The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-15
ne Couud Initiate an Actor.
now MURDERER wAs CAPTURED AYTER 4
rlvE-Y.ARs' CHASE.


A special dispatch from st. Louis, No..
saws Lon Houck alias Doc Davis passed
through this city to-day in charge OF Johr
r. Norris. detective OF the Columbus.
Uockiug-valcy and Toledo railroad. Nor
ris captured his man at Los Angeles, Cal,
after q chase Of tive years. The crime for
which Houck Is going back to Delaware
county. Ohio, TO stand trial, was committed
IN 1878. On January 3ist OF that year four
men occupied smoking-car of q train on
the Columbus, HockiDg-valley and Toledo
railroad, which was approaching Delaware,
Ohio. Houck, drummer named Hough-
ton, and Paul Lehman were playing cards
IN one OF the seats. A fourth man looked
on. Houghton was apparently playing
into Houck's hand, and Lehman was the
victim Of the pair. After losing heavi'!
Lehman arose and accused the others Of
swindling. A quarrel ensued, which was
suddenly terminated by Houck shooting
Lehman, who died soon aiterward. Then,
with cooked revolver in either hand,
Ho,ick intimidated the passengers, rushed
10 the car-door, and jumped to the ground
while the train was going at high rate OF
,peed, and before the train could be stopped
he had disappeared. Houghton was ar
rested and tried ms an accessory to the muir
der, and sentenced TO two years in the CO.
fimbus penitcntiary, recovering his free
dom in 1891. The hunt for Houck was
instituted by the railroad company, and
was unsuccessful until few days ago,
when he was arrested in Los Angeles, Cal.
The career CT IIouck subsequent TO his
capture was varied one. He went to
Washington. and while there commune
Gated with his father and wife, who met
him at the national capital. His wife ac-
companied him In his long flight from JUS
tice. From Washington he went to Nor
folk, Va, setting sail from that point for
Key West, and thence for Havana He
was followed TO Florida, but there all trace
Of him was lost, and 1t was supposed that
he had gone to Europe. A year later
be went to Texas, where Norris OBJ
tanned trace Of him while he was fol-
lowing up another clue. a chase from
town to town WAS begun. hut Houck
outwitted bis pursuer. lie then went to
chihuahua, Mexico, and thence TO Tucson,
Arizona, where he settled down with his
wife, leading an exemplary life. At length
be was again in danger OF apprehension.
and returned TO chihuahua, where he gained
prominence through another murder. One
day he induced a Mexican to join him in a
game Of cards, which resulted like all
games in which Houck was interested.
The Mexican, anxious TO retrieve his for
tune, again met HOuck the same night, but
this time without third party. Toward
midnight HIouck left the room with a
smoking revolver in his hand. The Next
can was afterward found lying on the floor
bathed in his own blood. At the trial the
revolver was identified as belonging TO the
Mexican. The sheriff Of Tucson, Arizona,
testified to the good character OF the de-
fendant. who was acquitted by the jury.
He next went to Yuma, but was there few
days only when he and three other suspects
were taken out with ropes around their
necks by the Vigilance Committee and
forced to leave the town. After going
through New Mexico and other Territories,
Houck arrived in Los Angeles, whcre he
was unknown. In his waDderings he had,
however, left clue TO his pursuer, who
traced him TO Southern California. Appre-
hensive OF losing his game ii lie appeared
OH the scene himself. the detective tele-
graphed an accurate description to the Los
Angeles sheriff, and the man was hunted
up. Several days were consumed in making
sure that Houck was the man wanted,
during which the sheriff and Houck went
on an extensive spree. Among other pc
culiarities given in the description was
Houck's ability to closely initiate the actor
NJ. Il. Curtis in the play OF Samuel Of Po-
sen. When this fact was discovered,
Houck, who was known as Davis, was
taken INTO custody. and Detective Norris
was notified. He appeared with the neces-
sary papers, and is on the way to Ohio
with his man.