The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-25
A CURIOSITY or LITERATURE.
Happiness Prison Life of Davis-Truti
STRANGER than Fiction.

from the Charleston Mercury, Oct. o.
" IL asserted that the book entitled "Pris0n Lie OF
jefferson Davis,n and purporting to be the work Of
DR.. Craven, was written in nine days by the late
The above paragraph is going the rounds OF the
press IA an item OF strange news.
The book, our readers VIII remember, came ont In
New York soon after the release OF Mr.. Davis on bail
from his imprisonment at Fortress Monroe. It was
the sensation OF the day and excited deep interest
for the famous prisoner whose story Of llfe II as-
southern people, OF whose lost cause he was
the Official head, IL awakened the curiosity,
removed the preludices aud enlised the synpathles
Of Northern men in behalf Of one fallen from high es
tate weary, feeble captive, who yet challenged adj
miration for the equanmiiy OF bis bearing and the
accomplishments Of his mind.
our readers viii be astonishcd 10 learn that the
statement is true. and that this popular book,
which go much or feeling, OF Indignation, pity In
terest aud admiration has been created and ex-
pcuded Is a work or imagination--a novel woven
upon slender threads OF fact.
soon after the admission OF Mr.. Davis 10 bail,
Craven the surgeon OF the post, went 10 New York.
where he met his quondam messmate OF the same
stan General ilalpine. This literary friend congra-
tuaten him forthwith on this opportunity he had 10
immortalle himself IN print aud az the same time
make money by book on JeG Davis. The idea seemed
new To Mr.. Craven and bic said It was mpracticablc.
Ialpne asked him where were his notes. Tie re-
pied he had none and could not do IL. Then said
Halpne rive inc whatever materials you nave and |
profits. This was agreed to.
Craven furnished threc letters OF Mrs. Davis To
MN and some notes written on the margin Of "a
HERALD by Mr. Davis, touching the points he e.
sided Referdy Johnson TO make IN defending him
for treason THIS was all tue authenhc matter sup.
piled.
A. me request. o. General nalpiue Craven also
made out list OF the officers OF the poat and their
dsys for going on duty ana other little details OF the
post and garrison and OF Mr.. Davis
Haipine then called 10 ace several conieiera'es In
New York and among others General Dick Taylor.
lie pumped them az TO Mr.. Davis, his views and
opinions on pubic matters: also IN regard TO lead.
ing southern men aud nr. Davis relations aud
feelings towards them, &c.
A Philadelphia publishing house now advertised
that II was soon TO put forth life of Davis: and Hal
pine saw the Importance Of anticipating this publ-
cation by his book II was arranged In New York to
get II out immediately. lie agreed to furnish hs
publisher forty pages OF oolscap manuscript daily.
And he sat down 10 wrte-and wrote forty pages
daily for nine days when The book was coInpleted--
the web " his fertile brain and accomplished mind
The book was OF great service to Mr. Davis: and
General Halplnes share OF the profits was 5000
last March when he communicated 10 us the above
facts from his own graphic ana eloquent Inns.
THIS IL OF the cur10sties ~ literature and Illus.
sraies the talents OF the mar who could 30 pausbly
manufacture out OF whole cloth the "f'ris0n Iafe Of
JEFFERSON Davis" with hIs private views and opt.
Mons roDcvIpiDa Dl-S aLl il.nxs.