Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-20
MISS WINNIE DAVIS DEAD.

The death of Miss Winnie Davis, at
Narragansett Pier, on Sunday, sewers a
living link binding us TO heroic days and
sacred memories
She was born in Richmond when 1t was
n besieged city. She came as minister
wig angel to the presidential household
ut a time when the President and Mrs.
Davis were weighted with many cares of
state. when Grant was closing in upon
Richmond and Petersburg; when the for
tunes of the young republic were ebbing
fast. There was gloom without, but
within the chamber where she lay there
was light and joy from her presence. She
was a comfort TO her father all Of his
days; TO her mother she was all that a
daughter should be.
When Richmond was evacuated by the
Confederate army. the presidential house
hold started southwark, meeting with
many adventures. the journey ending in
the capture of MIR. Davis. Mrs. Davis,
in her memoirs of her husband, relates
that on the road to Abbeville, S. c., she
walked "five miles in the mud over the
tops of her shoes. with her cheerful baby
in her arms
That cheerful baby was a solace to the
president in his Imprisonment at Fort
Monroe after the cruel orders had been
relaxed little), and was great conso-
lation and help 10 him in all Of his after
life.
Miss Winnies father and mother both
were persons Of the highest intellectual
gifts. and she inherited many of them
There was much in her face and figure
that reminded one of her father; but
she resembled her mother. too. She
took from both and presented a personal
ity that was strongly indivdualistic,
marked by womanly beauty and graces,
and robust intellectually. She was
named Varina Ann, after her mother. but
"Winnie" was her pet name in the Davis
household, and by 1t she is best known to
the world. She was also wen-called 'the
Daughter of the Confederacy"-a en-
dearing sobriquet never to be heard by
old Confederates without waking the
memories of a glorious past and a glori-
Gus leader.
Miss Dayiss contributions to the litera-
ture of our times were numerous. MANY
articles of hers have appeared i'm the
magazines. and she published two books
The Yelled Doctor and a Romance of
Summer Seas. This last work of hers
has been before the public but few
months. 1t shows decided improve
ment upon The Yelled Doctor She had
all of the accomplishments of a woman
OF the best society, and was admired
wherever she went, but her life was one
of industry and application; OF hard work
indeed. She was ambitious 10 succeed in
literature. and she had already gained
a notable foothold in that direction
while her life was rich in promise of in
telleotual development
Miss Davis, we repeat, was born in
Richmond. and here her father and
brothers lie buried, II is, therefore. meet
that she, whose love for her father |
amounted almost TO worship, should rest |
b. his side. in Hollywood. there to be |
Joined in time by her mother.
Tho Daughter OF the Confederacy' is |
Al rest now. Her life was not long. but |
there were rlpples In its stream. Now
neither care nor pain can touch her more.
ehe Is safe; but let us think OF her mother.
from whose hand has been wrenched az
IL were. the staff Of her declining wears
'iers Is the burden TO bear. Hers has
Deen a troubled life; but nature fitted Ter
Tor hero's wife. and we can easily be-
He'" mat her daun,less spirit, sustain.
ca py an unfeltering trust. will bear this
latest blow with as much Of resignation
Is reasonable TO expect Of tho best
VI h'o'hefh' who Is about to consign TO
EARN the mortal part of the best OF
daughters.