The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-06-27
A TALK WITH JEFF DAVIS.
An Agreeable Surprise For a
Northern Visitor.
Meeting the Ex-COnftderate Chieftain On
the Cars.
A Conversation Relative to southern Dsvel-
opment-Ihe Future of the Lumber
Business.
ISL. Paul Mimi Pioneer Pres.I

among the lnbefSStADB lnCiuehbs VI hall
road Commissioners Bakers recent health
trip to the South was pleasant interview
with Jefferson Davis. Gen. Baker asked to
tell about his chat with the Confederate OK
President. thus described the meeting and
interview:
'I left Mobile on the afternoon Of April 5
with my friend, Judge Wilkens, for New
Orleans. About half way between Mobile
and New Orleans upon the Gulf coast, is sit
usted BeRuvoir, the house Of Jefferson Davis.
When that place was called on She train
several men remarked, almost in concert,
This is the home of JEFF Davis and a pas
senger sitting near me said, There he comes,
into the door, All the sests in the car were
occupied, with the exception OF ono
next behind US. NJ. Davis came
in and took that seat. Several
gentlemen, evidently Southerners, imme-
diately came forward and addressed him,
and afteIwsrd others, apparently gentlemen
from the North, travelling, availed themselves
of the opportunity presented for q word with
the President of the late Confederacy. In
the meantime ! had the fullest opportunity
frequently while he was Secretary Of War,
during Buchanan's administration, but he
has become much changed since then
Those we're among his active days, and his
eye was exceedingly brilliant. His appear
anco now is that OF feeble man who is
aging fast, and when he came into the Car 1
noticed that his step was shsky. The lid of
his right eye droops heavily, and 1 believe
he has lost the sight of it entirely. His other
eye is not as bright as in his younger days,
but occasionally, SIS he wa talking, noticed
that it flashed up quite keenly. The
AIR AND BEARING
of the man is that of culture and rafne-
men.. He wore soft felt hat and dark
clothes, and kid gloves loosely fitting his
hands. He will be 70 years of age mex.
month. IA most Of the gentlemen in the
car went up and spoke to him, 1 concluded
10 avail myself Of the opportunity thus
presented for having conversation with
the distinguished gentleman. L prefaced
nv interview with an ample apology for
intruding myself upon him. He replied
no apology was necessary, fer he was sl-
ways glad TO meet and talk with Northern
men. asked after his general health. Ee
said that is was good for q man of his age,
adding that his habits were simple and re-
firing, and that he left home bat little. 81
go up the river OCCASIONALLY he said, con
calls of business, to tia plantation formerly
belonging TO Iny BROTHER, and occasionally TO
New Orleans, but there, however, only on
buSiners.' In reply TO my question why he
has chosen Beauvoir rs a place of residence,
he answered; Because It Is the hsalthiest
spot on the Gulf csast.'., | then made the
inquiry if it was a suitable plsce for North
ern persons and invalids 70 visit during the
winter season, to which he replied that he
believed that it was the healthiest p6cs
which could be found. Said he: From o
close observation, extending through 40 yesrs,
of this entire coast, believe beyond doubt
that near where we now are ia one of the
healthiest and most desirable places of resort
10 be found upon that coast The winds
| from the North are broken By q continuous
| pine forest, and the breeze from the gulf
renders the place cool and delightful during
the summer months. It is free from mals-
ria,and is already beginning to attract atten-
ton rs place of resort
"I remarked to him tina. was pleased to
| see
EVIDENCES OF RENEWED PROSPERITY
| throughout the South, observing, however,
that the Southern people failed TO provide
| for themselves good roads. Said he: The
| people of the South ara too poor to build
roads.' Then i remarked: 'Mr. Davis, it
| appears to me that your people sre too poor
| to do without roads He smiled and said:
| Perhaps you have put IL correctly In re-
| ply 70 q suggestion that the people of the
| South appeared to be diyersifying their pur-
suite, especially IN the matter of agriculture,
| he replied that that wss true and that there
| were many great interests inviting capital
and industry. And said he, here ia one of
II -. I'D - he ~
| the window to the pine forests stretching
sway to the north-fhere is one of the most
| inviting industries for Northern capital that
can anywhere be found. Right here TO the
north of Us is vast area of pine, aud here
| are water stretches extending up from the
bays, and every facility for handling logs and
| lumber. The msrse: Is constantly increas-
| ing. These pine lands can be bought ut a
marvelcusly low figure, and a certain aad
sure reward awaits any one who viii en-
| gage in this business now Mr. Davis
| dwelt upon this matter a. some length aud
with = considerable degree OF esrnas.ness,
| telling what he would do if youag man,
ETC., and evidently having p profoaud con-
| vction that there were great chanc q in the
/ South in
THE LUMBER BUSINESS.
| In the further course Of the conversation
1 the eX-Ereeldent Oh the COntederacy said to
| me: II am somewhat familiar with the
| Northwest, having spent winter or two in
thst section" told him that was aware
| of that fact, and asked him what year /. YES
that he was in Prairie du Chen. He prompt
| ly replied: 81 spent the winters OF 1882
and 1888 at Fort Crawford at Prairie du
| CHEN, and st Fort Winnebsgo, over on the
lake of that name. / know what it is to
have the mercury fall to 800 below zsro.'
He added that he had been fsvorsbly i'm
| pressed with the Northwest, believed that it
had q great future, and inquired concerning
its development and prosperity. Ths con-
versstion was confined msinly to material
interests and the development Of the South,
and no sllusion whatever was made to any
| political topic. Mr.. Davis speaks slowly
and with great deliberstion and sloquence Of
language. In fact, his diction Clearly evil
dences q cultured mind. He is, however,
| evidently guarded in his conversation and
measures his words. His manner of express
sion is peculiarly his own. In the use of the
S sound he gives it peculiar sibilant or
Kissing quality, soft and pleasant to the ear,
but unusually prolonged. His memery sp-
| peared to be very good, and he recalled q
number Of dates of earlier years and events
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