The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1915-02-02
SOME TESTIMONY
IS INTRODUCED
Jury Secured in a Few Hours
and Court Quickly Starts
on Case.
DAVIS IN COURT EARLY;
LOOKS GREAT DEAL. BETTER
Lawyers Prepare for Hardest
Fight Yet Made, and All Are
Hoping for End of the Case.
May Reach Jury Tomorrow.
THE juicy.

THE juicy.
}. c. Strickland, farmer.
J. II. RutIedee. farme,.
8. M. Royal, clerk
c. A. Crum, carpenter.
|. L. Persons, steambo, man.
J. c. Cornelius, railroad man.
w. F. Parker, coal and Y BOD dealer
Roy c. Davis, clerk.
c. o. Jones, car inspector?
Gratz Dent, farmer.
r. E. Sherman, bookkeepe5,
II. L. Downing, machinist.
Virgil H. Davis, charged With the
murder of his wife, Mrs. Mary Davis,
was placed on trial in the Glyr1 su-
perior court yesterday afternoou w
the third time. The case was tale
up about II o'clock yesterday morn
ing and most of the afternoon was
spent in securing a jury 1t was
thought that the court would expert
ence considerable difficulty in secur-
ing the II men, hut, TO the surprise
OF many, the jury was made up by
4:30 O'Clock and before a recess was
taken some three or four witnesses
were introduced. In all 63 jurors were
examined, many going down for cause
The state used nine strikes and the
defense six.
Prisoner in Court.
Davis. accompanied by his aged un-
Gle and aunt, who have been with
him throughout his trouble, was in
court when Judge Highsmith raped
for order at 10 o'clock. Despite the
fact that 1t had been generally report
ed that Davis was a sick man and
looked that part, he made a better ap-
pearance than at any of the previous
trials. He seems to have gained a
little flesh since the last trial, has a
much better color in his face, and alto
gether seems to be in better spirits.
He talked during the day with many
of those with whom he is acquainted
and little did he seem to realize that
his life depends upon the result of
the present trial. AS matter of fact
Davis has never seemed to realize the
seriousness of the offense with which
he Is charged.
Evidence Begins.
After the attorneys for the state and
defense had made their opening
talks to the jury, outlining the plan
of prosecution and defense. the first
witness was called to the stand. He
was Louis Norton the man who found
the dead body of Mrs. Davis near
Blounts. on the A., B. & A railroad,
the latter part of October, 1913. His
evidence was the same as that given
by him at the two previous trials, and
only related to the finding of the dead
body. He knew nothing whatever of
the actual murder.
Sheriff Berrie was next placed on
Z the stand, his testimony being only
to identify some of the articles found
] by the body of Mrs. Davis as well as
few other minor matters in connec-
fion with the case.
Coroner Jennings testified as to the
inquest held over the body. He de-
scribed the wounds on the woman's
head, etc, and testified regarding va
inquest.
Some Damaging Testimony.
The first real testimony to be
brought out by the state was that
given by Captain ]. A. Williamson.
and II was damaging to the defense.
Captain Williamson. at the time the
murder was committed, was in charge
of the blacksmith shop near Thai.
mann operated by the Georgia Coast
Lumber company, by whom Davis was
employed. His testimony was to iden-
tify large bolt with which, the state
contends. the murder was committed
This bolt, which was found near the
body of Mrs Davis, was one, the wit
ness stated. peculiarly cut; in other
words, Captain Williamson stated that
the threads were cut by him in the
blacksmith shop, and were not like
those OF the standard bolt, and for this