The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-01-09
LIFE OF JEFF DAVIS
MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND TIMES
OF THE GREAT SOUTHERN
CHIEFTAIN.
INTERVIEW WITH MRS. DAVIS.
She iWill Assist in Arranging the Data
Left by Mr.. Davis, but Not Com
plete5 in His Lifetime.

New ORLEANS, January 6. 6.-Recently nu-
merous statements of contradictory and
altogether misleading character concerning
the promised volume of the life of ex-
President Davis, have appeared in the
newspapers. With the object of getting
the facts in the case, correspondent was
sent to Beauvoir for the purpose of ascer-
tanning from Mrs. Davis in person informa-
ton at once reliable and authentic touching
this important subject.
The lady in reply to the reporters ques-
tions, stated that beyond the completion of
few chapters by Mr.. Davis the work was
as yet practically in its incipiency. The
necessary data is, however, at hand, hav-
ing been carefully compiled by Mr.. Davis
previous to his death, so that the labor of
preparing the matter and otherwise putting
it in shape for the publisher would, COM
paratively speaking, consume but. a short
time.
So far the work remains just as Mr..
Davis left It, Arrangements are being
made, however, with two very capable gem
tlemen who will assist Mrs. Davis in COM
pletiDg the memoirs. One very close
friend and sympathizer of the llustrious
chief, who more than any living person is
acquainted with the political and public
life of the deceased, will direct shape and
generally interest himself in that portion
of the proposed work, while his co-laborer
is conspicuous for his literary accomplish
ments and his practical experience in the
art of bookmaking.
When completed the work will be SUBJ
mitted to number of the most intimate
and trustworthy friends of Mr.. Davis for
their critical perusal and approval, and
nothing will be left undone to re nder
it in every particular an accurate and
thoroughly reliable portrayal of the char
aCter of him who, above all others of his
time, could ask in the record of his life
that it be written 'naught eXtenuating and
naught set down in malice"
Mrs. Davis says if she can only succeed
in interpreting in measure some of those
more subtle parts or features of Mr.. Davis
character which she thinks have not been
so generally understood she will have en-
twined around his memory wreath which
to him would be surprisingly acceptable
and to her most precious tribute of her
enduring love.
Just how long time will have to elapse
before the biography will be actually in
the Rhands of the readers Mrs. Davis is
so far unable to state. She will, however.
revise, supervise and look after many of
the details incident to its publication, and
this work she intends to have completed
previous to her departure for Europe,
where she will join her daughter, Miss
Winnie.
As the time of the contemplated trip is
fixed for the early part of May of the pres
ent year, the public may confidently expect
to have the book month later. In this
connection it would be well to mention that
ample notice will be given in few weeks
of the exact time when the book will ap-
pear.
Referring to the death of Mr.. Davis and
the demonstration of popular esteem and
reverence for the dead chieftain previous
to and on the day of his interment, Mrs,
Davis spoke feehngly.
"It was not" she said, 'the pomp--
which of itself was gorgeous-that af-
forded her great qualification in connec-
ton with the obsequies of her hus-
band, but was the sincerity of affectionate
regard as it was expressed in New Orleans
and throughout the entire South on that
occasion, that touched her most and that
would abide with her longest"