The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-03-31

The city was astounded yesterday
morning on hearing the report that Black
I'avis, so well known here, had been
foully murdered a few miles north Of
town. The following are all the facts
connected with the mysterious al dr
deemed prudent to lay before tie STATES
MANS readers at this time. OF course.
there are other circumstances intimat slv
woven about the horrible, ghastly dt ed
that peradventure VIII he made public az
the proper time. Just now why, and by
whom, the dark deed was committed is
involved in profound mystery.
VERY EARLY
yesterday morning just as the tip OF the
suns rays were beginning to simmer
upon the eastern skies, Mr.. johnson,
a milkman living just beyond Hon. John
Hancock's, was hurrying TO the city TO
deliver milk to his numerous customers.
He was driving at a rapid rate through a
lane leading from Judge Hancock's in
the direction of the Lunatic Asylum.
About half mile from the Asy-
lum, he discovered in the distance
the form of man lying very near the
center of the road. His first impression
was that some one had fingered over the
flowing bowl too long, bad been overcome
and snoozing off the effects. As he ap-
preached, however, he discovered in the
gray of the morning that the man before
him was dead. He didn't stop to inves-
tigate but fastened to the city, and
notified the officers.
JUSTICE GREGG
Immediately summoned jury of inquest
and proceeded TO the locality to hold an
inquest, little dreaming that CHASTITY foul
murder had been perpetrated, and that
the victim was Black Davis. On reach
ing the scene of the bloody tragedy the
body was found undisturbed and
just as the milkman had described
it. The lifeless form was almost
downwards, head pointing in the direc-
tlon Of the city and with arms folded UNI
der the breast, and on examination it
proved to be Black Davis. On his fore
head just above the eye was an abrasion
OF the skin. and cut which had evident
ly been produced by blow from a stone,
weighing about two pounds, which was
picked up near by. A large one weigh
ing about five pounds was found
within few feet of the muir
dered man covered with blood and
hair, and it was evident they had been
used to crush the back part of the head.
which was beat almost into Il jelly. The
blows had been directed with great force,
driving the face of the unfortunate man
Into the hard compact earth. The nose
and cheek and indeed the entire
face was terribly bruised and
disfgured, almost past recognition.
Blood had freely run from the mouth and
wounds and covered the ground for some
distance, but most careful examination
failed to discover any clew whereby the
murderer or murderers could he traced.
MIR. DAVIS
left home Monday evening about SUM-
down, ayowiug his intention to visit the
city to collect money due him by the
Blind Asylum for supplies furnished.
His famiIy insisted on his postponing the
trip until morning, but he persisted
and left on foot, having S10.25 in
his pocket. He was waylaid, murdered
and robbed, nothing being found in his
pockets but peice of tobacco, an old
pipe, a few nails and a small pocket knife.
Suspicion fostered upon certain person
named