| Notes |
- Hearing of William Henry Davis, Before the Mayor
He is Committed to Answer the Charge of Murder
At half past ten o'clock to day, William Henry Davis, the negro arrested tor the drowning ot the boy Daniel franklin, had a hearing before the Mayor, in presence ejpf District Attorney i monton. A number ot witnesses were exam ined, and we give below a synopsis of the ev idence elicited Benjamin Moore (colored) sworn. Was fishing in the canal near the old government warehouse Davis came and fay on the plat form several boys went into the canal to swim: Davis ran after Daniel Franklin, caught him and led him into the etinal when in deep water Davis let him go and he disap peared Franklin could not swim saw him rise to surface ot water Davis looked at him but said he could not take him out, and did not make any effort to assist him; Davis came on bank and remained there. Mrs. Sarah Harris (white) sworn. Lives near where the boy was drowned heard noise, and saw Davis run after Franklin catch him, and take his clothes off near the platform ot warehouse; i rankhn ran on plat form, trying to get away Davis was also naked; heard Franklin cry, "Oh, don'tl can't swim, aud will drown." Davis caught him by the shoulder and led him into the water; held him by the arm until water reached the neck ot Dams; boy went down, but re appeared twice witness told Davis to hand boy a nsuing rod to aid mm; uavis would not attempt to save him. Miss Kate Harris (white) sworn. Was dressing in house heard a noise at canal and ran down as boy came up second time told Davis to save him Davis said he could not. Davis was on bank of canal. Franklin was about the middle of the canal. Miss Hannah L. Todd (white) sworn. Reached canal in time to see boy come up the last time, and was sent for the police. Saw Davis on the bank of canal, but he did not try to save boy. Margaret Underhill (colored) sworn. Was getting wood near the warehouse saw Davis and Benj. Moore fishing; several boys arrived; Davis urged them to go swimming, and alter wards saw Davis and a boy in the water, uid not see the boy drown. Julia Grottan (colored) sworn. Was at the canal heard Davis ask Franklin to go in the water 1 rankhn refused, stating that be could not swim, and would drown Davis said be would take him in and not let hm drown heard some one tell Davis he should not take the boy jn, as he would be seen by" persons present Davis replied hp did not parp a who saw bun. Witness did not see Doy drown. Rachel Garner (colored) sworn. I rankhn had lived with her a long was a good loy, and harmless saw Davis chasing bim uotn were naked witness stopped to tain with a friend, and afterwards saw Davis and franklin in the canal; Davis held boy ana led him into deep water saw boy struggle but did not hear him speak heard Davis swear he could not save him. (Here Davis was nuesl.inneil hv l.lifi Mavor and District Attorney, and stated that he did not know the depth ot the water, but he could not wade through it. Had been in twice before. Amanda Jackson (colored) sworn. Han pened togo to the canal; saw Uavisand 1' rank of is lin. both naked, on canal bank; Davis ran af ter Franklin and caught him; boy said "Don't "Come on, I will learn you." Both entered canal: saw bov cro down; Davis called on Moore to help him get i'Dan;" saw boy raise his head out of water and struggle: Davis ran to bank of canal, saying "Dan, I can't get you," and calling for help; boy came np last time and raised head and arms out ot water nriicix xfnvia duiu. ti 1111 jiu, Martha Long (colored) sworn. Saw Davis take Franklin into the water and let htm go; boy had said, "Bill don't take me in; I can't swim and will drown." Heard Davis reply, "Youv'e got to swim, you;" boy went down; Davis remarked "Uod; lie gonei Ben. come help me! When franklin came up the second time he caught hold of os log, and attempted to get out of the water; Davis i i i i i i 1 1 jmsnnit mm vacc wo ine wuicr, yuiy, Rebecca Hall (colored) sworn. Was at home, when Mrs. Uarner came running and told her a man was drowning a boy in the canal; witness ran towards canal and met Davis coming away; said to him, "Davis, youv'o drowned Dan;" Davis replied, "He got in, and I can't get him out." ci i tt ii ii i oaran xiarris iwnue; was re caueo, when she stated that she saw Davis take Franklin's clothes off, and heard him say, you can't swim, yon, drown." were tne examination closed, and the wit Vesm Sarah Harris, Kate Harris, Hannah L. lodd, Margaret Underbill, Julia GroUan, Kachel Garner, Amanda Jackson, Martha Rebecca Hall and Benjamin Moore, Were held in their own rfinocnizanoe to an PeaF cort on the 27th day of August, The prisoner, William Henry Davis, thpn remanded to jail, to answer at court thechargeof having "feloniously, wilfully, witu uiuiivo uiufcuiuugnt, murdered Daniel Franklin." No bail could be taken.
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