Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-05-06
Claims He Carried Gun For
His Own Pro-
lection
HELD WITHOUT BAIL
Alleges That Davis Had Alienated His
Nife's Affections and Brought
About Separation.

Manassas, Va, May 6.-Karl j.
Austin, the cripple who shot and
killed J. R. B. Davis on the main
street Of Manassas Monday night,
was given a preliminary hearing yes
tewiay before Justice S. NJ. Haisllp
and was committed to the county Jail,
without bail, to await the action OF the
grand jury.
The bitter feeling existing between
Austin and Davis, which brought on
the action, had its beginning almost a
year ago, when, Austin claims, Davis
alienated the affections of his wife,
wrecked his home and caused sepa-
ration of himself and wife. Mrs. Aus
tin went to Washington and made her
home with her sister, secured employ.
mens and has supported herself and
baby since that time. She has upon
numerous occasions asked to return
to her home, but Austin forbade her
doing so, fearing renewal of the
alleged relationship between her and
Davis.
He had, however, visited his wife
in Washington Sunday and almost
reached reconciliation and, accord
ing to his statement, approached
Davis, Monday night, on the question
of leaving Manassas, which Davis had
previously agreed to do.
This brought on the quarrel which
ended in the murder, It is claimed.
Austin yesterday received letter
from his wife, pleading to be permit
ted to come to him and render what
comfort she is able to give, and as
sured him she will stand by him. he
gave his consent for her to come, ana
she is expected to arrive today.
Austin was married to Miss Vir-
eania Williams, WHO lived with .beI
mother on farm near Manassas
October /, 1913. Early in their mar
ried life they took into their home a
little girl, Christine, from the Child
rena,ss .aia Society at Baltimore, but at.
ter the: home was broken up the: child
was sent back to the society.
When asked il he cared to- make q
statement for publication, Austin hcsi.
tatad, then said:
.:sM lsshkesto discuss the, affair in de,
tail because of my wife, but ! suppose
it, must come out. To. begin with ne
alienated my wife. She was true to
me until she met Bailey Davis.
"Then the smash came and Mrs
Austin weno to Washington where
she secured. employment and: where
she has. worked and supported her
self and baby since. She has been a
good woman since our separation, al
though Bailey has made attempts te
see her,
Asked what precipitated the quarre
Monday night, !Austin continued HI:
statement by saying, "Bailey hat
promised me that ne would sell ou'
and leave Manassas, and when heart
short time ago that he contemplate
puyirS property and remaining, de
eided to speak to him. When ! met h'n
Monday night, I'asked him what hi
plans for the future,were and he seem
ed to get mad and answered, What d
you mean, l don't understand you
Il reminded him of his promise t
leave town, and. he began to curse ant
abuse me, and said that if did no
like it here / could get out. He va
very angry and said that told hin
that would secure divorce from m.
wife. =.
81 tald him that was none Of his at
fsir. He seemed to lose his head com
pletely and called me vile and vlclou
name and started toward me in
threatening attitude and was right o.
me whep ] drew my revolver and fired
Il realized, in my condition, coul
neither fight nor run, and though
that should not have TO take bea.
ing. There is one, thing I want dis
:inctiy .urderstood, and that isrI di
not carry a, revolver for Bailey ! hay
carried sonA -eper since. my father die
several aysars.. ago,sfor my osn pre-
tection,; So -. ya2t!s9
''In my crippled condition ! frequen'
ly had to call upon someone to Ii
r.e aeher onto or off the sidewalk