He was killed by Perry Owens. Here is the diary insert of his father on his death.

"On Lord's Day morning April 24th he armed himself with a revolver (his father's I believe) and went to Pisgah Church to Sunday School no doubt with the intention to kill me or any of my sons that he might raise a fuss with. At the Church he wrote on a board or strip of plank and placed it in a prominent place near, and in the way where I or some of my family would see it, the following words viz: "one half mile to Hell and the same distance to the Preacher Davis's". More insulting terms the Devil himself could not have suggested for he either made thin a threat to kill and in his own conception send the soul of the slain to hell, or that my residence was Hell and that I was the Devil. Dr. Owens, Wm. Newell and others seeing the writing endeavored to conceal it, but my son, W.A.B. Davis saw its author -- by and V. Newton Davis saw the writing and being stung as any other child respecting a father would be at such gross insult, said in his boyish way "I can whip whoever did it, and that no gentleman would do such a thing". Perry Owens was passing at the time with a young lady of his choice who was boarding at Wm. Newell's, said to Newton "Stay here till I come back and I will give you what you want." Said Newton, "I shall not stay for you won't come", meaning that he would tarry all the evening with a girl or that he was not brave enough. But Newton walked on after Owens, not close, or in conversation with him, along with L. P. James and some little boys and when he had got within about 200 yards of home in the lane from Pisgah to W. M. Newell's Owens coming across the field from said Newell's to Pisgsh met Mr. P.L. James and told him that he was going back to the meeting house, but hearing some noise where Newton and the boys were playing, near 100 yards distance hollowod to Newton to come down there and he would settle that matter with him. Owen's then turned out of the path through the field and walked toward the lane meeting Newton in the lane but before he got to the lane fence, stopped and fixed his revolver (no doubt drawing back the hammer) in his pocket and then placed it in his coat pocket for convenience. James who saw all this, stepped back to see the result. Newton then called by Owens, says James, reluctantly walked toward Owens in the lane he had been whittling in his hand and when he came within ten or fifteen steps of him said, "Perry, I will fight you a fair fight", by this he meant a fist or boy fight as he explained while dying. Upon this Owens shot him, either through the right lung or through the belly, but Newton not falling and approaching to prevent his shooting again, Owens shot him a second the the ball passing as above said. By this time Newton reached him and strove to prevent his shooting him again trying to strike him with the little stick before mentioned; They clinched, Owens tried to shoot him again but James hindered. Newton fell, Owens fell on him, Newton strove but in vain. James pulled Owens off, Newton trying to get up said, "Oh, Perry, you have killed me." Owens with a horrible grin said, "Have I?" Owens left then as report of the pistol had brought several out of my house wild the hollowing of James. He went in much hurry not stopping at his father's only to get a horse to leave on.

Newton then was borne to the house where he lived about 10 hours in great suffering. He died a little before 5 o'clock A.M. Apr. 25th and was buried by the side of his brother R. S. Davis in the Baptist Church Cemetery, the same day. The ladies of Somerset soon adorned his grave with beautiful flowers and shrubs.

