The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-24
70 WE'D 4 SCION OF AuoL1rIoNIsM
Ms Winnie Davis Engaged TO Mr.. Alfred
Wilkinson, Young Lawyer of Syracuse,
E.-The Affair n Love Matcil-In-
teresting Events Which Led TO
the iSctrothaI.
From the New York Herald. |

- kACt 81 w. =, y VII ID VIII
ArA Il report of 4 very Interesting ma
iur> which has matcr;aliZcd into fact
oi great significance, and cannot fail to
attract the widest attention in both
Europe and America. In a word, it is
the crowning event Of the great rebel
lion. 1t is nothing more nor less than
the announcement made to very init
mate friends here of the marriage OF
Miss Winnie Davis, the eldest daugh-
ter of Jefferson Davis, the late Presi-
dent of the Southern COEtederacy, to
Mr. Alfred Wilkinson, OF this city, the
grandson of Samuel J. May, the great
aboiitionist leader.
Dame rumor has for long time past
whispered Of the possibility Ofsuch an
event coming to pass, but it was only
when Mr.. Wilkinson returned from
Europe q few weeks a%o that the ru-
nor began to assume tangible shape,
and it was only within day or two
ago that one of Mr.. Nays bosom friends
WAS apprised Of the engagement.
The event is of more than ordinary
significance owing to its bearing on the
birth aud fall of the rebellion. This
marriage, when accomplished, will
unite two families who have been
heretofore the most implacablep political
foes, and to whose efforts the tierceness
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 son
Of John Wilkinson, q very prominent
figure in local history and the grand
son of Rev. Samuel J. May. The name
Of the Rev. Mr.. May is one of tie
bright gems in the abolition sky, for he
was The pioneer, with Garrison, Emer-
son, Phillips and Longfellow, in the
| treat NOI - lOI tIIe aooIlLIOH VI Slst'Si y .
Not only in the United States, put in
Europe also, did he fight for the aboli-
ton cause. In Great Britain especial
ly Mr.. May lectured upon slavery to
large audiences. After his removal TO
syracuse Mr. May continued 10 be very
active and prominent in promoting the
anti-SlavcIy reform. lie soon Eecame
known f:tr and wide as q fearless aud un-
compromising aboltionist. Hundreds
Of men, women and children, hceing
from bondage and bound for Canada,
came to him for protection and help
and they never came in vain. He as
sisted many to escape, among them
being the celebrated John McHenny,
whose liberation created such sensa-
ton, the anniversary OF which was
celebrated for several years.
Us 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 meeting here,
lest it should provoke 4 riot. Twenty
of the most influential gentlemen of
syracuse, nearly half of whom were
his rarishioners, addressed a letter to
Mr.. May. telling him they were cred
!tubly informed that organized and
forcibe efforts to prevent the holding
Of the abolition convention would be
made. Probably this was one of the
Srrcrcst tests to which Mr.. Nays 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 was
roughly used, the meeting being pre-
vented and Mr.. May was burned in
ci1i-y in Hanover square.
1t was not long afterward that the
firing upon Fort Sumter put an end to
such proceedings in the free States. 1t
is this mans grandson who is to wed
the "Daughter Of the Confederacy.'
The story Of the courtship is most ro-
mantle. Miss Winnie Davis came
| North some four years ago to visit DR..
Thomas Emory, of the firm of D. Nc
Carthy & Co., in this city. 1t was her
first visit to this old aboltionist strong
hold, and she was consequently quite
anxious to meet the society Of SYRIA
cusc. ut one Of the receptions given
in her honor she was introduced to
Mr.. Alfred Wilkinson. 1t will be re-
mcmbered that Miss Winnie received
a very cool reception in one or two
houses here. and this treatment of the
"Daughter Of the Contedcracy' is said
to have brought her and Mr.. Wilkin'
son in very close relations. He resented
the coo!ncs- thus shown her and gal
luntlv champoncd her cause. The
friendship thus cngenerated between
them blossomcd into love in due time
Miss Winnie later on went to Europe
with Il cousin Of EcrS, and is Still
there.
Mr.. Wilkinson some two moths ago
crossed the ocean to Sue Miss Davis
], hnt