The Delta independent., 1924-10-24

Willis A Davis, Sheriff of Delta
county, was shot and mortally wound
ed shortly before noon Saturday, by
Wfdene Allentharp, formerly of Del
ia.
Mr.. Davis had gone to Buena Vista
with a youth who had been committed
to the Boys Reform school. On his
way he learned that Allentharp, for
whom he had been carrying three war
rants on a harness stealing charge,
was in the vicinity of Leadyille. Ac-
companied by his friend w. B. Flaugh-
er OF Delta, and deputy sheriff from
Lake county, Mr.. Davis drove out
about three miles and then left the
car and walked about one mile to a
small park where they came upon
Auentharp on a load of wood
Sheriff Davis approached the wag
on, spoke to Allentharp and shook
hands. exchanged a few words of
friendly greeting, and then, according
to the other witnesses said in effect:
"Wildene. l believe l am as good a
friend as you have" and Wildene re-
piled: Yes, Willis, believe you
are" Mr.. Davis it is said then said:
q have the papers for you, and you
will have to go" And wildene, then,
according to these witnesses, said:
"Au right. Willis, If have got to go
will. II have got to go with you
fellows I would better get my
sweater"
He walked around in front OF the
team a little to one side and picked
up his sweater. BY this time Wilfred
Flaugher, who had separated a little
from the party before they arrived,
came up to about ten OF twelve feet
from Wildene. When the latter raised
up, It is said, he leveled a As on
Willis and said: Men, will never
go alive; stick 'em up"
The men being parted two on one
side and one on the other 1t was diff
ficult for Allentharp to cover all of
them, and the supposition is that
Sheriff Davis attempted to take his
gun from the scabbard. when Wndene
suddenly whirled and fired three shots
at Mr Davis, two going wild and one
entering the lower part OF the abdom.
en- and ploughing its way entirely
through his body Allentharp then
came back to wilfred Flaugher. but
Flaugher had his gun on him AMI
when Allentharp saw how the matte
stood he threw his gun on the
ground and cried, Don't shoot: TIL
give up" Sheriff Davis fired two
shots both missing. When examined
both Mr.. Davis and Wildene's guns
were empty.
A family living in log cabin near
+ by heard the shots and the man took
the party to Leadville in a Ford truck
whore Mr. Davis was taken TO the
hospital and an operation performs
at once. while AIlentharp was lodged
in Jail From the first very little hone
was entertained for Mr. Davis ne
covery, Mr. Flaugher remained cor
family with him and sent message
every few hours to Delta regardirE
his condition.
| Late Saturday n message was sent
| 10 Mrs Davis who was spending tine
& NlhAfl At MtNis Arizona. ana SNt d.
rived at Leadville and accompania1
the body to Delta, arriving THURSDAY
morning.
As soon as Charley Davis learned
that the sheriff was shot. he left for
Leadville, going by auto to Grand
Junction and taking the train from
there. He arrived at Leadville az II
o'clock Sunday morning and the dyinr
man recognized him and talked of
business matters needing the latter g
attention, He asked Charley to drive
his car home for him. adding T
think It is all off with me. Allen
tharp shot me with a As through and
through" Mr.. Davis was sufferinr
great pain and hypodermics We're
necessary very frequently.
After resting little he said.
Charley, 80 ON back and take care
OF things the best YOU can: you have
a long, hard trip" Charley insisted
on staying but MIR Davis urged him