Little John Davis (grandson of Ella Cunningham) Death & Premonition
(text of newpaper article)
TRIBUTE TO DEAD BOY
Memory of John Davis, Killed Under Wagon, Will Be Cherished
The following tribute has been paid to John R. Davis, the 8-year-old son of
John R. and Hazel Spealman Davis, who was killed last Friday when run down
by a coal wagon, has been contributed by a friend of the family:
"Little John Richard Davis who was run down by a loaded coal wagon on
Twenty-ninth street last Friday, was laid to rest in the Fairview cemetery
Monday afternoon. The parents bear no enmity toward the man who drove the
wagon as they have decided the accident was entirely unavoidable.
"When one goes into a garden to pick a rose, one picks the fairest. Thus
when God went into the garden that day to pick a flower, He picked one of
the fairest and purest. It pleased God that little Dick's life should begin
in the Mercy hospital in chrysanthemum time and that it should end in the
same institution in chrysanthemem time.
"Dick was an unusually bright child, wise beyond his years, and highly
talented. He had a beauitful voice and with a little cultivation might have
made his name famous. He sang in Sunday school, in school, and at home.
His childish treble could be heard any time during the day and sometimes
when he was wakeful at night. He was also quite a little artist. By a
strange coincident, the night before he died, he drew the picture of a coal
wagon and a hospital ambulance in his little book. He was quick at learning
and very intelligent, and when he looked at one with his large brown eyes,
he reminded one of a bird when it holds it head to one side and looks at one
with its bright round, shining eyes. His eyes became round and seious when
talking on an interesting subject and flashed the fire of a black diamond
when he was offended, or could melt a heart of stone when he was asking
mercy.
"The number of floral tributes, tokens of kindness and letters of sympathy
received, shows how many loved him. This little child was idolized by his
relatives and loved by all who knew him. Although he has gone from this
earth, the love that his personality commanded will keep his little face
ever fresh in the memory of his friends."