The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-10-09
Dan Avery, CoIored Actor, Shoots
and Instantly Kills His Sweet
heart, Rachel Davis.
TRAGEDY ENDS THE CARNIVAL
Avery Had Asked the Hand of the Davis
Girl in Marriage and When She Re-
fused He Took Her Life.

Murder most foul marked the clos
ing night of the Nenosha carnival and
as result of the crime Miss Rachel
Davis. comely colored girl of twenty,
lies dead at the Hansen morgue.
The murder was one of the most de-
liberate ever committed in Kenosha
Both Miss Davis and Avery were mem
bers of the "Old Plantation company
which had been showing in the city
during the carnival. They we're
sweethearts and because the woman
refused to become. the wife Of Avery
he foully murdered her and then man
aged to make his escape in the crowd.
The crime was committed at the
Central hotel, on Market street, and as
no one saw the shooting the details
are shrouded in mystery. Miss Davis
had been at the hotel since Monday
and was occupying room No. 10.
Avery had been constant in his atten-
O'Clock Saturday evening he entered
the hotel and went directly to the room
occupied by the young woman A MOS
ment later three shots were heard and
as the people rushed into the hall to
see the cause Of the shots a negro
muff1ed to the ears rushed from the
hotel and disappeared among the
crowd on the street.
People in the house rushed to the
second floor and finding the door of
the room in which the tragedyoccurred
open they rushed in only to End dy-
ing woman lying across the bed with
the blood strea ming from great hole
in her left temple and a bad cash on
her forehead. In a moment all was
excitement and when Officer Leik
reached the room to ascertain the
trouble the room had been filled with a
dozen negroes, who were mem ers of
the company with Miss Davis and
Avery. A pathetic scene was being
enacted. The dying woman had been
grasped in the strong arms of one of
the negroes and he was attempting to
WOO back the spirit which was taking
its flight. All about the room were
thrown habilimants of the stage and
weeping co1ored girls and men made
picture never to be forgotten. At
the end of the bed one oflEtt1e negro
boys, who had been sweetheart of the
murdered girl, sat sobbings as if his
heart would break. 9n sn5 1seF
The murdered woman was oblivious
to all the care that was being showered
upon her and after few gasps she fell
back in the arms of her friends dead.
While these things were going on the
murderer had made his escape. After
the shooting he passed hurried1y
through the corridors of the hotel and
meeting Miss Clara Wagner he told
her that he had shot the woman and
putting the bloody revolver into his.
pocket he babe the girl goodbye and
fled from the house.
The little room of death was soon
filled with people and it was necessary
for the police to drive out the weeping
negroes. AS soon as possible Coroner
Lansdowne summoned jury, which
viewed the remains, after which they
were removed to the Hansen morgue.
The inquest was started but on account
Of the lateness of the hour it was con-
tinued until this afternoon.
The death of the girl casta pail over
her compa nions and they made no
effort to go on the stage during the
evening. many of them going with the
crowds to the morgue and watching
with anxious care at the bedside of
their murdered companion.
The officers at once started on the
search for the murderer but no clue
was found to lead to his wherea bouts.
It was found that Avery ran directly
west on Market street and posses were
sent in all directions to make an effort
to head him off if he was starting to
leave the city. But all the efforts
proved in vain and the criminal
was able to hide his tracks. Every
effort was made to locate the man and
later in the evening the blood hound
owned by M.sLink was placed on the
trail. The dog ran west to the railway
tracks but after this point the trail
was lost and the men and dog returned
to the city.
Avery, who was known among his
companions as Ginger" is said to
have been bad man. He has been
with the company for four or FIVE
months but since the Davis girl joined
the company four weeks ago he had
paid little attention to his work and
had given up almost his entire time to
making love to the girl. She had re-
peatedly refused his attentions and
had complained to the manager of the
show about the matter. Twice Satur-
day the two had quarreled and Avery
had threatened to shoot the girl. Miss