The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-01
THE "PAIN-KILLER" MAN.
The Once Wealthy Perry Davis Now an In
mate of Pennsylvania Almshouse.

PITTsBURG. Pa, May 30-It is just discovered
that Perry Davis, the originator of the cele-
brated "Pain-killer,' has for the past fifteen
years been an inmate of the Mercer county
almshouse. A correspondent tonight sends the
following: Davis is Frenchman, aud came
from his native country tothe United States
years ago, and at once embarked in the business
of manufacturing and selling his medicine,
which he generally disposed of himself by trav-
cling around the country with team and a
wheeled cart. stopping wherever he thought
there was prospect of sale, and selling to
country stores of every kind. Old merchants still
remember the small, dark keen eyed stranger
who would visit them periodically and leave q
few bottles of liniment These trips were not
confined to any territory in particular, but were
extended or limited at the pleasure of himself.
BY these processes he had accumulated consider
able money. which he invested in property in the
northern portion of Mercer county, near Sneak
leyvllle Although he had no settled home, he
seemed to prefer this place, and when not on the
road, spent great deal of his time there. Just
how he lost the title to the nostrum is not and
never will be known, as Davis, after entering the
almshouse was very taciturn concerning his
business and would never mention any facts of
the case 1t is supposed. however. that he gave
the receipt to other parties with the
derstanding that he was to have an interest
in the business. AS he began to dabble in finan-
cial speculation on a large scale and failed, his
affairs became very much mixed up and the
sheriff finally sold his goods for debt Davis dis
appeared and was found, several days afterward,
roaming through the woods, lunatic. A large
cash across his throat seemed to imply that he
had attempted suicide, and his clothes and boots
were in very bad condition. After his capture
he became morose and sullen. rarely speaking
and moping around FOR period of two months
at time he would not speak a word, and then
would talk only of his early history or of trf1ing
affairs he is a well-educated man, and is said
to speak seven languages. He is also an ex-
cellent penman. as samples written during
his confinement will show. One of his
peculiarities is that he will never take
medicine under any circumstances. Happily he
enjoys good health, so that not much trouble
arises from his within. Personally, he is small
man. with iron-gray hair and mustache and
sparkling eyes. He is called Doctor by the
other inmates, and seems to enjoy the title. of
late he has begun to exhibit signs of insanity and
now will suddenly break into song or wild
harangue, sometimes in entirely different Ian
guage from ours. He is also prejudiced against
wearing clothes, and in his cell generally goes
around attired in only shirt When taken out
for exercise he will run and caper about like a
boy During his most lucid moments he will
tell scraps of his early personal history. but
every effort to get him to tell about his business
has failed, he becoming silent when the cause of
his misfortune is brought up in conversation.