The times., 1898-10-03
A PRoJIGAL.
A Man With Seven Millions Makes
the Money Fly.


(From the New York Sln.)
Galveston. Texas. Sept. 23-W. r. Da-
Wis. whose father is said TO he connected
with the Davis Coal and cohe Company
of New York, Philadelphia and Balti-
more. whose mines cover a large part OF
two counties in West Virginia. has cleo
trified Galveston with his lavish expendi-
ture of money. He eafne7iefs from New
York four weeks ago. accompanied by
valet Miss Smith, an. actress, said to
have been a member of several we'll
known companies, was 4 Passenger on
the same steamer. Both registered at the
fremont Hotel. The banks here, it is
said, were notified that young Davis's 5
drafts were good up to SI,ee4 99go
Mr.. Davis developed a prediction for
bicycles, yachts and hacks and finally
for prize fighting. He chartered yacht
and made trip with Miss Smith and a
party of friends to Rockport and Corpus
Christi. Champagne was plentiful, but
the actress preferred draught beer from
a pitcher. The hack drivers reaped a
harvest from Mr.. Davis. as they were on
the go all the time he had the hack
craze
Mr.. Davis's next fad was pugiiism. He
became deeply interested in Jim Hall, the
Australian who once defeated Fitzsim-
mons Hall is instructor of boxing at the
Galveston Athletic Club, and for nearly
a week Davis made the c,Ub-rooms his
headquarters. Last night for the edifi-
cation of Miss Smith, there was night TO
a finish at the club-rooms between two
of the best known local pugilists. Hall
refereed the bout which lasted eight
rounds. 1t was one of the fercest fights
ever seen here Miss Smith was in &c
stasies She clapped her hands, cheered,
and said il was the most glorious sport
she had ever witnessed. The boxers had
no cause for complaint. as MIR. Davis paid
them handsomely for the entertainment.
How much money Mr.. Davis has spent
since his arrival in Galveston nobody
knows. Four days ago he went TO the
chief clerk at the fremont Hotel and
told him he wanted $500 for pocket mon
ey The clerk hesitated. Davis laughed
and said:
Just telegraph to the Davis Bank of
Davis. w. Va. or to my banker in Bal
| timore and ask if any draft will be hon
ored" This was done and the reply
came, Yes
The money lasted three days. and yes
| terday Davis told the clerk he was
broke and was going away. He want
| ed 81 500. and again the telegraph was
| called into service and the reply came:
| I'VE nave ADVISED tIe DankihS mouse
| of Weeks. Mccarthy & Co. that Mr.. Da-
viss drafts will be honored up TO ST.,
/ OOO, ,eOO"
| \ local Iiveryman went 10 the hotel on
Monday and asked for Mr.. Davis. saying
| that he had bin for $50 against him for
| breaking rig. The clerk paid the bill
at once, remarking that Mr.. Davis had
money to burn.
However" said the liverymap, give
me the bin again and I'll make il 500.
Not much.'' replied the clerk; ''only
| $50 goes, but if it had been $50 il would
| have been all the same to Mr. Davis"
| Mr. Davis had no lack of friends to help
| him burn money, and showed his socia-
| bility by showering money In all direc-
tions to pay all the bills, of people who
| accompanied him.
| Mr.. Davis and Miss Smith left today
on the steamer San Marcos for Key
| West, From there they will go to Ha-
vana Ind Porto Rico and thence to New
| York;