The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-09-29
(BaltimOre SUM-


Varina Anne jefferson Davis,
youngest daughter Of the President |
OF the Confeaeracy, was born in the |
Executive Mansion at Richmond in |
June, 1864, and few months after |
her birth her parents were forced to |
flee.
She shared her fathers imprison-
ment at Fortress Monroe and was the |
only one of his children that he saw
during the trying times at the close
Of the war. She is thus truly a
daughter Of the Confederacy.
She was her fathers constant COM
panion during his lifetime. She as
sisted him in all his work, and much
Of the information which was requir-
ed by Mr.. Davis in his writings was
secured for him by his daughter. Her
strong character was marked from
youth.
She received the name "Daughter
of the Confederacy" in 1886, when
her father made his famous trip
through the South. Mr.. Davis being
unable to appear, Miss Winnie was
brought before the thousand, at the
different points along the route, and
introduced as the "Daughter of
the Confederacy.'
At the time of her fathers death,
in 1889, she was so i'll that her life
was despaired of. Since that time
she and her mother had been in
separable Both were conspicuous
figures at nearly all notable Con-
| 10 Oft
Pier, where she had spent her sum-
mers for several years, she devoted
much time to reading, horseback
riding and cycling.
| Miss Davis was the author of two
novels-..The Yelled Doctor" and
| "A Romance of Summer Seas The
former was published some time ago.
The latter was issued this summer
and received much praise. The Sun
said of it in a review notice:
1T is far better work than The
firmly, develops character along
more definite lines and preserves in
terest with increasing respect for the
principal characters until salts
factory ending. The style does not
overload the subject matter. The
way in which meek little mission
arv assumes command of situation
after quarrel displays the finest
perception of the true manhood
which turks in the humblest of men
until the occasion arises for its exer-
else. 1t is noval, therefore, that
we are glad to praise for its strong
points, and a decided advance in re-
straint of style, ability in firmly and
consistently differentiating character
and in directness and virility of de-
scription."
Miss Davis was woman of fine
personal appearance, slightly above
medium height and rather robust
and well proportioned. She had dark
hair. dark ewes and dark skin, an at
tractive expression and engaging
manners.
Several wears ago the engagement
| Of Miss Davis to 4 Mr.. WllkerSon, q
prominent young attorney at law o.
Syrcuse. n. Y. was announced, bu
soon afterwards the lady author
zed the statement that the engage
! ment had been broken off. Th'
| cause was never fully known by thu
public but by some it was said tha
! She decided not to marry that sh'
might maintain her fathers name
Bv others the condition Of health a
that time was assigned as the tru
reason. However, she remalnet
single while her reputed alliance
\ later married some one else.
The mother OF Miss Davis was be
fore her marriage Miss Howell, {
ii Mississippi. She was the second viii
:" of the Confederate President, hi
s first wife having been daughter c
= Gen. Zachary Taylor, President
. the United States. In addition
her mother, the only surviving rela
tive is a married sister. Mrs. Haye:
who lives in Colorado. A brother
Jefferson Davis. Jr.. died as chill
as the result of a fall from the portit
of the Executive Mansion in RlcI
mond.
For several wears after the deaf
of Mr.. Davis mother and daught'
resided on the family plantation
Bauvoir. Miss. hut about four yea
n. ago both took up their residence
New York city In answer to
criticism they were "abandoning Il
South" Mrs. Davis replied that s.
and Miss Winnie had been forced
the change to earn their livings. al
that both had since made comfort
BILE income bv various kinds of lite
arv work.
Baltimore was visited upon sever
w
entertained here in the homes
Of many who had been prominent duri
the existence of the Confederacy
am The cold which started the discs
from which Miss Davis died Is S:
. to have been contracted during l
participation in the reunion ot
United Confederate Veterans in
lanta. Ga. last July, where she
! for n considerable time exposed
, bad weather while in a parade.
Two TRIBUTE OF GEoRGECAKEY EGGLEsT'
ton In letter to the New York Wo'
ais ais George Carey Eggleston. the auth
aeh says:
for :. Winnie Davis is dead. Ma.
claim the privilege Of laying wre
b, of perhaps Surperfluous words nl
the her bier?
,an, a"a Il knew her personally. homo
50 her and admired her, and III
all lovallv loved her. as everybody
" who had the privilege of know
lib her.
She was an ideal Ameri
woman-largely learned. greatly
and complished and wonderfully glf
~n' But it was not all this that made