Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-27
HENRY {. DAVIS
EXPIRES AT HOME
Influenza Attack Is Fatal.
Noted Lawyer Had Dis
tinguished Career.

Henry Edgar Davis, a prominent
member of the District bar for nearly
half century, died at his home, 1891
Nineteenth street. al 1855 o'clock last
night. He had just passed his seventy
second birthday.
Mr.. Davis death followed the re-
currence of an attack of influenza, a
relapse taking place three weeks ago
and combining him to his home, after
he had insisted on making a trip to
Prince Frederick, Md, to conduct a
case while he was recuperating from
an earlier illness.
Funeral arrangements will be made
today.
Old Maryland Family.
Harry Davis, as he was best
known, was the son of Henry 8.
Davis and Mary Eliza Gait, both
members of pioneer Maryland fam
lilies. His father was a we'll known
business man. At the paternal resi-.
dence on Ninth street between E and
F streets, Mr.. Davis was born March
Is, 1855.
He was educated in the local schools
and academies, including Young's
School, preparatory TO entering
Princeton University, from which he
II.
highest class honors in 1876. The fol-
lowing year he entered Harvard Law
School, but was compelled to return
home during the school year because
of Illness, and resumed the study of
law at the old Columbian Law School.
where he received the LII. M. degree
in 1879. The same year Princeton
University conferred on him the
master of arts degree.
While pursuing his studies at Co
lumbar Law School Mr.. Davis also
was reading law in the offices of Wal
ter ID. Davidge, an acknowledged lead
er of the local bar, and he was admitted
to the District of Columbia and Mary
land bars in the Fall Of 1879, after
which time he engaged In the active
practice with the late Albert Gallatin
Riddle, member from Ohio of the
war Congress. and considered one of
the greatest orators before the courts
In that period.
Wed Partners Daughter.
January IT. 1882, Mr.. Davis married
Harriet Williams Riddle, daughter of
his partner, who, with a sister, Miss
Josephine Davis, survives him.
Mr.. Davis from the very outset
enjoyed a large and varied practice.
He served as Assistant Corporation
Counsel for the District of Columbia
from 1885 to 1889, and as United
States District Attorney for the Dis
trict of Columbia from 1897 to 1899,
at which time he resigned to re-enter
private practice. During the period
from 1888 to 1906, in addition to prac-
ticing his profession, Mr.. Davis de-
voted himself to teaching, being pro-
lessor Of common law practice and
L; to-
Columbian University, and professor of
evidence. pleading, mercantile law and
history of the law at National Uni
versity, which latter university in 1898
bestowed on him the honorary degree
Of LII. d.
From the time of his resignation
as District attorney until his death,
Mr.. Davis devoted himself exclusively
to the practice of his profession and
public affairs. In the criminal
branches of the courts during the last
half century he has been considered
the dean, having tried upward of 40
first degree murder cases in addition
to tnnumerable other important Grim
inal trials. Associates recall that he
was never so much interested as when
engaged in an exceedingly difficult
and technical case and his attention
was being employed almost continu-
ously by what are known as test
cases, in both the criminal and civil
branches of the law.
Was Leading Authority.
He was recognized as a leading
authority on the history of the law
In the District of Columbia and the
history of local courts, and had ac-
one of the largest and most
nnlIanffOnS Of
on this subject in the city.
which he recently donated to the Pub
lie Library. At the same time he
donated to Howard University library
ABOUT 5000 volumes on the history
of the English law and all the Eng.
fish law and equity reports.
Mr.. Davis was a former president
OF the District Bar Association, was
one of the oldest members of the
American Bar Association, and a
member of the bars of Maryland.
Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Ken.
lucky, as we'll as the United States
supreme Court. before which he fire.
luently appeared. He was a member
Of the Cosmos, Metropolitan and
Chevy Chase Clubs of this CITY. and
the Princeton Clubs of New York and |
New Jersey, the Columbia Historical |
society, the Association of Oldest In
1abitants of the District of Columbia |
and Society of Natives and MANY |
,ther local organizations.
Mr.. Davis was president of the |
class of rs, Princeton University, and |
was one of it's most loyal and devoted |
alumni. He never missed a reunion |
or foot ball game between Princeton |
ana Yale: One OF his outstanding |
was his love for Wash.
lngton.
When urged by a fabulous offer to |
remove to New York City, Mr.. Davis |