This brave officer first saw the light November 19th, 1871, at Summerset, Pa., and died heroically in the discharge of duty Jan. 10th at the hand of a negro assassin whom he had placed under arrest.
Mr. Page came to North Carolina from his native state in 1919 with his family and at once identified himself with the interest of the community. For the past year he had been Chief of Police at Aberdeen, and in this service, he had become conspicuous as a fearless and courageous officer. He had either assisted or been chief in the arrest of some of the most desperate and dangerous criminals who have ever afflicted this commonwealth. He had made large acquaintances, and no enemies except those who were violators of the law.
It was reported to him that a dangerous negro, who was wanted in various places for burglary, had been seen lurking about town, and calling to his assistance Mr. M.B. Genes, he went in search for the criminal, and soon placed him under arrest. The prisoner submitted without struggle, and appeared quite docile, which seems to have put the officer off his guard. Placing the negro in the rear of a machine, with Mr. Genes driving, and the officer sitting on the front seat, they started to jail. Suddenly the negro procured his gun which must have been secreted under his arm, and aiming it at the driver, demanded him to stop and give him his liberty. Mr. Page at once turned to grapple with him; as he did so the negro sent a steel bullet through his body, quickly followed by another producing instant death. Mr. Page died in a death grapple with the prisoner. At this instant the gun belonging to the officer fell upon the seat, and Mr. Genes seized it, and as the negro sought to kill him also, was fortunate enough to get first shot, killing him instantaneously also. The whole tragedy was accomplished in less than a half minute.
This tragedy has cast a gloom over the entire community, and Moore County, where Mr. Page had become known for his coolness in danger, and for his courage in the enforcement of the law. He leaves a heart broken family. His wife, who was Miss Bertha Lee Foulk of Pennsylvania before her marriage, is prostrated by the shock. He leaves six children as follows: Mrs. A.C. Eatman of Raleigh, Misses Majorie and Florence of Aberdeen, Messrs. Leo and Rodney of Rockingham, and Carl of Aberdeen.
The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church, of which the entire family are members, Mr. Page having been a member since early life, by the Pastor. The Church was crowded with sympathetic friends. The body was laid to rest in Bethesda Cemetery in the presence of a vast multitude of mourners.
There were present from out of the state W.B. Page, brother of the Deceased, Geneva, Pa.; Wm. Brooks, Meadvlle, Pa.; Mrs. A.J. McQueston, Mr. Clyde McAdoo, and Mr. H.W. Foulk of Atlantic, Pa.
The grief smitten family have the undivided sympathy and love of this entire section.
--Euclid McWorter, P.C.
From the front page of The Sandhill Citizen, Southern Pines, N.C., Friday, January 18, 1924
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