The Van Buren press., 1860-10-05
The Murderer Arrested.

The Murderer Arrested.
Last week we gave an acconnt of horrid
murder, committed in this County, on the
road between this place and Fayetteville.
Yesterday the coli-blooded perpetrators was
brought to Van Burcn. in charge Of g. G.
GrLnREArn. Esq. ami others of Washing
ton County, having been arrested at Ia
ney. No.. and lodged in Jail.
Considerable excitement was manifested
and disposition shown to string hin, up
at once--but on cool. sober reflection it was
thought best TO let the law takes It's course.
| Below wo give tho confession of the
prisoner. as fall as could under tho circum-
stances. bc obtaind: 49,
The Marderez's Confession.
Says his name is Robert Davis : is from
Green County, Texas. and was on his way
to Ozark. No.. his native place. He made
arrangements with tho old man and his son,
named Pierson or Persey. he was not ccr-
tain which. of Denton County, Texas. on
Red River. who were making a trip to
Washington County. to SEQ friends, and
purchase load of apples otake back with
them. lie thinks tho old man had broth
er and sister At Cane Hill. They, all four.
Davis and his wife, and the old man and
son. came on until they reached the forks
of the .>~1 -. MvHa.ys Sept 10th, where
tho Fayetteville road turns off from the
Evansville road. in this county. The old
man wanted to take the road leading to
Cane Hill. and he desired to 60 the other.
Went up tho Canc Hill road one-half uirle
and dran, v,a<y fov fho H. Ill
made my wife get in the wagon apIi sicen.
Is she was not very we'll, and there NOT he.
ing room for both, made cot ON thu Ground
outside with his son. Mae a nalIet f.,
himself and lay down. IN the night ho got
up without tho knowledge Of his wife, and
TOOK stick OF wood about four feet long,
and as largo as bis leg. First struck the
Old man one lick, which broke in his skull,
killing him. instantly. Then struck the
boy tive licks. killing him. Took the
s,ick, 1t being very bloody, and put it into
tnc fro and burnt it up. Then took their
: . lats and shoes and put them In the bushes
OF tho west side of tho road. the camp be-
ing on the east side.
| He then went to the wagon and told his
wife that he had killed the old man and
boy. He then wrapped them up in thei,
bed clothes and put them in the wagon
Next morning he turned back with the wag.
on to the forks Of tho road, and took the
overland mail road. following it to Bryant's.
then took the Spencer road, and followed
that four miles into Washington County,
and dark having oyc-taken him. he took
the bodies out of the wagon, packed them
down tho hill. seventy-ive or eighty yards
from the road and there threw them down
He then came back to the wagon, and went
on to MIR. Taylor's, about three quarters ol
a mile. and stayed all night. Ho then
Travelled on from day to day until ho was
ovcrtaken by tho officers in pursuit. at Ia
ney, Mo-, on Saturday last, the Goth ult.
| He says his wife knew nothing of the
murder, until he informed her after the
act.
His reason for killing, was that the old
man and son would take the other road and
| that he and hts Mif. world have to so OIL.
foot, and he made up his mlnu .. OF rid of
them.
Davis and his wife wero brought back tc
Fayetteville, where no made a full confes
sion of tho murder. Nothing appearing
against his wife. she was discharged, ant
word sent to her friends in Ozark, Nilsson.
ri, to come for her.
Yesterday. Davis, in charge of ssvera
officers was brought to Van Burcn. th,
murder having been committed in this coun
ty. and lodged in Jail to await tho sitting
of the court in February next.