"At the time, a fixture at University of Virginia were the periodic student riots, one of which occurred on the evening of 12 November 1840. Professor John G. Davis attempted to stop two students who were causing a disturbance and was shot by one. The masked perpetrator was identified as Joseph Green Semmes.
Although the wound was originally not considered fatal, Davis died three days later. He was buried at the University of Virginia Cemetery. Students, chastened by the turn of events, joined in the search for Semmes and located him hiding in the forest. Semmes was imprisoned in the county jail for several months while several trial dates were postponed; then, in July 1841, released on $25,000 bond, by reason of deteriorating health. However, he failed to appear for trial in October 1841, and eventually committed suicide, years later."
He eventually disappered, as he was granted bail, and fled. He blew his brains 7 years later.
Fate of Semmes.–The Charlott[e]sville Republican gives the following account of the sad fate of Semmes, the young man who shot Professor Davis, some years since, at the Virginia University:
We learn from an authentic source that Joseph G. Semmes, respecting whose career our readers will be curious to hear something certain, brought his life to an end by his own hand, the morning of the 9th inst. [9 July 1847], at the house of his brother in Washington, Georgia. He shot himself with a pistol, the ball entering the left eye and penetrating the brain, and lingered in a state of total insensibility from about 7 o’clock, A. M., when the family was called to his room by the report of a pistol, until 1-2 past [half past] 1. P. M. of the same day. When his room was entered he was found in a chair, placed at a table. A pistol was lying across his lap, and on the table was an open razor. On the table was found an open note, stating, in the form of a certificate, dated July 9th, 1847, that his death was occasioned by himself, and was brought about either by pistol or razor.
R.I.P Joseph Green Semmes
Although the wound was originally not considered fatal, Davis died three days later. He was buried at the University of Virginia Cemetery. Students, chastened by the turn of events, joined in the search for Semmes and located him hiding in the forest. Semmes was imprisoned in the county jail for several months while several trial dates were postponed; then, in July 1841, released on $25,000 bond, by reason of deteriorating health. However, he failed to appear for trial in October 1841, and eventually committed suicide, years later."
He eventually disappered, as he was granted bail, and fled. He blew his brains 7 years later.
Fate of Semmes.–The Charlott[e]sville Republican gives the following account of the sad fate of Semmes, the young man who shot Professor Davis, some years since, at the Virginia University:
We learn from an authentic source that Joseph G. Semmes, respecting whose career our readers will be curious to hear something certain, brought his life to an end by his own hand, the morning of the 9th inst. [9 July 1847], at the house of his brother in Washington, Georgia. He shot himself with a pistol, the ball entering the left eye and penetrating the brain, and lingered in a state of total insensibility from about 7 o’clock, A. M., when the family was called to his room by the report of a pistol, until 1-2 past [half past] 1. P. M. of the same day. When his room was entered he was found in a chair, placed at a table. A pistol was lying across his lap, and on the table was an open razor. On the table was found an open note, stating, in the form of a certificate, dated July 9th, 1847, that his death was occasioned by himself, and was brought about either by pistol or razor.
R.I.P Joseph Green Semmes
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