The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-03-16

ne SldEllSu the veteran operators Dy
sending out the first night train be-
tween Baltimore and Cumberland. 1t
marked a new epoch in railroading.
At the close of the Civil War, the
foundations of his fortune were rapidly
and securely established. In 1867,
Davis & Brothers purchased several
thousand acres Of land in Garrett
county, Maryland. Timber for ties,
bridges. and other purposes was suppli-
ed to the railroad company. Mr.. Davis
laid out on this tract the mountain re-
sort of Deer Park, and constructed an
elegant summer residence, where
simple hospitality was extended all
visitors.
The Deer Park investment having
furnished him with sufficient funds, Mr..
Davis began obtaining extensive tracts
of land in the Cheat River and Upper
Potomac regions and increased his
wealth and fame rapidly As a mer-
chant. he made small fortune Then
as landholder in West Virginia, he
came into possessions of coal lands
which were destined to make him a
prince of wealth.
No man surpassed Mr.. Davis in
amiability. His clear brown eyes were
always laughing. He was invariably
pleasant and approachable His voice.
ordinarily keyed to low, soft, musical
pitch, when occasion required took on
the most surprising force and volume.
The vehemence of these infrequent ut
terances belied the surface indications
Of under-strength. He was never
garrulous, but always conversational.
One of the curious phases of his
political life in West Virginia was his
family connection with the late Stephen
G. Elkins, who married his daughter.
Both were rich, but Elkins was a Re-
publican ruler of iron just as DAVIS was
Democrat. Each man was wont to
boast that he had never been defeated
when he ran for office in the State.
West Virginia went Republican when
Senator Elkins ran for Office. 1t went
Democratic when Senator Davis ran for
office. The two men lived in adjoining
mansions show houses of the South.
They owned the same coal lands, the
same lumber fields and were united in
every interest.
= 1t is said down in West Virginia that
for quarter OF a century politics was
never argued between them.
Mr.. Davis was a very frequent visitor
to Baltimore. When he was especially
active in business he was interested in
financial matters with a number Of
Baltimoreans and his personal and So
cial relations with the people there
were always close. He liked to con-
slder himself Mary.aader and not a
stranger to this State. Two of his
most intimate friends were the late
William Plnknev Whyte and the late
Arthur p German. At times Cover
nor Whyte. and Senator German were
far apart politically and worked in OPP
posite directions, but the relations of
the former West Virginia Senator re-
manned cordial with both of them.
Senator Davis always remained
young" and adapted himself to the
environment he found. He liked young
people, they liked him and they were
always congenial together. The ac-
quirement of great wealth did not
change the democratic nature of Mr.
Davis and he was as plain as the pro-
verbal old shoe and entirely lacking in
ostenation. His early life had been
full of struggles and he was always in
sympathy with and ready to lend a
helping hand to young men ambitious
to make their way in the world.
Senator Davis and his brother, the
late Col. Tom" Davis, who was a
bachelor, were very devoted to each
other. - Tom, '" the Senator used to
say, ''is the sport of the family"
Colonel tom" was an enthusiastic
lover of horses and of racing and he
never missed Pimico spring or fall
meet unless for some most excellent
reason.