The evening times., 1899-11-03
GEORGE r. DAVIS ON TRIAL
Ills Hearing on the Charge of MUIR
.derous Assault.

derous Assault.
The trial OF George r. Davis, formerly
employed as a messenger by the Southern
Express Company who is charged with
murderous assault on Arthur Baumgarten
on August l6 last, began today in Criminal
Court No. l. Justice Clabaugh presiding.
The Government was represented by Assist
ant District Attorneys Alexander G. Semmes
and Thomas C. Taylor and the defendant
by Attorney Frederick Beall.
The attempt on Baumgarten's life by
shooting was made in the Office of the
Southern Express Company, in Pennsylva-
Lila Avenue, between Ninth and Tenth
Streets.
The shooting was the result of Baumgar-
ten having identified Davis as the
man who had purchased from him a seal
similar to those used by the company.
1t is claimed that many packages, con-
tanning valuables and money, which passed
through Davis hands. had reen tampered
with and an investigation was ordered by
the company. Detective Leonard was put
to work on the case and suspected Davis.
When Davis was confronted by Baumgar-
ten, he at once began firing at him. Davis
discharged his pistol four times before he
was disarmed by Superintendent Hockaday.
lAe uISl WliueoS Cdilcu tOudy ny Tue
Government was Arthur Baumgarten, who
testified that on the day in question he
was sent for by John B. Hockaday local
superintendent Of the Southern Express
Company, to come to his office for the pur-
pose of Identifying the person for whom
he had made certain lead seal. When he
reached the Office he pointed Davis out
and stated that he was the man who pur-
chased the seal from him. Davis, the wit
I1I Ii,
a pistol. fired at him. George A. Leith,
who was nearby, struck up Davis arm,
and the bullet went into the ceiling.
Before the pistol was wrenched from
Davis hands, the witness stated, 1t was
discharged four times. OF the last three
shots two struck the floor and one the
window casing.
The next witness was Superintendent
Hockaday who substantially corroborated
Baumgarten.
George A. Leith testified that he was
employed by the Southern Express Com
pany to look up the matter of the use of
an alleged false seal.
From investigation made, the witness
said. he had traced the making of a seal
by Baumgarten for Davis. He stated that
he was present when Baumgarten identi-
fed Davis as the man for whom he made
the seal. The witness described the shoot
o
T. NJ. Sullivan, the policeman who was
called to take charge of Davis after the
shooting. said he took him to the Twelfth
Street station. Davis said to him: That
man lied on me, and tried to kill him."
Special Officer Joseph L. Gil.ett testi-
fed that he heard the report of the fl ing,
went to the scene and arrested Davis. On
the way to the stationhouse. the witness
stated. the prisoner said he shot at Baum
I.
he said, also made the same statement in
the stationhouse. This concluded the
prosecutions case.
Thomas ]. Harris and Charles J. Owen
were to testify to Davis reputation, but
were found to be incompetent.
The defendant testified as follows: .1 am
twenty-four years old, and was born in
Prince Edward county. Va. I was reared
on q farm. ] was employed as messenger
for the Southern Express Company last
August. My run was from Atlanta. Ca,
to Washington. / left Atlanta, Ca, at
noon on August Is and. arrived here at
S:45 a. m. August IS last; was ordered to
report to Mr. Hockaday at $3.50 a. m.; went
there. and to Mr.. Hockaday's office; Mr..
Baumgarten and Leith were there. When
I went in they closed the door. Mr.. Leith
said: This man. pointing to Baumgarten,
said you had him make seal for you
Hockaday said: We have evidence that
you stole the money and Leith added:
Well give you hve minutes to cough 1t
up
II knew" the witness said, that was
innocent. and, seeing three men there and
no chance Of escape. made up my mind
to defend myself. had no intention of
killing anyone, but they were all between
me and the door, which supposed was
locked