The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-21
DIED IN 4 VINEYARD.
T. ]. Davis Fate.
End of an Eccentric Mans Career. .
Was IL Suicide !---The Inquest.
A STRANGE DEATH.

from the fact that all who knew the man
are fully acquainted with his recent ar>
rest for forging the name of
Deputy Sheriff Silvis, and subs
sequenlly being held in bonds of
81 800 To answer the charge ut the next
term Of the circuit court Davis was
found dead in the vineyard north of his
house, mile aud half west of Carbon
Cliff, at Z o'clock this morning by his
son Charles, who was in search of him
Yesterday morning about II o'clock
Davis left the house and went in the
direction of the vineyard, few yards
north of the house. A few minutes later
he was seen trim ming the grape vines by
his daughter. Evening came and he did
nor return to supper. The children were
not alarmed at their fathers absence
thinking that he he'd gone to town and
would return during the night. When
morning came, however, and he, did not
return, they began to worry and the son,
upon NlSlliHS Nulh, NltiC Ills
father had last been seen, bebeld a
CHASTITY SIGHT.
There lay his father, his limbs drawn
up, his arms in position that
showed n conyulsive movement to the
last. while the facial features were con.
81 lerably distorted. The mouth was
wide open, while the eyes were open and
the balls almost out of sight. The
son Immediately tclegraphed to this
city and Coroner IIawes and Sheriff
Reticker left for the upper end of the
county. The coroner summoned jury
composed of J. II. Cleland. Uoreman) G.
f. IIodgson, G. $. Church, John G Cor
bin. and Joscplus Evans. The jury,
after examining the body, repaired to
the house, where the remains were also
conveyed. and proceeded to hold an in
quest,S The testimony of the children and
other witnesses was taken. showing tina,
the deceased had not heart disease fits OF
other affection, and then DR.. Hunter, OF
Hampton, was examined. He said thai
the body had been dead at least twenty.
four hours, and he was therefore unable
to determine whether death was the re.
suit of poisoning or not. This only could
be decided by chemical analysis of the
stefan for years, and did not know that
the deceased was Il victim to any disease
| likely to result in sudden death. Although
he did not express himself SO, he seemed tc
favor "A chemical analysis of the stomach
Upon consultation, however it was de-
clded to proceed with the evidence and
render verdict accordingly. The YER
dict was that the deceased came to his
tieath from "A disease unknown to Tho
Jury. A great many, however, are of tlit
| opinion that Davis poisoned himself.
ON MS PERSON.
| In the pockets of the clothing of the
deceased was found SEQ % in money,
two mutiluted coins ami II counterfeit ter
cent piece, together with a copy of The
| letter which was sent to Mylo lee with
intentions of running the business rela-
tionship of that gentlemen and Deputy
| Sheriff Sharp Slvis. A letter was also
found from the ArgiIlo works, stating
| that the trees which that company hal
| ordered from him need not be sent, as i
was the desire of the Argillo works tG
| have no more business with him. In his
| hand he clutched sprig Of "A grape vine
| and IL few feet away from him when dis
covered, was found n pruning knife
showing that he was in the act of trim'
ming the grape vines when stricken with
death. The vines that he had already
trimmed were badly done, showin-
that he had not given his at
tcn,ion to the work, while the grount
showed the mark of his knees. where
he had been in during the per
Torrance of the work. The ground abou
where his feet lay was disturbed, evinc
ing the fact that there had been convul
sive movement previous to death. Their,
is no doubt but he died in a CONFUSION
his WIFE.
DAVIS wife died at the was htub fou
years ago, since which time there ha
been visible change in his mental con
dition at times lie always was exceed
ingly eccentric in his ideas, Il peculiar
| freak beng that after his wife had beer
buried in her fathcr-Mr Shroms fam
lily graveyard near the Cliff. AfterwarI
| Davis had quarrel with the family ant
had the remains of his wife taken NJ
and inferred at n place known onl,
to himself and those who wcr
in charge of the burial. 1t is also assert
ed that he icfaced his father-in law
monument out Of spite to til c family
| LATE CIRCUMSTANCES,
The circumstances which brought hin
before the police just a week ago, ar
well known A week ago yesterday Dep
uty Sheriff Silvis received note from
Mylo Lee president of the Argillo work
at Carbon Cliff, enclosing the followin!
d ocument, as he called it;
The business of the cort keeps me here
but YOU can trust Bill Carey; keep still
and we will give Mylo Lee hell. you bet
SHARP SIIyIs.
Upon investigation it was asccrtaine,
tina: Davis had written the note will
hopes of running contract Mr.. Silvi
has with Mr.. Lee to furnish coal a
his works at Carbon Cliff. Davis was ar
| rested. and on Tuesday afternoon bount