Huntsville gazette., 1885-09-05
GREEK MET GREEK.

a New York Operator of the aBoodle"
Game Who Took Texan For a "Gray''
| Pays For His Proposed Perfidy With His
| Lfte-Excitement Among the Sporting
Fraternity-How the Game Was PLAYED.
NEW YORK, August 31.-Tom Davis,
backer of Fitzgerald, the champion
pedestrian, was shot and instantly killed
in M. Purcell's gambling house, Broad
way and Reade streets, at half-past one
O'Clock this afternoon by James T. Hol-
land, of Colorado City and Abilene, Texas.
They had quarreled, but over what is not
known. Davis was shot through the neart,
the bullet going clean through the body.
New. YoRK.. September 1.-The shoot
ing OF Tom D1viss~caused the greatest
excitement last evening among sporting
men and gamblers, to whom the deceased
was well known. From what could be
learned of the tragedy from the police
and others, it appears that Davis and
Holland had been corresponding together
for several days, and yester day morning
Davis. in response to note from Fl OIL
land, met the latter at the Merchants
Hotel. Holland was accompanied by
another Texan, James T. Hill.
After brief confere nee Holland and
Davis adjourned to the latter's Office, in
Read street. What transpired in Davis
office is at present not exactly known,
but in less than half an hour from the
time the two men were seen to enter the
building the report of pistol shots were
heard, and a few minutes later Holland
was seen walking down West Broadway
in the direction of Chambers street, fol-
lowed by Davis brother, who pointed
out Holland to Officer Sullivan as the
murderer of his brother. Holland was
arrested without resistance and taken to
the COnard Street Police Station.
Both prisoners refused to make any
statement. Holland says he is thirty
three years old, and was engaged in the
real estate business in Abilene, Tex.
Hill gave his age as thirty one, and SAYS
he was a City Marshal in Abilene. On
being searched, ST., 500 in bills was found
on Hill, and 4S-caliber revolver of the
same pattern as the one with which Hol-
land killed Davis. Both men were
locked up, and will be taken to the
Tombs Police Court this morning, Hol-
land as the murderer and Hill as wit
ness.
After the two men had been locked up,
Captain Eakin went to Davis Office and
on the dead man was found 1854 in
American bills, and S45 in Canadian. In
one corner of the room was also found a
satchel containing number !Of packages
made up to represent genuine greenbacks
but on being opened they were found to
contain waste paper, such as used by
swindlers in what is known as the
"boode game" The police learned that
Holland had negotiated with Davis
for S1O 900 in counterfeit money for
$500 in good money. Davis, it is stated,
counted out number of bills in good
money, made into packages and placed
it in satchel. Hill believing this was
counterfeit money, handed Davis $500 in
good money accor ding to agreement.
While the business was in progress, q
confederate of Davis, relieved the
satchel. Holland, who had evidently
been suspicious, saw the movement and
Immediately drew his revolver and fred
three shots. The satchel found after the
sh ooting was the one In which Davis had
placed the good bills.
Coroner Levy took charge Of the case
and gave permit for the removnl OF the
remains to his late residence on Third
avenue, near Seventy second street. Da-
Wis went under the alias of Jas. Ward
part of the time.
Among sporting characters Tom Davis
was very well known, not only in this
city, but throughout the country, and
was recognized as good authority in
sporting matters. He was prominent
several years ago as the backer of Fitz
gerald, the successful pedestrian, and
last spring he again came before the pub
lie as the patron and backer of Willie
Donavan, the star roller skater who won
the first six days. skating match at Mad
ison Square Garden. Davis was forty
five years of age, and was married and
had two children. He was a man of fine
physique. He is said to have accumu-
lated large fortune on the strength of
his varied career.
When Holland was arraigned at the
station he refused to make any statement
except that he was justified in doing the
shooting.
Mr. Thomas r. Williams, of Jersey
City, who was one of the first to enter
the room after the shooting, states that
there was $5 counterfeit bill clutched
in the right hand Of Davis as he lay
stretched upon the floor. In an old desk
in the Office were bonds of va rious kinds,
some Of them purporting to be issued by
the city of Mattoon, Ill.