The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-17
DICK DAVIS CAPTURED.
THE ALLEGED MURDERER OF SAL
LIE SMITH BEHIND THE BARS.

LIE S4ITA BEdlSD TIE BARS.
A Full Account of the Prisoners ar
rest - The Story He Tells of Ri'
Whereabouts Since the Murder-He
Denies That He !s the Guilty Man
His Repulsive Appearance-Why he
Game Within Reach Of the officers
Good Work by a Policeman
Dick Davis, the murderer OF Sallie
Smith, is now confined at the police bar
racks. He was brought in at 1910 O'CLOCK
last night by Mounted Officer Brantley, and
placed in the barracks TO await
the action of themayor's court
charged with the murder OF
Sallie Smith about p. m. Aug. IA, and
also the rape of an S-year-old child on
July % He will be held at the barracks
until Monday morning. unless taken out
and committed to jail upon a warrant
Davis was captured at e:15 o'clock last
night at the house of his brother, John
Davis, on Sarah street, near the Bat
terry park, by Mounted Officer
Brantley, assisted by Officers Hall and
Spann. The police have been on the look
out for Davis since the killing Friday night,
believing him 10 be in the nelghborhood OF
the city. About $3.50 p. m. Brantley had
direct information that Davis was at his
brothers house, and, calling Officers Hall
and Spann t. his assistance, he pro-
ceeded directly to the spot, near
the city limits. Posting Hall and
Spann outside Brant'ey entered the house.
As he expected, his man was not to be seen.
The house is a small story and half struct-
ure. with only a hole in the ceiling leading
TO the attic, Pistol in hand Brantley
crawled through this hole and found Davis
crouching down III one corner of the
attic. Davis surrendered without giving
the officer any trouble, and was
brought down and secured with rope,
after which he was taken to the barracks.
He not only denied the killing Of the woman,
but denied all knowledge Of it whatever,
and declared that he had not heard Of the
killing until informed of it by the officer.
DAMS AT THE BARRACKS.
A MORNING NEWS reporter saw Davis at
the barracks last night. He is a short,
dark, heavy features and an unpleasant ex-
preston. His forehead recedes from the
face, and his type bears a strong resemblance
to the brute. His speech, how
ever, showed him to be more in
teiligent than his looks indicated. He spoke
slowly, evidently weighing his words be-
fore speaking. Chief Green, Sergt.
Killourhy, DR.. Drummer, and the officer on
guard were present and questioned Davis.
Davis firmly denied the killing or any
knowledge of il. He said he knew the
Smith woman and had seen her last when
he met her on the bridge on Sunday. He
had not seen her since, and had not heard
of her death until last night. He had moth
ing against the woman, or against
Giles Roberts, and had made
no threats against either Of them. He also
denied the charge Of having assaulted his
sisters child, aud said he did not believe
anything was the matter with the child.
He had heard recently of the charge
his brother about it. He said he
had been working with Mr.. Roe,
near the Telfair place, and had not
left the place since Wednesday morning,
which statement he could prove, he said,
II those working in the place with him.
When questioned about his whereabouts
Thursday night he said that he went to
sleep in house by himself about an hour
after shutdown, next to a house occupied
by Caesar VIM, Mr.. Roes foreman,
and did not leave the house that night
He heard nothing OF the killing of the
Smith woman, and did not leave the place
until yesterday afternoon. Davis was
shrewd enough not TO commit himself in his
story.
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS RAID.
Sergt. Killourhy informed the reporter
that raid had been made upon John Davis
house by the police at 4 o'clock Wednes-
day morning, information having been
received from Giles Roberts and Davis
sister that Davis was at the house
The police were anxious to catch Davis
on the warrant for rape, but he heard of
their approach and made his escape.
Giles Roberts informed Sergt. Killourhy
yesterday morning that Dick Davis
approached the men who was digging
Sallie Smiths grave in Laurel Grove
cemetery Friday morning and talked with
him about the killing. He said he did not
intend to kill Sallie, but was looking for
Giles Roberts and that he would kill him
yet. Roberts has been in fear Of his life
since the killing Of Sallie Smith, and has
slept away from his house at night. He
will be glad to know that Dick Davis is
under arrest. Where Davis SAYS
he has been working is about two and one
quarter miles, in bee line, from where Sallie
Smith was killed, and about three miles by
the most convenient way, being on the
other side Of the canal from the Springfield
plantation.
Judging from all the circumstances of the
case, the law now has as bad man within
its clutches as Kemmler who died recently
by electricity in New York. Brantlev, the
officer who effected Davis capture, is COM
mended for his success.