From the Oregon County Tribune Thayer Mo, Friday 29 Aug 1902, p 1
Submitted by Christi Scovel- Src #1

Charley Davis Sr. Shot by Com Bostic Sunday

The people of this section were horrified Sun. evening by the news that Charles C. Davis had been shot and instantly killed by C. F. Bostic.   The shooting occurred about 2:30 Sun. Afternoon in the Murphy Saloon at Spring City, where Bostic actedas bartender.
The news was brought to this city by Lev Langley, an eye witness to the tragedy, and he was soon followed by Bostic, who came up and surrendered to Constable W. A. Miller.  Since the killing, it has been rumored that there was some ill feelings between the principals of the tragedy, but the few who knew of its existence attached little importance to it and the deceased himself seems to have not considered it serious. There are various wild stories in circulation concerning the tragic event, but the facts as stated by eye witness seems to be about as follows:

Charley Davis, who was a prominent farmer living near Mammoth Spring, was on his way tot he latter town, Sun., accompanied by J L  Langley of this county. As they approached the Murphy Saloon it was raining, and he suggested the Mr. Langley wait for him there while he went on to town. Langley stopped at the saloon and was joined by Charley Davis up on his return.
Soon after Davis entered he and C. F. Bostic stepped into a back room where they were engaged in a conversation for a half hour. perhaps. Finally they were seen to shake hands and they came out  into the bar room laughing and talking. 
Bostic then asked Davis and Langley to 'take something" with him.  Langley took a cigar and the others a toddy each.
They talked sociably a few minutes and Davis suggested that they take something something at his expense and then go.
Langley protested that he did not care for anything, but two toddies were ordered. 
While they were being made by Bostic a remark or two passed between him and Davis that no one seems to have heard.
Then Bostic cried; G-d d-m you, I thought that was settled."  Davis was leaning on the bar facing  Bostic, with his hands before him. 
Langley was standing at his left elbow.  After his outburst Bostic stirred the drinks fiercely a few seconds, then with lightning-like
movement caught a revolver from under the bar and fired three shots in quick succession.
One of them struck Davis in the back of the right wrist, passed through and pierced his clothing but did not enter his body.
Another missed the victim and imbedded itself in the saloon door.  The other struck Davis squarely in the chest just below the throat.
The murdered man sank to the floor without a word, and without a groan or struggle his spirit passed.   The eye witnesses in the tragedy were J L Langley, Wm Songers, Harry Murphy and Alf Oaks, the negro assistant about the saloon.  Fred Murphy was there, but had gone outside  just before the shooting.
He did not hear the shots, but returned just after they were fired and seeing Davis lying on the floor exclaimed;  "What! is he Loaded?"  Then looking up he saw  Bostic standing at the end of the bar with a smoking pistol in his hand.  "Yes," Bostic replied, "he's got his load!  I put three holes through him!"
Langley quitted the place at once, with out touching the deceased he says and came to Thayer.
 A messenger was dispatched for Dr. Bush and no one was allowed to touch the body until his arrival.
Quite a crowd gathered at the saloon in a few minutes. To them Bostic made the statement that he fired in self defense. 
He alleged that Davis threatened his life and was in the act of drawing his pistol and had it halfway out of his pocket when he fired on him. He said that Davis drew a pistol on him once before and was doing so again and he acted to save himself.
Upon the arrival of Dr. Bush and others the nature of the wounds were examined, revealing the results given above. 
Life had been extinct some time. The clothing of the dead man was searched carefully.  No pistol or other weapon was found in his pockets or about him. He met death unexpectedly and apparently without thought of the danger that menaced him.
Immediately upon receipt of the news at Thayer a messenger was dispatched to Alton of the Sheriff, C . L. Davis, who is a nephew of the deceased.  He came to Thayer at once and took charge of the prisoner.  Monday morning he took him to Alton and place him in a cell at the county jail  where he must await the decision of jury upon his deed.  The body of the murdered man was guarded at the saloon until Monday morning when it was taken to the family home where his grief stricken wife and children and many relatives and friends awaited it. At ? O'clock Mon. afternoon the remains were laid to rest with Masonic honors, in the presence of a crowd that assembled to do honor to the deceased.  Charley Davis had his fault; but who has not.   There is no disposition on the part of his friends of the Tribune to make him out a saint; but with the last work said in his disparagement he remained  a bighearted, generous man, enterprising, unselfish citizen, a kind husband and father. 
He was born in Webster County, this state, grew to manhood and spent his life in the vicinity.  He belonged to the large family of Davis's well known in this county and every member of which is well respected.  He became a citizen of Fulton County, Ark. several years ago
and held the office of assessor and dept collector of that county.  He was a farmer of considerable means and a large stock buyer .
Charley Davis was a useful citizen.  No neighbor ever went to him in distress and was turned away empty. 
Hundreds will attest his kindness and liberality to the needy of his community.
They will long remember with sorry his tragic and untimely death. 

Commodore Bostic was Acquitted of this crime 6 Dec 1902.

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C. B. Davis (Dr)     26 Jan 1937, Murdered by Robert Kenyon, Kenyon found Guilty of 1st degree murder, sentenced by an Oregon County jury to death by hanging....overturned by the State Supreme Court... Executed by Gas, 28 Apr 1939 at the State Penitentiary, Jefferson City, MO
Submitted by Christi Scovel- Src #1
  
  Ambrose Davis
  In the County Court   the following warrant was issued:  School for Deaf (Ambrose Davis)  $21.05
From the The Oregon County Tribune Fri. 17 Aug 1900. - Submitted by Christi Scovel- Src #1

 Tarnisha Davis  b. 1978 -  Alton City Police Record:  Arrested
  (Oregon County Times  Thurs 28 Jan 1999. p1)- Submitted by Christi Scovel- Src #1
 

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