The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-12-07
Scenes at the Bedside During the
Last Hours of jefferson
Davis.
His End a Peaceful One, and His
Last Words Spoken to His
Wife.
Tokens Of sorrow Displayed BY His Old
Admirers Comments Of Press and
People on His Life.

Nrw ORLEANS, Dec. 6-The scene at JEFF
ferson Davis bedside last night was most
touching one. Early in the evening br'
Davis was seized with congestiye chill
which seemed TO crush vitality out OF his
already enfeebled body. So weak was he
he that the violence of the assault soon sub
sided for the lack of vitality upon which TO
prey. From that time 10 the moment OF
his death the history of his case was that
of gradual sinking. At I O'Clock Mrs. Davis
administered some medicine. but the eN-
president declined to receive the whole Dose
and waving her aside with gentle gesture
he whispered "Pray, excuse me-. These
were his last words. Gradually he grew
weaker and weaker. but never for an in
stani seemed to lose consciousness. Lying
peacefully upon his bed, and without
trace of pain in his face, he remained for
hours, silently clasping and tenderly
carressing his wife's hand, awaiting the
end.
From the moment Of the dread assault
of coneestive chill, those gathered about
the bedside. who have been watching and
noting with painful interest every
change and symptom for the past
month, knew well that the dread
messenger was A. the door About lo'3O
O'Clock Associate Justice Fenner went 10 the
French opera house TO call TO Mr.. Davis
bedside Mr.. and Mrs. Farrar and Mrs.
Stamps As soon IA the message reached
them they hurried to the bedside of the dying
ex-president. BY ll:O O'Clock there were
assembled in the death chamber Mrs. DAVIS,
Drs. Chaills and Bickham. Associate Justice
and Mrs. Fenner, Miss Mamie Smith. grand
niece of the diving man, and Mr.. and Mrs
| Il. ii. Farrar. Finding that Mr.. Davis was
breathing somewhat heavily as he lay upon
| his back, the doctors assisted him 10 turn
upon his right side. With his cheek rest
| ing upon his right hand, 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 watchers knew that the silver
| cord had been loosed, and the father of the
confederacy was dead.
Despite the fact that the end had come
slowly and peacefully, and after she had
been face To face with dread reality the
blow fell with crushing force upon the af-
| hicted widow. As long as there had been
work for either head or hands, she 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 upon her. Knowing of
| a predisposition 10 heart affection, the doe
tors were at once grayely alarmed for her.
| They promptly administered n composing
draught, and NJ late hour this morning
she was resting quietly.
Ii is believed the foundation Of Mr.. Davis
last illness was malaria, complicated with
acute bronchitis. Careful nursing and
skilled medical attention had mastered the
latter, but IL is supposed the congestive
chill, which was the immediate cause of
| death. WAS attributable t0 the return of
malaria. After death the face of the de-
ceased though looking slightly emaciated.
showed no trace of suffering. more nearly
! resembling that of peaceful sleeper than
of the dead.
Judges FenneT and Farrar have the affairs
| of the dead man in hand. but the latter said
they would not take amy steps looking tc
the funeral until they held consultation
with Mrs. Davis. Fenner said he did not
know but Mrs. Davis had received some
final wish from her hunsband regarding the
place of burial.
When the family had partially recovered
from the shock of Mr.. Davis death. dis
patches were sent to Miss Winnie Davis.
who il in Paris with Mr.. Pulitzer; to MIR
Davis son-in-law in Colorado City, and also
notified Governor Lowry, of Mississippi.
Mrs. Huyes, Mr.. Davis daughter, due here
yesterday, was detained last night at Fort
Worth. and is not expected 10 be in the city
before Saturday.
Mayor Shakespeare has issued procla.
nation announcing Davis death md inyit-
ing the presidents of the various exchanges
a 4. a
prominent citizens 20 meet at the city hall
and make proper arrangements for the fu-
neral. The mayor says; 1T is with the
deepest regret that announce 10 the people
of New Orleans the departure from this life
Of jefferson Davis. He needs no eulogy
from me- His life is history and his mem
ory is enshrined in the heart Of every man,
woman and child in this broad south. We
all loved him and we all owe him reyer-
ence."
In response to the proclamation OF Mayor
Shakespeare, a number of representative
citizens assembled in the mayors parlor in
the city hall this afternoon ~ arrange for
the funeral Of Mr.. Davis. IL was agreed
that the body, which has been enbalmed,
be removed tonight 10 the CITY hall, where
IL will remain until "Wednesday next in
charge of a guard Of honor Governor
Nichols, of this city, will issue prOclama-
tlpn hhNlhAnk NuAi al uh1iAANFn hi ohop1iiutA
Wednesday next the day Of the funeral.
Davis remains will be deposited temporarily
in the vault of one Of the associations Of
confederate veterans.
Bishop Gallehy will be requested 10 con
duet religious ceremonies at the funeral aud
10 summon whatever assistance from the
clergy he might desire II WINS also decided
10 invite the entire clergy of the city. in
eluding all denominations. The military
of Mobile and other neighboring towns have
telegraphed that they will come here ~
time 10 swell the grand demonstration Of
respect, and at the present writing il prom
ses to Ice the grRndest and most impressive
affair that has occurred in the history of the
south.
Davis remains were removed 10 the city
hall tonight BY the time the hearse hRd
reached the city council chamber the lob
bies and corridors were crowded with citi
zens The hall was heavily dnped in black,
which Was relieved 10y the red white and
blue of the stars and stripes. There were
also rich iioral decorations everywhere, be-
side crossed swords and other military
services. At the head Of one Nall hung the
portrait of the dead chieftan, richly fes.
tooned with crepe, through which sparkled
incandescent sparks like tiny stars. The
eatafalque was draped IN PLAIN black.
a. ~ l. Il aNaaanIa