Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-10-15
WINNIE DAVIS SPEAKS.
I'D the War Feeling Break Her
Engagement?
SHE WILL NOT MARRY WILKINSON.

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Was All About Is still nrystery-Thc
conTederacy's Daughter Says Financial
Matters We're Not the Reason.
NEW YORK, Oct. 15-The engagement Of
Miss Winnie Davis, 'the daughter of the
Confederacy,n and Mr.. Alfred Wilkinson,
Of Syracuse, is definitely broken. The
principals themselves authorize the an
nouncement. To reporter, who met her
in Mrs. George A. Clusters apartments AZ
the Fifth Avenue hotel, Miss Davis said
II do not care to converse about the break
ing Of my engagement Suffice it to say
that no mercenary motive prompted me in
the course decided TO take Mr., Wilxin-
son and ! severed our relation by mutual
agreement
Her Health Is Good.
In regard to the reports about her deli
cate health. Miss Davis declared that,
while not robust, she is by no means an
invalid.
"My trip abroad did me world Of
good,n said she. "dy travels are not over
yet, either. This winter my mother and
purpose to make an extended tour through
South America Returning TO the sub
iect Of her recent engagement Miss Davis
manifested some signs of pique. "All this
chatter about Mr. Wilkinson and myself
is exceedingly annoying she exclaimed
"Mr Wilkinson is an estimable young
man. ! think great deal OF him and his
family That's all there is TO 1t. As for
my friends influencing me, that is absurd.
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Many OF my relatives in the south were
particularly fond Of Mr.. Wilkinson. Butt
said Miss Davis, checking herself and Bit
ting her lip just perceptbly. "Idon't think
such matters are for the public. My rea-
sons concern my immediate family alone
They are perfectly satisfied with my con-
Duct
They Agreed 10 Disagree.
After Miss Davis and her mother had
taken their departure Mrs. Custer gave il
as her opinion that the rupture of the much
talked about engagement was due TO per-
sonal reasons solely. Miss Davis she
explained, ''is very self willed and likes to
have her own way. She has been the idol
Of every aristoeratic southern family since
her birth, and has formulated some very
decided notions concerning the late war,
which she never hesitated to express /
believe, although have no right 60 assert,
that Miss Davis and Mr.. Wilkinson agreed
to disagree
There is great disappointment among
Mr. WilSinson's friends over the result of
his noted engagement. Many Of them re
fuse to accept such reasons as have been de-
tailed, and persist in believing that Mr..
Wilkinson's financial misfortunes are at
the bottom Of Miss Davis refusal to marry
him. Mr.. Wilkinson himself is too high
minded TO cherish such ideas for an in
slant.
Wilkinson Greatly Disheartened.
Syracuse people still refuse to look upon
Miss Davis decision as uninhucnced by
thoughts Of wealth Mr. Wilkinson's own
family refused TO credit the reports that
the engagement was of until he gave his
positive assurance Of their authenticity.
He is greatly disheartened by the un-
happy turn which his affairs have taken,
but maguanimously Tefrains from cassins
any repr0aeh upon Miss Davis. He per
sonally announced the breaking of the en-
gagement, saying that he believed some
such open declaration necessary TO Miss
Davis comfort and happiness.
Was the War Feeling TO BIame7
Some Of Mr.. Wilkinsons neighbors
breathe the suspicion that a little war
feeling got mixed up with the affair. Il is
certain that prominent Mississippians, old
friends Of Miss Davis father, kept writing
to find out as much as possible about Mr..
Wilkinson's financial, social and profes
sional status
They were willing enough to have ro-
nance in its proper place, but preferred 10
have it kept within comfortable limits
and solidly backed up with good hard
dollars. People who pursue this line of
argument dwell with emphasis upon the
fact that the Missssippians' inquiries be-
came especially searching after the viii
kinson homestead was destroyed by fire in
July. There were dozens Of persons In
Syracuse who believe that If such an event
had not happened Miss Davis would not
have asked for her release.