I was not at home when this murder was done but arrived some two hours after it was done. He testified that he had no thought of killing or being killed, but that he only expected to fight a fist fight, calling it a fair fight, but the insult was very great and made him very mad. He said he had nothing against Perry and if he could live he would not interrupt him for it. He said that he did not desire us to take vengence on him for what he had done and that he desired or hoped to meet in heaven. lie declared that he had no ill feeling toward any person living, though he had been shamefully mistreated by a wretch by the name of John Bobbitt. He said he had no fears of Christ was his advocate with the Father. He told me at the first interview that the death bed is a poor place to pray or seek the favor of God, because his sufferings were so great but he a little time desired that I should pray for him and also Stephen W. Sloan, one of his school mates. He warned his schoolmates present to take warning from him. When asked whether he desired singing he said yes, though he could not enjoy it on account of pain. He requested that they would sing these words "O sing to me of Heaven", etc. He said to me that he would never see his brother Constantine again but to tell him to "leave the beggarly elements of this world and to come into beautiful Kingdom." He then looked at his brother Billy who was weeping and said "Billy, leave the beggarly elements of this world and came into this beautiful Kingdom". He then said to Cephas," and you, too, Cephas." To Mary Lizzie he said, "Mary Lizzie, don't be so high tempered." To John Paul to whom he gave his testament, he said, "Sweet Boy." He then charged me to raise up the children in their prayer's. He then prayed many earnest prayers to God but sometimes I have neglected to pray, perhaps, nearly a week at a time, but I hope my heavenly Father will forgive me". He requested me to write to James Walker Bobbitt in Missouri, a schoolmate and special companion of his (who wrote to him the very day that he, Newton, was killed and sent him his photograph (which was received soon after) and let him know how he died, also W. T. Tibbs.

In his great ouffering he said "Not my will, but thine be done." He relied on the strong arm of his savior. He would say when he had to drink "Oh how sweet the water is" and when Dr. Owen. told him not to drink so much said he "let me have enough for I shall not want it 1ong." He then was allowed what he wanted. Dr. Walker when about to leave said he would send Dr. Perkins to which Newton replied to me saying that I need not for no one could do no good. He looked at me seeming cheerful and said I suppose to cheer me, "Pa, you have always been so kind to me". He said "Mother, you are much more troubled or distressed than I am." When someone admonished the weeping that it distressed him, he said not at all, that nothing that kind interrupted him in the least. Being asked whether he preferred being buried at Salem (the Church to which he belonged) or at Somerset with his brother at Somerset, he said "at Salem, but Pa I do not know that it makes any difference what is done with my body."

He now began to be very weak and talk with great difficulty therefore plainly and distinctly he made the most beautiful prayer that ever I heard. He never spoke but twice afterward, once warn "water", the last I think relating to the end of his suffering was, "I hope so".

He looked me in the face to the last struggle with monster, when a beautiful calm settled down on his countenance and he became far more beautiful than he ever was in life looking serene, composed and delighted -- I indeed think the presence of attending angels made him so.

He was a greater lover of his Bible and would read it when all other's were asleep or when all others were taking rest. He loved to attend Church, Sunday School, his Bible Class preaching, exceedingly well, better than anyone of his age that I recollect. He was distinguished for his kindness to the poor and afflicted. He would go and set up with sick people night after night and read for them, etc. He never was heard to swear an oath or curse, or take a drink; indeed he refused a little toddy by his physicians till I told him to use it. His brothers say that they never knew him to tell a falsehood in life. This did he live and die. He was bold, fearless and high tempered but soon his passion was subsided.

BODILY APPEARANCE, ETC.
Virginius Newton Davis was about 18 years old when he was killed. He was about five feet and 6 or 7 inches high. He was tolerable heavy built, being tolerably large in the chest, a little round shouldered. He was very active and strong for his age seemingly of good constitution. His hair was dark colored, his head round and common size, his forehead high and tolerably full especially just the eyes, his eyebrows were tolerably full and considerably curved arched owing to a disposition he had to raise them, his eyes were of good size and sufficiently full and between a blue and brown color approaching probably nearer a blue than a brown color, tolerably face, somewhat slim about the jaws; his mouth warn of medium size, his teeth well set and the upper face teeth a little projecting over the lower teeth, his chin ordinary, his neck tolerably short and feet common size. I here write an incident to further show his character - I was very sick along in latter part of the winter and spring past and he began to think that I would not or might not live long so he planned off how he would have to labor ond manage to support her and raise and educate his little sisters and brothers, pay whatever debts I might be owing, for he was prompt to pay any little debt that he made. Stating that the Girls would have to help when he should be pressed. This plan one day he revealed to his mother sympathizing much with me in my affliction."