The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-07
Davis had not intimated where she desired
the interment to be made.


Davis had not intimated where she desired
the lnterment to be made.
THE MAYORS PROCLAMATION.
Mayor Shakespeare issued proclamation
this morning announcing Mr.. Davis death
and inviting the presidents of the exchanges
and commercial bodies and a number of
prominent citizens TO meet at the city hail.
In order that proper arrangements might be
made for the funeral. The mayor, in his
proclamation, said:
1t is with deepest regret that announce to
the people of the city of New Orleans the de
parture from this life of jefferson Davis. He
needs no eulogy from me. His life is history,
and his memory is enshrlned in the hearts of
every man, woman and child in this broad
south. We all loved him and we all owe him
honor and reverence.
THE HOUSE WHERE HE DIED.
The residence Of J. U. Payne is a hand
some structure at the corner of First and
Camp streets. Mr.. Davis occupied and
died in its pleasant guest chamber. The
residence is one OF the most comfortable
and artistic in the city. 1t is of brown
stone stucco, two stories high, with broad
verandas, and set in lovely grounds, where
camelia bushes are spiked with bloom and
oranges hang in clusters on the
trees. The house has wide
hall running through the center, with
drawing-roms on one side, library on the
other, and on the rear corner of the house
is a lovely and CHEEKY apartment, into
which the southern sun streams nearly all
day. 1t is wonderfully pretty room, with
rich-toned Persian-hued carpet on the
floor, shades and delicate lace curtains at
the four windows, two fronting to the east
and two to the south. Pictures are on the
walls, and there are lounges easy Turkish
chairs, and pretty carved tables and
huge carved oak Victoria bedstead, on
which the old President of the confederacy
this morning lay in the embrace OF death.
MRS. DAVIS ALWAYS BY HIS SIDE.
His constant attendant shas been Mrs.
Davis, who has never left his bedside since
his illness began. In a comfortable home
wrapper of gray and black, this gentle
minister was always at the invalid's side,
and if she left for a moment he asked for
her, and fretted until she returned.
Friends constantly sent beautiful flowers,
of which MIR. Davis was very fond, but
these were not allowed to remain in the sick
room for any length of time.
AT the outset jellies, fruits and all man
ner of invalid's delicacies we're proffered
until Mrs. Davis was compelled to decline
them. The sick mans food was only milk,
ice, beef tea and rarely brolled chop.
Mr.. Davis remained in bed all the time
and was never left alone, being guarded
a
room guard, a hired nurse named Lydia,
and Mrs. Davis own little brown-eyed
hand-maiden Bette, who at all times had
entree to the sick room. But little talking
las allowed, and newspapers, letters and
kilograms were tabooed.
A REPORTERS INTERVIEW.
On Wednesday afternoon reporter had
a few moments conversation with Mrs.
Davis. She was worn and wearied with
service at the sick bed, but which she would
not allow to any other, aud her step was
tagging as she came into the drawing room.
She was still hopeful, however, of her hus-
bands ultimate recovery. "Mr. Davis has
always been an exceedingly temperate
man." said Mrs. Davis. "He has never
abused his physical powers, and no one
could have lived more moderately than he.
OF course this is in his favor.
GREAT CARE NECESSARY.
''I do not mean to say that there would
be- no danger if door were left open or the
fire in his room allowed to 60 out. He is as
frail as a lily, and requires the most attea-
tive care. That he has. l believe he
would not be alive to-day had this illness
come upon him at Beauvoir, where he could
not possibly have had the constant care
of such physicians as DR.. Beckham and
DR.. Chaille, and the intelligent love, tender
ness and luxury that surrounds him in this
home.
AS already stated, Mr. Davis seemed
much better during the early part of yes
terday, and his improved condition was
remarked by the jctors and his family.
He had pain in the bowels during the day.
but a serious feature appeared just few
minutes before o'clock.
THE DOCTORS ABSENT.
The illustrious patient was stricken with a
severe congesJive chill. The doctors were
not present at the time, but Judge Fenner's
family and Mrs. Davis did everything to
soothe the sufferer.
1t was o'clock before DR.. G. j. Beckham
and DIR. s. E. Chaille, two of the most
famous practitioners in the south, arrived
and consulted over the condition OF the
patient. His change was a surprise totally
unexpected to those in constant attendance,
and the skilled eyes of the medical men saw
in it the beginning of the end. They con-
tinued with the patient until his death,
avoid the inevitable. Mr.. Davis
remained in comatose condition,
and the attendants could see no
signs of consciousness. Mrs. Davis said she
occasionally felt return Of the pressure of
the hand she held, although he could neither
speak nor make a sign. This was the scene
in the sick chamber as the hours passed.
The OnlV VdrlaUlOu was UUb dTT1Ndl OL MI.
Farrar, husband of Mr.. Davis niece, and
of Judge and Mrs. Fenner.
SWAPPING OF THE CORD.
At the bedside, when the end came, were
Mrs. Davis, Mr.. Payne, Judge and Mrs.
Fenner, Mr.. Farrar, Mrs. Smith, grand
niece of Mr.. Davis, Mr.. E. d. Fenner, a
son Of the justice; DR.. Bickham, and DIR.
Chaille. The lamp of life waned low as the
hour of midnight arrived, nor did it flicker
into the brightness of conscious
ness at any time. Eagerly
yet tenderly the watchers gazed at the face
of the dying chieftain. His face, always
calm and pale, gained additional pallor.
until the whiteness of death itself took
possession of his features. There was
nothing remarkable about the deathbed
scene. The departure of the spirit was
gentle and utterly painless. There were
no dry ewes in the little assembly about the
bed. and every heart bled with anguish,
which found vent in Mrs. Davis
sobs and cries. Immediately after
the death Mrs. Davis was led up
stairs TO the bedroom of Mrs. Fenner, where
the ladies tried to assuage her grief She
bore the awful blow bravely, but her breath
ing was labored and her condition very weak.
MESSAGES OF CoNDoLENcE.
Messages have been received from At
Ianta, Biloxi, Memphis. Louisville and
many other parts, expressive of respect for
the dead, and sympathy for Mrs. Davis in