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Submitted: 3/15/11 • Approved: 7/9/12 • Last Updated: 8/2/12 • R489317-G0-S3
August 2, 1865 - March 17, 1897
Born in Cortland Ill.
*Obituary
The Springdale News
March 19, 1897
DAVIS, Frank W. - (from The News Extra, issued Wednesday afternoon) [edited) Today, March 17, 1897, will long be remembered by the people of Springdale, as our fair little city has been stirred from center to circumference as never before. Frank W. Davis, a young man in the prime of life, loved and respected, lies cold in death at his home a short distance South of Springdale and Joe Boydston, age 22 years, is on a bed racked with pain with a ghastly gun shot wound in his back, with death momentarily expected. Early this morning information was brought to town that F.W. Davis living about one mile South of Springdale, had been shot to death in cold blood by a tramp, who after committing the dastardly deed, made his escape. Posses were immediately organized and started in every direction in hopes of finding the murderer. Others gathered at the home of Mr. Davis to offer sympathy and aid to the grief stricken wife and other relatives. From the most available information we learn the following facts concerning the dreadful affair. Some 3 weeks ago a tramp came to the home of Mr. Davis seeking work. He said he was from N.E. Missouri and was on his way to Texas and gave his name as Miller. Mr. Davis gave him employment and had no difficulty whatever with him until this morning. Miller was of a rather surly disposition and had but little to say to anyone. He was particularly averse to talking about himself and was never known to give any information as to what particular place he was from. The time for which Miller had been hired expired yesterday and he was intending to leave this morning. After breakfast was over he arose from the table and went out from the house a short distance where Mr. Davis had been doing some chopping. Mr. Davis lingered somewhat longer at the table than Miller but he too soon went out and resumed his chopping. It was not known what passed between the two while they were out there. One of the ladies in the house, happening to glance in the direction of the men, saw that Miller's hat was off and that Mr. Davis stood facing him, his hands resting on his shoulders. They did not present the appearance of being at all angry and it was presumed that they were only scuffling. Soon Miller picked up his hat and entered the house, procuring a pistol which he had brought there with him. Still no one suspicioned any trouble until Miller was seen returning to Davis with the pistol in his hand concealed at his side behind the folds of an overcoat which he was wearing. Mrs. Louiza Etheridge, who was visiting the family, cried out to Mr. Davis to look out that the tramp had a pistol. Mr. Davis paid scarcely any attention to the warning, however, apparently thinking that there was no cause for alarm. He was still chopping and Miller walked up within a few feet of him and raised the pistol and fired. As soon as the first shot was fired Davis started for the house with the tramp following, keeping up the shooting. He fired in all 4 shots, but one, the first, taking effect, which struck Mr. Davis in the right side between the second and third rib. Davis staggered in the house at one door and asked for his gun, a shot gun which was in the room, and at the same time Miller entered another door, also evidently making for the gun. After scuffling a short time Mrs. Davis, wife of Mr. Davis, secured possession of the pistol and hid it in a sack of bran. Mr. Davis had meanwhile fallen on the floor and expired. Miller threatened to kill Mrs. Davis if she did not produce the pistol but she refused to do so. Miller then grabbed the gun and made off in a run. He followed the railroad track a short distance when it is thought he entered the woods going Southeast and no trace of him has yet been discovered. Frank W. Davis was about 31 years of age. He came from Illinois to Springdale about 3 years ago and is a brother of Mrs. H. Earnest. Something over a year ago he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Schaull. He made a profession of religion while attending a meeting at the South Methodist church conducted by Rev. Burns, although he had never united with any church. He was of a modest and retiring disposition and had many friends here who were shocked and pained to learn of his untimely death. The remains will be interred in the cemetery at Shady Grove tomorrow [Thursday) at 2 o'clock.
Contributed on 3/15/11 by nailgal123
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Record #: 489317