DR. JESSE JAMES DAVIS 
                           (1873-1959)
                           
  A well-known Panhandle pioneer is Dr. Jesse James Davis, whose life spanned a 
medical era from the day physicians rode horseback to the day of miracle drugs. 
Dr. Davis was born in Freestone County, Texas. He attended medical schools in St.
Louis, Mo., Louisville, Ky., and graduated from College of Physicians and Surgeons 
at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1902. Dr. Davis was married to Miss Virginia Williamson 
the same year, and began medical practice in Fairfield, Texas. During his entire 
time of practice there he collected but $225.00. This was the year of the boll 
weevil. While pondering whether or not he should seek a new location, an 
advertisement appeared in the Baptist Herald stating that Lipscomb, Texas, would 
pay a bonus of $400.00 for a doctor. Dr. Davis was selected for the job out of 33 
applicants. 
  In 1905 Dr. Davis and Mrs. Davis came to Higgins, and with the exception of a 
very short period practiced medicine in this community until his death. Dr. Davis 
was recognized as an able physician and surgeon, not only by his patients, but by
noted members of his own profession. His trait of character that was admired by 
all was his fundamental and absolute honesty, and that is why the people believed 
in him so completely. Many times he has single-handedly, with no attendant, 
performed difficult and delicate operations that were entirely successful. Winter 
and summer in cold and heat, snow and rain the slender boyish-looking doctor never 
refused to go when a call came. With his pill bags hooked over the back of his 
saddle, Dr. Davis fought blizzards and swollen creeks, but always managed to reach 
his destination. 
  It would be interesting to know how many babies he has ushered into this world. 
Dr. Davis's records were destroyed in the 1947 tornado, but would run well into 
the thousands, for when he had been practicing 34 years it was more than 2,500
babies.
  It is recalled by an office nurse of Dr. Davis that on one occasion he made a 
call on a patient many miles from Higgins. An operation was necessary and it was 
impossible to move her. Dr. Davis removed a door from the house and used it as an
operating table, and saved the patient's life. He would often ride several horses 
before reaching the person in distress.