Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-08-15
UNIV RITTEN HISTORY.
MRS. VAIL TELLS OF THE NOBLE
DEEDS OF A "HERO"
the Confederacy, james HI. Davis, of
Providence Township: His Generosity,
She Says, Was Unexcelled.

~ ~ 0Sys dAAC IL w. VI
Providence Townships: His Generosity.
She Says, Wa Unexcelled.
Charlotte Observer.
81 see," said Mrs. T. L. Vail
to the Observer several days ago,
''that Capt. Sam. White is going
to erect a monument to the faith
full slaves and women of the Con-
federacy. who, while their mas
tiers and husbands we're off de-
Tending their rights and country,
were at home guarding their
houses and property.
There was one man, whose
bounty hundreds lived by, but
whom this generation knows not
of, andI want to say that I would
be glad TO contribute toward a
monument for him. I refer to
James H. Davis, of Providence
township, the grandest, noblest
man I ever knew. He was the
w~ealthiest man of this section.
He furnished the people of this
entire section, Mecklenburg,
Union, and the upper counties of
South Carolina, with corn, wheat,
bacon and other supplies all dur
ing the war. His corn crib stood
open day ard night to the women
of the Confederacy, and I have
seen as many as sixteen wagons
standing before the doors of his
barn and smoke houses at one
time, being filed with meat and
corn for the wives and children
of the men who we're off in the
army. He was the grandest man
I ever knew. His heart was full
to overlooking with the milk of
human Kindness and from far
and near the women of the South
rose and called him blessed, for
many of them would have gone
hungry but for this noble. gen
erous While monuments
are being built to the memory of
the faithful in those days that
tried mems souls, I feel like the
women of this State and South
Carolina should know of this
man whose heart, house and crib
were open to them in the day of
their need, and [ for one, would
be glad to contribute toward the
monument for this man, whose
bounty [, with hundreds of other
women of this section, enjoyed
during the days when our hus-
bands and sons were off in battle
So enthused was Mrs, Vail on
the subject of this noble man.
that the Observer felt that il
must become better acquainted
with the hero of the Confederacy,
whom Mrs. Vail said deserved to
frank with Lee and Jackson" Sc
inquiry concerning him was
made.
Mr.. Davis lived near Provi
dence church. His place was
known as the Egypt of the
Carolinas, and to-day is Still
called the Big jim Davis
place.
Mrs. Wallis statements as tc
this mans wcndrous kindness
and generosity were more than
corroborated. His house was a
home for.the widows and orphans
of the Confederacy: his crib was
free to all in need. From "sun
to sun" wagons were to be seen
passing to and from his place
empty when they went, full when
returning.
After the war he sold numbers
ofhofses" and COWS, on time, to
people unable to buy. He started
many a poor boy in life.
And this great man, who spent
his wealth on others in then
time of need and poverty, anc
whose name is but a memory
with those who lived off his
bounty, has a son-his only
child-living in Charlotte-M. L
Davis, Of South Tryon street
Mr.. Davis inherits his fathers
lavish generosity. He has giver
away a fortune Or two, but ha:
often had fortunes left him, the
Lord seeming to prosper the
hand that 'had pity unto tn,
poor" Mr.. M. S. Davis married
Julia Davis, a full cousin. They
and Mrs. Davis sister. who live:
with them at their home in thi
city, are the last of the "olt
DaViS'' family.