James Gray, colored, 25 years of age, was shot through the left temple and instantly killed about 11 o’clock Saturday night, the aftermath of a wild gambling game, when, brandishing a large .45 calibre revolver of Spanish make, he broke into the home of Wildon Duer, colored, on Pettigrew street near the coal shute. The fatal shot was fired by Duer, according to the best information obtained by officers, after Gray had told companions he “was going back down there and get his money from that negro,” Duer, who had been a companion in the gambling party earlier in the evening in the empty room of the double house in which the Duers live. Gray threatened to shoot if the thumb-bolted front door was not opened, and when Duer refused to obey the command Gray broke the flimsy fastening and rushed into the room. Duer’s wife, children, and another negro woman fled precipitately out the back door, but Duer stood his ground and fired his .32 calibre pistol which he had snatched from a bureau drawer when Gray ordered the door opened.
No charges have been preferred as yet against Duer, who has never been in court in Durham, according to officers. Other negroes present at the time substantiate his plea that the homicide was committed in self-defense.
Officers had received a tip several weeks ago that the Duer house was noted for its gambling. Only last Sunday they visited the house in search of a gambling party, but arrived just as the party was over. Saturday night a raiding crew composed of Sergeant C.R. Marcon, Plainclothesman Perry, and Constable A.M. Maddry arrived at the Duer home on Pettigrew street shortly after 11 o’clock, and before they were well out of their car they were approached by Weldon Duer, who calmly told the officers that he had “Had to kill a nigger.”
“I recon he’s dead,” said Duer. “I shot him when he broke in my house and then I ran out of the house. He ain’t come out yet, so he must be dead.”
Gray was dead when the officers entered the darkened room of the negro shanty. Clutched tightly in his hand was a .45 calibre pistol. Officers say the gun could not possibly have been placed in the dead negro’s hand, for the weapon had to be prized from Gray’s lifeless hand.
Both men are married and have families. Gray, who came to Durham from Graham, Alamance county, only last week, leaves two small children. When his wife was informed by officers of the death of her husband at the Duer home on Bailey’s row, she said that her husband left home with a big gun in an ugly mood.
Duer denied that he was a participant in the gambling game in the other side of his house earlier in the evening, but officers say that all the evidence tends to show that he was among those present. No money was found on Gray’s person, and officers believe that the dead negro went back to get part of the money he had lost on cards.
Duer is employed by the Southern Railway company. He showed officers the small pistol which brought death to Gray, and but one cartridge had been fired. Gray carried several extra bullets for his large pistol on his person at the time of his killing. He is described as a bad character by the local police.
Sheriff Harward, after investigating, announced that in his believe the Gray negro was shot in self-defense. He told Duer that he might be asked to appear before a coroner’s jury Sunday or Monday.
From page 2 of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, July 20, 1924
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84020730/1924-07-20/ed-1/seq-2/
The headline is missing a word or words. While the "N" word isn't used in newspapers today, it certainly was 100 years ago, particularly in a direct quote. If you read the article carefully, I hope you find something more offensive than the use of the "N" word.
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