The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-12-14
Jefferson Davis Dead.

crat: AT 12:45 o'clock this morning
(Friday Dec. 6tl) Hon. jefferson Davis,
ex-President of the Confederate States,
passed away at the residence of Associate
Justice Charles f. Fenner.
From the beginning of his fatal illness
Mr.. Davis had insisted that his case was
nearly or quite hopeless. though the
dread Of pain or fear of death never ap-
peared to take the slightest hold upon
his spirits, which were brave and even
buoyant from the beginning of his at
tack.
liz vain did the doctors strive to im-
press upon him that his health was i'm
proving. He steadily insisted that there
was no improvement, but with Christian
resignation he was content to accept
whatever Providence had in store for
him.
Only once did he waver in his belief
that his case showed no improvement,
and that was at an early hour yesterday
morning. when he playfully remarked to
Mr.. Payne: Il am afraid that shall be
compelled to agree with the doctors for
once, and admit that am little better" /"
AT 6 o'clock last evening. without any
aSSignable cause, Mr.. Davis was seized
with cOngestiye chill. which seemed to
absolutely crush the vitality out of his
already enfeebled body. So weak was
Mr.. Davis 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 "a gradual sinking. At : o'clock Mrs.
Davis administered some medicine, but
the ex-President declined to receive the
whole dose.
She urged upon him the necessity of
taking the remainder, but putting it a.
side, with the gentlest Of gestures he
Pray, excuse me-"
These were his last words. Gradually
he grew weaker and weaker, but never
for an instant seemed to lose conscious
ness. Lying peacefully upon his bed and
without trace of pain in his look. he
remained for hours. Silently clasping
and tenderly caressing his wife's hand.
Christian spirit. he awaited
the end.
From the moment Of the dread assault
Of the cOngestiye chill those gathered
around his bedside who had been watch
ing and noting with painful interest
every change of symptoms for the past
month knew well that the dread messen-
ger was even at the door.
BY ll:30 o'clock there were assembled
in the death chamber Mrs. Davis, Drs.
lhaile and Bickham, Associate Justice
and Mrs. Fenner, Miss Mamie Smith,
grandniece of the dying ex-President,
and Mr.. and Mrs. f. II. Farrar.
Finding that Mr.. Davis was breathing
heavily as he lay upon his
back, the doctors assisted him to turn
upon his right side. With his cheek
resting upon his right hand like sleep
ing infant and with his left hand drOOp-
ing across his chest, he lay for some fif-
teen minutes breathing softly but faint
Iy. Mere and more feeble became his
till they passed into silence,
and then the watchers knew that the
silver cord had been loOsed and the gol-
len bowl broken. The Father OF the
Confederacy had passed away
As calmly as to nights repOse.
Or flowers at set of SUM-"
Despite the fact that the end had come
slowly and peacefully, and after she had
been face to face for hours with the dread
reality. the blow fell with crushing force
upon the afflicted widow.
As long as there had been work for
either head or hands she had borne up
bravely. and not until the sweet uses for
her tender ministratiOns were lost did
she seem to realize the terrible force OF
the blow that had fallen upon her.
Knowing of predispOsition to heart
affection, the doctors were at once grave
Iy alarmed for her, and they promptly
administered a composing draught. and
at a late hour this morning she was res
ting quietly.
II is believed that the foundation Of
the ex-President's last illness was NAL
oria complicated with acute bronchitis.