The age-herald., 1898-09-29
THE DAVIS-DORSEY ROMANCE
Addie B. BellingtOn in the Chicago Times

Miss Winnie Davis, the Daughter of the Confectionery" recall with vivid interest a romantic period in the life and fortunes of the leader of the Host cause" Not only was this daughter the idol of her father in her infancy, but under the stress of circumstances which found him a prisoner at Fortress Monroe she was his joy and comfort in the prison-room. The taste for reading and literary pursuits she evinced in childhood were fostered with great pride on the part of her parents, and when reading together it was her fathers delight to draw forth and listen to ''Win- nit's precocious remarks.
 At the age of b Winnie was sent abroad to reap the advantages of study and travel. When this school period was finished she returned to her paternal instructor and companion, who was then living private, retired life at his picturesque southern home near the gulf in Mississippi She be- came at once her fathers assistant in h,s correspondence and literary work, and shared with him likewise in long rides and drives that served as restful diversion af- ter hours of literary work. This was at Beauvoir, the country seat around which cling the lingering shades of romance quite as interesting in detail as any found between the covers of a popular novel.
 
 'Beau voirr' was the excfamation of de- light uttered by Mrs. Dorsey on first be- holding the beautiful summer residence the purchase of which MT. Dorsey had kept as a surprise for his wife. Translating her ut- terance, Mr. Dorsey replied: 'Yes, it is beautiful to see and 'Beauvoir shall be its name.
 Mrs Sarah A. Dorsey, nee Ellis, was of a family that took prominent part in the settlement of Louisiana and Mississippi While in Mime. Sarazins school for young ladies Sarah displayed great ability in mastering languages Afterward 1t was said of her that she "sat in a room and talked to a German in his own language, an Indian in his language, a Spaniard In his language, Frenchman in his language and disputed with classical scholar ques- tions on Greek poetry" In drawing she excelled, and her musical education, begun under Boscha, reached such perfection that her performances on the harp and piano' were worthy of professor. Her marriage to Samuel w. Dorsey, son of Chief Justice Dorsey of Maryland, occurred in 1853.
 
 MT. Dorsey was an intelligent, well-in- formed man and readily encouraged his wifes literary aspirations. Having no chli- dren and with an ample fortune at her d1s- posal, Mrs Dorsey had exceptional faclll- ties for the enjoyment of society, traVei and literature. In 1850 she made a trip to Europe and the acquaintance then made with Dean Stanley, Thomas Carlyle and Herbert Spencer, the Rossettis and others resulted in correspondence continued from her loved Beauvoir She was de- vout religionist, with leanings toward sym bolic forms.
 As an authoress Mrs. Dorsey was best known through the publication of Agnes Graham" a book founded upon remarka- ble and romantic incidents in her family history.
 Fervid in the accomplishment of what ever she undertook, Mrs Dorsey was just the sort of individual to pour libations upon the shrine of wounded. endeavor, or even to take upon herself the payment of her coun- try's debt These may have been her actu- ating motives in a course which set at de- fiance some of the strictures of social GUS tom, and bordered-to say the. least-on pla- tonic affection in inviting as a guest in her house and finally adopting as one of her family the hero of the southern confeder- acy.
 It was in December, 1876, after his return from Europe, where his wife and pet daughter were still sojourning, that Jeffer- son Davis accepted the hospitality of the Widow Dorsey's beautiful home. His ire quent expression of praise in words to the effect that he could be happy if Beauvoir was his home, coupled with plaintive rela- tion of what he had sacrificed for the sake of the lost cause, may have inspired Mrs. Dorsey with an intent to do what lay in her power as a southern woman and lover of the south to make up to MT. Davis his losses.
 The claim of friendship extending be- tween their families from their very child hood, their mutual literary tendencies were other influences of more or less weight.
 Mrs. Dorseys vast collection of manu- scripts and print, together with the re- sourceful riches of her library, were fund upon which MT. Davis could draw in get ting materials for his book. When writing became painful Mrs Dorsey acted as his amanuensis, her quick literary perception and personal knowledge of events proving of great aid
 In her own literary productions it is stated that Mir. Dvs in turn helped her even to the extent of dictation Gradually, too, he assumed the business management of the estate, and whether Mrs. Dorsey was at home not maintained an air of au- thority about the place. For some time be- fore his death Jeff Davis, Jr, made his home at Beauvoir, and finally Mrs. Davis and her married daughter Mrs. Hayes, and Mir. Hayes were installed in the house as guests. After their departure General Joe Davis and wife were also taken in at Beau voir.
 Meantime the literary alliance remained so strong that if either writer had died be- fore the completion of the task in hand it was an evident conclusion that the other would have finished it. Mrs. Dorsey had her literary friendships and corresponds nts, but Jefferson Davis was her hero.'