The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-10
LITTLE JEFF. DAVIS.
Stories OF the Famous Southern Leaders
Grandson.

The New York World recently cor
tanned an interesting article on the
family of the late Jefferson Davis,
especially the little grandson who has
taken the Confederate leaders name,
aud who is now in New York. There
were four sons born to Jefferson Davis,
says the World. The first, Samuel,
died in Washington when but a baby.
She who is now Mrs. Hayes was the
second child. Jefferson Davis II, was
the third son. Then came William
Davis, after him Joseph, and last of
all, Varina- -"Winnie," fondly chris
tened 1.-The Daughter of the Confed-
eracy." Joseph died in Richmond
during the war.
William died at Memphis in 1872,
and near the same city, during the aw-
full yellow fever epidemic of 1875. JEFF
ferson Davis II gave up his life while
at the post of duty. Thus perished the
male descendants of Jefferson Davis,
all without male issue. There was 40
one to transmit the family name.
Margaret Davis was married in 1875
or 1876 to Mr.. Hayes, Of that city, and
bore son. He was christened Jeffer-
sou Addison Hayes. Mr.. Hayes sug-
gested that the baby's name might be
changed, but President Davis said no.
The boy was Mr.. Hayes only son. 1t
would not be right that his heir
should not transmit his name. But
the proposition fingered in the old
mans heart.
So the boy grew and prospered. Two
months out of the year he spent away
from his home at Colorado Springs
and with his grandfather at Beauvoir,
Miss. And every day that be lived he
grew dearer and dearer to the aged
man. When they were separated
such important news as the advent of
the first tooth, the first step and the
first gurgling attempts at speech you
may we'll believe were hurried off to
Beauvoir as fast as post could carry
them.
By and by another boy was born to
Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes. Mr.. Davis then
said to his wife that if the offer were
made again he would give his consent
to the change of the name Of the first
born. The months flew by, and every
mother knows how rapidly the mind Of
child grows after it begins to talk.
In the pleasant evenings the grand
mother and little boy sat out on the
wide veranda, boon companions. And
the old man told stories.
After his death, and when Mrs.
Davis was in New Orleans at the
great funeral, the governors Of most
of the Southern States and many of
the old generals and veterans Of the
| civil war called on her and asked that
she consent to the change of the name
of little Jefferson Addison Hayes.
The father and mother were willing
and Application was made to the legis-
lature of Mississippi. In the spring of
1890 Governor Lowery affixed his sig
nature to formal act which changed
the name of the little man, at the
now New York hotel, to Jefferson
Hayes Davis.
There it was that in June last, at
Vicksburg, he was embraced and kissed
by the grizzled veterans and given
badges, no end, of every organization
of the ex-Confederate soldiers. This
pretty blossom has grown out of the
grave of the lost cause.
This is the little fellow who, having
been told that some day he might
come to be President of the United
States, was offended because President
Harrison, not discerning the future, did
not lift his hat to him AS to other mem
bers of the party that gathered at Col
orado Springs to see the chief magis
trate pass. His father and mother dc
not like to tell this somehow, lest it be
thought the lad is vain. But be l:
still shy and devoid Of that pushing
forward nature that makes some
youngsters such poor company.
Mrs. Hayes delights to tell how little
jeff wants to know
Mamma" he queried, what is
i chaperon"
ut is companion for youEs ladies
= to take them to the theatre, 10 Sc
: that no harm comes to them.'
3 well, tnat'S very strange said he
: That's the first I've heard that ther
: was anything to harm young ladies \
3 q theatre.
A During his granifathcr;S life n
= bov used regularly 10 take the Swet'
Q encd drops OF ,oddy NJ the bottom OF u
e old ycntlenau's glass. They had d'u'
e rent ideas about toddy when frcSider
{ Davis WAS \ young uan. at'si ':rS. Hay'
e SAW with sonic concern that III" p'
If WAS hcsiuniuS 10 like The warm. SwT'
;, taste ot the liquor, She di!n' | I'Ne
il speak to her father about H. So She too
Y little .lrtr one day aud gave him y i"'
" talk about the evils that hc!all th%