New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-13

! tensitv with which he expressed his
opinions were hardly calculated TO
/ smooth the feelings Of those with
whom he differed.
Irwin Cobb, who knew Mr.. Davis in
timately, expressed himself Vigorously
on this matter yesterday. Richard
Harding Davis was never anything but
gentle and sympathetic toward any one
in whom he believed" said Mr.. COBB.
And beyond all he was not concerted.
! Long ago he was branded with that
imaginary fault. and it stuck IN the
mind of the public and could not be
uprooted. There was little enough
reason for II.
me encouragement in my work an
convinced that he was as good a short
story writer as this generation has
produced.
While he was reporter IN New
York. Davis began the series Of Van
Bibber stories. which were later to
have astonishing success, and 70 60
through many editions in book form.
though before they appeared his
"Galiegher" had attracted wide atten-
ton. Those who were associated with
him in the carly days in New York
realized almost from the first that nc
was a man who was marked for
success.
After he loft "The Evening Sun" he
became the editor OF "Ilarper's Week
~" for year. and then suddenly dis
appeared from New York. A few
months later the anonymous articles
appearing in "The London Times from
one Of its war correspondents IN Greece
began to attract attention in America
as well as IN England. The anonymous
CORES pondent proved 10 be Richard
Harding Davis engaged in writing up
his first war. His romantic experiences
at that time led him to adopt war cor
respondence as a part Of his profess
sion, and he was one Of the first 10 de-
scribe the Cuban instruction and to
visit the island with the American
forces during the Spanish War
Followed Fortunes of War.
a large part of his life was spent
in the field. lie became interested IN
the Boer War, and, in spite Of the
many friends he had in England, be-
came an intense partisan of the Boer
eide Of the conflict. Later he covered
the Russo-Japsnese War. the struggles
in the Balkans and the present confilc CT,
with a few Central American revolu-
lions and minor wars thrown IN Tor
good measure.
OF his novels. Soldiers Of Fortune"
undoubtedly has been the most popu-
lar, and it was the one which he placed
first i'm his own estimation. II was
the forerunner Of school Of advent
urous fiction. Mr Davis's young daugh-
ter, Hope Davis. has been named after
the heroine of this story
There have been many disputes "a TO
which was his best short story. though
the consensus Of opinion inclinos tow
ard "Thc Exiles." Next TO Soldiers Of
Fortune" Captain Macklin" LAS been
perhaps the most widely liked OF his
extended works.
But despite the excellence Of his
novels. his enduring reputation rests
undoubtedly on the countless short
stories which he has written, and IN
these his journalistic training and in
stincts are paramount.
In addition TO his novels, stories and
books of war correspondence, he de
voted much attention TO the stage
later in life. and many OF his plays
we're extremely successful, particu-
larly "The Dictator" The Galloper,"
q satire on some of his own war cor
respondent heroes, and Vera the
/ Medium"
Many Of Mr.. Davis's friends who
welcomed him back from France not
long ago were quite unaware of the
illness that has led to his sudden
death.
"The death OF Richard Harding
Davis" said Rupert Hughes, "is shock
ing news. and a strange death for one
VINO has passed through so much dan
ger I'm so many parts OF the world.
Richard Harding Davis was d mas
ter Of the art of fiction with an cX-
traordinary gift for Selling tho inter
est and holding 10 without sign OF
strain. His people were real and
spoke human talk. In his characters
YOU saw the real people he met at the
wars and IN his travels. lie could de-
scribe battle and adventure with
amazing brilliancc. Davis has con-
tributed TO American literature a note
OF social picturesqueness Of a sort that
+ 10 had hitherto lacked"
Colonel Roosevelt sent this message
10 Mrs. Davis: pray accept my most
sincere sympathy in the death Of your
husband. ! mourn his loss as a loyal
friend and a good American Later
Nr. Roosevelt wrote this tribute 20
the dead author: 81 feel the deepest
regret for the death of Richard Hard
ing Davis not only because he has
been nay loyal friend. but because he
has been standing for what was high
iu American citizenship. lie was one
OF the three honorary members Of my
regiment He was with us IN Cuba.
His death Us loss 20 Amer can cit-
zcnship and 30 American letters"
4 PLAN ANNFX FOR RFIIFVITF