Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-19
CONFESSES HIS GUILT
HENRY, ALIAS WILLIAM DAVIS
ADMITS HIS CRIME.

ANNAPOLIS. Md, December 19.-That
Henry Davis. alias William Davis or Cham
bers, colored. now In the county Jail here,
is the assailant Of Mrs. John Reid of Lyle
harris Station. Ave miles from Annapolis,
was established yesterday afternoon. Davis
made full confession of the crime, and,
in addition. his identity was practically fix
ed by Mrs. Reid. before whom he was taken
by Sheriff Joshua Linthicum yesterday
afternoon. Previously the negro had pro-
tested his innocence.
The confession was made by the negro
while in his cell in the jail. He was asked
by Sheriff Linthicum that if he did commit
the assault. whether he would not rather
tell him (the sheriff. than to be taken be-
fore his victim for recognition. Davis re-
piled that he did assault Mrs. Reid, and
added that the devil prompted him to do it..
Although he made this admission, the sher-
III decided to take him before his victim,
who has been Ill in bed ever since the &C.
currence, provided she would consent, and
thus fully establish the Negroes guilt Ar
rangements were then made for conveying
the prisoner to the Reid home, at 1glehart's.
Deputy Sheriffs Reuben L. Smallwood and
James F. Grouse went in the vehicle with
him. Sheriff Linthcum also drove out to
the house. AS the result of stroke of pa
ralysis Mrs. Reds eyes have become Sc
riously affected. but her condition in this
respect had improved somewhat She recog-
nized the sheriff, however, and 1t was
thought that she would also be able to iden-
tify the negro, and she finally consented to
have him brought to the door Of her room.
Sheriff Linthicum held light above the
negro'S face so as to bring out his features
more plainly, and on being asked the ques-
ton. Mrs. Reid replied that she thought the
negro was the one who attacked her. AS
the negro had deformed feet and limps
while walking he was made to strut across
the ROOM Mrs. Reid said she was sure
aSSailapt The
then taken back to the carriage and thence
to Jail.
The sheriff yesterday also learned Of what
passed between Mrs. Reid and the negro at
the time Of the assault. She said that when
the brute dragged her from the buggy she
offered to give him what money she had If
he would let her alone but he replied that
he would not only take her money but as
sault her and kill her besides.
AS it is now absolutely certain that Davis,
or Chambers, Is the guilty man, the feeling
residents of the neighborhood in which the
crime was committed is even stronger.
Sheriff Linthicum, however. has stated that
he will give his prisoner all possible protec-
ton, but 1t is generally urged that the
court should Immediately call the grand
jury into session and dispose Of the case as
quickly as possible. In view Of the nature
of the crime and feeling that has been
aroused by it, this could be done in a few
days AS the negro admits that he accom-
phshed his purpose, the penalty Is death by
hanging.
In working up the case Sheriff Linthicum
and his deputies, chiefly Smallwood and
Grouse, have been diligent in following up
every clue. and, although thAarrest of Davis
was made in Annapolis by County Consta-
BILE James Small; the information which led
to it was secured by Smallwood from J. T.
v MANS of Waterbury, a few miles above
Iglehart's, who had heard of the negro
Davis being in that vicinity. In addition to
the identity and confession, other details
had been gathered by the authorities which
further pointed to Davis.