Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-07

through the centre with drawin9.rooms on
one side, a library on the other, and on tnei
rear corner of the house IL \ lovely. ana
choerv apartment. in which, the southern
sun streaming nearly all day. lay the pa
tient and distinguished Invalid.
it is a wonderfully pretty room. with
rich-toned, Peraau-hued carpet on the
floor. and shades and delicate lace curtains
nc the four windows, two fronting to tho
east aud two to the south, Pictures afe
on the walls, and there are lounges, easy
Turkish chairs, and pretty carved tables
and huge carved oak Victoria bedstead,
on which the ex-President of the Con-
federacy lies in the embrace OF death.
HIS HELPMATE N IDR.
His constant attendant has been Mrs.
Davis, who has never left his bedside since
his illness began.
In comfortable home wrapper Of gray
and black. this gentle. ministering wife was
always Mt the invalid's side. and il she left
him for moment be asked for her, and
was fretted or uneasy until she returned.
His friends constantly sent him beautiful
flowers. of which Mr.. Davis was very fond.
but these were not allowed 20 remain in
the sick room for any length OF time. AZ
the outset Jellies, fruits. and all manner OF
invalid delicacies were prohered until Mrs,
l)HNlS WIS tDuDftlfu ~ btNtiA' NiANAAs ~
mck mans food was only milk, ice, beet
tea and rarely broiled chop.
Mr.. Davis remained in bed all the time.
and was never left alone, beng guarded
lovingly by his wife aud the capable quad
room hired nurse Lydia. and Mrs. DaVis's
own little brown-eyed hand maiden Betty.
who at all times had an e7atr6e 70 the. sick,
room. But little talking was allowed. and
newspapers, letters, and telegrams were
tabOOed.
On Wednesday afternoon a reporter had
few moments conversation with Mrs. Da-
Wis. She was worn and wearied with SER
vice at the sick-bed. but which she would
not allow 10 any other and her step was
Tagging as she came into the diuing-room.
She was very hopeful. however, OF her hlis-
bands ultimate recovery.
TEMPERATE HABITS.
Mr.. Davis has always beon an exceed
inrlv temperate man. said Mrs. Davis.
He has never abused his physical powers,
and none could have lived more mode
rately than he. OF course all this Is in bis
favor | do not mean 20 say that there
would be no danger II door were left
open or the fire in his room allowed TO go
out. He is as frail a. lily and requires
the most attentive care. That he has had.
I believe he would not be alive to-day had
this illness come upon him st Beauvolr,
where he could not possibly have had the
constant care OF such physicians as Dr.
Bickham and DR.. Chaille. and the IN
teliigent love and tenderness and luxury
that surrounds him in this hOme.'
Nr. Davis seemed much better during
the early part of yesterday, and his ln-
proved condition was remarked 10y the
doctors and his family. He had pain m
the bowels during the day. but the serious
F,.f,,v, o.,noara1 inst "a fg,y fnfnVfqs hOfnFn
6 o'clock. Then tho illustrious patient
was stricken with severe c0ngestiye
chill. The doctors were not present st
the time but Judge Fenuer's family and
Mrs. Davis did everything TO soothe the
sufferer.
1t was 7 o'clock before Or. Bickham and
DR.. Challe, two of the most famous practi-
TONERS in the South arrived and consulted
over the condition of the patient. His
change was surprise totally unexpected
10 those in constant attendance, and the
skilled eyes of the medical men saw IN u
the beginning OF the end. Ihcv continued
with the patient until his death, however,
and made every possible effort to oayoid the
inevitable.
Mr.. Davis remained in q comatosc condi-
tion and the attendants could see no signs
of consciousness. Mrs. Davis SAID she oc-
caslonally felt return of the pre- sure OF
the hand she held. although he could
neither speak nor make a sign.
This was q scene in the sick-chamher az
the hours passed. The only variation wa.
the arrival of Edwin Ii. Farrar. the husband
OF Nh Dayis's niece, and Of Judge and Mrs
Charles f.. FonDer, who had been sent ioi
at the opera.
THOSE AT MS BEDSIDE.
At tho bedside when the end came were
Mrs Davis. Mr.. j. II. Payne. Mr.. and airs.
Judge Charles T.. Fenner. Mr.. f.. II. Farrar
Mrs. Smith "a grandnece o Mr.. DAVIS
Mr.. +. -. Fenner IA son of the Juslicc), Dr
/ G.. j. Bickham, and Or. ;. Z. Chaillc.
The lamp Of life waned low as the houl
of midnight arrived; nor did It flicker int
I the brightness OF consciousness NJ AM
/ time. Eagerly, vet wondorlngly, watcher
razed at the face Of the dying chiettan
! HIS face, always calm and pale. gained al
| ditional palor. and ataquarter of O'clocl
| of the morning of this 6th day Of Deccmbe
| death came to the venerable leader.
| There was nothing remarkable about the
death-bed scene. The departure of tn
| spirit was gentle and utterly painless
| There were no dry eyes in the little assem-
! blv about the bed. and every heart hlet
with anguish which found vent IN Mrs
! Dayis's sohs and cries. Immediately atte
! his death Mrs. Davis was led upstairs q
! the bedroom of Mrs. Fenner where tn'
| ladies tried 70 nssuagc her grlet she bor'
! the awful blow bravcly, but her breathing
was labored and her condition SO Weal
! that two doctors consulted her. Iheypro
| nounced her weakness 10 be that ohly con
| sequent on the strain and eriei, and sane
| that nothing was to be feared.