After college , his father helped him gain his first position as a journalist at the '' Philadelphia Record '' , but he was soon dismissed . After another brief position at the '' Philadelphia Press '' , Davis accepted a better-paying position at the '' New York Evening Sun '' where he gained attention for his flamboyant style and his writing on controversial subjects such as abortion , suicide and execution . He first attracted attention in May to June 1889 , by reporting on the devastation of Johnstown , Pennsylvania , following the destructive flood . He added to his reputation by reporting on other noteworthy events such as the first electrocution of a criminal ( the execution of William Kemmler in 1890 )
destructive flood
Johnstown Flood
Richard Harding Davis