The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-27
Queer Inquest Over Che Dead
Millionaire at Vicsoria.
THE WITNESSES ALI BLIND.
Story Of the Wreck of tie Steamer
Michigan Near Cape ceale.
Vessel and Cargo Total Loss-she
Went Too Far North Before Turning
East to the Straits OF Fura-seaman
Fatally Injured at Nanaiiio.

VICTORIA. Jan. 2e.-[Special. e-The tragic
death of John A. Davis, tie Montana
millionaire, at the Driard hotel Tuesday,
is the topic Of general discussion today, the
opinion being that the coroner's inquest
was little better tnan n5ake-believe,
and the witnesses who alone could give
material evidence were kept carefully out
of the way. In fact, some went so far as
to assert that a golden paddock had been
eftectual in sealing the mouths of attaches
of the house whose evidence might have
been unpleasant reading for tsle wealthy
guests. =
1t was we'll known that Davis had been
drinking heavily since his arrival, and one
OF the clerks of the house, only few
hours after the inquest, commented on the
popularity of Davis HABITS; that
he lett the house at IL or / O'Clock
each morning, and returned before break
fast. generally the worse for liquor. A
story was current Tuesday night that Da-
Wis came home in this condition
Tuesday morning and was assisted
upstairs by TWO house employees. AS
this was nothing new, Mrs. Davis. his
daughter-in-iaw, reproached him in severe
versation was heard in the hall leading
from which are the fatal stairs, and upon
which the apartments of Davis and party
were.
Mrs. Davis and her father-sn-law were
seen in the hallway, and the former
turned as though to return to her
room. The statement is made though
not yet proven that the millionaire
attempted to follow aud was forcibiy
pushedlback to fall downward to death. The
injury sustained shows that the fall was a
long one, and the supposition is that in its
decent the body first struck the banis-
ters below, rebounding to the iloor. This
would explain the fractured ribs OF one
side and the breaking Of the arm and frac-
ture OF the skull on the other, It would
not require hard push to accomplish the
unfortunate result suggested, Davis age
and condition leaving him weak
Strange to say. nothing of the above was
even hinted at the inquest, the only evil
dence called being medical to explain the
cause of death, and that of the porter and
clerk, who heard the fall. and, running
out. found the miliionaire's body
crushed and bleeding on the floor. The
last person who saw the deceased alive
was not asked for. Although it is said he
was assisted upstairs several times on the
morning OF the fail, every witness called
stated that he had never seen de-
ceased the worse for liquor, and
no one was questioned as to the
reason for asserting 'he was coming
down stairs to breakfast" when, as
matter of fact he invariably used the
elevator, and had not taken off his clothes
since the night before. Neither Mrs.
Davis nor her mother, Mrs. Gaylord, was
called, Sergeant of Police Walker. who
made the preparations for the inquest,
having been told it was entirely unneces-
sary.
The facts as before narrated we're given
to the Observation-Disclosures CORES pondent
late Tuesday, and by him communicated
to Sergeant Levin, of the city police, this
afternoon, together with asCalifornia
In company with the sergeant of
police, the correspondent went to the
Driard, the steamer City of Kingston
bringing A. J. Davis, son of the
millionaire, and J. f. Gaylord, his
father-in-law, having just arrived. The
correspondent sent his card to his son
with request for short interview ION
business of Importance" 1t was returned
with the information that "Mr. Davis can
see no one at present"
"WilI half an hour later Suit Mr.. Davis ?"
was the next message borne to the room.
Again the card came back: "No, Mr..
Davis does not wish to see any one"
Then the sergeant of police touk hand
He had just written a note when Mr.. Davis
himself made his appearance in the hotel
Office.
Il was just sending a note to you," said
the sergeant, ''but as you appear, it is un-
necessary"
II have nothing to say" replied the
young millionaire. pale and nervous.
I'm not going to talk; I've nothing to
tell YOU"
Perhaps not" answered Sergeant
Levin, but have something to tell you
concerning your fathers death. have a
telegram in my pocket referring to it
which came here to show you"
The sergeant was in uniform
and he fully expected that
the son would at least c0ndescend to listen
10 anything from an officer bearing on his
fathers death. On the contrary he turned
away, called Mr.. Gaylord and Gus Hart
magic, one of the proprietors of the Drlard,
with whom he ascended the stairs
Twenty minutes later GAYLORD and Hart
nagle came down and the latter beckoned
the CORES pondent. "Se here" he OBJ
served, "Mr Davis is not going to talk
TO any one. He will leave for
home with his fathers BODY tonight
and in the meantime viii see no one. He
does not know as much about th.s accideu,
as We do here. SO what Is the use OF max
ing him talk? The Correspondent sug.
gested that ne had not been asked TO talk.
but TO listen 20 information in possession OF
the police. "Weli, he is not going to ia X
and cannot be seen," was the unsatis-
factory reply. Later in the evening Cav
lord and Har,nagle paid several visits 10
the Office OF the chief of police in the hone of
finding him, as they believed Davis would
be prevented from leaving the citv. though
no suggestion OF such an action was made.
The opinion formed by Sergt. Levin was
that If the inquest were reopened and
dence dispose OF the rumors connecting
her with the accident, for meme sup
pose the push. If given, was intended to
send Dav TO his death. The chief of no.
lice. unfortunately, was not TO be found at
his Office. and the chairman Of the police
committee thought best not to talk of
criminal proceedings. even had the evil
dence been stronger than il was Coroner
Hassel is unable TO reopen the inquest un-