Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-03-06
a TEMPERANCE SERMON.
Sad Fate Of an Arkansaw Legis-
latOr---A Native of Tenaessee,
Little Rock Gazette.

Little Rock Gazette.
1t is sad to chronicle death at any
time, but when it comes with horrible
details it is doubly 80. This morning
We announced the death by drowning
of Hon. W. M. Davidson, of Sharp
county, member of the lower house
of the General Assembly. But few
of our citizens knew him, for the
reason that his visits to Little Rock
were few and far between.
HE MET HIS DEATH
probably about three o'clock yesterday
morning, and his body is now eddying
and tossed about in the depths of the
swollen and muddy Arkansaw.
The deceased, who was elected
Representative by hattering major
ity, took his seat at the converting of
the Legislature, occupying a desk on
the east of the house with Representa-
tive Davidson, of lizard county. He
was gladly welcomed by those who
knew him. and many who knew his
brother, Hon. s. Il. Davidson, also
of Sharp county, sought him out
and wished him we'll. During his
younger days, and, in fact, until
few years since, he had been q
heavy drinker. However, realizing
at last. that he was throwing his life
away, he made general reformation,
and for many months prior to coming
to Little Rock not drop of intoxi-
eating liquor had passed his lips. He
was respected, honored and beloved.
His ambition was high, and those who
knew him best and were aware of his
ability as a lawyer and honor and in.
tegrity as a gentleman placed no
gauge upon his ambition. He was
most eloquent speaker, and gifted with
logical and winning manner. He
ADDRESSED THE HOUSE ONLY ONCE
OR TWICE,
but when he spoke everybody listened.
But to 90 back little: On reaching
Little Rock, after successfully fight.
ing through the first week, with its
attendant excitements and tempta-
tions, he was lured by friends into the
haunts Of his old enemy, and fell an
easy victim. His friends generally,
and members of the Legislature espe-
cially, hurried to his aid and were un-
RENTING in their attentions Every
effort was made to restore him to his
right mind, but all in vain. The old
conqueror--a disease beyond his
power to combat-had him in his
grasp, and he abandoned himself ut.
terly. Poor Davidsonl" his friends
would sigh as they met him on the
street, and, one on each side, would
by persuasion and force take him to
the Grand Central, where he boarded,
only, however, a few hours later to
see him on the street or in the State-
house yard. Tuesday he was wild and
desperate, and
FAILED TO RECOGNIZE
those he knew. That night the clerks
of the house worked on their journals,
and about 2 o'clock in the morning
yesterday Richard Daniels, col,
ored man, and one Of the janitors of
the house, found him wandering aim.
lessly around the yard. He took him
by the arm and finally got him into the
house and by the fireplace. There
the colored man laid him on the floor
in front Of the fire and placed pile of
pamphlets under his head. Other
matters then required his attention.
and half an hour later, hearing pistol
shots in the corridor below, he cast
quick glance at the spot where he had
left the deceased, saw he was gone and
FASTENED down stairs, fearing he had
shot himself. He arrived just in time
to see him run down toward the rail-
road, west and in rear of the State
house. Almost at that instant he
heard
AsPLAsH IN THE RIVER,
and cries for help. Daniels was inter-
viewed yesterday by reporter of the
Gazette, with the following result:
How was Davidson acting when
you saw him2'
Like a crazy man. l saw him rid
ing his cane like boy ten years
old"
did you talk to him7"
"Yes; he told me he was afraid some
one intended to kill him, but he was
fixed clapping his hand upon his
revolver"
How many shots did you hear2"
"Three." g
Hon ] z Rirns of Whitn nnnntu