New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-03
SOME ASPECTS OF TIE HoLLAND CASE.

SOME ASPECTS OF TIE HOLLAND CASE.
There seems to be a disposition in some quar-
tiers to discourage the coming to New-lotk OF
enterprising Texans who desire to initiate the
currency OF the Lone Star State. But the
recent expedition OF that sort from Abilene has
had such happy results that New orkers
should do all in their power TO stimulate the adj
venturous temperaments of city marshals and
other resolute SoutbwesteIncrs who are ready
and eager to thin the ranks OF our bunco-
steerers, sawdust swindlers and confidence men.
Davies richly deserved his fate and the only
regret that any right minded person can feel is
that his career of thievery was not ended sum-
marily many years ago. He invited the death
which he met and the city is well rid of him. If
his sudden taking-ofl irightens other thieves
and limits the extent of their operations. the
Texans pistol bulle, will have done much good.
In spite of the talk about hanging Holland,
his neck is really in little danger of the rope.
BY the strict letter of the law his crime may
have been murder in the first degree, but II will
be hard to find jury who will send man to
the gaows for taking the life of sucha con-
temptible scoundrel as Davies was. Not that
Holland does not deserve hanging. His plan
was to cheat as many people as he could in
Texas by passing counterfeit money. When he
found that he was being cheated himself he
shot the thief. That may be the accepted way
of settling such complications at Abilene. As
Hollands companion, friend and probable ac
complete was city marshal, the authorities Of
Abilene must approve the prompt decision of
disputes with the six-shOoter. But in New
York we are a little behind Abilene, and lIol-
land is likely 10 spend some years of retirement
in Sing Sing possibly accompanied by City
Marshal Hill.
1t may be- however, that Hollands story,
when it is told, will be entirely at variance with
the narrative Of Theodore Davies, the brother
and partner in crime of Hollands victim.
tom Davies was a desperate rufian, and was
in the habit of going about well armed. Such
fellows as he need to be always ready to protect
themselves from the wrath of the men whom
they rob. Suppose that Holland when on trial
for murder declares that "TOm" Davies drew
pistol when the hot words between them
Cured and that long practice ut Abilene hav-
ing made him quick on the trigger, he slightly
anticipated Davies. Theodore Davies could
easily have taken away his brothers pistol after
the shooting, and have disposed OF it, before he
called on the police to arrest Holland. If Hol-
land tells that sort Of story, what will there
be to disprove it Nothing but the word of the
confessed swindler and thief, Theodore Davies.
| For how much will that weigh 1t is possible,
| them that Holland may escape altogether for
the shooting of Davies but he may be punished
| under the law concerning counterfeit money,
which makes it an offence to enter into any
| negotiations for securing it. His guilt is clear
| enough. Abilene will not welcome him home
soon, no matter what may be the issue OF his
| trial for murder.
| One point of genuine interest in connection
| with this case has been little touched on. What
! food of light has been thrown on the six
days walking matches and sparring contests at
Madison Square Garden by the disclosure of the
| true character of Tom Davies He was the
| lowest and meanest of thieves. His calling
| from boyhood had been robbery And yet this
| rascal who never drew an honest breath has
| been one of the most active and conspicuous
promoters of all the professional walking con-
test, and boxing bouts which New-York has
seen for many years. A great many credulous
people have had their eyes opened by these
revelations They had supposed that the six
| days performances OF the pedestrians and the
exhibitions of the pugilists were genuine
struggles in which the best men won. The fact
was that such fellows as Tom " Davies ar
| ranged the results in advance. THE TRIBUNE
has repeatedly exposed these frauds on the
public, but they have been persistently de-
Tended by certain publications. which find a
profit in uphoidng thimble-riggers on the saw