The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-23
A Trlbuteto the Late Captain Eugene Davis

The funeral Of Captain Eugene Davis
which took place here to-day from the
Episcopal church was the occasion !oI
n demonstration of respect and afIection
for the deceased which, If 1t has ever
been equallel. has probably not peeh
surpassed III Albemare county IN nan
century. All sorts and conditions OF
men. of all kinds of faith-from the
Faculty of the University Of Virginia,
who came in a body. TO the cortege OF
negroes. who followed in vehicles and
on horseback-alike united spontaneous
lv TO show their reverence and love Tor
the dead
This proof of high and universal es-
TEEN for one who had never been con-
spicuous before the public who had been
neither politician. preacher, nor PROBES
sor; but who had quietly and unostenta-
tiously won the admiration and love OF
his community. as but few men ever
did. carried lesson Of deep import 10
all present. The effect of such honor,
60 freely done to a man known only by
his daily life of duty, in retirement. was
10 inspire and encourage high and noble
nrinciples in the breast OF all VINO par
ticipated.
yhourh n master Of arts and bachelor
Of law of the University of Virginia. Mr..
Davis did not long pursue MS profes-
sion. as other ana important tciSS'9
engaged his attention.
He lost his wife. Miss Patsy Morris OF
the Green Springs, a very few years
after their marriage, and in succession,
hut since the war, his only daughter,
Annie. and then his only son. the lament
ed James NJ. NJ. Davis. who for ten
wears before his DEATH in 1888, showed In
richmond how learning and wisdom could
be united with modesty and youth. Hap
piiy for Mr. Davis his son left two
daughters. who. with his own two sis
ters. made a home for him near Char
lottesvile until his death.
At the outset of the war Mr.. Davis
raised cavalry company Of which he
was captain, but after some months of
service his health became so broken
down that he was compelled TO resign.
When however. he had sufficiently re-
covered he returned 10 the army and
entered the Sixth Virginia Cavalry. in
which he served until he was caEfured
in the fight at Yellow Tavern. I'm which
General J. T.. b. Stuart was killed.
He remained in prison until nearly the
end Of the war.
For nearly thirty years thereafter he
led the life Of Virginia farmer, Of the
old schoOl-taking the greatest interest
in all that concerned his county and
State; a Jealous party man. he never
permitted politics to cause a breach be
tween old friends. not even when. in re-
| construction days, he was sorely tried.
| Then he set an example of firmness. mod
! Grafton. justice. and charity that will
not be forgotten by any who remember
| him
In his religious work he mot only
| filed the sphere offered in his own
chrrch-the Episcopal-but wherever else.
oil IN nd
ing Sunday-schools regardless Of sect
or denomination. he could SOW the seed
! he sowed it.
lis judgment in matters Of business
was so sound that IL was sought not only
by all who had claim upon him but
was as freely given as ii was asked for
| by his neighbors. who knew its worth.
Ills colored peighbors relied implicitly
upon him. and in his death they have.
as they well know. suffered an irrepara-
BILE loss.
Although In his seventy-third year. his
| energy was undated. As his health for
some time past had been unusually good.
and he worked as one who knew that
ne must work while II is day, as the
night cometh when no man can work"
He had an appointment 10 address a
Sunday-school at the Miller Institute on
Sunday. when he was stricken Saturday
night IL seemed an appropriate ending
OF such a life as his that IL should
be as 1t was. without PAIN and coming
almost without warning The cal found
his just before retiring on his knees in
prayer. To him was granted the poets
prayer:
Sunset and evening star;
And one clear call for me:
And may there be no moaning Of the bar.
When / put forth to sea-
But such tide as moving seems
asleep,
TOO fuil for sound or foam;
When that which drew from out the
boundless deep
Turns again home
Charlottesville May y 1874