The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-11-15
WEST VAS "GRAND OLD MAN"
TO CELEBRATE GOTH BIRTHDAY

outbreak OF the Civil War found him
a man OF means. When the great con
met was n an end and West Virginia
mad become a separate common
wealth, Mr. Davis branched forth into
still greater fields OF effort. He be
came conspicuously identified with
all the states leading interests. IN
the production OF coal. oil and tim.
Der. in railroad building. and town
building. and a dozen or more enter
prises OF various kinds
Built a Railroad.
IL was IN his mind that the Thought
originated 10 build the West virginia
Central & Pittsburgh Railroad By
opening up access 10 the coal and
timber lands OF the greatest value he
sprahg az once into an important po-
sltion in West Virginia affairs. Public
lie finally brought him in contact with
prominent men % wealth. and before
ne had left the United States Senate
ne had enlisted several Of these men
IN great Industrial enterprises. The
Town or Davis, In Tucker county. West
virginia, was named after him He
gave many practical proofs OF his at
tachment Of this town and other
places IN West Virginia where he had
lived az different times. lie became
tho possessOr OF an enormous fortune
and the most important man In West
Virginia
Mr. Davis FIRST entered politics at
tho close OF the war. Having been "a
strong Union man. his sympathias
Wefo az first with the Republican par
". then newly born. and he became a
candidate Tor tho legislature. 4 Few
years later. however. no cut loose from
me Republican organization and
joined the opposition In 1866 ne was
elected 10 the lower house in the leg
ls'atHre as Union Conservative. and
TOOK a leading part I'm its delibcra-
tlons. Two years later he was chosen
state Senator as Democrat
Elected v. s. Senator.
In 1871 be- was elected United States
Senator from West VIRGINIA. "a. n Don.
ocrat. receiving almost the unanimous
support ~ the legislature Six wears
later he was reelected. md during
Two years ~ his second term whom
w" Democrats wore In control 81 the
senate. he held tho important position
ar chairman of The Committee on An
populations. lie was I'm fact. one az
M" leaders ~ the Senate A. tho OK
pirafion of hia second term he declined
20 become candidate FOR reelection
fearing that his political duties would
Interfere with his large business in.
ferosts ile continued. however. 10
take an active interest Go politics
Tn mo Democratic NlfioraI Couvcr.
lion ~ 1855 Senator Davis was one
~ tho foremost candidates Tor Vice
president. and doubtless could have
had fho nomination bad ho not refused
lie supported Thomas s. Hon.
bricks. 7ho was nominated ON tho
f''"f v''h cleveland. and elected
Too i-s, Nr Ttfl. was urged FOB accent
OH" Democratic nomination Cor Cut.
'rnDr lHt declined Ho vaa n defr.
FI'" ~ '.v'u 0f 'ro national curtau.
lions OF fbc Democratic part. and DOB
zoos Was nominated Tor NI.n rrrsi
a'r' un Pho ticket with IuI.e Alton
f Parker DO HHe ono of OBJ. t-rif.I
-'Ifn. df'D.Ifrr ho formulated tho
Bonn" 'n- l-nr.ur tho Republics of
E"f'N Central and South America fo.
I"r which resulted ORD tho sefrl
..hm'nf of tHr Bureau ~ American
hNr. 1fH was also drI.rlts fo
'I' second International conference az
American republic. held in nc cts
OFF Narico