The age-herald., 1898-04-02
MRS. JOHN ). s. DAVIS DEAD A Brilliant Daughter of Alabama
 Fallen Asleep. WAS ILL BUT A FEW DAYS As Margaret 0'Brien She Had Been Prominent in Southern Literature From Youth.
 Bride of a Few Months.

The entire city was profoundly shocked yesterday when the announcement was made that Mrs. John D. s. Davis had died at 73O o'clock a. m., at her home in South Twenty-first street.
 Young, in the first flush of mature wo- manhood, with the fullness and beauty of life opening before her happy eyes, there seemed everything to keep her among kin dred and friends.
 Mrs. Davis, as Margaret E. O'Brien was known and appreciated in the best and most critical literary circles of the country. Youthful as she was she had years ago es- tablished her claim as one of the most richly endowed woman of the south. Bril- liant, thoroughly educated and highly cul- tivated, she wrote with grace and fas- cination not to be disputed When only a child her poems began to attract the att tention of critics for their unusual excel lence. and when only nineteen she pub lished her first novel, Judith" which re- ceived the warmest commendation from the literate of the country. Mrs. Davis ed- itorial work on the Age-Herald few years ago, and later upon the Free Lance-which she assisted in establishing-wa of such high order that she readily took her rightful position among the best editorial writers of the south.
 Perhaps as poet, was the exquisite charm of her writings seen to greatest advantage. She possessed the same subtle, indescrib- able poetic genius that made Father Ryan's poems find their way so quickly to the human heart.
 Mrs. Davis, a short time before her death, contemplated publishing another novel, which was written previous to her marrige and the literary world was already antici- pating the advent of this late work with full faith in the fact that her intellect was constantly expanding and reasoning in strength and power.
 few weeks ago Mrs. Davis was one of the leading spirits in the organizationof the Alabama Women's Press association at Montgomery, and was made secretary or this important body of Alabama women.
 Mrs. Davis was born at Montgomery. but as little child moved with her par ents, Capt. and Mrs. Frank P. OBrien, to Birmingham. Here the strongest ties of her short life were made and here will ever remain the fragrant memory of her many graces and beautiful attributes of heart and mind. She endeared her friends to her with links of steel, because of her lov- ing and loyal qualities, and the charm of her brilliant personality. When Mrs Davis fell asleep Alabama lost her most distin- guished young daughter, and the entire community offers tenderest sympathy to her loved ones.
 Mrs. Davis was married the 18th of last July, to pr. John D. 8. Davis, one of the most prominent and successful physicians of the city, Her illness was brief, and the s1Iddenness of her death was an overwhelm- ing shock to her family and friends.
 She was able to attend services at St. Pauls, Sunday morning, and later to drive with her husband, although far from be- ing in her usual robust condition of health.
 Monday and Tuesday she grew worse, Wednesday and Thursday the greatest fears were excited regarding her illness. and the end came peacefully to her Friday morning at 7::30 o'clock. Surrounded by her husband her parents, her sister, Mrs. Oscar Hundley, and other near relatives.
 Mrs. Davis received the last rites of the Catholic Church, administered by Father F. A. ORei1ly, of St. Paul's.
 The funeral will occur at 3:3o o'clock Sunday afternoon, at St. Pauls Catholic Church. The interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.