The Portland daily press., 1871-08-14
Death Of Hon. Woodbury. Davis,


Hon. Woodbury. Davis died at his residence
in this city last evening at 1915 To our cti-
zens this announcement will not come unex-
pected, as for more than two weeks it has been
only question of day, and for the past forty
eight hours his life has hung trembling
In the balance. And yet it brings feeling of
deep sorrow, for Judge Davis was man of real
value to any community, not only as public
officer and citizen but bright example of a
pure and upright daily life. For many years
his health had been feeble, and he was often
laid aside from active duties by disease but his
will was strong and he triumphed when many
others would have succumbed. The nature of
his complaint was undoubtedly an internal
cancerous affection, which few months ago
began to develop itself rapidly, engendering
intense suffering and quickly wearing out a
physical constitution that was never robust.
Judge Davis was born in Standish, in this
county, July %, 1918, and was therefore lit
tie over 30 years Of age. When he was three
years old his father removed to Brooks, Waldo
county, where he grew up, laying the founda-
ton of his education at the public schools. as
opportunity allowed him to enjoy their advan-
Uo6OS' AAC SeuuiCu law WIN 4NOneAidu AuDVes
of Belfast, and entered upon the practice of
his profession in that city. In 1843 he married.
In January, 1855, he was chosen State Treas
urer, and in March following, removed from
Belfast and made Portland his residence. In
Septe mber of the same year he was appointed
by Gov. Morrill,, one of Judges of the Supreme
Court of Maine, and resigned the State Treas
ureship. AT the ANNUAL election of that year
the people adopted an amendment to the State
Constitution, which made certain officers here
tofOre appointed by the Governor elective by
the people, and the question arose as to when
the amendment went into effect and its opera
ton upon the appointing power of the Cover
nor in the interim. Gov. Wells held the Opin-
ion that it did not take away the appointing
power, and he removed certain officers, among
them the late Seward M. Baker, then Sheriff of
cumberland County and nominated DaIiel
Y. Emery OF Gorham, in his stead. Mr. Baker
refused to yield and Mr.. Emery took possess
ion of the jail by force. This brought the
question before the Supreme Court in sucb a
manner that Judge Davis was obliged to give
an opinion, and he decided in favor of Mr..
Baker, For this Judge Wells, on an address
of the Legs lature, removed Judge Davis from
Office. His defe nee before the Legislative con-
vention wi n long be remembered as one of the
most exciting incidents in our legislative his
tory. The novelty of the question and the
great ability of Judge Davis counsel-Rufus
Choate Henry w. Paine and F. o. j. Smith
gave this trial, if can be SO designated, re-
markabls degree Of prominence, and attracted
the attention OF politicians and jurists in all
parts of the country. % .
The next year, it will be remembered, the
political character of the State was changed,
and Gov. Hamlin re-appointed Judge Davis to
the Supreme bench. He performed the duties
of the Office in such manner as to be reap
pointed in 1864 with the concurrence Of the
members Of the bar of all parties. The salary
Of the Office was then $500, and in Dec. 1855,
Judge Davis resigned in consequence of its in
adequacy and resumed practice, forming CO.
partnership with Moses M. Butler. In the
spring of 1866, on the resignation of Mayor A.
T. Dole. Judge Davis was appointed Postmas-
Ter OF Portland, and relineuished the law. AT.
1er the great file finding that the duties of the