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Spencer Dewey, Sr. is Dead - 1891

DEWEY, DAVIS

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 5/19/2017 at 22:04:45

The Clinton Age, Clinton, Iowa, January 9, 1891

DEWEY IS DEAD
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HE EXPIRED WEDNESDAY
EVENING AT 7:30 O’CLOCK
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A Coroner’s Jury Empaneled-
The Post Mortem Examination-
Dark Outlook for Davis
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Contrary to the anxious hopes and wishes of many friends, Spencer Dewey, Sr., died at his home on Fifth Avenue at 7:30 o’clock Wednesday evening, thirty-six hours after being stabbed by Frank Davis.

Immediately after the death of Mr. Dewey was announced Coroner Meyers was notified and a jury consisting of A. W. Bockel, Dr. Kellogg and J. M. Powers were impaneled and sworn.

After viewing the body of Davis’ the jury adjourned to the city hall and proceeded to hear the evidence of several persons who were witness to the murder.

The first witness sworn was Charles Woodruff, a broom maker, who saw Davis when he made the fatal stab. Woodruff deposed that he was passing Dewey’s place and saw Davis strike his victim, but did not know at that time that Davis had a knife in his hand. After Davis struck Dewey he ran up to the witness and exclaimed “I have struck that ---- to the heart.”

Edwin Morgan, a barber, was next called and deposed that he was in Dewey pool room on the evening in question when Davis came in. Davis was drunk and came up to the witness and called him a vile name; witness paid no attention to Davis but Dewey went to him (Davis) and requested him to be quite and not use such language while in his place; Davis paid no heed to Dewey but again called witness a vile name; Dewey then told Davis to go home and go to bed; Dewey used no violence towards Davis.

M. H. Yale, a carpenter was called and stated that he was in Dewey’s pool room at the time of the murder. Dewy told Davis that he did not want him in the pool room in that condition and that he better go home and go to bed or he might get run in; Dewey used no violence or threatening language towards Davis but walked with him to the door and kindly urged him to return home; Dewey stepped outside the door with Davis, but within a moment after reentering the pool room and exclaimed “Davis has stabbed me,” witness looked up and observed blood flowing profusely from Dewey’s breast; shortly after Dewey fainted. The witness also sworn that just before Mr. Dewey became unconscious, he stated that he went to the door with Davis and shook hands goodnight, when the latter without a moments warning plunged the knife into his victim’s breast.

Davis, the murderer, one time posed as a preacher but during the past year or two has been a conspicuous figure about the saloons of the city. His wife was nearly frantic with grief last night on hearing of Dewey’s death.

The Coroner just resumed their investigation into the Dewey murder at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, and it was nearly 6 o’clock before the evidence of all the witnesses was taken.

The principal witnesses sworn in the afternoon were Mr. Vinton, John H. Schaffer, and Spencer Dewey, son of the murdered man, and Drs. Hobart and Metzradt. There was practically nothing new or important brought to light yesterday. The testimony was merely corroborative of what has already been given in the AGE. That Davis committed an unprovoked murder there is not a question of doubt, and it is only a question of a few weeks when he will be put where he justly belongs.

The verdict of the jury will not be made known to the public until Davis has had a hearing before Justice O’Connell today.

The post mortem which was conducted by Dr. Hobart, assisted by Drs. Farnsworth and Metzradt brought out the fact that death resulted from internal hemorrhage caused by a knife thrust received in the left breast. Dewey’s brain weighed 52 ˝ ounces, and was in splendid condition. The right lung was in good condition and the heart and other organs of the body were all healthy. He was born in Feeding Hills, Mass., and was 61 years of age.

The funeral will occur at 138 Fifth Avenue at 2 o’clock this afternoon, with interment in Springdale.


 

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