The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-08-15
INTERVIEW WITH HON. JEFFERSON
DAVIS.
He Declines to Make n Statement in
Regard to the Dorsey WILL.
Progrcss of His Autobi-
ography --Thc Missis-
sippi Senatorship.

! Ex-President Davis, accompanied by
! Mrs. Davis, was registered at the st.
Charles Hotel on yesterday. During
the forenoon he was engaged in at
tending to some business matters, and
it was not until the afternoon that a
representative of this paper was able
to have an interview with him. Mr..
Davis was found in the rotunda in
conversation with friend.
s'Mr. Davis" remarked the reporter,
''the Picayune desires an interview
with YOU
s:An interview with me? That is
ought to know it by this time," was
the reply, while a kindly smile ap-
peared on the speakers face.
s'I have used the wrong word, pei
haps. What we wish is to direct your
attention to certain allegations in re-
gard to the will of Mrs. Dorsey, made
by the Northern and Western press,
and to get statement from you as to
their truth or falsity," explained the
reporter.
"I must certainly decline to say any
thing whatever about my private af-
fairs" was Mr.. Davis's very decided
answer. - -
"But these reflections are of so grave
a nature it was thought you might care
to answer Them"
grateful to the Southern press for de-
Tending me.'' --.-
"HaVc you read the stories alluded
to?''
II have read some, but it would take
up my entire time to read them all."
And Mr.. Davis laughed as if amused
at tho idea.
s'Then am to understand you posi-
lively decline to make any statelnent?''
"You are. Now put yourself in my
place and see if you would, under the
same circumstances, do what you ask
me to-"
"Certainly, you are better able to
judge than l." answered the reporter,
who, being unwilling to press Mr..
Davis further, changed the subject by
observing: R~.
s'There's one topic about which you
ing, and that is your autobiography
It is generally believed that it is now
in the hands of the Appletons, and
will be soon published.'
"That statement" said Mr.. Davis,
tshas been made by the Herald, but
Major Waltha]l wrote them a denial Of
it, which they didn't have the courtesy
to publish.''
s:Then the work is not completed 20
~ only wish it was, as SO many peo-
pie write to me for agencies it is an
noying. It is impossible to tell when
it Will be finished. The loss of my
papers and my Ill health have seri-
ously retarded its progress"
"You spoke of the loss of your papers,
to what do you refer?''
"I mean the destruction OF docu-
,nents and private papers during and
at the close of the war;"
In the preparation of his work MFR.
Davis was understood to state that he
had no secretary but rather an assist
ant, ill the person OF Major Walthall,
who lives about 4 mile and half from
Beauvoir.
Mr.. Davis writes out the manuscript,
to which notes and references arc ap-
pended, which Major Walthall looks
up and collates. In the language of
Mr. Davis. "Major Walthall having
been newspaper man, is we'll quail
fed to discharge that important task"
The reporter referred to the fact that
one Of the Mississippi Senatorships
would soon be vacant, and asked the
point-blank question::
"Mr. Davis, are you a candidate for
the position ?''
The question seemed to annoy the
gentleman interrogated, who very
courteously demanded:
"By what right do you undertake to
catechisc me?"
The answer was that the question of
the esenatorship had been very thorough
ly discussed, and was one in which the
public felt the deepest interest, and
any declaration by Mr.. Davis would
be eagerly received.
He modestly remarked that he didn't
see what interest the public could have
in him or his actions.
"My chief reason for asking is to get
definite, as it has been stated
that you had authorized the statement
you were not candidate."
"That is news to me-. Where did
you see it?''
"In one of the Mississippi papers,
and l believe it was very generally
copied throughout the State.''
"1ndeed ~ exclaimed Mr.. Davis;
"Why, have never authorized any
one to speak for me.''
"Then a false impression has gone
abroad, and l should like to correct it.
Are you Il candidate for the Senator