The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-16
MR. DAVIS: AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
1t VIII be Ready for Publication In a Few
Months-A Talk with Mrs Davis.

|
Months-A Talk with Mrs Davis.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 6.-Recentiy
numerous statements of contradictory
and altogether misleading character
concerning the promised volume of the
life OF the late ex-President Davis have
appeared in newspapers. With the
object of getting the facts in the case, a
correspondent was sent to Beauvo;r
for the purpose Of obtaining from Mrs.
Davis in person information at once re-
liable and authentic touching this i'm
portant subject. The lady, in reply to
the reporters questions, stated that
beyod the completion ola few chapters
by Mr.. Davis the work was practically
in its incipiency. The necessary data
is, however at hand, having been care
fully compiled by Mr.. Davis previous
to his death, so that the labor of collat-
ing 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 MIR. Davis left it. Arrangements
are being made, however, with two
very capable gentlemen, who will
assist Mrs. Davis in completing the
memoirs. One, a very close friend
and sympathizer of the iiIustrious
chief, who, more than any living per-
son, is acquainted with the political
and public life of the deceased, will
direct, shape and generally interest
himselfin that portion Of the proposed
work, while his colaborer is distin-
guished for his literary accomplish
ments and his practical experience in
the art of book-making. When COM
pleted, the work will be submitted to q
number Of the most intimate and
trustworthy friends of Mr.. Davis for
their critical perusal and approval, and
nothing will be left undone to render
it in every particular an accurate and
thoroughly reliable portrayal of the
character of him who. above all others
of his time, could ask, in the record of
his life, that it be written, "Naught ex-
tenuating, nor aught set down in
malice"
Mrs. Davis says if she can only sue
ceed in interpreting in measuse some
Of those more subtle points or features of
Mr.. Davis character which she thinks
have not been so generally understood,
she will have entwined around his
memory wreath which to him would
be surprisingly acceptable, and to her
the most precious tribute of enduring
love.
Just how long time will have clap
tsed before the biography viii be actually
in the hands of the reader 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 wholly completed previous to
herdeparture for Europe, where she will
join her daughter, Miss Winnie. AS
the time of this contemplated trip is
fixed for the early part Of Mayor the
present year, the public may confident
ly expect to have the book month
later. In this connection, itwould be
well to mention that ample notice will
be given in few weeks of the exact
time when the book will appear.
J 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 feeling
ly.
1t was not, she said, the pomp, which
of itself was gorgeous, that afforded her
the greatest qualification in connection
with the obsequies of her husband, but
it was the spontaneity and universally
ofafectionate regard as it was exhibited
in New Orleans and throughout theen-'
tire South on that occasion, that
touched her most and that would abide
with her longest.
The unsurpassed outpourlng OF the
people of the South and especially Of
this city and the eminence, intellect,
character and citizenship of those
participating in the imposing cereno-
nies of that day would never be forgot
ten, nor would there be lack of appre-
citation On her part nor on that of the
remaining family of Mr.. Davis. AS for
the people of New Orleans and her
grateful Acknowledgements of their de-
votion to and distinguished considers
ton other husband, words were made
ouate to express. There was nothing
lacking nor nothing left undone.
taking it all in ALL" said Mrs
Davis, 81 do not think that there are
any people in the world who would
have so nobly and unseifishly main
tanned an unsuccessful man, with noth-
ing to confer, or would have rendered
such spontaneous honors to bis memo,
ryy, as those of the South have done IN
the case of my husband"