New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-05
THE GALLONS IN OHIO.
EXECUTION OF LOUIS II. DAVIS FOR THE MURDEl
OF DAVID i. SKINNER--FULL DETAILS o.

EXECUTION OF LOUIS r. DAVIS FOR THE MURDER
OF DAVID +. SKINNER-FULL DETAILS OF
THE CRIME-HIs ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Feb. 4.-The full penalty
OF the law has this day been inflicted upon Lewis r.
Davis for the murder of David p Skinner The crime OF
which he convicted committed Sept H. 1868. at
O'Clock D. m in Independence Township Cuyahoga Co..
Ohio 1t appeared from the evidence adduced upon the
trial that David P. skinner the murdered man, was
daryman doing large and profitable business and that
he possessed of small iron safe In which he de
posted his money and other yalua1les party OF rui-
ing formed project gain entrance into the house,
break open the safe and seize whatever was OF value
was made, for that night five men from this city
Lewis Il. Davis, Robert MeKanna, William Folott john
L. alias Hunch" Butterhed, and Thomas Mulhal-
fully provided with pistols bowie knives jmmys wedges
&c. proceeded 10 SINNERS residence reaching the place
about p The assasslns supposed that they would
have an easy askthat skinner and family retired early,
and that three OF their number could control them while
of its contents But Il so happened that number OF the
neghbors called upon Skinner that evening" and were
seated In his bedroom-Skinner reclining upon
the bed when the rufiians entered, with hand
kerchiefs around their faces to prevent reeognton
and move. tho murderer Davis at the same moment
advancing with cooked pistol which caused Skinner TO
rise from the bed. At this Instant Davis fired at skin
ner the ball taking effect and killing him instantly.
hando-hand conflict then took place between the muir;
and inmates of the house, during which several
pistol Shots were fred and the scoundres made their
escape The Cleveland police proceeded with the utmost
vigilance ferret the murdereTs and on the 14n or
september arrested Davis, Buiterteld, and McKanna
Muhal and Folot made their escape Tie latter Is Sill
at large Muha was arrested Dec 49, 1868, near Sara
preliminary examination Immediately took place at
the Police Court, circumstances strongly tending 10
prove Davis the principal IN the crime lie denied hls
guilt and as none present when skinner was sh0s eoa
State seemingly had hard case to make out DaSlss
ing statements. and failed for pistol balls
found in his pocket exactly OF the size as the one found
that Davis was the man who fired tho fatal
shot; Those arrested were committed to jan.
murder in tho first degree On the 10th OF Nov Davis
brought to ralin the Common Pleas Court the pros
sSss SsGs by De ana as
Samuel Z: Adams Thomes . earTGn. and John j. Car
field turning States evidence; the jury after consulta
ion OF IS hours returning verdict OF guilty OF murder
trial. which refused by the court, and on the
9h OF December Davis was sentenced TO be executed on
Feb. 4, 1869. The was appealed to tie supreme
Court new trial being claimed by the defense on inc
ground of nconpeency OF Witnesses lscond9St on he
part OF the jury, increduty OF the witnesses Mckanna
and Butterield, and other minor causes The Supreme
Court sitting In Bank at Columbus heard tho motion on
the action OF the Court OF Common Pleas affirmed After
that decision Davis seemed lose all hope OF escape from
the awful doom which awaited him. At times he was
downcast requesting the prayers OF church congregations
different as to his fate During his confinement in jail
he has been attended by the ReH Mr. TSetor
Of ladies also have visited him and held religious services
Davis was man about five feet four inches in hight
strong and active, dark hair bright black eyes. and
wlthal had pleasing countenance; he born I'm FIRE.
donna, ". " lS4l, he learned carriage making
and backsmithlng. lie removed 10 Cleveland two years
ago Davis said to have led respectable life until
few months ago. when no was induced To become one OF
gang Of rufans who have infested this neighborhood
for year two past. lie leaves widow, but no chill
dren The gallOws which erected within the prison
on Tuesday, is tho same upon which Parks Hughes,
Cooper and Mcconnell paid the penalty OF their crimes
Yesterday morning Davis was baptized by his spiritual
adviser He for photograph in the afternoon, eat
o'clock D. M When last sad farewell took place From
D. m to a. m. Davis wrote farewell messages TO his
friends Shortly after o'clock he attempted suicide with
piece OF glass by opening vein in his left arm Having
failed IN the attempt he sought rest but slept very little,
rising early, and drinking but cup of coffee at break
fast The Rev. Mr. Washburne called, and engaged IN
religious conversation with the prisoner until Sheriff
Frazee few after II O'clock announced that he
WAS rendy carry out the sentence. AUOut ia O'Clock
the prisoner, neatly dressed accompanied by Shefln
FraZce the Rev. Mr. Washburne, and Others ascehueu
the gallows. Davis deyoutly knet with the minister
who offered several fcryent prayers In MS Dehau com
mending the soul Of tho condemned man 10 Almighty
God In response TO the usual inquiry the prisoner a-
nounced that he had no desire 10 say anything Inc
read by tho Sheriff. handouts applied
the condemned mans wrists his arms ara limbs were
securely bound and ut 1882 o'clock the body OF Louis X
Davis hung In mld-air A few short heayings of the
breast took place, when his body became violently agi
minutes after fall his pulse ceased to beat. AFTER
hanging - minutes tho physicians pronounced lie ex
tiuot. Tho body lowered into colin, and DELIVERED
TO the friends or the deceased Davis made confession
10 his spiritual adviser the details of which arc not made