Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-10-23
Horrible Murder.

Our community was on Sunday evening
thrown into great excitement by the discov-
cry of one of the most atrocious and cold blood
ed murders i'll the annals of Boston. The
scene of the tragedy was at the house in the
rear of No. Al Charter street. The name of
the murdered woman was Elizabeth A. V. Van
Wagner, wife of James L. l.. Van Wagner. -
She was found yesterday afternoon between 4
and O'Clock, lying PROSTATE on the floor in
her bedroom, with her throat cut, and was en-
tirely dead A razor was found pear the body.
The murderer's name is Thomas Davis, own
brother to the deceased. He occupied m
Immediately adjoining his sisters. After COM
uniting the deed, Davis left the house and
such was his unusual manner that a neighbor,
Mr.. Bacher, had his suspicious that all was not
right. AS soon as Davis passed down the
street, he went into the house. He shortly
went up stairs. where he found the PROSTATE
form of Mrs. Wagner, wcltering in blood. He
Immediately sounded the alarm, and the neigh
bors were soon on the spot. Davis was sub
sequently arrested and conveyed to the Mar
shal's Office. He denies any knowledge of the
murder.
The deceased had been married between
three and four months, and was "a years old.
Davis is a widower, and mas three children,
the oldest II years old. He is a rigger by
trade, and has worked in the Navy Yard the
last three months. About six months ago he
returned from California. He is man addict
ed to the use of strong drinks, and has an ugly
disposition.
On the side of the stairway are marks of
blood, made with the fingers Of the muir derer.
His shirt sleeves were also found to be stained
with the gore of his victim. From all circpm-
stances there can be no doubt but that he is
the murderer. For atrocity aud fendishness
it surpasses any thing of the kind we have
ever heard of.
We learned on leaving the house that Davis
was seen washing his hands by one Of his chill
dren. The examination of the suspected man
will take place on Wednesday.-Bee
The circumstances which led to the arrest
and examination of Davis are said to be as fol-
lows After dinner, Mr.. Van Wagner, who is
employed in the tow-boat "Lion," went down
to her leaving his wife at homo with Davis and
his children. Subsequently Davis and his sis
ter went up to her room together, and his little
son thinks he heard her say, "Oh, Thomas,
hear me-" Davis came down, washed his
hands, went into the yard, returned to the
house, staid there few minutes, and then went
out into the street, Meeting in the street
Waterman Bryant, who was an acquaintance
of the family, and was apparently going to-
wards the house, Davis said to him-"You
need not 90 in there. There is nobody there.
in. expect she has gone after him." Davis
then proceeded down to one of the wharves,
and Mr.. Bryant as he approached the house
nearer heard the commotion caused by the
discovery on the part of the children that their
aunt was dead. Many of the neighbors soon
rushed in and great excitement ensued, though
the idea of murder had not yet been started
Col. Pratt was sent for. and shortly after he
arrived at the scene, Bryant returned from his
stroll round the wharves. From what he could
gather in the course of summary examina-
tion, he took the responsibility of directing of
fieer Tarleton to arrest Davis, and it was done
After listening to the circumstances, as stated
by Col. Pratt, it is said that Davis exclaimed
MY God! what have donel' But after
he was taken to the City Hall lock up, he spoke
freely of his sisters death, and said he found
her On the floor with her throat cut.
Davis is an Eng!ishman, and about &c years
of age, and recently worked in the navy yard.
His wife died while he was in California. His
sister vaa about "a years of age. and came GU,
from England about two years ago at the earn
est solicitation of Davis.-Post.