Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-08-09

"A KIM OUT grave NOlCcs d tniis sicu-
der man, with brown hair and whiskers
tipping out gray, clear eyes, calm
brow, erect carriage, an Undesirable
air of dignity and sadness. There was
the first and last President of the Con-
federate States Of America!
Upon presenting my credentials, Mr..
Davis welcomed me warmly, and shak-
ing my hand gravely, led the way 10 the
house. As we walked up the high,
broad steps of the piazza small lady,
with black hair, worn as Mrs. Hayes
wears hers, and looking remarkably like
Mrs. Mary E. Bryan, the authoress, came
out Of the front door. This was Mrs.
Sarah A. Dorsey, one of the most noted
women of Louisiana, and the benefac-
tress of Mr.. Davis. She is an arthoress
of some note, having written " Pamela,
a novel, and think biography of one
of Louisiana's Governors. She owned
valuable river plantations and was at
the time of my visit deeply interested in
the project of national levees for the
Mississippi. She was thorough stu
dent--cOmpanionable with and devoted
to Mr.. Davis. remember that with an
air of protectorship she superintendent
any allusion that the ex-President made
to public affairs-a kind censorship that
he humored, if he did not regard it.
At her request, Mr.. Davis has made
Beauvoir his home during the time he
was engaged on his book. Accepting
this invitation, he had quietly dropped
out of the world. have never seen
more delightful household than that
gathered at Beauvoir at this time. Be-
sides Mr.. Davis and Mrs. Dorsey, there
was young JEFF, most agreeable and
earnest young fellow; boy relative of
Mrs. Davis, from the North, who, with
jeff, Jr, was reading law under the
ex-President, a smart and courteous
youngster, and Mr.. Davis's old colored
body servant, who is passionately at
tached to him. This made up the fam
lily, and there was a friendly interest and
easy eloquence in all the intercourse,
whether it assembled to the tremendous
affairs in which the leader had been in
volved, or dropped to the affairs about
the farm. There was no stiffness or
artificiality in the conversation, but at
once charming abandon and decorum
whether it was sitting in a group on
the piazza watching the Gulf, while the
strong salt breezes blowing from spice
land, famed our faces-Or walking
through the orange grove with Mr..
Davis and the boys-or snugly en-
sconced with Mr.. Davis in his study /
remember how devotedly Mr.. Davis was
attached to his son, and how fondly he
became interested in all that the bright,
frank young fellow turned his hand to.
He was engaged, with the help Of the
body servant, in building boat, and
the President halted us for a half-hour
in discussing with his son the prospects
of the venture. The boy was studious,
well-strung, robust-having the features
of his mother, bit many of the fathers
characteristics altogether an admira-
BILE boy. He died Of yellow fever last
year, and with hin died the asst of his
kingly line.
Mr. Davis could rot have selected
better place in which to perform the
great work upon which he is engaged.
The house at Beauvoir is an immense
roomy mansion, built in the old-fash-
Toned Southern style. The hall is wider
than an ordinary room, and covers more
space than the whole floor of tene-
ment house. 1t was laid with light
mating, and in the center is large
damask sofa, the center-piece rising
above the seats and holding large tray
of flowers. The rooms are very large,
l.. I Ii L. g.
and runs all around the house. The
parlors, dining-rooms, ETC., are fur
nished as they are usually furnished by
persons of culture and wealth, but there
was a better assortment of large chairs
than l ever saw before.
On thu right hand of the house is a
small two-room house, built for Mr..
Davis's especial use. This is his work
shop. One room is his library. This
is filled to the ceiling with books, a STEP