The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-08-18
Career of the Democratic
Vice Presidential Cam
didate-He Was Born on
Farm and Was the First
Railroad Brakeman In
America - A Man of
Millions ~ ~ ~ -

eighty-first year, is as spry as man
of sixty, and good deal sprier than
many. He was delegate to the recent
national convention and member Of
the committee on resolutions. He was
chosen as member of the subcommit-
tee that had charge of the platform.
and he stayed up all night during the
deliberations of that committee at the
Southern hotel. When he went to the
Jefferson hotel at noon the next day
he did not appear fatigued. and he told
his friends he could stand another
twenty-fo''r hours of it as we'll as not
He favored the insertion of a gold
plank in the platform. When his
name was being considered by the ma
tional convention there was some aues-
ton as to whether he supported Bryan
in 1896 and 1900. Chairman Jones of
the Democratic national committee put
1t at rest by saying that in 1896 Sena-
tor Davis presided at Bryan meeting
IN West Virginia and voted for Bryan.
At that time Senator Davis was en-
gagged in building railroad and had a
large obligation at a bank which he
desired to renew. When he went to
the bank the president said:
II understand you presided at a
Bryan meeting last night"
YES" said Davis. what Of it?"
"Well," said the bank president,
''don't you know that the theories of
Bryan are opposed to all the financial
institutions in this country? do not
see how you can come to this bank or
any other for favors, holding the views
that you do"
do you mean to say" asked Davis,
chat the fact that remain loyal to
the Democratic party makes any diff
ference with my credit?'
''Not at ALL" said the bank presi-
dent. "But we are not inclined to do
any favors for such people"
This is no favor to me-" said Davis.
II am simply carrying this obligation
as business transaction, and If you
don't want to renew it I'll pay it now
and withdraw my patronage from the
bank"
The bank president grew alarmed at
this, because Senator Davis is heavily
interested in financial operations in
West Virginia. and he begged Davis to
reconsider. Davis would not recon-
slider. He paid the obligation in cash
that afternoon and cut that bank off
his list Of business connections.
Senator Davis is many times a mill
llonaire. He has been an enthusiastic
German man ever since the canvass
for the. Democratic nominee In 1904
began. At one time he said he would
spend a million dollars to secure the.
nomination Of German, and it was no
mere idle boast. because he had the
money and would spend it.
Personally, Senator Davis Is an Of
fable, genial man, democratic and mod
est. He does not look his years, and to
the casual observer he would appear
to be not more than sixty-five He Is
more than six feet tall, erect and
straight as in the days of his youth.
His shoulders are square. He is we'll
muscled He has springy heel and,
toe walk. There is not the slightest
evidence Of any loss of mental or bodi-
1y Hgor.
his face features are regular and
bold. His nose is aquiline. His eyes
are gray and sharply penetrating, but
withal kindly in expression and set
wide apart. His face is not deeply
>furrowed, though fine wrinkles appear
about the eyes. His beard Of snowy