One of the most unusual and least known Texas oilmen was Edgar Davis. A native of Brockton, Mass., Davis made a sizable fortune from a shoe manufacturing business in that city. He later invested in rubber plantations in the Far East, enhancing his fortune even more. Independently wealthy by the age of 45, Davis turned his attention to other interests.
A believer in re-incarnation, Davis commissioned a high school classmate to write a play on the subject, and he personally financed its production on Broadway. Critics described it as the worst drama ever written, but Davis liked it and kept it going by offering free tickets to any and all attendees. His efforts to have the play made into a movie were rebuffed by producers, and it eventually faded into oblivion.
His next project involved Texas oil leases in Caldwell County owned by his brother. In 1921 Davis came to the central Texas area around Luling to investigate the properties, although he had no experience or expertise in the oil business whatsoever. All the oil experts proclaimed the leases worthless, as geological formations indicated there was no oil in the area. Davis rarely paid attention to experts, however, and forged forward and began drilling wells. After six dry holes, he was ready to give up and return to Massachusetts. A devoutly religious man, Davis firmly believed his every move was directed by Divine Providence, and he was convinced that God had brought him to Texas for a reason. Consequently, he tried one more time, and his efforts were rewarded with a producing well, giving him the impetus to drill more. The results were remarkable. Over the next 25 years, the Luling field which Davis developed yielded more than 100 million barrels of oil. Davis eventually sold his holding to Magnolia Oil Company for $12 million.
Davis felt a deep sense of gratitude to his adopted hometown of Luling and determined to demonstrate his appreciation for what they had done for him. Written invitations as well as by word of mouth went to all residents of Caldwell and Guadalupe counties, as well as to former employees and friends literally from all over the world. To feed his guests, Davis bought 12,200 pounds of beef, 5,180 pounds of lamb, 2,000 frying chickens, 28,000 bottles of soft drinks, 8,700 bricks of ice cream, 7,000 cakes, 100,000 cigarettes, and 7,500 cigars. He also brought in two dance bands from San Antonio.
In addition to the food and festivities, Davis announced that every member of his organization would share in his wealth. Five members of his management team each received $200,000. Other key personnel received $50,000 each. Rank and file workers who had drilled and managed wells received bonuses up to 100 percent of their total earnings. He also built two country clubs, one for white residents and one for Blacks, and endowment to maintain both facilities so that no member would ever have to pay dues. All told, Davis spent $5 million for the “thank-you” picnic.
He moved back to Massachusetts, but returned to Luling periodically. In fact, he developed another oil field in the area. He died at his Luling home in 1951 at the age of 78.
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Dr. Tommy Stringer is executive director of the Navarro College Foundation. His radio program, “Texas Legends,” airs at 6:55 a.m. weekdays on KAND Radio.
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Edgar Davis: Luling Oil Man
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