The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-05-30
THE DEAD ALIVE.
Mr.. II. IL. Davis, supposed 10 nave
Blcn Drowned in October
Last, Alive In New York
Incidents of the
Occurrence.
Special Telegram to the Galveston News.

II. Davis, who was supposed TO nave Deeh
lost in the surf at Galveston some months
ago, is alive in New York, proves to be true
NJ. w. McCraw who accompanied her and
other ladies to Galveston on the occasion Of
the supposed drowning, was in Dallas week
since, and there stated the fact to w. b.
Forman, Sheriff of this county. McCraw
came through Hot springs, Arkansas, where
he found Colonel T. D. Wilson, father Of
Mrs. Davis, and delivered to him Il letter
from her, and told him that she was living
in New York. MAJOR Davis left for the
North on the tram today.
THg SUPPOSED DROWNING.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, October
22d, last the city Of Galveston was thrown
into n feverish excitement by the announce
ment in the News that lady visitor from the
interior had been drowned in the gulf the
night before, while enjoying the luxury of
a bath, and that the most diligent search,
such MS could be made at that Lime had failed
10 discover the body or develop any fact that
promised to relieve the painful anxiety ere
uted by so uRusual circumstance. The
missing lady proved TO be Mrs. b. IL. Davis,
wife of Major b. ii. Davis, of Bryan, who,
accompanied by her sister, Mrs. n. B. Davis,
and Mr.. NJ. w. McCraw, also from Bryan,
had left the fremont hotel at about o'clock
Wednesday night, for the purpose
of taking bath in the gulf.
The parties reached the beach by the
street railroad, and the ladies, having pre-
pared for the occasion by putting their bath
ing suits on at the hotel, covered only by
suitable wrappers, almost immediately
plunged into the water, while their escort,
MIR. McCraw, was obliged to disrobe himself
and don his bathing suit after reaching the
beach. As soon as Mr.. McCraw was pre-
pared for his bath he proceeded to join the
ladies, but found Mrs. N. B. Davis alone, who
had gone into the water to moderate depth.
Inquiring for the sister, Mrs. B. III. Davis, he
was told that the last seen of her she was in
the water up to her chin Mrs. N b.
Davis was agitated and fright
ened at the disappearance of her sister,
but no alarm WAS made until half past II
o'clock, when Mr. McCraw reported the fact
to the clerk of the fremont The police
we're at once notified, and every possible ex-
ertion made to solve the mystery, but with
out success. Seines were drawn all along the
beach parties secured the shore as far as the
west end of tho island; vessels were sent to
the mouth of the Brazos and the Bernard,
but nothing whateyes was ascertained benr-
ing on the fate Of the lady who had 50 mys-
tsriously disappeared.
Meantime Major Davis, who was in the In
terror of the State, had been telegraphed to,
and the next day after the supposed drown,
ing of his wife, accompanied by "a number OF
friends, arrived in the city. Search was re-
newed and continued for several days; re.
ward was offered for recovery of the body,
but the mystery continued unsolved. Final
ly. all hope of finding the remains were absn-
doned, the bereaved husband and sympathiz-
ing friends returned to Bryan, and on Sum
dav, November 8, funeral services were had
at Bryan, commemorative of the supposed
tragedy, which had created considerable ex-
element throughout the State, and plunged
a most estmable gentleman into the deepest
grief.
COMMENTS AND THEORIES.
An event 80 unusual ,uld not but be the
cause of comment, and many theories were
induced to account for the sudden and uaac-
countsble disappearance of Mrs. Davis. The
Gulf coast of Galveston island is free from
current or undertow. The bathing season
had closed some time before. The public
knew nothing of the supposed tragedy till
after the appearance Of the News the day
following, and the police, and persons in
charge of the hotel at which the parties we're
stoppjng. were not notified of the fact until
three and half hours after the occurrence.
No yestige of the remains, or of the
suit in which they were clothed on en-
tering the water could be discovered, and
what added still more to the mysteri.
Gus circumstances the robe or wrapper
which the Ia wore outside of her bs thing
dress when she left tn hotel had been as
mvsteriously sriiiteda@ay rs the mortal re-
mains of the unfortunate lady herself. Under
these conditions, there were not wanting per-
sons who declined to give credence to the
theory that Mrs. Davis had been seized by
cramps, carried beyond her depth, and
become food for fishes, and many tanciful
suggestions were made to account for her alb
senting herself from her home and friends.
The reward that had been offered fer recov.
ery of the body stimulated several who teltno
special interest in the fortunes Of the lady or
her family and friends and a keen watch was
kent up and strict search made wherever the
imagination of those who were watching the
course of events led to the superstition or
possibility of atfording clew to the enigma.
The police were not idle, but nothing came
of their inquiries that WAS of sufficient i'm
portance to warrant publication or extension
of investigation beyond the limits OF the city.
The disappearance of Mrs Davis had long
since ceased to be stopic of conversation, I'M
less among personal friends of the family and
the mysterious circumstances were fast fading
from the public memory, when. some two or
three weeks ago, vague rumors, traceable APP
parently to no tangible source, began to be
whispered about that clev had been OBJ
tanned to the secret, and that the dsnouement
might be expected at almost any time. these
surmses took shape day or two ago, and
the dispatch with which this article begins
dispels, so far as facts have been developed,
the mystery in this most unfortunate and I'M
accountable episode in the life Of lady who
had, apparently, everything 10 make home
desirable and life constant round Of domes-
tic happiness.
Mystery still attaches as to how the lady
succeeded in effecting her departure from the
island without being observed. Theories and
speculation are rife, but no definite clew has
as yet been obtained That she was aided in
her movements BY parties on the outside is
unQuestionable. On leaving her sister in the
water she must have rounded for the shore,
and In the darkness became lost 10 view. The
dszing effect Of the rolling surf in,the night
time upon yisiops unnCcustOmed to