Note from Sandy:

While this is not the actual obituary of my great-great-grandfather, there were articles on the front page in the Mt. Vernon newspaper for three days that talked about his death. I found this quite unusual and thought I would share it here. Squire was born May 20, 1831 in Surry County, NC and died January 24, 1908 in Bluford.

MAY EXHUME THE BODY
Of Squire Davis Who Died Suddenly Last Week - Foul Play Suspected.

There is a rumor to the effect that the body of Squire Davis, may be exhumed and the stomach examined for trace of poison, which is thought to ahve been given him with the intention of killing him.

Squire Davis died at Bluford last week under circumstances that have caused his relatives to feat that he was the victim of foul play, and the man suspected of the job has suddenly and mysteriously disappered from the vicinity of Bluford. The opinion is that Squire Davis knew too much about the robery of Chas. Baldridge a few weeks ago and for fear he would tell what he knew he was put out of the way.

THE BLUFORD MYSTERY

In Death of Squire Davis May Never be Cleared Look Like Poison

The death of Squire Davis, who died suddently at Bluford two weeks ago, had some pecuiliar circumstances connected with it that may never be cleared unless the body is exhumed and teh stomach analyzed. The indications attending his death lead some persons to believe that he was poisoned. There was a rumor that the body would be taken up, but the telephone linne between Mt. Vernon and Bluford is out of order and nothing further could be learned.

Squire Davis was stircken ill and died suddenly, in great agony,a nd the fact that was thought that he knew something about the robery of Charles Baldridge, who was relieved of $125, some time ago, and that he intended to tell what he knew, strenthened the poison theory. There were several suspects in the Baldridge robbery.

Date: February 14, 1908

DAVIS RUMOR DENIED

Body of S. B. Davis Will Not Be Exhumed and Stomach Examined

Advices from Bluford are to the effect that the..........Davis will not be exhumed.

The report reached Mt. Vernon Thursday as printed exclusively in the REGISTER, that the body would be exhumed, the stomach removed and and analysis made of the contents to see if traces of poison could be located. Later in the day the report camae that the body had been taken up, but further than that nothing could be learned until Saturday, when the word came that relatives had decided not to take the body up.

The reason for the report was that it was said that Squire Davis had made remarks about knowing something abou tthe robery of Charles Baldridge and for fear that he would tell what he knew that he was murdered and posion was the agent of the destruction. The dead man made his home in Wayne county.

Date: February 15, 1908

Source: Mt. Vernon newspapers
Date: January and February 1908
Transcribed and submitted by: Sandy (Whalen) Bauer
Relationship: Squire is my great-great-grandfather.