He would not put himself out of the way to annoy and oppress prisoners, as Wirz would, but frequently showed even a disposition to humor them in some little thing, when it could be done without danger or trouble to himself.
By-and-by, however, he got an idea that there was some money to be made out of the prisoners, and he set his wits to work in this direction.
One day, standing at the gate, he gave one of his peculiar yells that he used to attract the attention of the camp with: "Wh-ah-ye!!" We all came to "attention," and he announced: "Yesterday, while I wuz in the camps (a Rebel always says camps,) some of you prisoners picked my pockets of seventy-five dollars in greenbacks.
Now, I give you notice that I'll not send in any moah rations till the money's returned to me." This was a very stupid method of extortion, since no one believed that he had lost the money, and at all events he had no business to have the greenbacks, as the Rebel laws imposed severe penalties upon any citizen, and still more upon any soldier dealing with, or having in his possession any of "the money of the enemy." We did without rations until night, when they were sent in.

There was a story that some of the boys in the prison had contributed to make up part of the sum, and Davis took it and was satisfied.

I do not know how true the story was.

At another time some of the boys stole the bridle and halter off an old horse that was driven in with a cart.

The things were worth, at a liberal estimate, one dollar.