The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-05-14
JEFFERSON DAVIS coURTSHIp
Itis t. De Comm morateg hy Enscrip-
sAon ON The Stone Where He
Proposed.


Mrs. g Fl, Rabb, a wealthy widow
and an told resident OF Vincennes,
Ind, Is Preparing to commemorate in
. unique manner the courtship cf JEFF
| ferson Davis, then lieutenant in the
United States army. but afterward
president Of the confederate states,
and Miss Mary Knox Taylor, second
daughter Of Col. Zachary Taylor,
afterwarH president of the United
States According. to local tradition
Taylor was in command Of the fort
near Yinaennes at the opening Of the
Black Eavk war In 1892, and Davis
wns a lieutenant under his command.
Near the fort, and on what is now a
farm belonging to James Wyatt, was
large stone. which lay partly above
and parfsy hurried in the ground. The
young lieatenant and Miss Taysar
formed a deep attachment for each
other, often walked ont on the pra5-
ric surrounding the fort. and fire.
quently seated themselves on this
stone
On one OF these occasions, while
seated on thesstone, Davis proposed to
Miss Taylor and was accepted. 1t Ii
said that Col Taylor said to friend
at the fort. when the engagement be
came known. that he had no objec-
tions to his daughters suitor, except
that he was soldier and that he
himself knew the privations OF a sol
dier's family and would save his
daughter from such fate When
Davis asked the hand Of his daughter,
however, this objection was waived
and consent was given.
Among their acquaintances at vim
cennes, both Davis and Miss Taylor
spoke of the pleasant hours they had
passed seated on the old stone. and in
one Of these references to their even.
ing walks Davis told Of proposing to
Miss Taylor while seated on 1t. 1t
was shortly after this that Taylor
and his prospective son-sn-law found
themselves OF opposing opinions in re-
spect TO the appearance Of an officer
at court-martial without his uni
form, the young lieutenant voting ,
with an officer named Smith, between
whom and Taylor there was bitter en-
nifty. Following this episode Col i
Taylor withdrew his consent to the !
but Davis and Miss TAYLOR
continued their association, which
vas now confined to walks upon the I
'rairie, where the old stone became h
heir favorite trysiing place, and
which resulted in a determination 10
marry without the consent Of her ia. il
her. Davis soon after resigned from h
he army, and he and Miss TAYLOR
fere married at the home ef an aunt =
the bride in Kentucky. C
Il is this series of events that Mrs. Il
abb proposes TO commemorate, and :.
ne stone has been brought from ="
be Wyatt farm and is now living
ear the front door Of her home. She .
engaged in securing the exact dates n
Lieut.. Davis stay at the fort. and c
his first meeting with Miss Taylor. 9.
ID, If possible. Of the day on which
7 proposed TO her. As soon a. the p
ltp can be secured, The stone will be v
doothed and polished and the events N
q be recorded upon il IN the order !
which they occurred The local ~
storical society Of Vincennes is in Ol
rested in the work also. and when hc
e record IS complete and placed on -,
stone i- viii be- turned over 10 the 81
y with appropriate ceremonies WI
T. Tribune IL
M. 49,. ...