Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-10
THE MAN WHO KILLED DAVIS
Something About the Conduct OF Hol-
lana at st. Louis-Prominenoe Of the
Pistol
From Ne 81. Louis GI15e Democl


From he st. Louie Globe Democrat.
A st. Louis gentleman, speaking Of the
deadly encounter between j. T. Holland
the Texan who killed Davis, New York
confidence man, says he became well ac-
quaiutsd with the Lone star marksman
and a compile Of his friends, J. T. Hill and
r. Ii. H0lc0mbe. from the same State,
who registered az the Planters house on
Aug. %, and during their stay OF week
or ten days they proved star attractions,
wherever there was an audience TO enter
tain, with blood-curdling stories o. Texas
bravery and a reckless exhibition of
LOWie-kuiYes and siX-shoOters. Holland,
tue leader OF the party, seemed never so
HAPPY as when standing twO-thirds fun
OF whisky before bar counter,
twiriinZ his revolver and other
wise dexterously handling the weapon,
which be knew well how to do. The more
attention he could draw at such times the
better it suited him, but his audiences
were invariably SO appreciatiVe Of his
artistic handling OF a Texas pistol that
very little OF the performance went
long Wav. Those who CHARGED to be near
who were not on very intimate terms
generally withdrew before the close OF the
first act and retired TO places or safety,
who considered II more prudent to remain
than run the risk Of displeasing the royal
cowboy submitted timOrOusly, but grace
fully TO his naudlin embraces while he
stuck the cold steel muZZle of Colts
navy In their ear or amused himself in
testing the nerve Of long-necked acquaInt-
ances by seeing how quick and close he
could draw a keen-edged knife across
their throats without splitting blood.
At other times Holland would fancy
that some handsome bar ornament was
the prettiest target be ever saH. Then it
required the most artful cosxing to dis
suade him from firing bullet into the
thing. Hill was not 30 much of a reveler
as his companions. He liked to 60 to bed
early, but the others always wanted him
with them. One night after Hin had been
in bed just a little while the bell boy sum-
moned him oY vigorous knocking at
the door and announced to him that his
friends were engaged in a desperate
fight down stairs in the barrOom. It
did not take Hill more than second
TO complete his toilet by sticking his six
shooter in the waist of his drawers, and
the next moment found him at the bottom
OF the stairs near the barroom entrance.
Taking his revolver in hand ready for &C
ton he walked into the presence of HOl-
land and HOcombe. They seized hold of
MIN ana tOl0 MIN bney were going out LDaL
night to do the town up in glowing cOlors
and he had To 90 with them, but Hill did
not go. He embraced the first Opportu-
nifty to slip off to bed again, and refused
to be tempted from his room by any more
bogus reports Of shooting ARRAYS. Joe
Drukker, the ieweler, found a good Gus.
toner in Holland. One day he walked
into the store to get fine gold watch he
had left there for repairs. The little negro
boOtblack, commonly known among his
Fourth street patrons as "Snow-
bail" was at the door when
Holland entered and commenced
to guy ''the granger" as he called the
Texan. Holland became furious at the
taunts, and threatened with an oath to
kill him if he did not stop calling him a
granger. 1t tlckled the little fellow to
see the big cowboy get 80 mad. Say,
granger" said he. ''where'd you git that
hat? Have a shine, grangerY Holland
raved and reached for his revolver, but
changing his mind, as if he thought the
game too small he grabbed up spttoOn
and was about TO hurl 1t through the
door At the boys head.
she called you stranger" said Mr..
Drukker at that instant; she didn't call
| you a granger"
! 1t was lucky excuse, that came Just
4 In the nick OF time, for the Texan lowered
/ the spitt0On that he held aloft with his
| stalwart right arm, and the sinner was
allowed TO walk away with nothing more
to hurt his feelings than q parting volley
| of osrGaa