Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-19
DAVIS BROTHERS.
They are Laid to Rsst at Anson, Attsnded by
Father, Sister ana Brothers-stOry OF
the Murder Retold,
Correspondence Of &c Gazetse.

Correspondence Of the Gazette.
ANsoN, TEX. June I6.-The bodies OF
John and Jarrett Davis, who were killed
| in New Mexico last week, were brought
down to Abilene on the east-bound train
yesterday, and to Arson yesterday even
ing. They were inferred at the Arson
cemetery at 10 q. M. to-day. They were
brothers, and the youngest of family
of eight children, viz: q. D. Davis, a
lawyer at this place; Hon. j. H. Davis,
of Greenville; DR.. JEFF Davis, of Roby;
Sam Davis, who is Ranger, and Leroy,
who is a cattlsman of New Mexico, and
Mrs. MCGEE, wh0 also lives here. Their
father still lives at Mount Vernon, Tex.
They we're all present. John Davis was.
aged twentY-six years and ten months, 1
and Jarrett twenty -four years and six
months. They were both very promising
young men, noble, generous and
fearless. They had hosts of
friends here, this being their last Texas
home. John Davis was q practical
printer, aud worked for several years as
foreman of the Texas Western in Its IN
ancy. A large funeral procession fol-
owed their remains to the grave. Ten
der and affecting was the scene, seven
brothers, father and sister met as it
were the first and last time for many years;
and that, too, TO pay their last tribute
to their youngest brothers. Jarrett Davis
was boss on the Muscatlne ranch and
John was boss on another ranch. The
difficulty occurred about as follows: At
noon on last Tuesday, while Jarrett was
eating dinner, one Mr.. Fred Groetel
rn1o nd cd n
tina he wanted to see him
when he was through, where
upon Jarrett replied that he was now
through and went out to where Groetel
was. There had been some little differ
euces between them before, which
seemed to grow out of Jarrett discharg-
ing Groetel. Groetel began by saying
what did you mean by telling those lies
on me. Jarrett says haven been tell
ing any lies on you. Groetel says: "You
are liar - when Davis struck Groetel.
Groetel then struck Davis with his pistol.
They hitched and general scuffls en-
sued. John Davis then ran in and sep
arated them. Groetsl fired, shooting
Jarrett through the heart, telling him to
the ground, from which he arose and
grabbed at his assailant, shooting at ran
dom. Groetel then shot Jarrett through
the right breast, after which he
died almost instantly. John seeing
that Jarrett was killed rushed to get
Jarrett s pistol, which had fallen by his
side.
Groetel followed "hoId up" but
John did not heed him. Groetel then
shot John through and through twice.
John shot Groetel twice. John lived
till 'clock the following day. Groetel
was still living, though is sure to die.
Roy Davis was fifty miles away. When
he came John was in his right mind and
gave specific direction as to the final dis
position of his remains, stating that he
was bound to die. He carefully
enumerated all the accounts he owed
and requested that they be paid. He
pied with and secured, the promise of
Roy, his brother, not to go and kill his
murderer (who was some fifteen yards
away, stating that he would die, so not
act the part of a coward to kill him in
his helpless condition.
This last promise made by John of his
brother was indicative of the noble aud
generous spirit of the man.