Chief Conner, in company with Messrs Hugh Nicholls, Cepheus Sitterson and Lloyd
Sewell, directly after supper, went over to arrest him.  The house was
surrounded.  The Chief and Mr. Nicholls went up to the door and asked for
Sanderlin.  He was told Sanderlin was not there, But the Chief replied that he
knew better and that he had a warrant for his arrest and demanded admittance. 
He then pushed the door open.  Whereupon, Sanderlin fired two shots, the first
just missing the Chief’s head – the second taking effect on the right side of
the chest, piercing the lung and entering the heart.
	Mr. Nicholls caught the Chief and lead him from the hallway to the porch and
sat him down.  The Chief replied – “wait a minute”, as if to make further
attempt,  But strength failed, sick stomach ensued and Mr. Nicholls at once
started for town for a doctor.  But before Mr. Nicholls had gone fifty yards he
heard two more shots.  Sanderlin, realizing his deed, ran into an adjacent room
and fired two balls into his own head and died instantly.
	A large posse of men, on learning the news, went over to the scene, thinking
the two shots Sanderlin fired in the house after the deed was a ruse to escape.
 But not so.
	The Chief lived but a few minutes after the doctor arrived and was conscious
only a few seconds after the wound.
	Sanderlins death was instantaneous.
	Excitement in our little town for a short while was intense and at a feverish
heat, Because the crime for which Sanderlin was wanted did not justify his
murderous resistance.
	But on learning of the suicide quiet prevailed and a gloom of sorrow settled
over all.
	The Odd Fellows and others took charge of the body and sympathizing friends
gathered at the home of the widow with her infant babe and rendered condolence
and comfort.
	Tuesday afternoon the body buried with the honors of his fraternity and
attended by our entire population.  The Rev. Q. C. Davis conducted the burial
service. 




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