The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-14
JEFF pAv1s,s PRETTY pAuGHrER.
'sThe Child of the Confederacy" Visiting Vir-
ginia Frlends-Her Home Life.

g1Hfa EFAendS-H0E Home lille.
Alexandria tya.) Special.
Jefferson Davis's youngest daughter-who has
been called 1.-The Child of the Confederacy," be-
cause she was born at Richmond while her father
ruled as President of the Confederate States-ls
on visit to the family of Gen. "Runy" Lee,
who lives a few miles outside OF this town.
Until last week Miss Davis had lived, ever since
the war, at her fathers home, Beauvoir, Miss
few days ago she came to Richmond with her
aunt, and. after calling on some OF her family
friends, she set out for Fairfax county for visit
to General Lee, who is one of the Confederate
PRESIDENTS closest friends.
Many Alexandrians have gone out to Ravens
wood, General Lees country-seat. to pay their
respects to this ''chid OF the confederacy." All
speak of her adniringly. Miss Davis is typi-
cal Southern beauty. She is just tall enough to
be commanding in appearance and has will
lowy, graceful form, which is clad with rich
ness and taste that are surprising when it is re-
membered that this young girl has lived all her
life In the retirement of a countrv-house. Her
face is long ard somewhat inclined to lean
ness but its every lineament bespeaks the
patrician. Her complexion is rich
Olive, her eyes hazel and her hair black
and curling. Although still very young, and
without society experience, she looks like queen
among women as she stands receiving her cali
ers. From her conversation, it appears that she
cherishes tie same sentiments as her father In
regard to the 'iost cause" She regards il as q
sacred theme, and considers the Southern people
As martyrs to Northern greed and jealousy.
That she should imbioe such sentiments is no
more than natural. Ever since the war she has
been at her fathers side his chief support and
consolation. He educated her personally,
gave her his views of life, and fashioned her
In the mold of the ante-beium Southern lady.
1t is said by those who know Miss Davis well
that she helped her father considerably In the
preparation of his recent history of the war
Her studies from youth had been directed in
the line of the Southern records and polit
ical history, SO that when it came TO preparing
the work she was a valuable assistant. Her
aunt says that the old confederate leader relied
on her almost entirely in the matter of collecting
and arranging statistics of the war and employed
her as amanuensis most of the time while pre-
pairing the work Nothing pleased her so
much as hunting up facts and theories
to defend the South and the policy of
her fathers administration Her favorite re-
treat at home is the big library. which consists
almost exclusively of war records and histories
of the United States. Here she reads to her
father several hours daily, while the fallen
chieftan listens, mods and dreams of the past
1t is said that he fairly dotes on his handsome
child-cannot bear sto let ner out of his sight
it was only after long struggle that he con-
sented to her trip to to Richmond and Alexan-
dria. She seems equally devoted to her father
for she has refused several advantageous offers
OF marriage from wealthy Mississippi planters,
in order to soothe his declining years by her
presence.
w ME MISS DAVIS Is In virginia Sne Will, IL Is
said visit most of the places of historic interest
she has already seen the room, in the Govern
ors mansion at Richmond, where she was born,
and pored over the war records at the Capitol.
Anything of interest connected with the war has
an all absorbing interest to her. Wherever she
goes she is received princess. She has
ceived hundreds of invitations from the "F. T.
W" but will, of course, have to decline most of
them, since her visit is to be brief one. Tt is
reported that her next visit will be to Gen. Park
GUSTS Lees, and thence she will visit some of
the first families along tidewater Virginia.