The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-05-22
ALFRED WILKINSON.
He CAPTURES THE DAUGHTER OF
THE CONFEDERAOY.

THE CONFEDERAOY.
Miss Winnie Davis Betrothed-A States
RIGHTS Democrat, as His Father and
Grandfather We're.
From the atlanta constitutional
That's his picture, is it?"
"Thats-yes. I know hers"
"He aint so bad"
"He'il sorter do"
Eyes, that's good face"
A group OF fex-Confederate soldiers
we're standing in the business Office of
the Constitution yesterday, examining
with great interest d couple of photo
graphs.
One was picture of Miss Winnie
Davis.
The other was that of a young man
between twenty five and thirty, with
as pleasant and handsome a face as
one meets nowadays.
The young man, whose picture IS
given, is Mr.. Alfred Wilkinson, of
Syracuse, N. Y. to whom Miss Winnie
Davis is engaged.
''Look here, young man, remarked
one of the group, addressing the pict-
ure of the young man. we're going to
keep an eye Oh you, and you've got to
make her good husband, or Pm 60
ing to know why. You hear?"
why" put in another, "we'd get
up a regiment down here and capture
her back if he didn t..
I'D go in that crowd"
"Me too! Me too!' was the echo.
81 suppose" remarked another,
"lhat every old soldier in the South
feels like godfather to that girl
''And the women like godmothers "
They had each good look at the
Young mans picture, and there was
something like a feeling of relief yisi-
bic in their faces as they passed it
around, and finally handed it back
over the counter.
The verdict was a favorable one.
They tell me, though" said one
veteran, rather obviously, that his
grandfather was terrible old Aboli-
zionist"
Don't make a bit of difference -
said another one quickly. "My grand
father was an Abolitionist, too"
Il think mine was, sorter," supple
mented another. II know my father
was Then, it don't make any differ
ence what his grandfather was if he's
all right. just so he treats her right
that's all | care about"
This was evidently the accepted
view, So far as that crowd went.
During the day the picture was
shown to a number of others, and it
was curious to see the keen personal
interest shown. Invariably, too, the
verdict was favorable. The face was
attractive, somehow or other, and in
spired confidence.
A STATES RIGHTS DEMOCRAT.
Major Sidney Root, of Atlanta, is an
intimate friend Of the Davis family,
but the Major was surprised, like 9TH
er f>lks, when the announcement was
Published.
"No," said he yesterday, in reply to
the question, Il never saw the young
man. / rely upon what Mrs. Davis
says of fhim-that he is a states rights
Democrat, as his father and his grand
father were before him. and generally
a very estimable young man."
"Miss Winnie met him for the first
tine, | believe, about three years ago,
in Syracuse. The papers have pub
lished, see, something of the circum
stances under which the meeting took
place. While she was in Syracuse a
very. foolish exhibition of hostility was
shown by, some people, and something
like an attempt at ostracism was made.
He very gallantly came to her rescue.
l almost wish he hadn't-you know
how girls are I'm a Yankee myself
born in Massachusetts,, but-oh, well,
though. It's her choice, and I'm sure
she's one of the most sensible girls Oh
earth. No doubt it's all for the best
"Mr. Davis knew Of the matter some
time before his death, Mrs. Davis
writes, and on more than one occasion
invited him to visit Beauvoir.
81 have sort of implicit confidence
in his judgment, and if he approved i,
we ought to feel satisfied. He was
all things considered, the greatest mar
ever saw. l have seen and known
quite number of great men, too, ir
this country and in Europe. He wa'
the greatest of all.
"Miss Winnie is worthy daughter
not pretty or beautiful woman, bu
a queenly, wonanly woman. She is .
type of all that is good and true il
southern womanhood. What her faith
er was among men she is amongs
women.
"No, he isn't a rich man. Mrs
Davis says. however. that he is in com
Portable circumstances, and quite vel
able by his own efforts to take care o
Miss Winnie.
He is twenty eight. Miss Winni,
was born in June, 1854"