, 1889-12-12
The WHOLE SOUTH IN MOURNING
Flags Half Masted in Honor
of the Ex-Fresident.
RESOLUTIONS OF SYMPATHY ARRIVING
Secretary Proctor Does Not Deem
Action by Him Advisable
The Funeral.


clock jefferson Davis, ex-presidont OF
.e confederate states, died at the resi-
,nco of his lifelong friend, J. u. Payne
rom the beginning of his fatal illness
dr. Davis had insisted that his case was
nearly or quite hopeless, although the
dread of pain or fear of death never ap-
peared to take the slightest hold upon
his spirits. In vain did the doctors
strive to impress upon him that ms
health was improving. He steadily IN
sisted that there was no improvement
but with Christian resignation he was
content to accept whatever Providence
had In store for him.
At o'clock last evening without any
assignably cause, Mr.. Davis was seized
with congcstive chill, which seemed to
absolutely crush the vitality out of his
already enfecbed body. So weak was
he that the violence of the assault soon
\ subsidized for lack OF vitality upon which
TO prey. From that moment to the
moment of his death, the history of his
case was that of gradual sinking.
At 7 o'clock Mrs. Davis administered
some medicine, but the ex-president de
clined TO receive the whole dose. She
urred upon him the necessity of taking
she remainder, but putting 1t aside with
a gentle gesture, he whispered, pray
excuse me-" These were his last words.
Gradually he grew weaker and wea ker
but never for an instant seemed TO lose
consciousness. Lying peacefully upon
his bed and without trace of pain in
his look, he remained for hours, silently
clssping and tenderly caressing his
wife's hand. From the moment of the
dread assault of the congestive chill,
those gathered about his bedside, who
had been watching and waitinh with
painful interest every change OF symp-
tom for the past month, knew well that
the dread messenger was even at the
door. About half-past 10 o'clock Asso-
piate Justice Fenner went to the French
ppera-house to call to Mr.. Davis bedside
Mr.. and Mrs. Fhrrar and Mrs. Stamps.
As soon as tho message reached them
shey hurried to the bedside of the dying
ex-president. BY half-past II O'Clock
there were assembled in the death Cham
-ber Mrs. Davis, Drs. Charlie and Btck-
1ham, Associate Justice and Mrs Fenner,
Miss Mamie Smith, grand niece of the
Diving man, and Mr.. and MI rs. Il. II. Far
sas ts ea,y r as w Se law w"s upon easa IL.
back, the doctors assisted him to turn
upon his right side.
With his cheek resting upon his right
hand, he lay for some fifteen minutes
breathing softly but family, and more
and more feeble became his respir9t!ons
hntil they passed into silence, ana then
The watchers knew that the silver cord
had been loosed and that the father of
khe confedaracy was dead.
Despite the fact that the end had come
slowly and peacefully, and after she had
been face TO face with the dread reality,
The blow fell with crushing force upon
lhe afflicted widow. AS long as there
1he had borne up bravely, and not until
The USES for her tender miniStrations
were lost did she seem to realize the
terrible force of the blow that had fallen
npoy her. Knowing of .predisposition
10 heart affection, the doctors were at
pnse gravely alarmed for her They
promptly administered q composing
haught and at late hour this morning
Jhe was restin~ quietly.
II is believt !. that the foundation of
Mr.. Davis last illness was malaria,
COMPLICATED with acute bronchitis. Care
h nursing and skilled medical atten-
tion had mastered the latter, but 1t is
was the immediate cause of death, was
attributable to the return oil the malaria. |
After death the face of the deceased
slthough looking slightly emaciated, |
Ihowcd no trace of suffering, more
hearty resembling that of peaceful |
Keeper than that OF tho dead.
Mayor Shakespeare issued a proclama-
ton announcing Davis death, and invit-
Ing the presidents of the various ex-
changes and commercial bodies and a
number of prominent citizens to meet at
the city hall and make proper arrange
ments for the funeral. The mayor said
ut is with the deepest regret that | an
pounce to the people of this city of New
Orleans the departure from this life of
Jefferson Davis. He needs no eulogy
from me. His lifcs history and his
memory is enshrined in the heart of
eyery man, woman and child in this
broad south. We all loved him, and we
IRE all honor and reverence"
MESSAGES OF coNDoLENCE.
MessA ages of condolcnoe have been re-
aeived from Atlanta, Biloxi, Memphis,
louisville and many other points.
The remains of Mr.. Davis we're re-
moyedko the city hail. where they will
lie in sJate, at a late hour this evening.
By thdtime the hearse reached the city
eouncj chamber and lobbies and corr-
hvrs ,1rre crowded with citizens. The
hall WIS heavily draped in black, which
y as relieved by the stars and stripes.
Therd were also rich floral
decor}tions everywhere, besides crossed
sword and other military devices. At
the lad of one hall hung o portrait OF
the dad chieftain, richly festooned with
trepd through which sparkied incandes-
cent SpaPks, like tiny stars. The cata-
falo,S was draped in plain black, and
the 6tfin was covered with black plush,
rcleShd with handles along the sides,
whid consisted of single squire bars of
silvd and across each was short bur