Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-02-14
strong Men In the House, Both Wttt
the Name OF D1UE6.
Ftou. as caarls.1on aaselts.

the Name Of DGvts.
IRON. aie caarls.s0n Gaseas.
Probably the most notable characters
in the House of Delegates are the two
DaviseA-Col. Thomas B of Mineral
county, and John W., of Harrison coun-
ty. Though bearing the same name,
they are of entirely different families and
in no way related to each other. Nor are
they alike in personal appearance or in
chrracteristics.
Born with liberal allowance of good,
hard, common sense, and with plenty OF
pluck aud energy. the colonel struggled
along through the humble surroundings
of his early life, rising step by step. by
hard work and constant application and
tue exercise of his broad intelligence, I'M
til he is now rated as millionaire and ID
recognized as q fiuaucIer of unusual abil-
ity and a potent factor in the financial
and commercisl circles of West Virginia
From the lot of common railroad
brakeman he has risen to be heavy
holder of railroad stocks and With his
brother, Henry g., who also pulled the
brakes upon freight cars when a young
man, he holds the controlling interest in
many of the railrosd, mining and timber
industries in his section of the State
Lacking in that polish and deep learning
which are characteristic of his younger
contemporary, and the evidences of uni
versity training, Col Tom Davis is never.
theless broad and liberal minded man
of great native intelligence, uuaided by 3
collegiate education, but shaped by that
broader institution of learning, the world
against which he has rubbed up, and
which in its time has given him some
hard knocks. He is one of those splen-
did examples to the young men Of Amer
lea Of what a young man may accomplish
no matter how humble his birth, if be
only has sound common sense, close APP
plicatioD, thrift and energy, all of which
Col. Davis possesses in abundance. His
hair and beard are whitened by the frosts
of many winters, but his heart is warm,
his friendship true and no man in his
section of the State has more or better
friends than Col. Tom Davis, the father
of the House. Firnuess of character is
moulded in his face, and yet, although he
has seen more of the hard, practical side
of life than any other, it has not hardened
or sOured his disposition. He is genial,
jovial, fond of joke and always pleasant
company. The romantic, sentimental
side of his nature has never been devel-
oped. Life has been too practical with
him. But it is there, and the only thing
that is lacking to develope it completely
is wife.
While Col. Davis is the oldest mem
Der of the House, the other Davis is
among the youngest members and is still
under thirty. or fine old West Virginia
stock, son of the we'll known lawyer,
John ]. Davis. he bids fair to attain a
brilliant repution at the bar. Tall and
slender, with beardless face, long head
and impressive forehead, he presents a
striking contrast in appearance to the ell
der Davis, who is short and stout and
well bearded, with head that is almost
round. Mr. Davis has a pleasing smile,
which is attractive, and charming man
ner. Thoroughly versed in the law, he
was offered professorship in the law de-
partment of Washington and Lee Uni.
versity, but preferred to practice his pro-
fession in bis native State. He is pro.
found thinker, \ deep reasoner and flu
eut speaker. He is given the closest at
tention whenever he has nything to say in
the House, and never speaks without say
ing something that is worth listening TO.
He is an aggressive leader of the Demo-
cratic side of the House, faithful work
er on committees and as chairman of the
committee Oh judiciary has done much
toward shaping the legislation which will
be enacted at this session. He possesses
the same sound common sense that is so
marked characteristic of.the elder Da
Wis, and like the colonel needs 4 wife TO
round his character out completely.
How ltHurtsl