Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-11-26
From the Richmond Whig, Nov. II.

DEATH OF PROFESSOR DAVIS OF THE
UNIVERSITY.
The subjoined letter tells the melancholy tale Of
this gentlemans premature demise. He died on
Saturday, from the pistol shot received the
Thursday before, from some unknown hand. The
affair is most shocking and distressing in all its
pects--In the sudden and violent death of one, who
was crnamen, TO society and object Of afec-
ton to oil who knew him--abd in the dark cloud
which ii throws over the whole body OF Students
the innocent along with the guilty. This last can
not long continue. II will be dispeed, and the
crime will be fixed upon the guilty But nothing
can restore the deceased TO the bosom Of large
and most estimabIe familyio the circle Of admir-
ing friends and to the Republic Of letters which he
adorned and ennobIed. He is gone, and left but
few behind him possessed OF nobler traits Of char
acter-a warmer heart--a clearer head, and talents
better suited for public usefulness.
Professor d. was in this city during the early
part ollast week and left here on Wednesday mern-
ing. The announcement of his sudden death will
be the more shocking to his friends here,
who bud Just parted ftom him, in full health and
spirits, and with every prospect of long and hap
py life.
We hear that the individuals on whom suspicion
has fallen, are not citizens Of this State.
To HE Editors Of The Wig.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Nov 18th, 1910.
the last Advocate Of a most painful occurrence,
which took place at the University on Thursday
night last Ii was hoped and believed by the ply
sicians and the numerous and devoted friends of
Professor Davis in the eghborhood that the wound
was not mortal-hut time has amentably proved
the reverse. Contrary to oil expectations, he expiI
ed yesterday Saturday about down, after some
l8 hours Of the most intense and cxcrucatng pain
gloom has been thrown over this whole country,
bv this pxfu frncedv / hava an
wanton, unprovoked and so brutal an outrage to
be committed in civilized land.
The circumstances, as well as can collect them
are about these The 18th November is the ami
ycrsary of celebrated rebellion which took place
in the University some three or four years ago. 1t
has been customary, with some few Of the students
TO celebrate that day ever since On Thursday night
last, the 18th, there were only two or three who
could be found to commemorate the event. They
went forth about nine o'clock armed with pistols
and disguised with masks, &c. After making a
good deal Of noise upon the lawn Of the University
they approached Professor Davis residence with
the design, as he believed to insult him. He went
out with the view Of discovering who they were -
lie Immediately came upon a very small person.
who had mask on and who otherwise dis
gulsed tie approached him. and reached out his
hand to unnask him. The individual, without ut
tering word, stepped back one. or two PAGES and
fred the fatal shot. Thus has been cut down in
the vgor of intellect and the prime of manhood
gentleman who was ornament to society and the
pride of the University.
II is not yet known who was the perpetrator of
this diabolical deed. A student was arrested yes
terdsy, and afterexamining great many witnesses,
the case was adjourned till to.morrow.--The
evidence against him thus far, consists of the
vaguest sort Of suspicion. Another student disap
peared from the University on Friday, the day after
Professor Davis was shot, and has been seen or
heard of since Every effort trust will be made
to bring the offender to justice.
la haste, your friend.
I. s. 1t is due to the students eenera1ly to s,ate
that they look upon the perpetraror, whoever he
may be with the utmost Indignation, and that they
have been very active in endeavoring to ascertain
who he is.
We learn from Charlottesville. that a student, by
the name Of SEaMEs, from Georgia. was arrested
on suspicion of having fired the pistol, which pro-
duced the death of Professor Davis. and that after
examination, he was committed for farther trial.
The student who, it was stated in the letter from
Charlottesville, published yesterday had left the
University, returned and he important witness
at the tral-being the companion ofth unfortunate
young man. ana an eyewitness Of the whole affair