The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-12-15
s DAVIDSON
PASSES AWAY
Fst,iar Of Utah Wool Industry Is
Dead.
LIVED TO ACE OF SO YEARS
FAMOUS TRAGEDY IN HIS Ca
RIER IS RECALLED.
LIVED TO ACE OF 80 YEARS

Daniel g. Davidson. an old and well
Known resident. who has long been
known as the father Of the wool-grow-
ing Industry In Utah. died at his home
in This city yesterday morning, at the
ripe ola age of SO years. 1Gr. Davidson
was one among the first men to bring
large flock Of sheep 10 Utah, driving
big bunch across the plains from
Wisconsin TO thesa valleys, more than
thirty years ago. aud he was the man
who started wonl-growing as an indus
try Ia Utah. BE has been a resident Of
Salt Lake for thirty years. and has
been one of the Leading men III WOOL
growing and stock-raising circles ever
since ne came here. He was known not
only throughout Utah, but all along the
old trail to California. and there are
fnany cld-timers who VIII be grieved
20 learn Of mis- demise.
Death is attributed to old age and
general debility. The end came at
$3.50 o'clock yesterday morning at his
home, CSC Fast Fourth South street
1dr. Davidson mas beeu suffering from
sidney trouble for some time past. and
Ger the last three weeks he has been
very low. The illness seemed to get
better 1t is said, but the ravages Of
time and disease were too much for
she patients strength, and he sank
gradually until yesterday morning.
Wne~ he passed quietly away, sur
&c nded by the members CT his family
Helped Build Up the STATE.
The death Of Mr.. Davidson marks
she close OF remarkable career and
the passing Of another potent factor
sn the development of the industries Of
Utah. He was born in LOckerbie. Scot
land eighty-tsree years ago: emigrated
60 this country -hen but a young man.
zae settled In Wisconsin, and there be-
gan the w9Ol-gr0Wirg and cattle-ra:s-
Ing business. He married while there.
and in "a, leaving his family there, he
travelled across the plains TO California.
Several years later he came TO salt
Lal,e, Cnd being impressed with the
outlook here. decided to make it his
home.
About 1870 he sent his family to this
city and followed them with his cattle
and sheep. driving the nerds across the
plans, and taking them into what is
now called Castle valley in this state
There he took up a ranch, and since
that time Las maintained the same
ranch. as Wel as others in other parts
of the state. A few sheep had been
brought into the state before that, but
Wool-gr0wing had not beer undertaken
- an industry until Mr.. Davidson
started it.
Others Follow His Example.
TIE success which he had with his
hooks led to the establishment of ot..er
docks by other men, and thus has
grown the wool industry of the s.ate
While Mr. Davidson has not been able
to conduct his ranches himself for some
JInle, shey have been in the hands OF
gIs3sans, ana al the time of his death
&c w. ach valuable stock and owned
consi derable valuable property in this
cits.t
Tragedy in His Life.
THE death of Mr.. Davidson recalls
one of the most sensational. double
tragedies in the early history of this
city. in which he snd one OF his daugh-
tiers figured prominently.
The tragedy occurred over twenty
years ago on board a train at the Utah
Central depot, and the details of it are
well remembered by many. According
b the story of the affair tod by some
- hose who witnessed il, Captain
ST0lSs, mining man, was en-
gsged to Miss Davidson, ana he
heard that DT. Snedakyr who
was spiritualist, was attempting to
\ convert her TO spiritualism. The two
men became deadly enemies, and when
they accidentally met face to face on G.
railroad car at the Old Ctah Central
derOt. Snedaker shot Smith. It is said
he raised the gun to shoot Mr. David
soc, who was on the same car, but Of
dcer William Calder prevented him, for
which act he were until his death
gold medal presented him by Mr.. Dav-
idsOE Shortly after Officer Calder's
d9ath last spring AR davidson erected
a handsome monument over the grave
OF him who saved his life.
Smith though mortally wound
eG. staggered to his feet, and as the
officer was taking Snedaker out Of the
car, shot and almost Instantly killed
the doctor. Smith died shortly after
wards.
Alr. Davidson leaves seven children to
mourn his loss. The funeral services
VII be held from the residence next
Tuesday at p. IN. The deceased was a
Mason and thai lodge win have charge
Of the services.