The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-03-13
.HENFE1G.DAVIS

lived q temperate and abstemious
life. he had lived on the open road
and had governed himself By the law
of hygiene and health. He had never
used tobacco nor liquors. He had
kept regular hours, and never allowed
other the pleasures nor the serious
affairs touching him to interfere with
a full nights sleep. Early in life he
deliberately practiced not to worry,
especially when he had the business
OF repose and sleep before him, and
he succeeded In forming the habit.
He was one Of the charter members
of the Don't Worry Club" was Hem
ry Gassaway Davis. and at eighty odd
years was the personal and active
head in building his third railroad
through the mountainous barbados
of West Virginia.
The foundation OF this marvellous
old mans health and wealth was laid
in the years Of his young manhood.
That 1t was laid with scrupulous care,
self-denlal from the pleasures aud all
too frequent excuses that most men
practice, is evidenced by his ninety
three years OF unimpaired bodily and
mental vigor and fortune that will
be found to range anywhere between
ten and fifteen millions OF dollars.
He saved the fine. straight, clean
young body that had been given him
and lie saved part Of the first dol
lar he ever earned-and the greater
part. He always kept his physical
and financial resources on the right
side OF the ledger. He was always
ready to hold up his end In iife's
serious game.
Less than three weeks ago, ON q
day snappy and crisp with winter
cold, tempered to an. agreeable edge
by glorious sun riding him In a
cloudless sky. you might nave met
the Grand Old Man OF West Vir-
ginla" stepping alertly along New
York avenue taking the exercise of
which he was 80 inordinately fond,
and which he seldom allowed him
self to deny. Ninety-three years
over six feet tall, with straight shoul-
ders, short, rapid steps. eyes genial
liz surveying the passers-hy the hur-
rying traffic, interested-more like a
finely preserved, successful. carefree,
retired business or professional man
than man within seven years of a
hundred years and carrying the bur-
dens OF millions in treasure and, alas,
within fortnight iourneying to the
nortnls Of eternity! Cnn you imagine
such magnificent specimen OF man
hood being helped on his way and
through the gate by the sustaining
arm OF the messenger and guide!
Rather, courtly bow, chtralrouH
esture Of gentle acqutescence, and a
firm-spnken courageous, Lead on,
Sir: shall follow! Nlnety-three years
that never leaned upon a camel"
In 1904. when out of the uncertain
ties Of a national convention. they
Nominated him for vice-preslde he
Twas eighty-one years old, hut the
delegates couldn't believe it nil they
fbehell him there among them. There
was much criticism of the conven-
tion's action on this score. There
had been a wave OF discussion on the
advisability Of exercising more care
In making the second nomination or
the presidential tickets than had beer
| customary. And there wsa then. al
There still Is, sound sense In the ar
gument. Yet, Henry Gassaway Da,
Wis, had the ticket he was on prevail
ed. would no doubt have served
through his term. He voted In two
national elections after that. Ar
even dozen years ago.
It Is said that the history OF this
great nation began with the running
l0f the first railroad train. We car
lbelieve that or not "a we choose. But
l'if It be Of reasonable truth. then thi.
mans life spanned the chasm from
the natal then to the now. He was
d boy Of fourteen when the hrst il1ro.
Imotiye pulled and whistled down the