The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-12-13

congcs,ivc chill which seemed to absolutely
crush the vitality out of his already ell
Gecblel body. So weak was he that the vio-
lencc Of the assault soon subsidized for
lack of vitality upon which to prey.
From that moment to the moment of his
death the history of his ease was that of q
gradual sinking. Att o'clock Mrs. Davis
administered some medicine, but the eX-
president declined to receive the whole
dose. She urged upon him the necessity
oftnking the remainder, lHt putting il aside
with the gcntlcst of gestures lie whispered
"Pray excuse me-" These were
HIS LAST WORDS.
Gradually he grew weaker and weaker, but
never for w instant seemed TO lose con-
seriousness. Lying peacefully 4ppn his bed,
and without a trace of pain in his look, ltG
remained for hours silently claSping and ten
derby carc>sing his wiles hand; with un-
dauntcd spirit he awaited the end.
From the moment Ofthc dread assault of
the congcstivc chill those gathered around
his bedside who had been watching and
noting with painfHl interest every change
ofsympto,n for the past rlonth knew well
that the dread messenger was c-2n a'
the door. About 1880 O'Clock Associate
Justice Fenncr 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 ofthc dying cX-prcsdcnt. by
l1:@ o'clock there were assembled in the
death chamber Mrs. Davis, Doctors Chaillc
and Bickhan, Associatc Justice and Mrs.
Fcnner, Miss Nanilc Smith. grand niece OF
the dying cx-prc.idcnt. and Mr and Mrs.
+. ii. Farrar. Finding that Mr.. Davis was
BREATHING SOMEWHAT HEAVILY
as he lay upon his back, the doctors ns-
sisted lin to turn upon his right side.
With his check resting upon his right
hand like n sleeping infant, and with his
left hnnd dropping across his chest, he lay
for some fifteen minutes breathing
softly but family. More and more
feeble became his rcspirations till they
passed into silence and then the watchers
knew that the father of the confc'lerucy had
passed away. Despite the fact that the end
had come slowly and peacefully, and after
she had been face to face for hours with
the dread reality, the blow fell with crush
ing force upon the afflicted widow. 1t is
believed that the foundation Of the expires
idcnt's last illness was malaria complicated
With acute bronchitis. Careful nursing and
Skilled medical attention had mastered the
latter. But it is supposed that the con-
gcstjvs chill, which was The immediate
cause Of death, was attributable to IL return
Of the malaria. After death ti.G face of the
deceased, though looking slightly cinaci-
atcd, showed no trace of suffering, more
nearly resembling that of a peaceful sleeper
than of the dead.
Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1903,
in Todd county, Kentucky. lie was cdu-
Gated at Transylvania college, Kentucky,
and was appointed by President Monroe
cadet in the military academy at West
Point, whcse he graduated in 1928. lie was
i'll the army seven years, and he fought
against the Indians in the Black Hawk war
of 1881 81. and against the Colnanchcs and
Fawnccs in 1854. In 1875 he married
daughter of Zachary Taylor, then u
colonel i'll the army and aft
crwarL president Of the United States.
Davis became cotton planter in Mississip-
pi and spent several years in study in order
to fit himself for public life. In 1915 he was
elected representatives, congress and touk
a seat as Democrat. Hcsoon distinguished
himself as speaker on military affairs, as
well as upon miscellaneous topics. lie
served under his father-in-law in the Mcxi-
can war as colonel Of the Mississippi volun-
tecrs. lie participated in the sturming
Monterey and won distinction in The battlcoi
Bucna Vista. The war over, he was ap-
pointed, in August, 1877, to fill an uncx-
pired term in the senate OF the United
States, and in lsiS he was elected senator
for full term. In $50 he was reelected.
In September, 1851, his famous contest with
nsnry S. Footc for the governorship of
Mississippi OCCURRED. He was beaten by
$50 votes, but he gained largely on his
ticket, for, two months before. the 'Enion-
ists' had carried the state by majority Of
1850.
President Perccappointcd Davis secretary
of war, which position he held from l8I, to
1857. He proved himself an able admins
traitor and introduced many reforms into
the army. 1t was he who introduced the
MIME ball and rihcd muskcts and pistols.
lIercviscd the army regulations. strength
cncd the frontier and sea coast dcfcnscs,
and was the first to introduce
the system OF explorations in the
western part of the continent for
geographical purposes and for determining
the best route for railway to the Pacific
coast. On retiring, lie was reelected to the
senate, where he soon made his mark as the
leader Of the Southern wing Of the Demo-
cratic party. He was n candidate for the
presidency in the Democratic conycntion
which met in 1850, and after the election of
Abraham Lincoln lie identified himself
with the Southern movement which re-
suited in the war Of secession.
{ It Ia needless 20 20 into the history of the