Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1889-12-11
JEFF DAVIS Is NO MORE.
DEATH or THE LEADER Or 1ME
SOUTHERN CONFEDERACX

HIs weaksned System Unabls . Ral1y
from the Shock or His Disssss-Hls Last
Hours Palnless-An Interesting and Un-
fortunate Career Ended.
A New Orleans dispatch Of To 9th.
says: jefferson Davis died this friday
morning.
His disease took . turn for the worse
Thursday night and all hops Of his
recovery was abandoned some hours be-
fore his death. During his illness he has
been almost constantly attended q his
devoted wife, and at times II seemed ~
though careful nursing would bring HIM
through, but his advanced age has been
all along . bar to his recovery.
Shortly before 9 O'Clock Thursday even
ing Mr.. Davis was attacked by . severe
cobgestiye chill, followed by a high fever.
The attack was very sudden, and up TO
almost that moment Mr.. Davis condition
was no worse than it has been at any
time during the last week or ten
days. In the height or his fever
Mr.. Davis passed into an unconscious
condition, and though Mrs. Davis, who
watched him with the greatest solicitude,
fancied at times that he responded to h-r
words by a faint pressure Of the hand;
not a word passed his lips. Justice and
Chorlier and Bickham and Q number Of
the relatives aud connections of Mr.. and
Mrs. Davis were present in the chamber OF
death when the end came.
Jefferson Davis was born in Kentucky,
June 3, 1908. His parents removed to
Mississippi while he was a child. He en-
tered the West Point military academy,
graduating in 1928, and served against the
Indians until 1885. when no resigned his
commission and returned to Mississippi,
where he married the daughter Of Gen.
Taylor, afterwards President Of thu United
States. He become . cotton planter and
took great interest in politics, taking q
prominent part in the election OF President
Polk In lS43. He entered Congress IN
1916, but upon the breaking cut
Of the Mexican war he resigned
his seat and Joined the army as colonel Of
a regiment Of Mississippi volunteers TAX
ing part in the storming Of Monterey and
the battle of Buena Vista. In lS47 he was
elected United States Senator from Missis-
sippi, and distinguished himself by the
energy with which he defended slavery and
advanced the doctrine Of State rights He
resigned his seat in the Senate In 1851 to
assist FranklinIPierce in his canvass for the
Presidency, and on Mr.. Pierce's election
was appointed Secretary of War. He was
again elected Senator from Mississippi in
1858. but the election Of Mr.. Lincoln in
1850 and the secession move
ment led to his withdrawal.
He was elected President OF the
Confederate States in 1859 for six years,
having been chosen provisional president
-, 1904 ftn, Ahn Ro11 - p;ohrn,u1 ia
1865, Mr.. Davis, while trying to escape,
prisoned at Fortress Monroe for two years
while awaiting trial. He was released on
bail in 1867, Horace Greeley being one
OF his bondsmen, and all proceedings
against him were subsequently dis
continued. After his release he
visited Europe, and on his return
to this country engaged in the life insur-
ance business at Memphis, Tenn. Some
years ago a wealthy lady of Mississippi
left him the estate Of Reauvoir in her will,
aud the latter years of Mr.. Davis life
rave been passed there. He has lived .
very retired life. his time being chiefly &C.
cupied by literary work, his "Rise and
Fall of the Confederate Government -
which was published In 1881, being the
best known OF his works.
In person Mr.. Davis was q man Of lofty
dignity. we'll poised manners, and distin-
gnished air. But these gifts concealed
from the superficial view defects Of char.
acter which were the most serious indeed,
almost vital in their consequences-and
which rapidly developed when he was at
the head Of the Confederate government
His dignity was the mask OF q peculiar
obstinacy. which, stimulated by an intel
lectual conceit, spurned the counssls
o his advisers and rejected their
plans Curiously enough, he waa
subservient to favoritea, and unworthy
mon often secured his aid to their pet pro-
jects to the neglect Of higher matters not
thus ceremoniously backed. Though Of
broad scholarship and luminous intelli-
gence he had little practical Judgment,
his intercourse with men was too distant
and constrained, and often his judgment
Of particular men wal grotesque and alb
surd. b quick apprehension,
the strong and active common sense,
the great knowledge Of men that dis
tinguished President Lincoln and Is the
birthright Of all great leaders, did
not belong to Mr.. Davis, but rather thu
elegant and brilliant accom- plishment!
winch dazzled the multitude and confused
the world. Admiration OF the man, ever
among his followers, was strangely
mingled with censure, and one party
was ~extravagant in his praise, ans
tho other un1:mited in his condemnation