The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-07-01
4 HIRED AssAsSIN'S doom.
Allan Cox Hanged for Murder that He
Committed for Money.

CAssvILIB. Mo, Juno 3O.-Allan Cox the
associate of Sam Orr in the murder OF Geo. W.
Davis. in Christian county. on Doc. 4. 1878. was
convicted in the Barry County Circuit Court.
in April and sentenced by Judge Grcger to be
hanged on the 14th inst. hut the Supreme Court
granted n stay OF exc .ution until to- day. that
the motion for new trial might be examined.
Cox was 81 years old. and rather good look
ing. lie had made his homo In northern Ar
kansas. and boro a fair reputation. He was
born in Tennessee. whore relatives are still liv-
ing. but his parents are both dead.
In Christian county. close to the Greene
county line. thore live Major Il. X. Hart and
George W. Davis. brothers in law. Davis and
his wife did not live peasautly together. and
the reputed abuse OF his sister by Davis, and
other causes increased the cnmity on the part
IT Hart that had long existed and he made
thrcats Of violence and death. and at one time
attempted to take Davis's life On this charge
Hart was recently sentenced to two years in the
state Penitontary. but an appeal heinf taken
mined that his brother Law should dle.and SET
about TO lind some one who would undertake.
the job for money
sam Orr was selected and terms were agreed
upon. Orr solicited CoAt 10 ass ist him and share
in the reward. Cox consented. Orr was bar
tender in Springfield and Cox had only recently y
come from Arkansas. On the day of the MUIR
der Orr told his employer that business in the
! country would necessit,.te his absence that day
|
stable stole revolver. and rode on in the di,
rection of Dnvis's residence, which they reached
| toward evening They tied their horses in the
| bushes near by. and inquired ot II boy in the
yard for Mr.. Davis. The lad telling them that
| his father was in the barn. feeding stock, they
walked there. and asked Mr.. Davis about buy
| ing corn. and other questions Of like import
! Davis invited his visitors into the house. He
| led the way. and had taken but a step or tive
| when Orr and Cox. without warning, pulled on
| revolvers and simultaneously fired. killing
| Davis IN his tracks. The assassins then mounte,
| their horses. and werc in Springfield as sOOI
| thereafter as their steeds could carry them.
| The murderers remained in Springfield. lead
| ing u reckless life. drinking. gambling. an
| spending a large amount OF money. This sor
| of a life was kept up for several weeks. wher
| Major Hart rode in one day in haste. ant
| sought Sam Orr who was in n saloon playinl
| cards Major Hart said that the Grand Jury o.
| Christian county had found an indltmen
against Orr and Cox for the murder Of Davis
| Both men were soon missed from town. Ii
| May. lS7i Orr was captured in ~. Joseph, No.
| and Cox was soon aiterward overhauled II
| Texas. Combinations and changes OF venue
delayed the trials until March last. when Or
| was tried in Lawrence county. found guilty
| and hanged in Mt Vernon on the 18th OF May
MaJor Hart was accused Of being the insti
gator Of the murder. and was tried IN NcbStr
county over a year ago; but after Il long an'
strongly contested trial he was acquitted