The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-03-15
DAVENPORT TRAGEDY.
DRAMATIC REPRODUCTION OF III
ON THE WITNESS STAND.
The slayer of Woods Tells His sto-
ry, and Then Confesses to Hav-
ing Sailed Under Three Flags.

The prosecution in the Davenport
murder case finished their case this
morning and Mr.. King made the open
ing statement for the defense, in which
he said he would show by testimony
which would be introduced that Woods
was looking for a row for a day or
two prior to the shooting, and that he
attacked the defendant in a manner
that it was impossible 10 avoid a row
with him. That Davenport was on the
defensive all the way through and was
compelled to use a revolver to save his
own life.
The defendant was put or the stand
and testified that he had for two months
been working in the timbers about
Moab. That he met Woods two days
before the shooting. On the Sth he
drew a gun on WestWood and said:
Clear the way, you s. of a b., I am
Box Car Woods and it's my day OUT
Similar assaults were made on others
that day, among whom were Paten and
Peterson. Coming to the time of the
trouble, witness stated that Woods was
continually accusing him of stealing
McLeOd's money and insisted on a row.
He set his dog on him and struck him
on the breast-all of which Davenport
stronger man than the defendant.
Shortly afterwards while witness was
in sitting position Woods advanced
to carry out certain threats, when the
two fatal shots were fired.
Woods fell,'' continued witness. L
made the remark, 1 have killed Mr.
Woods and if they wanted to take it
zap now was the time. Then / gave up
the pistol and went and sat down.
CRIED and felt very bad over what had
happened"
Thurman gave the defendant a long
cross-eNaminatiOn, drawing out the
Gact that he had been known under
three different names. Since childhood
and for twenty-five years he was called
c. C. Clifton. Afterwards, for ten
years, he was called J. NJ. Stewart and
finally assumed the name he now sails
under while in the Nevada mining
camps. Davenport has spent his life
in western camps and ranges, being
reared IN Texas, after which he rOamed
from place to place punching cattle and
working about mining camps.
He admitted that at the time he shot
Woods he was not positive the latter
was armed, but that he shot believing
he was in danger, whether the man was
armed or not.
J. B. Mitchell gave testimony which
went TO show great malice on the part
Of Woods in his attacks upon the de-
PENDANT. At one time Woods asked for
a pistol and swore he would kill Daven-
port, asking the witness to come and
watch him do the deed.
1t crops out from the testimony that
the only vindictiveness shown by the
defendant was his persistency in stay
ing around when he saw scrap could
not be avoided, and also his continuing
to return to the saloon after he had
twice left the building. Woods was all
the time abusive and forced the con-
fliet, at the same time he was in very
drunken condition.
John Robson told of Woods striking
Davenport several times and pushing
him about the room without provoca-
ton. He also made several threats
against the defendant. Woods also was
said to have abused a Mr.. Wilder and
attempted TO get a fight out of him
Witness testified to Woods having a
bad reputation, being a violent and
dangerous man.
On cross-examination he stated that
during their first fight Davenport had
a knife in his hand and made several
slabs at Woods. The case is still on
trial.