Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-07-13

attention. closer examination show
ed that the notes were written by
the same man.
Murderer Jailed.
Davenport had come to the court
house to attend Johnson's prclimi-
nary hearing and was standing in
front of the station at the time. Tho
chief called him and placed him un
der arrest. He became greatly ex-
cited and wanted to talk, but the
chief refused to allow him to say
anything. A 3S-calibre revolver was
found In his pocket.
Later the chief visited Davenport
house and there found 12-bore re-
peating shotgun, the weapon with
which the murder was done
Motive Discovered
=. The woman theory having been
ESe xploded, the authorities we're at a
loss to find motive for the crime.
Tuesday afternoon, however, MIR. b
j. O'Hara. who was then detective
sergeant. visited Davenport's house
and, while searching through n bu.
reau, came upon u life insurance pol.
Icy. The policy was taken out in
December, but the premium was not
paid until January II.
DR.. B. r. Gary. the coroner. CON
Quoted an inquest and the jury re-
turned verdict placing the crime
at Davenport's door without even re.
firing to discuss the case.
Protested Innocence.
From the very first Davenport pro-
tested Innocence. Not until yestcr-
day. as far is is known, did the MUIR
derer give anyone reason to believe
that he would confess his guilt be
fore going to the galows Yestor-
day he made confessions to his law.
ycrs and it is understood that he
confessed to Rev. S. A. Howell. col.
orcd, some days ago. He always
gave the same answer to newspaper
men and his jailors: "If they hang
me IL will be legal lynching."
The Trial.
I The trial OF Davenport began on
Friday, February 49, Considerable
trouble was experienced in getting
jury. and the panel was not COM
pleted until Saturday afternoon. Fri.
day afternoon, March 2, the jury re-
turned verdict of guilty of muir.
der in the first degree" after being
out for little over two hours.
Commonwealth's Attorney c. w.
Robinson prosecuted the case. assist
ed by ], T. Newsome, who was en-.
ployed by the negro Masons, of which
order Thomas was prominent mem.
Der. Attorneys Fay S. Collier, OF
Hampton. and +. S. Robinson. OF
this city. represented the accused.
Sc Motion For New Trial.
fA motion for a new trial was over.
ruled by Judge Barham, then the
cbse was taken to the Court of Al.
peals. The court did not hand down
an opinion until June 10, although
Davenport was sentenced to be hang
ed OH June /. IN the meantime, how
ever, Governor Swanson had granted
the condemned man respite until
June %. On June 10 the Court Of
Appeals refused to grant a writ OF
error.
Uponr4she urgent appeal of Attor-
ney Collier. Governor Swanson
granted stay of. execution until
July 10 in order to give the lawyers
time in which to petition for com.
mutation of sentence. Last Wednes.
day the governor notified City Ser.
geant Milstead that he had decided
to interfere In the case no further.
A BurgIer Too.
Davenport is criminal with a
record. In 1894 he was sent to the:
penitentiary from Nottoway county
for eighteen years for burglary.
While in prison he had ~ reputation
as a bad man" and on one occa.
sion sfashed fellow prisoner with
a large knife. In 1900 he was par.
doned by Governor Tyler and came
here to live.
Soon after his arrest the officers
here learned that Davenport had
been arrested in Hampton in 1892
on the charge of arson. He escaped
from the Hampton lookup. leaving
an insulting note behind for Sheriff
Curtis.
Davenport was born in Caroline
county. He gives his age as 80
years. two months and fifteen days.
He was blacksmith by trade and