The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-05-22
MISS WINNIE DAVIS.
THE DAUGHTER OF THE CONFED-
ERACY" SOON TO WE'D.

Mr.. Alfred Wilkinson, of Syracuse,
New York, the Fortunate Gentle
man Who Will Claim Her Hand in
Marriage.
[Syracuse Dispatch to New York Herald.
l verified report of very interest
ing nature which has materialized into
a fact of great significance, and cannot
fail to attract the widest attention in
both Europe and America. In word,
it is the crowning event of the great
rebellion. 1t is nothing more nor less
than the announcement made to. very
intimate friends here of the marriage
of Miss Winnie Davis, the eldest
daughter of Jefferson Davis, the late
President Of the Southern Confederacy,
to Mr.. Alfred Wilkinson, of this city,
the grandson Of Samuel J. May, the
great abolitionist leader.
Dame rumor has for long time past
whispered of the possibility of such an
event coming to pass, but it was only
when Mr.. Wilkinson returned from
Europe few weeks ago that the rumor
began to assume tangible shape, and it
was only within day or two ago that
one of Mr.. Mays bosom friends was
apprised of the engagement.
The event is of more than ordinary
significance owing to its bearing on
the birth and fall Of the rebellion.
This marriage when accomplished, will
unite two families who have been here
tofore the most implacable political
foes, and to whose efforts the herceness
and fervor of the rebellion are largely
due.
The life of Miss Davis is too we'll
known to be repeated here, but the
story of Mr.. Wilkinson's parentage is
comparatively unknown. He is a son
of John Wilkinson, very prominent
figure in local history and the grand
son of Rev. Samuel ]. May. The
name of Rev. Mr.. May is one of the
bright gems in the abolition sky, for
he was the pioneer, with Carlson, En-
erson, Phillips and Longfellow, in the
great work for the abolition of slavery.
!; Not only in the United States, but in
Europe, also, did he fight for the abo-
lition cause. In Great Britain especi-
ally Mr.. May lectured upon slavery to
large audiences. After his removal to
Syracuse Mr.. May continued to be
very active and prominent in promot-
ing the antislavery reform. He soon
became known far and wide as fear
less and uncomprom!sing abolitionist.
Hundreds of men, women and chill
dren, fleeing from bondage and bound
for Canada, came to him for protec-
ton and help and they never came in
vain. He assisted many to escape,
among them the celebrated Jerry
McHenny, whose liberation created
such a sensation, the anniversary of
which was celebrated for several years.
AS the meetings of the abolitionists
shortly before the declaration of war
were violently assailed in Boston and
other cities the mayor of Syracuse
earnestly requested Mr.. May to pre-
vent the holding Of a meeting here
lest it should provoke riot. Twenty
of the most influential gentlemen OF
Syracuse, nearly half of whom were his
parishioners, addressed letter to Mr..
May telling him that they were cred
IDLY informed that organized and for
cible efforts to prevent the holding Of
the abolition convention would be
made. Probably this was one OF the
severest tests to which Mr.. Mays 10y
atty to his own convictions was ever
subjected. Before the hour appointed
for the convention rioters took posses
sion of the hall which Mr.. May had
hired for the convention and he was
roughly used, the meeting being pre-
vented and Mr.. May was burned in
efigy in Hanover square.
1t was not long afterwards that the
firing upon Fort Sumpter put an end
to such proceedings in the free States.
1t is this mans grandson who is tc
wed the &c Daughter of the Confeder
acy."
The story of the courtship is most
romantic. Miss Winnie Davis came
North some four years ago to visit DIR.
Thomas Emory, of the firm of D. Nc
Carthy 4 Co., of this city. 1t was hel
first visit to this old abolition strong
hold, and she was consequently quite
anxious to meet the society Of Syra
cuse. At one OF the receptions given
in her honor she was introduced tc
Mr.. Alfred Wilkinson. 1t will be re-
membered that Miss Winnie received
very cool reception in one or two
houses here, and this treatment of the
"Daughter of the Confederacy' is said
to have brought her and Mr.. Wilkin.
son in very close relations. He re-
sented the GOODNESS shown her and gal
: lantly championed her cause. The
friendship thus engaged between them
blossomed into love in due time. Mis-:
Winnie later on went to Europe with q
cousin of hers, and is still there.
Mr.. Wilkinson some two month:
. ago crossed the ocean to see Mis-:
Davis and spent several weeks with hel
sightseeing on the continent and press
ing his suit. When he returned they
were bethrothed.
Mr.. Wilkinson is bright and prom
ising young lawyer here, about twenty
eight years of age. His law partner j:
Mr.. Albert Hay. Their business i:
almost entirely confined to patent
cases. Their income is quite fair, bu.
Mr.. Wilkinson is not rich man. II
is a love match. The young man how
ever, moves in the very best society
here and stands high in the estimation