Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-12-10
His .Eternal 4mnesty.
Jefferson Dabts Has Joined the Great
Confsderacu Of the Dead.


New ORLEANS, Dec. Jefferson
Davis, the ex-president Of the south.
ernconfederacy, died at IL AS o'clock
this morning. The announcement of
the event created a profound sensa-
ton in this city and was Immediately
telegraphed to all the leading cities of
the south. The death of Mr.. Davis
has been expected at any time within
the last month. Four weeks ago,
while travelling on river steamer, he
caught cold, and his condition be-
came so serious that his physicians
refused to allow him to return to his
home in Mississippi. Mrs. Davis
was sent for and Immediately Joined
her husband and remained with him
constantly until the end.
SKETCH OF MR.. DAVIS LIFE.
jefferson Davis was born in what
| is now Todd county, Kentucky, June
8, 1903. While he was still an infant
his family moved to Mississippi. He
entered Pennsylvania college, but left
when appointed to West Point by
President Monroe. He was assigned
to the first infantry and took an ac-
tive part in the Black Hawk war, of
1872. He resigned from the army
in 1885 after his romantic elopement
with the daughter of Zachary Taylor
and became cotton planter near
Vicksburg. He was elected Rep
resentative to Congress in 1915 and
took his seat in December of that
year, but the following year resigned
to become colonel of the first Missis-
sisippi volunteer rifles. He served
through the Mexican war with great
credit, being highly compIimented
for his bravery and GOODNESS in the
battle of Ruena Vista, where he was
severely wounded. In 1947 he was
appointed to fill vacancy in the
United States Senate and in the fol-
lowing year was elected Senator by a
unanimous vote of the legislature
In 1850 he was elected for fuIlterm.
In 1881 he resigned his seat to take
part in the State canvass and ran for
governor on the State rights ticket.
He Was defeated, although by his
popularity he redEced the union ma
jority from 1900 to 999. After the
election of Franklin Pierce to the
presidency Mr.. Davis, who had been
one of his ardent supporters, was APP
pointed Secretary of War. AT the
close of his term of office he again en-
tered the Senate. In 1860 he made
a speech in which he said he would
be willing to make any sacrifice in
10 order to avertthe impending strug-
gle. In 1961Mr. Davis made another
speech on the State of the country.
in which he claimed the right of
States to secede and denied the right
of coercion. When Mississippi Sc
coded he started for home, but be-
fore he reached there hewas appointed
commander in chief of the army of
Mississippi. On February 10, 1861,
he exchanged this office for that of
president of the confederacy. He
took up his official residence at Rich
mond, where soon after his arrival the
handsome estate of Mr.. James A.
Seldom was bought and presented to
him by admiring citizens. Immedi-
ately after the assassination of Pres
ident Lincoln, Mr.. Davis and his par
ty were captured while encamped at
Irwinsville, Ca, by force of cav
airy under command of Lieut.. Col.
Pritchard. He was indicted for ire
SON, but on May 10, 1867, he was re-
leased ON 500, 900 bail, the first name
on his bail bond being that of Horace
Greeley. He was never brought to
trial, nolle prosequi being entered
by the government in the case
He was also included in the general
amnesty of December, 1868. In 1879
Mrs. Dorsey of Beauvoir, Miss, be-
queathed him her handsome estate,
and he has since lived there in COM
parative retirement, deyoting much
of his time to literary pursuits. Mr..
Davis has one child, Miss Winnie
Davis, who has been called the s. Child
of the Confederacy." She was born
in Richmond during the war and is a
remarkably handsome woman. Miss
Davis is now travelling in Europe with
Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer.