Third Sheriff of Baylor County, Texas. He was elected in 1884 and served until 1889. He served three terms in office.
Abner Leonard Board married Miss Annie Eunice Kenan in 1888 at Baylor County, Texas.
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, "My name is Board" and there was a reply in a lower tone. Then, evidently, Mr. Board said, "Suttlemyer, Samps? Yes, he is down at Toyah." 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, "Where is the sheriff?" 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, "There he is." 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 Bruce's 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 Cockrell's. 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:
"My dear Jennie and children I am in Seymour I didn't 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..."
The tragic death of A.L. Board happened between a man who at one time had a run-in with the law and had come back to Seymour to get even with former Sheriff Samps Suttlemyer. He had gone to the second floor of the First National Bank and failed to find Suttlemyer. This man found A.L. Board on the stair way; Board had been sheriff himself several years before that time. The man started blazing away with his gun, inflicting several wounds, either one of which could probably have been fatal. Going on downstairs, the killer encountered Sheriff W.L. Ellis and started shooting at him. Ellis, after having received a critical wound, took deadly aim and brought down the murdered, saving an expensive trial for him.
Suggested edit: A.L. Board, 65, moved to Dallas County from Virginia. He moved to Baylor County in 1878. He served two terms and part of another as Sheriff and was the postmaster in Seymour for four years. In recent years, he has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In 1888, he married Miss Annie Kenan. Five children were blessed into this union, two children preceded their father in death. Mr. Board was one of our best and most prominent citizens. All businesses in Seymour closed for the funeral, as the last mark of respect that might be paid to this good and respected man.
Baylor County Banner
October 23, 1913
Abner Leonard Board married Miss Annie Eunice Kenan in 1888 at Baylor County, Texas.
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, "My name is Board" and there was a reply in a lower tone. Then, evidently, Mr. Board said, "Suttlemyer, Samps? Yes, he is down at Toyah." 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, "Where is the sheriff?" 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, "There he is." 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 Bruce's 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 Cockrell's. 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:
"My dear Jennie and children I am in Seymour I didn't 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..."
The tragic death of A.L. Board happened between a man who at one time had a run-in with the law and had come back to Seymour to get even with former Sheriff Samps Suttlemyer. He had gone to the second floor of the First National Bank and failed to find Suttlemyer. This man found A.L. Board on the stair way; Board had been sheriff himself several years before that time. The man started blazing away with his gun, inflicting several wounds, either one of which could probably have been fatal. Going on downstairs, the killer encountered Sheriff W.L. Ellis and started shooting at him. Ellis, after having received a critical wound, took deadly aim and brought down the murdered, saving an expensive trial for him.
Suggested edit: A.L. Board, 65, moved to Dallas County from Virginia. He moved to Baylor County in 1878. He served two terms and part of another as Sheriff and was the postmaster in Seymour for four years. In recent years, he has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In 1888, he married Miss Annie Kenan. Five children were blessed into this union, two children preceded their father in death. Mr. Board was one of our best and most prominent citizens. All businesses in Seymour closed for the funeral, as the last mark of respect that might be paid to this good and respected man.
Baylor County Banner
October 23, 1913
Third Sheriff of Baylor County, Texas. He was elected in 1884 and served until 1889. He served three terms in office.
Abner Leonard Board married Miss Annie Eunice Kenan in 1888 at Baylor County, Texas.
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, "My name is Board" and there was a reply in a lower tone. Then, evidently, Mr. Board said, "Suttlemyer, Samps? Yes, he is down at Toyah." 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, "Where is the sheriff?" 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, "There he is." 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 Bruce's 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 Cockrell's. 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:
"My dear Jennie and children I am in Seymour I didn't 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..."
The tragic death of A.L. Board happened between a man who at one time had a run-in with the law and had come back to Seymour to get even with former Sheriff Samps Suttlemyer. He had gone to the second floor of the First National Bank and failed to find Suttlemyer. This man found A.L. Board on the stair way; Board had been sheriff himself several years before that time. The man started blazing away with his gun, inflicting several wounds, either one of which could probably have been fatal. Going on downstairs, the killer encountered Sheriff W.L. Ellis and started shooting at him. Ellis, after having received a critical wound, took deadly aim and brought down the murdered, saving an expensive trial for him.
Suggested edit: A.L. Board, 65, moved to Dallas County from Virginia. He moved to Baylor County in 1878. He served two terms and part of another as Sheriff and was the postmaster in Seymour for four years. In recent years, he has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In 1888, he married Miss Annie Kenan. Five children were blessed into this union, two children preceded their father in death. Mr. Board was one of our best and most prominent citizens. All businesses in Seymour closed for the funeral, as the last mark of respect that might be paid to this good and respected man.
Baylor County Banner
October 23, 1913
Abner Leonard Board married Miss Annie Eunice Kenan in 1888 at Baylor County, Texas.
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, "My name is Board" and there was a reply in a lower tone. Then, evidently, Mr. Board said, "Suttlemyer, Samps? Yes, he is down at Toyah." 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, "Where is the sheriff?" 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, "There he is." 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 Bruce's 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 Cockrell's. 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:
"My dear Jennie and children I am in Seymour I didn't 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..."
The tragic death of A.L. Board happened between a man who at one time had a run-in with the law and had come back to Seymour to get even with former Sheriff Samps Suttlemyer. He had gone to the second floor of the First National Bank and failed to find Suttlemyer. This man found A.L. Board on the stair way; Board had been sheriff himself several years before that time. The man started blazing away with his gun, inflicting several wounds, either one of which could probably have been fatal. Going on downstairs, the killer encountered Sheriff W.L. Ellis and started shooting at him. Ellis, after having received a critical wound, took deadly aim and brought down the murdered, saving an expensive trial for him.
Suggested edit: A.L. Board, 65, moved to Dallas County from Virginia. He moved to Baylor County in 1878. He served two terms and part of another as Sheriff and was the postmaster in Seymour for four years. In recent years, he has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In 1888, he married Miss Annie Kenan. Five children were blessed into this union, two children preceded their father in death. Mr. Board was one of our best and most prominent citizens. All businesses in Seymour closed for the funeral, as the last mark of respect that might be paid to this good and respected man.
Baylor County Banner
October 23, 1913
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