The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-08-14
MIR. JEFFhRSON DAVIES LATES T
TROUBLES.


Not very lopg ago Mr.. Jefferson
Days gained, by tedious litigation,
estates that had belonged to his
brother and passed into the hands OF
others who claimed to be heirs of the
deceased, and now, clear as Mr.. Davis's
rights may be and those of the woman
who devises to him her wealth, he must
still be deemed somewhat unfortunate
in the fact that his rights are ques-
toned and tedious litigation makes
the price he pays, for that which
should cost nothing, very great
He is uniustly charged with exercising
undue influence over Mrs. Sarah A.
Dorsey, and with persuadipg her, by
various wlles, to give and to bequeath
to him her real estate. Mr.. Dahlgren,
half-brother of the late lady, who
would otherwise have had the property,
or part of it, naturally regards Mr..
Jefferson Davis with extreme indigna-
ton, and accuses him of being that
character much portrayed by novelists
and much acted on the stage-a fortune
hunter. MIR. Mortimer Dshlgren, be-
ing duly interviewed, deposes and says
that Mrs. Dorsey was a moncmaniac
In regard to Mr.. Davis, and that he en-
Outraged her unreasonable veneration.
Finally he seems to have become in
some sort. Dahlgren asserts, the mas
TER of Besuvoir. SsTeral are the
pictures qle irc,deLts of Mr.. Dahl
gren'S story. Mr.. Davis managed
the matters as if the property were
all his own, as indeed it soon was.
''H,s very tread" says the narrator,
"was that of enc born to control. -
There was crippled old negro on the
premises, an ancient serf of the family,
and It's venerable servitor did the ex-
President of the late Confederate States
OF America kick down stairs, and the
back stairs at that. Mrs. Dorsey was
writing book, and Mr.. Davis helped
her. 1t may not have anything to do
with the main story, but we cannot
forbeGr mentioning that on Christmas
Day, 1877, there was roasted peacock
Tor dinner. Nc Dahlgren relates this
fact as il it had some bearil upon the
question Of Mrs. Dorsey's sound
and disposing mind and memory;
bu. If 60, we have failed to dis
cover the connection, which must be
deeply recondite. Finally, Mr.. Davis,
having made himself in al; but name
master OF BeGuvoir, OF timed deed of
the same from the lady, who said that
there was private undersia 1ding that
he should convey il back to her when
ever she desired. She promised to give
Mr.. DNhlgren an estate in Arkansas,
but she never did 1t. She promised to
buy house for him in Biloxi, with 8
neat flee attached, in which he might
practice law; but she failed 10 keep
her word, though probably Mr.. DIvis
strongly recommended her to DO so.
Mrs. Dorsey went of to New Orleans,
taking with her large picture of Mr..
Davis; he and il vile con-
tinued to reside at Beauvoir;
and the discarded Dahlgren drift
ed alb u apparently for some time
homeless, and finally opened q cigar
shop in st. Louis, where he still dis
pepses the fragrant commodity. He
will contest, with others, the will Of
Mrs. Dorsey; but Mr.. Davis holds
Besuvoir in tee simple, snd takes his
pleasure there.
L: must be allowed that Mr.. Motif
mer DIhlgrea's tale, as above given,
is 10. pleasant one. II Mr.. DAVIS
told the story. it would be more hon.
orsble to himself. Bat this is reel ted
by Bic. Dlvis's enemies and given only
that it may pave the Way for NJ. Da
.vis's side of the story when it sp-
peare.