Mecosta County MI Archives Obituaries.....Davis, James May 28, 1872
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Laura Groom Littlekug@aol.com October 4, 2005, 10:10 am

Big Rapids Magnet 6 Jun 1872
Big Rapids Magnet, Thursday, 6 Jun 1872:
FATAL SHOOTING AFFRAY AT MORLEY
On Thursday evening last, the usually quiet villalge of Morley was thrown into 
excitement by the exploits of James Davis and William N. Saulisbury, better 
known as "Nett" Saulisbury, which resulted in fatal injuries to the former.  
The facts, briefly stated, as related to us, appear to be substantially as 
follows:  Davis, who was evidently slightly intoxicated, and somewhat 
quarrelsome, went into Saulisbury's saloon, and called for a glass of beer.  
The beer was produced, but he objected to the measure, and instead of drinking 
it, dashed the glass and contents on the counter.  This was followed by other 
boisterous conduct, and Saulisbury tried to induce him to leave the room, 
which he refused to do - on the contrary he threatened to "thrash" 
Saulisbury.  The latter finally ran out of doors, as he says, for the purpose 
of getting Davis out, expecting he would follow him, which he did.  Saulisbury 
then tried to evade him, and went to different parts of the town for that 
purpose; but Davis followed him up with threats and other demonstrations of 
violence, such as snubbing his fist in his face, etc.  Saulisbury, who is a 
cripple, his left arm having been disabled in the army by a gunshot wound, let 
fly with his right, and knocked Davis down.  Following up his advantage, he 
soon caused Davis to cry "enough," when he immediately desisted.  On regaining 
his feet, Davis made a rush for Saulisbury, who retreated, and called upon the 
by-standers to keep him off, saying he wanted no further trouble with him.  
But no one interfered, probably for the reason that an interference would have 
transfered the quarrel from Saulisbury to the person who should thus attempt 
to preserve order.  Saulisbury, by a roundabout course, ran into his saloon 
and locked the door.  Davis followed, and finding the door locked, went across 
the streed, picked up a club, and returned to the building, interpersing his 
proceedings with oaths and threats of violence toward Saulisbury, declaring he 
would "kill him".  The latter warned him to keep away, that aif he did not, he 
would get hurt, etc.  But Davis paying no attention to Saulisbury's words, 
broke in the front window with his club, and proceeded immediately either to 
climb in at the window, or reach through it and unlock the door.  At this 
juncture, Saulisbury fired two shots from a revolver, the first sending a ball 
through the window into an awning post, and the second, a ball into Davis' 
head, entering about two inches above a line from the left eye to left ear.  
Davis fell in an unconscious state, and remained so till he breathed his last, 
which was about 24 hours afterward.  Saulisbury immediataely gave himself up 
to Dept. Sheriff Nethaway, who brought him to Big Rapids, and lodged him in 
jail early on Friday morning.  
	On Saturday forenoon, Justice Cummer commenced an inquest, the 
following named gentlemen being summoned as jurors, viz:  E. Wood Gerrish, 
Thos. Cahill, John F. Cook, Samuel Burtch, Orange M. Wheeler and Shortis 
Mitchelson.  The investigation was not concluded till Monday afternoon, the 
verdict of the jury being to the effect that Davis came to his death from a 
pistol shot fired by Saulisbury in self defense.
	On Tuesday morning Saulisbury was arraigned before Justice Dewey, in 
this city, on a charge of murder, when he waived examination, and was remanded 
to jail for trial at the next term of the Circuit Court.  
	Accused is an unmarried man, about 26 or 28 years of age, and has the 
reputation of being quiet and peaceable, as well as sober and industrious.
	Deceased left a wife and one child, and with a brother, owned and 
carried on a large farm in the township of Deerfield, some four or five miles 
from the village of Morley.  He is said to have been in the habit of 
frequently indulging in drink, and when under the influence of liquor, to have 
been very quarrelsome and disagreeable to get along with.  As the matter will 
in due time, be thoroughly investigated by the Courts, we leave the subject 
with this naked stataement of facts, without indulging in comment one way or 
the other.

Additional Comments:
James Davis was the second husband of Mary (House) Groom.  He is buried in the 
Quigley Cemetery next to his infant daughter.  



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