Davis, William T. – 1874-1924

DAVIS, GADD, HOPKINS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:38

Wm. T. Davis Takes Own Life Friday
Worry Over Land Deal Thot to have Been Cause
Was Highly Respected Business Man of Colfax and Member of Davis & Davis, Clothiers
The city of Colfax awoke Friday morning to one of the worst shocks it has experienced in many years. The word was passed about that Wm. T. Davis had taken his own life that morning at his home sometime between five and six o’clock.
He had gone to the basement of his home about five o’clock to fix the furnace fire, which was his custom. But when he did not return for some time Mrs. Davis became worried, fearing that he had taken suddenly ill, and went down stairs and called to him, but got no response. She then went to the basement door and found it locked. She then called Ralph Hopkins, husband of a sister of Mr. Davis, who was visiting in the home from California, and he also tried to open the basement door, but being unable to gain entrance he went outside and into the basement form the garage entrance. He found Mr. Davis hanging from a water pipe. Mr. Hopkins immediately cut the heavy cord, and let him down, but life had gone out. Dr. R. G. Anspach, who lives next door, was called, but nothing could be done.
It is thought, although not known that worry over the purchase of some Minnesota land a few years ago was the cause of the rash act. But it is said on good authority that his financial condition was not in a serious condition at all, although he was sure of a considerable loss on the farm, which they had recently traded for an apartment in Minneapolis.
His actions the day and night previous to his rash act would not indicate that he was contemplating any such thing. The night before, Mr. and Mrs. Davis attended the musical at the M.E. church and he seemed as jolly as ever.
Mr. Davis was born in South Wales July 22, 1874 and came to America with his parents in June 1882, and located at Angus, Iowa. In 1892 they moved to Colfax where he has resided continuously ever since. As a young man he worked in the mines. At the age of about twenty he took up the work of clerking in the R. B. Zachary & Co. clothing store. In 1907 he and John Davis associated themselves together in the clothing business, and for twenty-three years have been partners. Altho the firm name Davis & Davis would indicate they might be related, they were of no blood relation, yet as two men they were as close to each other as any brothers could be, and their twenty-three years of business dealings together without a word of trouble between them indicate their loyalty to each other.
On July 14th 1909 Mr. Davis was married to Myrtle Gadd, who with two sisters and two brothers remain to mourn his loss. In the spring of ’10 he joined the Christian Church and has ever been one of its faithful and regular members.
As a business man Mr. Davis was ever on the alert and with his partner had one of the most up-to-date business houses in the city. He was a member of the Colfax Commercial club and one of its directors, and never hesitated in doing his full share of any work that came to its attention.
The Iowa Retail Clothiers Association, through their Secretary wrote Mrs. Davis as follows: “Word has just reached this office of the death of Mr. Davis. In this hour of sorrow I wish to express to you personally and in behalf of the clothiers of Iowa, our sympathy. Our records show that the firm of Davis & Davis were active members in the work of our association.”
Mr. Davis had the faculty of making and keeping a large circle of friends and the exceptional large floral offering was a slight indication of the friends he had made.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the home, conducted by Rev. Vere Rogers, assisted by Rev. E. G. Williams. Interment was made at Oak Hill cemetery.
Source: Colfax Tribune; Thursday, February 7, 1924, page 1