The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-22
THE TIMES-RICHMOND va SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER p 1898
for tho so,o,ors removed their hands

the blacksmith had done his work.
This done Mr. Davis lay for moment
as II I'm n sfunor Then slowly raising
himself and turning around, he dropped
his shackled feet 10 tho floor the claIh
Of the chains seemed 10 recall MN 10
his situation, and. hiding his face IN ms
hands, he sobbed passionstely and crleu'
"Oh, the shamei the shame
With his feet bound by the heavy and
rudcly constructed shaclIes, Mr. DAVIS
lay on his couch for several days. Inc
tray bearing food similar 10 that which
was furnished 10 the hearty soldiers or
the fort, a Tin plate. and spoon, were
placed beside him at regular intervals
each day and taken away untouched.
Dr. Craven saw that II Mr. Davis re;
mained In shackles his death would soon
follow. His constitution was broken
down, his nerves shattered. and his NINA
burdened. Accordingly. at the earnest
solicitation of the doctor. the shackies
were removed On the 18th or May. bf.
Craven also recommended that mis- pa
tient be allowed the use Of tobacco, and
this was granted
For some time after this Incarceration
Bible and prayer book were all that
Mr.. Davis was allowed 20 read. News
papers We're strictly prohibited. On June
18th permission was given him to have
miscellaneous literature. on the same
day he was Informed that he would be
allowed 90 walk OH the fampart5 one
hour each day.
Or. Craven noticed that Mr. Davis
meals We're rarely touched. and asked
permission TO supply from his own taDie
the prisoners food. After some delay
this request was granted, and the ldea
that the prisoner would attempt sel-le-
structiou with knife or fork, should they
bee given him. was abandoned. Mrs.
Craven and her daughter prepared win
their own hands such dclicacies as lhey
thought would tempt the appetite OF the
fallen leader
Mrs. Davis wrote Dr. Craven several
touching letters. containing anxious in-
quiries regarding her husbands treat
ment and his health. She had read In
the newspapers the most distressing re-
ports as TO his critical Illness and cruel
treatment, and begged for line that
would convey the truth. Dr. Craven
was not permitted 90 answer these lct-
ters. and the gref-sirickcn woman was
compelled 90 bear tie suspense Mr.
Davis and physician became very friendly
They discussed art, science. and litera-
ture, and derived mutual pleasure from
interchange OF opinions. Tho President
Of the Confcdcracy often spoke of siaF-
cry Ilo laid aside the preJudices of a
politician and spoke OF DO ass pnlloso-
pier and as a friend of abe negro.
or an the criticisms Of his enemies,
there was no other that affected him as
much as the odious. absurd. and ma-
lenant insiuuaton that Doc was in some
way connected with the assassination Of
President Lincoln. "Of Mr. Lincoln, Do
says Dr. Craven. che spoke not i'm affect
ed terms of regard or admiration, but
paid "a simple and sincere tribute TO the
goodness of his character. his honesty of
purpose, and his Christian desire 10 De
faithful TO his duties
ON nov. 10th Dr. Craven was ordered
that I'm future. when attending Mr. Davis.
be conlne his conversation strictly 10
professional matters This ciict preeluded
q continuance of tie relations that had
existed between the two men for months.
AT that point the diary closes.
Splendid sclf-control was the element
of Mr.. Davis character that most for
chilly impressed Dr. Craven. Tie appear
ed TO have accepted in good faith the
new order of things which the great con-
hict and the defeat of the South had
made necessary.
"His feeling for friends and those who
were friendly toward him." says Dr. era
ven. "was strong. and his fidelity t0 them
remarkable. or none of Gods creatures
not even his most bitter enemy did ne
wish OF speak unkudly. Washington
Post.