People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1897-03-04
In Mem0riam.

entin the respect and esteem of old
aud young, by virtue Of his clean life,
courteous manners, studiOus habits
and high ambition. One of these was
the late Will S. Davis whose remains
only last week we're laid to rest in
Prairie Lawn cemetery by the side of
those of mother and brother. 1t is at
such a time as this that the full heart
asks, 20 what hadst thou to DO with
cruel death, who vast so full of life or
death with thee, that thou shouldst
die before thou hadst grown DID,"
Will simpson Davis had not at
tanned his twenty-tLird year. He was
born June, 18th 1874 at Lone Jack,
Missouri, being the fourth ofslx chill
dren born to Rev. and Mrs. 7. A. Davis.
In his veins mingled the best blood of
the south. William Davis, the grand
father came to Missouri from North
Carolina in l845, while Kentucky was
the ancestral home of the mother,
Emily Howe Davis. Only the first
two years Of his childhood were passed
in his native state as in 1876 the fam
lily moved to this county, locating at
Mayfeld.
Here he developed into manhoOd's
estate. Here the results of good blood
and early training manifested them
into character that was at once sin
cere, sympathetic, strong in trial, yet
gentle as woman'S in his intercourse
with friends. In 1884 he was deprived
Of mothers love and care, Mrs. Davis
having died in July of that year of
the same disease which later was to
claim two of her sons. The boys edu-
cation was received at the public
schools until having completed the
meager course o. the common school.
he eagerly seized the opportunity Of
spending few years at college. A
portion of the three school years be-
tween September 80 and June '93 be
passed at William Jewell college in
his native state where too, his deceased
brother Caleb graduated. l quote
from the words of the faculty of that
institution when | say that his cOllegi-
ate record is a model one. At the age
OF Is he accepted the principal tenetS
OF the Christian religion. He was a
close student and particularly active
worker in the literary societies. His
tory, language and philosophy we're the
studies to which he gave most atten-
tion. AS debater he soon took rank
as one of the best in college, and his
college friends yet tell of many honors
that viii" won in his literary work
at William Jewell. Many will re-
member the OratOrical contest held in
this county in the spring of 1893, in
which many Of our best speakers
among the young men participated
and in which Mr.. Davis won first
place with his Grafton "The Spirit of
the Age"
The next fall circumstances were
such that he could not return to COL
lege for this year he was to be maker
of money, and not spender. Turn
ing to his new work with cheerfulneSs
that was ever his till life'S last mo-
ment, never giving up the hope that
some day he would complete his COL
iege course, he began as a teacher his
first term Of school at Perth in the
autumn of 1898. He was twice re.
elected and during the time he had
charge of this school, he had as nearly
tue unanimous support of the patrons
OF the school as ever falls to the lot of
any teacher.
Ii was during these three years that
the writer and many other yelling.
ton friends became so we'll acouaint-
ed with Mr.. Davis. In May 1894 he
became member of the Knights of
Pythias at this place, and ever took
an active interest in this his favored
order, Its fraternal ties seemed in
deed quite 10 keeping with his social
nature.
As teacher he was unique in his
methods. He did not follow the old
beaten paths but made new ones of
his own. The pupils received from
lin sympathy and encouragement
in every lesson Taught so they learned
to regard him with the love of a COM
paniOn, yet with the respect of mas
ter. The success which followed his
efforts in the school room showed that
they were well directed. He was a
member of the County Teachers
association and while in health was a
regular attendant at It's monthly meet
ings. His ability as speaker to.
gether with his love for debate always
gave the discussions an additional in.