Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-10-07

ter which he sent him to West Point,
where he graduated with distinguished
honor in the class that turned out such
illustrious soldiers as Robert E. Lee,
Albert Sidney Johnson, as well as many
other compeers who served on the 9TH
er side in 'the late unpleasantness."
ROMANCE OF HIS RARLr CAREER.
He served afterwards in the cavalry
with marked distinction, but bitterly
offended Col. Zachary Taylor BY elop-
ing with his charming daughter, who
proved him an affectionate and exem-
plary wife as long as she lived. This
was the romance of his early life. 2
3Old Zach" did not relent for many
'yrarsnftst She deSti d his dnughler-
not until Jeh. serving in the Mexican
war, saved the entire American forces
by his intrepidity and gallantry at Bue-
ma Vista. He was after this occurrence
one of his most ardent friends. Mr..
Davis was elected to the United States
Senate in le4o, serving continually un-
til tie outbreak of that Inflated con-
fiict.
=.
His farewell speech upon the with
drawal of Mississippi from the Union
was a most eloquent and brilliant eff
fort, and when he cut loose from the
old Ship ofState many hearts were made
sad.
He was soon after elected at Mont
gomery to the Presidency Of the South
ern Confederacy. 1t was perilous and
most arduous position. The war came
and is over. How well Mr.. Davis exc
cuted this difficult and high trust i'm
posed on him remains to the historian.
HIS PEcuSIARY CONDITION.
The war left him, as it did thousands
of others who linked their fortunes with
the Confederacy,-land poor. Mr.. Da-
Wis owned a large plantation, before
Vicksburg, Of the finest river bottom or
alluvial lands. This he sold n few years
ago to his old servant, Ben Montgome-
ry, for $4,000, payable in installments
with interest, which may seem to some
of your readers perilous contract
Thus it may result. This old man was
educated. l have learned, by Mrs. Da-
Wis and though pure African, is rath-
er an extraordinary man, as witness this
trust of his old master. He with his
two sons, who are well educated, have
IN charge two large plantations, aegre-
eating perhaps over 5000 acres Of land,
for the cultivation of which he employs
a thousand hands. Three large stores
for furnishing supplies are operated by
him on this plantation, thus keeping
the money at home.
He has thus far been successful and
is held in high estimation bv the Con-
servatives in the State. Mr.. Davis some
times visits the old place when he is
waited upon at the table somewhat as
of old.
The late liberal movement to erect q
home for him will not probably be en-
couragcd in any way by him, since he
has but recently refused the Presiden-
cy of an Agricultural College in Texas.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE, ETC.
In appearance Mr.. Davis is rather
tall and slender-his features are sharp,
though not so much as is observed in
the photographs of him.
Since your correspondent had the
pleasure of meeting him a few years
ago i'll the South, lie has become more
delicate and feeble in looks.
He is now in Colorado, where he ex-
tended his trip with hope of improving
his health. His son. jefferson Davis,
Jr.. and Col. Heating, Editor of the
Memphis appeal" an intimate friend,
accompany him. He will probably speak
in Misscgri again on his return. ..
Very respectfully,
MARYLANDER.