Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-02
TIE munpEnEn ourErER.
Levi @. Bird, Esq, Invited 60 De-
fend Davis = His Wife's Intense
erwEaN


Levi @. bird, Esq, Invited 60 De-
fend Davis His Wife's Intense
Grief.
Lewis Davis, the murderer Of Ohicer
Peterson, languishes in one OF the close
cells In New Castle jail, where he will lie
until the next term Of court and probably
will be taken back after formal arraign-
ment and confined until the succeeding
term of court, when he will be tried.
Davis vicious temper has subsidized. He
is quiet and seems TO be gradually real
izing the enormity of his horrible crime.
He Is much depressed and seems almost
crushed down by the weight of his own
act.
Levi O. Bird, Esq, accompanied by
Davis brother visited HIN Sunday and
held lengthy conference. Mr.. Bird, II
IL said, has been retained to defend the
prisoner before court. The young wife
Of Davis is in great distress and her grief
is most intense and it is thought her
reason has been affected by the bloody
deed of her husband.
For the purpose of ascertaining what
kind of reputation Lewis Davis, the
murderer of Police Officer Peterson, has
borne, o representative of the GAZETTE
interviewed several citizens Monday.
The general verdict was that the young
mans character, although he occasionally
got intoxicated, was comparatively good.
A gentleman who has resided in South
Wilmington long time stated that he has
: known Davis nearly 10 years, having be-
come acquainted with the prisoner when
he was young hoy. He had seen him
under the influence of liquor several
times, but never knew him to be quarrel
some or disorderly.
Davis, when quite small lad, secured
employment at the works of the Diamond
State Iron Company and has worked there
steadily during the past 10 years. He
began at the bench and gradually worked
his way up until he became ''rougher"
one who stretches out iron as IL is
manufactured.
At the Office of the Diamond State iron
Company it was learned that his EN-
ployers always regarded him as q quiet
and inoffensive man. In fact they con-
sidered him one of the quietest and most
inoffensive men in their employ.
He lived in South Wilmington more
than 10 years, but since the spring of '84
has boarded with his brother ON Robin
son street, at first near Poplar street, but
since last March in the middle of the
block. For some time previous to her
marriage Mrs. Davis, the wife, prisoners
boarded with them.
Said woman residing near him on
Robinson street: "Never have l known
Lewis to be quarrelsome or disorderly. l
always thought he was quiet and nice, ms
quiet and nice as you.n AS she uttered
the last remark the woman looked very
innocent and serious and the reporter
bowed but refrained from making any
comment.
- Mrs. Davis, the mother of the murderer,
is a widow, her husband having been
drowned several years ago. She lives
with son in South Wilmington and is
almost heart broken over the crime of
her youngest boy. At present she is
visiting the latter's wife, whose reason
appears to be deserving her and who is so
i'll that physician has to call several
times each day.
Two brothers of the murderer are living.
One resides on Robinson street and the
other in South Wilmington. Their sister
Annie was drowned in the Christiana and
since that accident occurred married
sister has died.
Kate DALEY, the maiden name of Davis
young wife, formerly lived out as O
domestic in this city, and only quilted
service short time before being married.
The young man was deeply in love with
her and was exceedingly jealous il she ac-
cepted the slightest attention from any
other young men acquaintance The
girl, however, had other company, which
would lend to quarrels, sometimes very
fierce ones. between Davis and herself.