The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1889-12-12
THE MOURNING SOUTH.
The Father Of the COnisderaCy in His
Last Sleep.
A Brief biography OF jefferson
DRvs--THis POsthUInOuS Account
Of 1Hls own Capture.

Otns SlnCe tne DeSiunlnk " MS last III
ness he insisted that 1t was fatal, and
accepted the inevitable with christian
fOrtitude. His wife was with him at the
end, but his daughter, Miss Winnie, was
travelling in Europe with the family Of
Mr.. Pulitzer, OF the New York World.
The death Of Mr.. Davis has placed the
south in mourning, and the people and
press unite in eulogizing his memory.
Jefferson Davis was born in Kentucky
in 1908. His father, Samuel Davis, had
served in the Georgia cavalry during the
revolution. Jefferson graduated from the
Transylvania college, KY, in 1924, and
from there he went to West Point and
graduated in 1929. He was then ap-
pointed brevet second lieutenant. He
served In the army with distinction for
several years, during which time he had
seen much Indian service, and was pro-
noted therefor. He resigned his commits
sion in 1885 and became cotton planter
10 Mississippi. In 1915 he was elected to
congress, and took conspicuous part in
the deliberations Of that body, partieu-
larly those relating to war questions. On
the breaking out Of the Mexican war Mr..
Davis took command Of the First Missis-
sippi volunteers and highly distinguished
himself at the storming Of Monterey and
in the battle Of Buena Vista, where his
cool courage greatly contributed to the
success Of the day. On his return home
he declined commission from President
Polk as brigadier general Of volunteers,
on the ground that such commissions
should only be granted by the state legis-
lature, and not by the federal executive.
From ls47 to 1851 he sat In the United
States senate, where he was chosen chair
man Of the committee on military affairs.
In 1853 he accepted the position Of secre-
tary Of war under President Pierce's gov
ernment, and distinguished his admins
tration Of its affairs by singular display
Of energy and ability. He took leading
part in the secession movement ln 1890
81. He resigned his seat in congress in
February, 1861, and in November Of the
same year was elected president Of the
Southern Confederacy. This position he
held throughout the war, amid much ad-
verse comment and bitter antagonism.
The life Of Mr.. Davis during this period
is the history Of the war. He was
captured by Union cavalry in Georgia,
May 10th, 1866, and on May Sth, 1865, he
was indicted for treason. For two years
he was confned in Fortress Mon
roe, and was finally, released on
bonds, which Horace Greeley headed.
He was never brought to trial, and was
included in the general amnesty Of Dec
ember %, 1868. Since then he has trav.
eled considerably. Latterly he was en-
gagged in literary labors, having written q
history Of the war, entitled: "The Rise
and Fall Of the Confederacy;" and more
recently he answered the criticisms Of
Lord Wolseley on the conduct Of the civil
war, in the North american RerieW. His
health has been very poor for some time,
but q congestive chill was what caused
his final sickness. With his death passes
away the last Of the more prominent
Statesmen Of the Coniederacy,
The Cincinnati EreniRg Post publishes
report Of Davis capture, being letter
urV;tian IN, hfn,oalf 70 fyol n Wricbk