The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-12-08
JEFF DAVIS.
How He Looked and Talked to Chicago
Times Representative.

Mr.. Davis, who was smoking cigar,
seated himself, motioning to me to do like
wise Then. with the never-failing polite
ness of these people, he took fragrant
Havana from his vest pocket. handed il TO
me and gave me his cigar to light it with.
which l did. 1t was thus / smoked
THE CALUMET OF PEACE,
so to speak, with Jefferson Davis.
"Well, sir" he said, i'm a fine, full, manly
voice, of great sweetness rs well. Il am very
glad 10 see you and to hear from Judge
Walker"
| expressed my thanks, and not being a
good hand at Iii plomacy, of which the great
Rebel is a profound master, | remarked:
The kindness of Judge Walker made me
trouble you at all. have no desire to in
trude upon you, nor am actuated by any
vulgar curiosity. The Judge and myself
thought, however, that at the present crisis,
YOU might give expression to some opinions
that would be sure TO interest the whole
country. As | am on a general tour of the
South, and have carte blanche to visit her
distinguished men, / could hardly go by
Beauvoir without calling upon YOU"
Mr. Davis smiled SUPERIOR" took a
couple of long pulls at his cigar, poked the
blazing logs upon the hearth stove and
mildly answered:
al should be most happy to talk with you
on general matters, sir, but | have strictly
adhered to the rule of not allowing myself
to be interviewed on any political subject,
for reasons which am sure you do not need
to have explained. l am glad you were
frank with me, although no explanation on
your part was necessary to assure me that
you would not seek an interview against my
inclination. Judge Walkers letter was suf-
ficient assurance of that"
IL am glad you view my presence in that
! light. Mr.. Davis" ! answered. Naturally
the country would like TO hear from you,
but since you have made up your mind not
to speak. that ends the matter
Thank you" he returned, very politely.
81 have not been very we'll nor am I now,
and have been rather occupied lately"
you are, | understand. preparing your
memoirs, Mr.. Davis" i ventured.
Eyes but it's rather slow work. Writing
is not my forte" he answered, smilingly.
sit keeps me up late, and my health suf-
| fers"
ing very inyalid-like in his appearance.
With the
WEIGHT OF THREE SCORE AND TEN WINTERS
upon his shoulders, jefferson Davis might
easily pass for sixty, or less. but for his
somewhat pale face and white hair. Hisvoice
has still the ring of youth and, although
always a somewhat delicate person. am
sure Mr.. Davis is man of immense vital
power. looked up at the engraving on the
wall, and asked at what period of his life
that was taken.
The picture from which il was en-
graved, he replied, twas taken in 1855
when | was in the War Department al
Washington. They wanted il to put on Gov
eminent warrants, think"
| / said nothing, because in the Davis be
fore me there was not the slightest re
semblance to the Davis of the picture. il
looked, save the mustache, much more like
] the late Professor Gustavus Geary. / have
never seen an engraving, painting. portrait
or photograph that gives even t0lerable
idea of what Jefferson Davis now looks like
Every representation have ever seen of the
gentlemen gave him very stiff look and
hollow cheeks. Those taken during tn,
Rebellion make him hatchet-faced, with
an unbecoming chin tuft of the
stereotyped ''Uncle SAM pattern. At the
present time, probably on account of cult
waiting his anything but luxuriant beard
Mr.. Davis is not hatchet-faced ut ALL Tn,
prominence of his nose and cheek-bones hal
been mitigated. He does not look emaci
ated, either. On the contrary, his proper
ton to his height although he is far from
straight, is admirable Hebears himself mar
TALLY yet, with something of old Yves
Point (where, perhaps. he. used to patroniz,
Benny Ravens. OF about him, and ther,
is a ray of Buena Vista's red glory upon hi:
brow, shining through the accursed cloud
of treason and rebellion" that settled owe
him during that hateful strife between tn,
Government OF the people and the factor
of the shareholders. One could wish, In
gazing on his gray hairs. that he had dice
with Yell and Clay and his other Draw
companions in arms on that memorable da,
when, dauntlessly leading his Mississippi
Rifles, he rallied our broken ba'talions
hurled back the Mexican Lancers, and VOL