Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-02
SHOT DOWN In COLD BLOOD
LEWIS DAVIS, THE MURDERER,
IN JAIL.
Trying TO Kill Four of Isis Pur-
suers-The eAssassin's usulIet Lodges
In the Victim's Heart-Threats OF
Ly ncIaiisg-irhe Coroner's Verdict.

Ah thhc NhctNhth Ehtttft-AhTettth OF
Ly nciiih.g-rhe Coroner's Verdict.
A murder presenting many parallels to
the killing Of George b. Taylor by the
Lists, though eclipsing 1t in the shocking
nature of many details was committed on
West Front street about $50 O'Clock
Saturday afternoon. The victim, Andrew
L. Peterson, a member of the police force
who in the discharge of his duty, protect
ing young wife from the violence of a
brutal, vicious husband was shot dead;
literally falling in his tracks.
The assassin, Lewis Davis, a young
man, with his wife, had been in attend-
ance upon the picnic given by the Dia-
mond State Iron Company's Relief Asso-
citation at Excelsior Park, Fifth and
dupont streets. He drank considerable
during the afternoon, and showed dis
position to be quarrelsome and jealous of
his comely young wife, who danced and
firted with other men. She endeavored
to get him to go home. She insisted, but
he only grew more quarrelsome und drew
revolver which he fiourished above his
head and aimed at her. This performance
he repeated several times until one
of the chambers of the weapon exploded
of the index finger OF his left hand.
After persistent endeavors to induce him
TO return home, the young wife succeeded
and started with her husband from the
picnic park along narrow foot path
which led to Front and Searles street. On
the way down the path Davis continued
the abuse of his wife, beating her at
times and threatening to shoot her. After
IA ~
proceeded down Front passing the
residence of Officer Peterson. The
man continued the abuse and
after getting short distance east of
Peterson's home he repeated the threat To
shoot his wife, and struck her few times
very severely. She made an outcry and
an appeal for help, and q woman living
in the neighborhood went to Officer
Peterson's house and asked him to inter
cede for the woman, telling him the man
was trying to shoot her. The policeman,
with his family, was at supper, but not
needing his wife's protests against going
out, he girded on his accoutrements and
approached the woman, who was some
little distance away from her husband.
She walked along with the officer in
ploring him not to arrest her husband,
but to get his revolver away from him.
Approaching Davis, Peterson asked him
TO hand over his revolver, but the latter
refused and continued fourishing it
wildly. "Be careful put that in your
pocket you're liable to arrest" said the
officer. "Who'se going to do IL 7" "lf
you don't behave yourself I'm going
to TO do it," replied tho officer.
Probably before any other word hul
been spoken Davis raised the revolver
at his side, held it directly to
the policeman's left breast and sent
bullet through his heart. Peterson
groaned once or twice and reeled half
way around and fell backward to the
ground. His step son, Cecil W. Willard,
waB at the wounded mans side in an III.
stant, but the latter was unable to speak
and was apparently dying.
The murderer saw the young man ap.I
proach his victims body and seeming
furious with rage turning to him said
with vicious oath, 81 have one for yOu
too" Seeing the man preparing TO frd
his pistol again young Willard retreated
across the street followed by bullet sent
from the murderer's pistol, which went
wide of its mark. The terrible deed was
witnessed by Peterson's family and sqrI
eral neighbors who turned almost SICK
with fright at the horrors Of the scene
After firing at Willard, Davis again
threatened TO shoot his wife and nfiera
short personal encounter ut Front and
Broome streets they continued m
Front. Joseph Bennett and Samuel
Alcorn met the assassin coming alongaid
desisted from trying to capture him UPON
his threat to shoot them if they interflrSd
with his effort to escape
j. Alfred Collins who was going lone
on Front street Cur 'heard the cries of
stop the man he hns shot Officer Peter.
SON." &C., and jumped from the vehicle
Just as Davis was in front of him ut
Franklin street. Mr.. Collins tritd to
stop him but the latter drew his pisto and
With an oath said 81 shot him, I'll ,lIoot
you, too, if you stop me-" Seeing the
murderous CLEAN in Davis eye Mr.. Col
Inns being unarmed leaped into an
old cellar at the side of the street and
was sheltered by the bank when he heard
the bullet whistling over his head. In
exchange for the leuden bell Mr.. Collins
threw stone mt the man but it missed his
head. Davis continued down Front
street, with Mr.. Collins and several
others following and crying "siop the
murderer; look out he has revolver" "
Davis held the revolver under lis coat
apparently reloading it us he ran. james
+. Mcbride, who saw him approsch ran
into Sharkey's saloon and borrowed
pistol which proved to be old
and rusty. As Davis approached
Mcbride leveled his pistol Mt
his head and commanded him 10 stop,
Davis cried out savagely, "Pm fighting
for blood" and directly after pNsented
A. 30, LA.
fired two shots. One plowed up the
earth near McBride's feet and the,other
found lodgment in the window shutter Of
Forests grocery store Mt the southwest
corner of Front and Franklin stteets.
The weapon held by Mcbride refused to
fire until snapped the third time, but the
bullet did not accomplish its mission OF
staying the assassins flight.
Davis continued his dash along Font
street to small alley on the south ,idt
about GO feet west of VHnBuren street
lie turned up here md either turned mto
side gate or jumped the fence into thu
yard OF the vacant house No. l1O9 N'es
Front street. IIewson L. Lannan, ght
joined the pursuing party, came from hi
buck yard two or three doors above md
by another alley leading into the ont
whence tho fugitive sought refnge, NV
him lying i'll the corner of the high fenc'
in side yard about three feet wide. Mr.
Iannnn did not know what the MAJ
had done and as he saw hin
living, sort of leaning or resting agains
the fence, he thought some mistake ha'
been mnde and believed the "nice look
ing innocent young fellow had Just lni'
there to recover from the effects OF a dc
bauch." Taking up q brick in his hand
however, and carrying with his arm eN
tended ready TO throw it if any attempte
resistance should be offered MIR. Lanna
approached the man looking him iirDl
and squarely in the eyes MS he advanced
The man lay upon the ground. He he'll
his hat in his left hand over hi
abdomen and rs it appeared afte
his revolver was concealed unde
the hat and held in the righ
hand. Davis appeared dazed a
Mr.. Lannon approached and sat motion
less. The latter got beside him and lay
ing his hand on the lntter's shouldt
said, ~ want you to come along wit
me-" Davis instantly turned about an
his captor suspecting some sharp move
ment grabbed him quickly and turne
him back TO the position he was Mt frs
As he did so Davis fired his pistol, til
bullet going past Mr.. Lannau's kne
and lodged in the fence near b,
The brick then came into good serviC
and still holding it in his hand Mr.. Lama
struck the murderer severe blow wit
il on the forehead. Davis was knocke
insensible and was dropped quivering an
limp on the pavement. He was disarme
ond after revivinp ypaq turned nvar