Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-14
THAT ASSASSINATION.
Some Further Particulars Of MIR.
Davidson's Death at PocahOnfas.


fact that Mr.. W. W. Davidson, we'll.
known citizen Of this city, and book
keeper for the house Of Mitchell & Hoff.
man, at 308 Main street, had been assas.
sinated at Pocahontas, some sixty OF
seventy miles distant, on the Memphis
and Charleston railroad. We confess
some surprise at the construction put
upon the affair in the flaming head lines
of morning paper, when the short ar
ticle below, which might answer as a
preface to the caption, contains nothing
to justify the startling assertion of vii
famous seducer," etc.
The difficulty supposed to have led to
the terrible tragedy occurred several
months ago between Mr.. Davidson and a
man named John G. Whitley, the latter
being tenant of Mr.. Davidson's. They
fell out about the division of last year s
crops, and Whitley took occasion to rem
der himself troublesome as tenant in
the absence of Mr.. Davidson. This fact
was reported by Mr.. Davidson's family,
and he wrote sharp letter to Whitley a
few days ago warning him that he would
be out soon to settle with him. Friday
night he left on the midnight train, ex-
pectipg, as he remarked at the hotel, to
remain two or three days with his family.
His house is little below Pocahontas,
on the railroad, and as he passed it he
threw off some baggage to save the labor
of carrying it back from the depot This
was about daylight. On his way home he
was met on the road by some one and
shot five times. Mr.. Davidson little son
heard the shots, and soon arrived on the
spot, to find his father dead
An inquest was held Saturday, and the
following verdict was returned:
STATE OF TENNEssEE.l
HARDEMAN COUNTY.
An inquisition, holden on the Memphis
and Charleston railroad, in the county
and State aforesaid, on the 18th day of
Jane, 1869, before me, 81. R Doris, an
acting Justice for said county, upon the
body of W. w. Davidson, there lying
dead; by the jurors whose names are
hereto subscribed, who, upon their oaths,
do gay that he came to his death by a
gun-shot or pistol in the left breast, i'm
mediately over the region of the heart.
They have no proof who did the foul act,
but suppose from circumstances it was
by one John @. Whitley on the
18th day of June, 1869 In testimony
whereof the said jurors have hereunto set
their hands, day and date above written.
[Signed]
John M. Nelson, Jonathan Joyner.
W. W. Davis. L. II. Allen,
James P. Wooster. Foreman.
" d. Il. DORIS, up.
Pocahontas, Tenn. June IL. 1869.
The supposed murderer has not been
seen in the vicinity since. A warrant
for his arrest was made out by Fl. r. Dor
ris, Justice of the Peace. and every rea-
sonable effort will be made to secure his
apprehension.
Mr.. Davidson leaves wife and three
children. He married Miss Sue Lundy, q
lady who was prominent during the war
for her Southern proclivities. and who
was sent to prison at Alton, Illinois, by |
the Federal authorities and was detained |
several months. Mr.. Davidson was in
The same prison at the time. and through |
The kindness of the officers in charge he
was allowed to see her frequently. After
he war they were married-this being
MS second wife-and have lived together
happily until this terrible calamity broke
Up the little circle.