DEDICATION 
Henry Davis Building 
June 21,1986 
Henry Davis was born September 25, 1902, 
in Clarkesville, Georgia, the son of Lucy 
and Clark Davis. He and his wife, Clara, 
who were married over 50 years, had three 
daughters: Mrs. Mercedes Murphy, Mrs. 
Jeannene Gosey and Mrs. Lucy Bland. 
They also had three grandchildren: Jenera 
Gosey, Octavia Bland and Lisa Murphy. 
Henry began his telephone career in 1917 
when at the age of 14 he began hauling 
poles for M. C. York, then owner of Stand- 
ard Telephone Company. This was the 
beginning of a career that spanned 50 years 
and included such positions as Lineman 
Helper, Installer and Combinationman. 
Throughout his career, Henry always exhib- 
ited devotion for his work, the company, 
his family, and co-workers. He earned the 
respect of everyone who knew him. 
In recognition of the respect that others 
had for him, Henry was featured in a 
TELEPHONY magazine article; served as 
Grand Marshal of the annual Mountain 
Laurel Festival Parade; and was the subject 
of many newspaper articles. In addition, he 
was prominently featured in the book A 
VIVID AND COMPELLING DREAM, written by H. M. Stewart, Sr. 
Firsts for Henry include: he was the first and only person ever to 
record 50 years of service to Standard Telephone; he was the first 
black man in Georgia, and probably the nation, to become a techni- 
cian in the telephone industry. 
Henry was further honored only yesterday when, at the annual Geor- 
gia Telephone Association Convention in Savannah, he was officially 
inducted into the Peach State Pioneer Hall of Fame. 
With the dedication of the Henry Davis Building today, the men and 
women of Standard Telephone have taken a step that will preserve 
the memory and inspiration of Henry Davis in the minds and hearts 
of everyone who knew him. 
PROGRAM 
Welcome and Introduction of Guests................Dean Swanson 
Invocation........................................Rev. W. I. Gober 
Dedication Address................................H. M. Stewart, Sr. 
Closing Remarks...................................Dean Swanson 
Unveiling Ceremony...........................Henry Davis Family 
Reception....................................Henry Davis Building 
THE BRIDGE BUILDER 
An old man, traveling a lone highway, 
Came at the evening cold and gray 
To a chasm deep and wide. 
The old man crossed in a twilight dim. 
For the sullen stream held no fear for him, 
He turned when he reached the other side, 
and builded a bridge to span the tide. 
Old man, cried a fellow pilgrim near, 
You are wasting your strength building here. 
Your journey will end with the ending day, 
And you never again will pass this way. 
You have crossed the chasm deep and wide. 
Why build a bridge at eventide? 
The builder raised his gray old head. 
Good friend, on the path I have come, 
He said, 
There followed after me today 
A youth whose feet will pass this way. 
This stream which has been naught to me. 
To that fair-haired boy may a pitfall be; 
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim. 
-Good friend, I am building this bridge for him. 
William Allen Dromgoole 
Henry Davis Building 
erected in 1986 
Tins building dedicated to the memory of 
HENR Y ANDERSON DA VIS 
in recognition of 
50 years of devoted service 
to the telephone industry and humanity 
1917-1967 
Be Nice to People and Theyll be Nice to You 
Standard Telephone Company