 Denison Daily Cresser
Tuesday, August 28, 1877 pg 4 PISTOL PRACTICE Jack DuBois Shot and Killed by Captain Bradley The surface of city concern was rippled somewhat to-day. Certainly it is not to be presumed that a whole city full of people can move along smoothly, without one wave of trouble to roll across their peaceful bosoms, or adverse storms beat against the tranquility of their affairs. The skies seemed to smile upon Denison this morning. Business men were rushing to and fro, and Main street was thronged with people, teams and wagons, everything betokening a field day for the city by the Gate way of the Empire State. Before noon came, the reverberations of "resounding arms" filled the hearts of our people with a peculiar terror, and the news that a man was shot created the wildest commotions on the main thoroughfares of the city. It has been a long time since the music of the pistol has been heard in our city. The wild, reckless dare devils of the world have not been in our midst since Denison has asserted that henceforth and forever, reckless cut-throats and bad characters of all sorts, must take a back seat and be quiet or leave for climes more congenial to their nature. Jack DuBois came to this city three weeks ago from Palestine. He was a gambler by profession, and is represented to us as being an overbearing man, and a bad character in detail and in the aggregate. He formed the acquaintance of Capt. E. W. Bradley immediately upon arriving in this city, and it seems that they gambled in partnership, would loan each to each money, and otherwise extend such courtesies peculiar to the sporting fraternity. Not long since they made a trip to the Nation for the purpose of carrying out their profession, but remained there but a short time, when they returned to this place. DuBois, upon their return, complained about Bradley's ideas of division, and declared that he was no longer in partnership in the winnings or losses of future games. He spoke of Bradley in very uncomplimentary terms, and the later paying little or no attention to his threats, only served to make him more violent. Thus matters stood until last night, when Bradley made a winning of $52.00. DuBois wanted to "stand in" with him, if we are permitted to use their slang, and Bradley naturally enough refused, but proffered him a loan, which the enraged DuBois also rejected. DuBois wanted some blood at this juncture, and thought it would be expedient for him to kill Bradley, and he said he would do it. Bradley soon heard of the danger he was in, and at once prepared for emergencies. The met at Ed's saloon this morning and DuBois saluted Bradley with a slap in the face and intimated that his maternal relative was of the canine species, for which he was promptly arrested and gave bond for his appearance. Not long thereafter they met in Jimmy Campbell's saloon, where DuBois renewed his abuse of Bradley and re-affirmed his intentions to kill him. Bradley intimated that then and there he could have an opportunity. Dubois advanced, Bradley fired, the first shot taking effect in the right side, and ranging up and across, coming out near the left nipple. Bradley fired a second time, the ball passing through DuBois' hat and lodging in his shoulder. He made no effort to escape and soon officer Spence and Nelms were on the grounds, the former taking Bradley in charge while the latter took command the battle grounds. The wounded man was carried across the street to Drs. Wood & William's drug store, where he died within half an hour after the time he was first shot. Bradley waived an examination and was locked up in the city jail by office Spence. As we go to press the coroner's inquest is being held over the body, but the result of their deliberations will not be made known perhaps until to-morrow, when our readers will be made acquainted with facts in the case as elicited by the inquest. We regret very much that the killing took place in this city, and for no other reason. Whilst humanity is disposed to be merciful, the most magnanimous humanitarians, are not disposed to shed very bitter tears over the lives of wild and reckless men, who boast about the beauties of dying with their boots on, and go with brave footsteps into the gloom of a terrible hereafter. Death is but the beginning and ending of a reckless career. We have no disposition to cast any odium upon the character of the dead man. At the grave side there is no resentment. He has gone to render his account to his God, and with his God we leave him; but we hope the desperate death with which he met to-day will serve as a warning to induce others to flee from the wrath of the bullets to come.  Denison Daily Cresset Thursday evening, August 30, 1877 pg. 1 Capt. E.W. Bradley, who shot and killed Jack DuBois in the Senate saloon, on the forenoon of Tuesday, Aug. 28th, was discharged from custody this afternoon. Jack DuBois undoubtedly met his just deserts, there being no doubt in the opinion of the community as well as of the court, that Captain Bradley was perfectly justifiable under the circumstances in taking DuBois' life. The preliminary examination of witnesses in the DuBois - Bradley shooting affair commenced yesterday afternoon before Esquire Kirk. Dick Williams, barkeeper at the Senate saloon where the shooting took place, was the first witness called to the stand. His testimony was rather damaging to Capt. Bradley, as he swore positively that Bradley shot DuBois after he had fallen on the floor. The report that DuBois started towards Bradley with one hand placed in his breast with intentions of drawing a pistol, was also disproved. DuBois was without arms at the time he was shot by Bradley. It is expected that the examination will consume three or four days. Jack DeBois was given a decent "send off" yesterday forenoon. He was laid to rest over in the cemetery alongside of many others who have stepped into eternity with their boots on. FELONY Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |