The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-25
PHYSICIAN.
 LOSES LIFE Dr. W. E. B. Davis Killed
 by Train. THE THEORIES ADVANCED Eye Witness Says He Threw Himself Under Car. The Dead Man One of the Most Prominent Members of His Pro- fession in the South. News of Birmingham.

Birmingham, Feb. 4.-(Special. IA few minutes after o'clock this afternoon at the Twenty-fourth Street railroad crossing pr. w. E. B. Davis, one of the best known and most prominent phy- sicians and surgeons in the South, was killed
 The rear trucks of an Alabama Great Southern Railroad coach of train en- tering the city, ran over his body and ne never spoke after bystanders reached him. Both of his legs were broken and he was crushed through the abdomen: He was going southward at the time and had driven up to the crossing. which was blocked by a passing train. He got out of his buggy and went to his horse. eVi- dently to hold the reins. when he stumbled and fell under the train. One witness says that when pr. Davis caught hold of the bridle of his horse the horse Jerked his head and threw him down upon the rail; still others are of the opinion that when he stepped out to catch hold Of the horses head the front step or the rear coach struck him and threw him around under the ca-. The horse. as soon as .he train had passed, went toward his home on the southside.
 The news flashed over the city and general regrets were expressed because of the great prominence qf the untortu, nate man. A large crowd gathered about the undertaking establishment where the body was taken to. E. A Dickart, a section foreman on the Louis vile and Nashville Railroad. who hap pened to be passing at the time, gives tnls account of the affair:
 'I was standing in the street and saw pr. Davis drive up. He was going south and had to stop to allow the Alabama Great Southern train. which was passing at the time, to pull out of his way. As his horse walked up almost close enough to put his nose against the cars, 1 saw pr. Davis jump from the vehicle ana walk around toward the animals mead. tnly hnI nf Q I expected him to do. but hesitated for a second and then threw himself under the last coach between the front and rear trucks" The burial will occur In this city Friday morning.
 Dr. w. E. B. Davis was born in this county, near Trussville, in 1863. His father was a prominent physician and was killed while serving in the Con federate army at Petersburg, Va, and never saw this younger son. The mother was left destitute with the exception of a small farm, but with indomitable cour- age and resolution she managed to edu- cate both of her sons. DTS. John and Elias Davis for the medical profession. pr. Elias Davis attended the University of Alabama and subsequently, took a medical course in New York Clty. lie began the practice of his profession In this city in 1886 and shortly thereafter went to Europe and spent some months in the examination of the leading hos pitfalls. On his return he associated him self with his brother, Dr. John D. $. Davis.
 Subsequently, he formed a co-partner- ship with pr. Holmes now or Atlanta and established an inflrmary at Rome Ga. but the health of his brother. pr. John Davis failing he returned 10 Blrm- in9ham and resumed the practice Of his profession here in co-partnership with his brother About five years ago he was married to Miss Gertrude Muslin of this city and two children. both daughters hIesaed the union He was conspicuous and active in the medical profession, hay ing served as president of the Alabama state Medical Association, president of the Jefferson County Medical Association, nresident of the Southern Gynaecologlcal and Surgical Association, which he founded. and president of the Tri-State Medical Society, composed of leading physicians of Alabama, Tennessee ana Georgia. AS a surgeon he had wide snreed reputation. His success in ab- Sominal surgery was nothing less than uSnnnnnenal Last October he made nine pnerations of the class that is known as s,ca anitaI" and lost only one. He was deapon In the Southside Baptist Church ond tnolr a deep interest in all the affairs of that church. The Jefferson County Medical Society met tonight and passed rasoiutions on the sad death.
 ~ A Prussian Investigating.
 Frank Gutbold a Prussian, and repre- sarting the Prusslan Government, spent todav in Birmingham looking at indus trias in this immediate district. He came here with credentials not only from his government but from the German Con snl at New York. He had letters of