The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-12

The war had involved him in some
losses and had temporarily impeded
the development Of his personal affairs.
Throughout the struggle he had been "A
deVout Union symDathizer. and he was
ono OF tho men firmly convinced that
the separation Of West Virginia from
TO Il for n development that otherwise
might have been much longer delayed.
Davis Enters Political Life.
He became an operator on large
and constantly growing scale in the
timber. lumber. coal. oil, iron, agricul-
tural and other resources of the new
State. lila prominence and thrift
brought him into political note. and be-
fore the end Of the war he became
a candidate for the legislature.
At that time he was a Republican, but
an anti-fnachino Republican, and n
cation deprived him of his seat In the
Legislature drove him into the Demo-
cratic party. From that time forward
he was always affiliated with II.
In 1871 he was elected to the United
states Senate and the leadership
the state was attesteG by the fact
that no was supported by mary Ite-
pnblicans as well as Democrats.
Not many men could have taken mp
OF life and succeeded in IL without
interfering seriously with the other
career or business upon which Mr..
Davis hal entered.
The Chief Personality.
But in the peculiar posture of the
Davis fortunes at that time II pres
entity developed that his political as
sociations were altogether helpful to
his business interests because they
brought him into touch and intimate
acquaintance with many men OF large
affairs and wide-reaohing visions;
men who were ahlo to understand and
believe in his conviction that West
virginia was a magical domain. Thus
he became the chief personality in
supplying capital for the enterprises
of the new community.
During this period of his career his
energies and abilities were fortu-
nately re-enforced by reason of the
marriage of one of his daughters to
stephen b. Elkins. Gfterward Senator
from West Virginia MIR. Davis had
married in 1853 Miss Kate 4. Sanfz.
of Frederick. Md. To them was born
five children. Halle D.. who became
Mrs. elk ms: Kate B.. Grace T. Horny
q, IT,. and John r. Davis. Mrs. Davis
died ia 1902.
Mr. Davis left the Senate at a time
OF life and possessed OF such q for
| tune that most men would have been
content in like circumstances to re-
tire.
First Key to Development.
Instead Mr.. Davis returned with
more energy than ever to the further
development OF his business enter
prises,
He left tho senate in 1883. having
=, two years previously become the
head OF the Wost ViTkinia Central and
Pittsburgh Railroad &C mpany. which
had undertaken the construction Of a
road from Piedmont into TIE coal and
| lumber regions OF the State.
This road was the great hrst key 70
| the development OF the riCh interior
| of the State. IL was intimately affil.
lated with the Baltimore and Ohio fcl
a time. but a new management OF
| the latter system declined to continue
| the relationship on terms satisfactory
! to Senator Davis and spectacular
transportation and financial war en-
| sued.
In the face of the most bitter oppo
! sition involving at times physical in
terferonce with the operation OF hi
/ construction forces, Mr.. Davis built al
extension of his road from Piedmon
TO Cumberland, connecting with tn
, Pennsylvania system and the Chesa
pcake and Ohio canal. This connection
enabled him to continue marketing tn
huge products Of his mine In the sea
board, markets Independent of the Bal
timore and Ohio.
Railroad System Extends.
The Davis system of West Virgins
railroads extended rapidly and tn
country which they had opened develop
ed almost as Dy magic. Mines wer
opened. oil fields were developed, tn
lumber and iron industry expanded, an
in short West Virginia during thi
period proved itself worthy of its desiG
nation as the new Pennsylvania.
In 1907 the Gould interests became con
WINGED that 1t would be TO their interest
TO take over the Davis railway system
and they made an offcr which resulte
In the transfer of control To them.
Once more there was presented I
this remarkable man the opportunity
retire and seek ease and the enjoymcr
of his honors and successes. Hut one
more his tastes and inclination die
tated that he should continue his aC
tive career. lie went back to West Vii
new territory, developing towns an
working ceaselessly for the realizat 10
} of States possibilities.
Founder of Two Towns.
| He became the founder of the tw
each of which possesses schools, llbr;
rIes, hospitals. aud various other inst
tutions which represent his philal
thropy and interest in his neighbors al
home folk.
: The fortune left by Senator Davis 9
!, his death IL commonly estimated abO\
$50, 0O0, O00 Shortly after his retiremeI
, from the Senate in 1884, Senator DaV
was almost dragooned against his wis
= into a re-entrance into politics. He w,
Y enthusiastically supported from all par
. of the country for the Vice Presidenti
v nomination in that year on the tick
v with Grover Cleveland. Mr.. Davis wou
: undoubtedly have been nominated Ia
n he been willing to permit the use OF h
: name as against Thomas A. Hendricts
{ Of Indiana.
: The two men. however. had been clio
friends, and Senator DAVIS, declined
E have his name put to the front B
; for this insistency he would almost ce
}, tainly have been nominated, and, as Il
N event proved, would have been elect
I Runs for Vice Presidency.
As 1t was, President Cleveland co
suited him constantly on matters
"a both politics and national finances, al
n II was the common understanding OF 4
l. time that II the Secretary of the Urea
n ury had not gone TO a New York ma
n Senator Davis would have been nam
D -, 1000 Mr. DaviS was nressed h,y A