Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-11-19
The Prison Life of Jefferson Davis" +"
Written by Miles 0'Reilly in Nine
Days.

"Goorgc Francis Train asserts that
the book entitled prison Life of Jof
ferson Davis and purporting TO be
the work of pr Craven, was written
in nine days by the late General G..
G. IIalpine."
The above paragraph is going the
rounds of the press as an item OF
strange news.
The book, our readers will remem-
ber, came out in New York soon after
the release of MIR. Davis on bail from
his imprisonment at Fortress Monroe.
1t was the sensation of the day, and
excited deep interest for the famous
prisoner whose story-of prison life il
assumed to give. While it stirred the
hearts Of the Southern people, Of whose
lost cause he was the official head. il
awakened the curiosity, removed the
prejudioes and enlisted the sympathies
of Northern men in behalf of one fallen
from high estate, a weary, feeble cap
tive, who yet challenged admiration
for the equanimity of his bearing and
the accomplishments of his mind.
Our readers win be astonished to
learn that the averment Of Mr.. Train
is true, and that this popular book,
over which so much of feeling, of in
dignation, pity, interest and admira-
tiou, has been created aud expended,
is work of Imagination novel
woven upon slender threads of fact.
Soon after the admission Of Mr..
Davis TO bail, Craven, the surgeon Of
the post, went to New York, where
he met his quandom messmate of the
same staff, General Halpino. This lit
erary friend congratulated him forth
with on this opportunity be had to
immortalize himself in print, and at
the same time make money on book
on JEFF. Davis. The idea seemed new
to DIR. Craven, aud he said it was i'm
practicable. Halpine asked him where
his notes were. He replied he had
none, and could not do ii. Then said
Halpine, give me whatever materials
you have and / will write in your
name, and we will share the profits.
This was agreed TO.
Craven furnished three letters Of
Mrs. Davis TO him and some notes
written on the margin Of Herald by
Mr.. Davis, touching the points he de-
sired Reverdy Johnson to make in
defending him for treason. This was
all the authentic matter supplied.
AT the request of General Halpine,
Craven also made out list of the
officers OF the post, and their days for
going on duty, and other little details
Of the post and garrison, and of Mr..
Davis.
Halpine then called to sec several
Confederates in New York, and among
others, General Dick Taylor. He
pumped them as to Mr. Davis, his
views and opinions on public matters
also in regard to leading Southern
men, and Mr.. Davis's relations and
feelings towards them, &c
A Philadelphia publishing house
now advertised that it was soon to
put forth life of Davis, and Halpine
saw the importance Of anticipating
this publication by his book. 1t was
arranged in New York TO get it out
Immediately. He agreed to furnish
his publisher forty pages of foolscap
daily. And he sat down |
to write-and wrote forty pages daily !
for nine days, when the book was
complcted-the web of his fertile brain /
and accomplished mind.
The book was of great service 20 |
Mr.. Davis, and General Halpino's
share of the profits was seven thou
sand dollars, last March, when he /
TO us the above facts
from hisown graphic and eloquent lips |
This is one of the curiosities of it,
crature, aud illustrates the talents of
the man who could so plausibly man
ufacture out Of whole cloth the "Pris.
on Life Of Jefferson Davis, with his
private views and opinions concerning
men and things. - Charleston (S O.
Mercury