Baylor County, TX - Obituaries - Phillip J. Bruce **************************************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************************************** The Baylor County Banner Seymour, Texas Thursday, October 23, 1913 Volume 19 Ex-Sheriff A.L. Board Killed Tuesday morning by Phillip J. Bruce Wounds Sheriff Elllis and is in turn shot dead Fervor of Excitement by Killing of a Prominent Citizen, wounding of the Sheriff and a Pistol Duel on Public Corner Many Eye Witnesses to the Tragedy [paper torn] many years has Seymour been stirred by such an excitement and sorrow as was occasioned by a double killing at the First National bank building Tuesday morning. It was shortly after the morning train when shots were heard on the second floor of the bank building. A man emerged from the stairway with a pistol in his hand. He was met by Sheriff Ellis and Constable B.H. Bickers of Stamford and a duel ensued in which Ellis was wounded in the right side and the other man was killed. The man who did the killing upstairs was P.J. Bruce of Ranger. He left home at 1:00 on Monday, arriving in Seymour shortly after 10:00, Tuesday morning. Hon. Joe A. Wheat was in his office over the First National Bank when the man Bruce passed the door evidently looking for someone. Upon begin questioned Bruce said he was not looking for anybody. Mr. Wheat soon afterwards went down stairs for a few minutes. Mr. Wheat heard a voice say, ÒMy name is BoardÓ and there was a reply in a lower tone. Then, evidently, Mr. Board said, ÒSuttlemyer, Samps? Yes, he is down at Toyah.Ó Immediately thereafter there was a shot and a moan. Mr. Wheat ran around to the bank and told them to phone the sheriff. As he ran other shots were fired, soon thereafter Bruce came out of the stairway and asked, ÒWhere is the sheriff?Ó Mr. Wheat said he was in his office. About that time Sheriff W.L. Ellis in company with Constable Ben H. Rickers of Stamford came around the corner of the bank and Mr. Wheat says, ÒThere he is.Ó Bruce brandished his weapon in the air, the spectators fell back and Ellis advanced. He knew nothing of the killing upstairs and did not believe the man would shoot him. He was within 10 feet of Bruce the latter drew his gun and holding it with both hands fired the shot that wounded Ellis. Bickers ran into the bank, thinking he could intercept the man at the rear, but there is no rear door. His gun had hung in the scabbard and not until that time had he been able to draw it. Ellis began firing. His first two shots were not effective. The third time the bullet pierced BruceÕs heart. The fourth shot was fired as the man was falling, but did not strike him. Sheriff Ellis, pale from loss of blood and pain, was hurried to the hospital where he was given quick medical attention. Mr. Bruce died instantly where he fell. Mr. Board was found still and lifeless at the head of the stairs. Six bullets had pierced his body, five on the body and one through the head. When shot Bruce was firing with a double action 45 Colt. In his pocket was the 32 automatic Colt with which he had killed Board. Seven of its nine cartridges had been fired. Bickers used a 45 Colt and Ellis a 41 Colt. Twelve years ago, when A.L. Board was sheriff of this county and S. Suttlemyer his deputy, the two men had been called down on Wagon creek to see about a couple of men who had been casing some disturbance at Ira CockrellÕs. These men were Arnold and Phillip Bruce. The former resisted with a Winchester and in order to save his own life Suttlemyer had to shot him. Sheriff board grappled with the other man and risked his own life to avoid killed Bruce. The dead man had a letter in his pocket, which was in an envelope addressed to Mrs. P.J. Bruce, Ranger, Eastland County, Texas. This letter, which was evidently written on the way up here, reads verbatim as follows: ÒMy dear Jennie and children I am in Seymour I didnÕt stop at Cisco I thought I might meet Cousin Ed Allen he would be a good man to let our sec. Of land to at Dumas he wanted it when he was at our house last he was Couldn't find DC for Phillip J. Bruce suspect he's buried in Ranger, Eastland Co., TX ------- Phillip J. Bruce wife was Jennie Mae Atherton, born in Iowa, daughter of Ham Atherton and Adeline Morgan