Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-08-08
VETERAN OF MEXICAN
WAR, TWICE A GOLD
SEEKER. YET LIVING

made across the plains. Being a good
judge OF horsefiesh. Davis had beer
able to select a much better team han
some of the others. 1t happened,
and two or three kindred spirits wero
far in the lead OF the main body. This
fact n the fact that the Indians were
as good Judges of horses as he, came
near causing the loss Of their teams.
One night when camping on Green
close to the herd Of horses. when
watched over only by one guard.
caused a stampede and headed them
straight for the mountains. 1t was an
all night pursuit n would have end
ed in failure had not some other trav-
the capture was mad when Just in
the edge OF the foothills. An hour or
30 longer and the horses would have
been beyond recovery and they would
have been stranded in the desert.
Farming More Profitable.
Mining in California was profit
able for everyone except those who
actually engaged in 1t. The merchant,
the freighter, the s%aloonists. all made
money. but the man who did the actual
digging usually accumulated little.
Davis was n of the few who even
tried to save what they made. In
eight or nine months he had saved
ABOUT 4l,OVV ana COnClUO0O IL was
about time to start for home.
The next nine years were spent in
Wisconsin, on a farm n In the hotel
business. During this time he had
married and the father had passed
away. Two of his IL children were
horn there.
The responsibility for his coming
west must be laid at the door OF Horace
Greeley. 1t was his cry. go west,
young man. that inspired him to
change his abode from the banks OF
the Father of Waters to the big
reached Sioux City. a very small VII
lage at that time. Crossing the river.
he pushed up Omaha creek and bought
a farm two miles south of the old town
OF Omadi.
OF to Colorado.
Again the gold fever struck him. This
time 1T was the news of the discovery
OF the yellow metal In the vicinity Of
Fixes peak. so. leaving his finally in
Rocky mountains. A few months there
confirmed he experience secured In
California. that the best way to earn
money Is to work for it. The fall OF
the Year saw him back on Omaha
creek: and here he has remained for
53 Years.
Fifty-three years Ago.. things were
wild in Dakota country. Trouble with
the Indians was more thar mere rumor.
once the Santees invaded the county
and killed some stock owned by Davis
and drove others away. Another time.
the whole family was driven south to
Florence. Neb., for safety, and spent
the winter there. Standing on the river
bank. he saw General Sully's expedi-
ton pass up the river and was urged to
Join 1t. but family ties would not per-
matt.
Ru;I< <hA E:..A A:tl n
Mr.. Davis has given himself unre-
servediy to the best interest OF the
community. He built the first mill ever
erected In northeastern Nebraska.
which was run by water power secured
from Omaha creek; he also built the
present mill at Homer. Neb.. which il
stu giving good service. For q Ions
time he was postmaster, has beer q
member of the board Of county com
mlssioners for three years. a emb
OF the state legislature and a candidate
for the state senate in 1892.
y have been a life long democrat"
said Mr.. Davis, have voted every time
l got a chance for William Jennings
Bryan. n would k to have a chance
to vote for him again"
His first wife died in 1872, leaving
six small children. about "A year later
ne married Mary O'Cander. by whom
he had six children. Several years ago,
he sold his farms and built a sub
%stantial home in Homer. where he ia
passing his declining years. But still
at 81, the veteran is strong and hearty.
and enjoys a good meal as much as ever.
He is reported to be we'll to do. and
Is certainly highly respected by all
who know him..