The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-16
JEFF. DAVIS.
Business Talk with the Venerable x-Pres-
ident of the Ex-Confederacy.

ident of the Ex-Confederacy.
General Baker in st. Paul Pioneer Press.
II left Mobile on the afternoon of April
with my friend, Judge Wilkins, for New Or
leans About half way between Mobile and
New Orleans upon the Gulf coast, is situa-
ted Beauvoir, the home of Jefferson Davis
When that place was called on the train sew
eral gentlemen remarked, almost in concert,
This is the home of JEFF. Davis and pas
senger sitting near me said, There ne comes
into the door All the seats in the car were
occupied, with the exception of one next be-
hind US. Mr. Davis came in and took that
seat. Several gentlemen, evidently South
erners, Immediately came forward and ad-
dressed him, and afterward others, apparently
gentlemen from the North, travelling, awaited
themselves of the opportunity presented for
a word with the President of the late Con-
federacy. In the meantime had the fullest
opportunity of looking at Mr.. Davis. l
had seen him frequently while he
waSSecretary of War during Pierce's ad-
mihfstration, but he has become much
changed since then. Those were among his
active days and his eye was exceedingly
brilliant. His appearance is now that of
feeble nah who is aging FAST, and when he
came into the car / noticed that his step was
shaXy. The lid of his right eye droops heav-
lily, and I believe he has lost the sight of it
entirely. His other eye is not as bright as
in his younger days. but occasionally as he
was talking, noticed that it flashed up quite
keenly. The ar-and bearing of the man is
that of culture and refinement. He wore a
soft felt hat and dark clothes and kid gloves
loosely fitting his hands He will be seventy
five years Of age next month. As most of
the gentlemen in the car went up and spoke
to him, / concluded to avail myself of the
opportunity thus presented for having a con-
versation with the distinguished gentleman.
prefaced my interview with an ample apollo
gy for obtruding myself upon him. He q
piled that no apology was necessary. for he
was always pleased to meet and talk with
Northern men. 1 asked after his general
health. He said that it was good for man
of his age, adding that his habits
were simple and retiring. and that he
left home but little. 4 go up the river oc-
casionally' he said, on calls of business to
the plantation formerly belonging to my
brother, and occasionally to New Orleans,
but there. however, only on business In
reply to my question why he had chosen
Beauvoir as a place of residence he answered:
Because it is the healthiest spot on the
Gulf coast l then made the inquiry If it
wasa suitable place for Northern persons
and invalids to visit during the winter sea-
son, to which he replied that he be believed
that it was the healthiest place which could
be found. Said ne: From close observa-
ton, extending through forty years. of this
entire coast believe beyond all doubt that
near where we now are is one of the health
lest ana most desirable places OF resort to be
found upon the coast The winds from the
north are broken by continuous pine for
est and the breeze from the Gulf renders the
place cool and delightful during the summer
months. 1t is free from malaria and is al
ready beginning to attract attention as a
place of resort
II remarked to him that was pleased to
see evidence of renewed prosperity through
out the South observing, however that the
Southern people failed to provide for them
selves good roads. Said he, The people of
the South are too poor to build roads. Then
1 remarked, Mr. Davis, it appears to me
that your people are too poor to do without
roads. He smiled and said Perhaps you
have put it correctly. In reply to sugges-
ton that the people of the South appeared
to be diversifying their pursuits, especially
in the matter of agriculture, he replied that
that was true, and that there were many
great interests inviting capital and industry.
And said he, here is one of them'-raisng
his hand he pointed out of the window to
the pine forests stretching away to the north
here 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, and here are water stretches ex-
tending up from the bays, and every facility
for handling logs and lumber. The market
is constantly increasing These pine lands
can be bought at a marvelously low figure,
and a certain and sure reward awaits any
one who will enpaoe in this business now