The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-12-12

Congestive chill which seemed to absolutely
crush the vitality out of his already en-
feebled body. So weak was he that the yiO-
lenCe of the assault soon subsidized for
lack of vitality upon which to prey.
From that moment t. the moment OF his
death the history Of his case was that of
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 tire remui1lder, but putting it aside
with the gentlest of gestures he whispered:
Pray excuse me These were
HIS LAST WORDS.
Gradually he grew weaker and weaker, but
never for an instant seemed to lose con-
sciousness. Lying peacefully upon his bed,
and without a trace of pain in his look, he
remained for hours silently clasping and ten
derby caressing his wife's hand; with un-
daunted spirit he awaited the end.
From the moment Of the dread assault of
the cOngestive chill those gathered around
his bedside who had been watching and
noting with painful interest every change
ofsymptOm for the past month knew well
that the dread messenger was even at
the door About 1920 o'clock Associate
Justice Fenner went to the French opera
house to call to Mr.. Davis bedside Mr. and
Mrs. Farrar and Mrs. Stamps. As soon as
the message reached them they hurried to
the bedside of the dying eX-president. BY
11:3O o'clock there were assembled in the
death chamber Mrs. Davis Doctors Chaille
and BiCkham, Associate Justice and Mrs.
Fenner, Miss Mamie Smith, grand niece OF
the dying eX-president, and Mr.. and Mrs.
E. H Farrar. Finding that Mr.. Davis was
BREATHING SOMEWHAT HEAVILY
as he lay upon his back, the doctors as
sisted him to turn upon his right side
With his cheek resting upon his right
hand like sleeping infant, and with his
left hand dropping across his chest, he lay
for some fifteen minutes breathing
softly but family. More and more
feeble became his respiratiOns till they
passed into silence and then the watcher:
knew that the father Of the cOnfederacy haC
passed away. Despite the fact that the enc
had come slowly and peacefully, and aftel
she had been face to face for hours with
the dread reality, the blow fell with crush
ing force upon the afflicted widow. 1t i!
believed that the foundation of the expires
ident's last illness was malaria complicated
with acute bronchitis. Careful nursing anC
skilled medical attention had mastered the
laLLef. DuI IL Is SuppOScu tHdU tIle COll
gestive chill, which was the immediate
cause of death, was attributable to a return
of the malaria. After death the face of the
deceased, though looking slightly ENACT
ated, showed no trace of suffering, mor'
nearly resem bling that of peaceful sleepe
than of the dead.
HIS LIFE.
Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1903
in Todd county, Kentucky. He was edu
Gated at Pennsylvania college, Kentucky
and was appointed by President Monroe
cadet in the military academy at Yves
Point, where he graduated in 1928. He wa
in the army seven years, and he Tough
against the Indians in the Black Hawk wa
of 1882, and against the Comanches anc
Pawnees in 1884. In 1885 he married
daughter of Zachary Taylor, then
colonel in the army and aft
erward president of the United States
Davis became cotton planter in Mississip
nj and spent several years in study in Orde
to fit himself for public life In 1845 he wa
elected representative to congress and tool
a seat as Democrat. He soon distinguishe'
himself as a speaker on military affairs, a
we'll as upon miscellaneous topics. III
served under his father-in-law in the Mexi
teers He participated in the storming 0
Monterey and won distinction in the battle @
Buena Vista. The war over, he was az
pointed, in August, 1847, to fill an unez
pired term in the senate OF the Unite
States, and in 1s48 he was elected senate
for full term, In 1850 he was reelected
In September, 1851, his famous contest wit
Henry s. Foote for the governorship {
Mississippi occurred. He was beaten b
500 votes, but he gained largely on hi
ticket for, two months before, the 'UnioT
lists" had carried the state by majority {
1900.
President Pierce appointed Davis secretar
of war, which position he held from 1853 t
1857. He proved himself an able admins
traitor and introduced many reforms int
the army. 1t was he who introduced tn
Mimic ball and rifed muskets and pistol