The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-03-14
LIFE OF DAVIS
AT INSPIRATION
WEST NiRolNiA'S "oRAND OLD
MAN" LIVED TO BE NINETY
THREE-HOW HE DIDIT
An Intimate Picture Of the Fine GEN
uemsn and Worker and What
He Had Accomplished.
BY CHARLES BROOKS SMITH


WASHINGTON. ID. G., March IA
Henry Gassaway Davis didn't live to
round out an hundred years. Not long
ago. upon a visit to Baltimore. TO told
the reporters there that he saw no
reason why he shouldn't live a century
and that he hoped to" He didn't say
he expected 20. and likely as not he
didn't The Grand Old Man OF West
virginia was a decidedly practicaI
men. He had no illusions as to life's
uncertainties-par as shadow
ing the footsteps OF a man OF 90
years.
The reasons he gave to the am.
bilious Young copy sleuths OF the Mon
ulnental City for his optimism were
interesting. He had lived a temperate
and abstemious life. He had liyed ON
the open road and had governed him
self by the laws OF hygiene and health
lie had never used tobacco nor liauors
He had kept regular hours and never
allowed either the pleasures or the
serious affairs touching him 10 inter
iefe win a full nights rest. Early in
NE he deliberately practiced not 10
worry, especially when he had Tho
business OF repose before him. and no
succeeded in forming the habit. He
was one OF the charter members Of
the Don't Worry Club" and al eighty
odd years was the personal and ac-
i've head in building his third rail
ROAD through the mountain barbados
OF West Virginia.
Less than three years ago. on a dsv
Sndppy ana crisp with winter cold.
! tempered to an agreeable edge bv a
glorious sun riding high i'm a cIopdiass
SKY. YOU might have met the Grand
! Old Man Of West Virginia" stenninr
alertly along New York avenue tai
inE Jhe exercise OF which he was 50
, lhordinately fond. and which he sci
y uom allowed himself 10 DENY. Ninety
I 'hTee years over six feet tall with
straight shoulders. short. rapid stens
ewes gentally surveying the passers- b,.
me hurrying traffic. Interested moro
IKE a finely preserved, successfuI
& 'tretree. retired business or profee-
/ 9lohai man than man within seven
OF an hundred years. carving the bur.
u'nH "i millions In treasure and. alas.
"Ilnlh q tortniEht's Journeying 10 the
l'l AIS OF eternity, Can YOU imagine
such a magnificent specimen ~ r,a,-
hood being helped ON his W. 81
/ through the gate by the eustainir,
: arm OF the messenger and I'D,
Rather. courtly bow. "a cbivsIrou.
gesture OF gentle acquiescence. and a
/ urn spoken, courteous. Lead on sir.
snail follow Ninety-three wears tbaf
never leaned "A cane,
IN 1903. when out Of the uncertain.
Ties or a national convention tbav
nominated him for vice president he
J was 81 years old. but the delegate,
couldn't believe II as they beheId him
] lhere among them. There was much
/ CIluclsm or the conventions action on
/ TINS score. There had been a vava
/ OF discussion on the advisablIitv of
exercising moro car I'm making the 500.
! ohd nomination on the presidential
: tickets than had been customar,
| Aet, Henry Gassaway Davis had 10
] ticket he was on prevailed. worId No
| doubt have served through his term
I He voted In two national elecfiops
/ after that. An even dozen wears ago
! " Us somewhat premature. as we'll
as hazardous. 10 guess AZ HISTORIC
/ estimate Of this man-historv as II
| has IN do in writing the record Of our
own great state. But as such we'll
/ known state historian and qualified
I expert az Judge George w Atkinson
| has done IL, IL will make others less
I timid 20 try. With duo respect 10
I all other citizens ~ West Virri-i.
who have attained prominence tn tho
| past ] regard Mr. Davis as tho leader
or them ALL and then We yet the rea-
/ son. BY odds he led the van as the
| chief developer 81 West Virrinia.s TO-
| sources and ifs interests as state.
| Tie built railroads. operated coal
mines. construction saw mills. etc.