Davis, Frank - Died 1920

DAVIS

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/20/2012 at 14:19:17

Hawarden Independent, September 27, 1920

Word was received here last week by A. D. Horton of the death of Frank M. Davis a former well known resident of this city, which occurred at North Collins, N.Y., on Monday, September 3rd. He had been in failing health for a long time but was bedfast for only one day preceding his death. Mr. Davis left Hawarden seven or eight years ago and since that time has made his home with two of his sisters in North Collins.

"Pinkey" Davis, as he was more familiarly known to his many old friends here, was a pioneer of this section. He was an old stage driver and for many years drove a stage coach from Sioux City to Sioux Falls long before these two cities were connected by a railroad, and it is recorded that no more expert horseman ever held the reins over the back of a four horse team. In addition to carrying passengers in those days the stage drivers also handled the mails and they had many thrilling experiences in traveling over this new and rough country, fording swollen streams, as there were no bridges in those days, and each trip was fraught with new experiences and adventures. When the railroads extended lines into this territory he took grading contracts and assisted quite masterfully in the construction work. His fondness for horses naturally led him into the livery business as the country began to become more thickly settled and he followed this business in Hawarden until the automobiles became so numerous as to make it no longer profitable. After retiring from the livery business he conducted a restaurant here for a time but later gave this up and went to New York to pass his remaining days.

Mr. Davis enjoyed a wide acquaintance in this territory and his many loyal friends here sincerely mourn his passing.