West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-03-16
West virgiEia's @Grand Old Man.
Passes Away

- NoSSo"ay LAWS, West virginia 8
Grand Old Man." died at the home
OF his daughter In Washington at l:45
o'clock Saturday morning. at the age
OF SO years.
Mr.. Davis was stricken with grippe
about fortnight ago. when on visit
to his daughter. Mrs. Stephen b. FL
kins, and on account OF his advanced
age, was unable to withstand the at
tack.
Funeral services were held in Wash
ington at the home OF Mrs. Elkins at
o'clock Monday afternoon by Rev.
DR.. Charles Wood. pastor Of the
Church OF the Covenant. which Sena-
tor Davis attended when in Washing
ton.
Leaving Washington Monday night
the funeral party arrived I'm Elkins.
the home of Senator Davis, at noon
Tuesday and the body was taken i'm
mediately to "Graceland." the home of
Senator Davis in that city.
At o'clock Wednesday funeral ser
vices were conducted in the Davis
Memorial church, which was built by
Senator Davis as a memorial to his
parents and presented to the congre-
CATION which has worshipped in IL for
many years. The services were con-
tucted by Rev. Frederick II. Barron.
ID. d.. who had been Senator Davis
pastor for the past fifteen years. The
body was then taken to Maplewood
cemetery and inferred by the side of
the devoted wife who preceded Sena-
tor Davis to the grave several years.
and near the grave of his distinguish
I'd son-in-law, Senator Stephen b. FL
kins
Senator Henry Gassaway Davis wit
messed and participated I'm the great
political epochs of American progress
'or more than three-Quarters of CEN
fury He was the "old fashioned gen
leman" i'm the Senate. His utterances
were those OF the old Jeffersonian
days
Liberty and free government have
always been secured at the cost OF
great sacrifices" he said on one occa-
sion. But history teaches us that
both can be easily lost without the
knowledge of the people"
1t is significant that he was born in
The same year, 1923. at Woodstock
Md. that the Monroe doctrine became
a fundamental principle in American
politics. During his distinguished
'areer he fought to maintain it. He
'ater represented the United States
Senate at two Pan-American confer
ences at which by his personality and
speeches he strove to strengthen the
bonds OF friendship between North
and South America.
Senator Davis active political career
began the year after the Civil war. He
was elected member of the House of
Delegates of the new State of West
Virginia and next served as State Sen
| ator.
West Virginia sent him to the Uni
ted States Senate as its first Demo-
cratic representative in 1871. He SER
we'd two terms with distinction. He
ceaselessly urged Congress to help the
farmers by establishing an agricultur-
al department. His own bills failed i'm
passing, but he lived to see the day
when his far-sightedness was recog
nized.
A familiar figure in presidential con-
ventions. Senator Davis led his dele
gates from West Virginia to the nomi-
nation hall on seven occasions, prob
ably record for such service.
a year after he had retired volun-
tarily from the Senate. he was urged
TO become a candidate for Vice Presi
dent on the ticket with Grover Cleve-
land. He declined He accepted the
nomination, however, as running
mate with Alton b. Parker and thus
became the oldest candidate, aged So.
ever selected for the office
The venerable Senator was not only
Dmocrat in politics. but he was a
Democrat in nature He was the
champion of liberty.
Imperialism is hurtful and abhor-
rent in a free government" he de-
clared when accepting the nomination
for Vice President in the ST. Louis
convention of 1904 THE policy of
Imperialism is always dangerous to
liberty"
The great wealth Of Senator Davis.
estimated at S3O.OOO.OOO. was acquired
by far-sightedness and his ability to
take advantage OF opportunities. He
was the eldest Of five children. and at
an early age. on his fathers death.
became the bread-winner Of the fam
ily AZ 10 years Of age he was a farm
hand on Maryland plantation. having
relinquished opportunities for an edu-
cation in favor Of the younger chill
| dren.
His great business career began
when he became brakeman on
freight train. His rise was rapid. AT
that time railroad trains did not run
at night was too dangerous. At
the approach Of dusk they made for
the nearest station and waited for sun
rise
ct is a waste Of time" insisted
young Davis. who was then master OF
| transportation
He startled the veteran operators
by sending out the first night train be-
tween Baltimore and Cumberland. It
marked a new epoch I'm railroadine.
7 Davis increased his wealth and fame