Clark-Ormsby-Carson-Washoe County NV Archives Obituaries.....DAVIS, Samuel P. March 17 1918 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nv/nvfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Gerry Perry missgerry@cox.net May 21, 2004, 11:05 pm Las Vegas AGE LAS VEGAS AGE 3/23/1918 SAMUEL P. DAVIS DIES AT CARSON CITY WAS KNOWN THROUGHOUT WEST AS WRITER AND HUMORIST PIONEER OF NEVADA Carson City, Nev., Mar. 17, - Samuel P. DAVIS, widely known in the early days here and a prominent figure in the history of the west, died suddenly last night at his ranch near Carson City. DAVIS's death coming soon after that of Steve GILLIS, removes one of the last of the line of prominent newspapermen and writers who shaped the beginnings of journalism in the west, included among the line were such noted literary men as Mark TWAIN, Steve GILLIS, Ned TOWNSEND and other well-known figures in western literature. With Mark TWAIN, although not as noted, DAVIS was noted as a humorist, and his writing, such as "The Lure of the Sage Brush", "Battle Born", "The Gleaners", are recognized works of literature. DAVIS, who for years was state controller for Nevada, was probably chiefly known as the author of "The History of Nevada", a reliable source of authority on all incidents which make up the history of this state. At the time of his death he was owner of the Carson Appeal, and is known as one of the old "Comstockers". His popularity, both as a writer of poems, history and essays is unbounded and his death is received with much sorrow. Two brothers of the noted writer have attained high positions in the literary world. "Bob" DAVIS, in New York, is editor of the Munsey magazines and Will DAVIS is city editor of the Sacramento Bee, the largest publication in northern California. The death of the noted writer, humorist and statesman occured at six o'clock last night in the presence of members of his immediate family, his wife, Mrs. Nellie V. DAVIS, and two daughters, Mrs. Ethel ROY and Mrs. Lucy CROMWELL. Death was due to the effects of the amputation of his leg last August. It is said that he was never fully recovered from the effects of the operation and this, combined with his general illness as the result of having been stricken last Fourth of July with paralysis, weakened his general health to the danger point. He was one of the brilliant writers who made the journals at Virginia City, Carson City, and Reno famous during the bonanza days of the Comstock lode. He was of a later generation than Mark TWAIN, Brete HARTE and Dan DE QUILLE, and other noted western journalists. DAVIS came to Nevada in 1875 and for more than three decades figured prominently in the newspaper history of the state. Previously he had been employed upon papers in Chicago, Omaha and San Francisco. In 1880 he married Mrs. Nellie V. MIGHELS, widow of Harry MIGHELS, editor of the Carson Appeal, assuming ownership of that publication. He was born at Branford, Conn., April 3, 1850. - Nevada State Journal. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nvfiles/ File size: 3.3 Kb