To Have A New Trial
October 8, 1904
Summary
The supreme court grants a new trial to “Robert Bowles, colored, who shot and killed John Ruff, a white fireman” after evidence is arising that “Ruff was in fault and it seems to have been a clear case of self-defense.”
Transcription
We have repeatedly stated that as between the alleged Republican Supreme Court of the United States at Washington and the Democratic Supreme Court of the Democratic Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia at Richmond, we would take our chances before the latter tribunal. Barring arrant political questions, the case of a colored man is considered upon its merits and he has most favorable opportunity to secure justice even where the other party concerned belongs to the white race.
This is emphasized in the case of Robert Bowles, colored, who shot and killed John Ruff, a white fireman in the yards of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad at Clifton Forge, Va. He was captured and carefully shielded and protected from a mob of white men anxious to take his life.
The shooting of Ruff occurred March 21st,1904 at 2:30 A.M, Bowles was tried at Covington, Va., by a white jury, convicted and sentenced to be hanged. The judge over-ruled the motion for a new trial and an appeal was taken to the Supreme Court with the result that a new trial has been granted.
According to the evidence, Ruff was in fault and it seems to have been a clear case of self-defense. The lower court erred in its instructions to the jury. It is a long way to liberty and life now, however, and only the continued effort of counsel and people can secure for this colored man the full measure of justice to which he is entitled.
The judges of our state Supreme Court are able jurists and belong to that upper class of white Virginians, who have the moral courage to express their opinion even when they are either not acquainted with the facts or desire to exercise race prejudice in the administration of justice.
This is emphasized in the case of Robert Bowles, colored, who shot and killed John Ruff, a white fireman in the yards of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad at Clifton Forge, Va. He was captured and carefully shielded and protected from a mob of white men anxious to take his life.
The shooting of Ruff occurred March 21st,1904 at 2:30 A.M, Bowles was tried at Covington, Va., by a white jury, convicted and sentenced to be hanged. The judge over-ruled the motion for a new trial and an appeal was taken to the Supreme Court with the result that a new trial has been granted.
According to the evidence, Ruff was in fault and it seems to have been a clear case of self-defense. The lower court erred in its instructions to the jury. It is a long way to liberty and life now, however, and only the continued effort of counsel and people can secure for this colored man the full measure of justice to which he is entitled.
The judges of our state Supreme Court are able jurists and belong to that upper class of white Virginians, who have the moral courage to express their opinion even when they are either not acquainted with the facts or desire to exercise race prejudice in the administration of justice.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Megan Brooks
Citation
“To Have A New Trial,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 14, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/676.