The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-19
FATHER knew HIM
FIRST IN PRISON.
life Of John Davis Reads Like a
Romance.
NE WAS A RICHMOND MAN
Man III at Fall River Thought by Some
to Be the John Davis Who Served
Term in State Penitentiary
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

John Davis, claiming to be from Rich
noEd who now lies i'll in hospital In
Fail River, Mass. where he tells those
Ground him Of his misfortune in the de-
struction Of his lruit farm IN the Island
of Martinique by the recent volcanic erup-
tfon and recounts his sudden illness in
New York city and his subsequent rob-
berry Of $500. is thought by some to have
figured here in another light. The two
men may be the same or they may not
II they are. the case is remarkable.
Six years ago John Davis was conf
Dental clerk in the well known firm of
Harvey Blair and Company He was
charged with embezzling funds of this
company, tried and sentenced to the pen
Stentiary for q term Of three years, which
he served During his time of inprison-
onment he. like other prisoners. was en-
ployed by the Davis Shoe Company. which
works the State conv7cts in its plant at
the penitentiary.
For the company he kept books. and
became so valuable an employe that upon
his discharge he accepted a position with
j the same firm. and was given north
] ern territory. At this time he dropped
/ out of the sight Of his friends here.
HIS FATHER APPEARS.
|. Davis lived here with his mother. and his
father was supposed to be dead. He had
never seen him until he was convict
and then did not know Of his identity.
which was not revealed to him until he
was released from prison. From all &C
counts John Davis father was native
OF Massachusetts. who was married
about the time of the Civil War to
lady in Raleigh. n c., believing then
his first wife, whom he welded years be-
fore in his native State. to be dead.
After living with his Southern wife
for two years or more. he chanced on
| one occasion while north on business TO
find his first wife living. With her he
remained. leaving the second. the moaher
OF John Davis. without word or letter
to explain his absence In after years
Mr.. Davis had occasion to visit Rich
n1ond This was during the term of his
sons imprisonment and upon this visit
he made a trip through the State Penl-
tertiary Whether he knew of his sons
presence there is not known. but upon
1nauiring as he passed through the
vas told that that was John Davis.
The old man was touched. for he recog-
nized his son whom he had never
seen.
wEPT OVER HIM.
He talked with him some time. was
moved to tears during the interview.
bat withheld his identity. John Davis
considered the old man who had cried
over him as being insane. and so the
matter passed out of his mind
The interim had given Mr.. Davis an
opportunity to learn of the whereabouts
of his second wife. Johns mother, whom
he had deserted. and from time to time
until her death. a short while before her
sons term in prison expired, She re
ceived monthly allowance from a
source which she knew not.
After John Davis was released from
prison his father made himself known,
1t, 1,o 1aff fn,- 91n nrf
John Davis was married, but his wife
died leaving one child. a little girl nine
years Of age. when her father had served
his term. but she had been kept in is-
norance of his disgrace. being told he
was away on business.