The age-herald., 1901-08-29
WoMAANNc ANc,nrv
Mrs. Jefferson Davis Feeble.

A correspondent of the St Louis Re public writes as follows from Portland, Me:
 Many letters and telegrams have been received here within the past fortnight from persons widely scattered over the country making Inquiries as to the con- dition of Mrs Jefferson Davis, who is a guest of the Columbia Apartment Hotel, and who has been reported to be critical ly i'll.
 It Is true that Mrs Davis at one time was in so serious a condition that her physician was apprehensive as to the outcome. Now the danger point has been passed. Mrs. Davis, however, Is far from being a well woman. She is very feeble and unable to leave her room.
 Mrs. Davis came to Portland about one month ago, intending to spend the sum mer here, as she had done before, and with beneficial results. During the first week of her stay she was able to take drives about the city and suburbs The cool sea breezes and bright sunshine re- freshed and strengthened her. and she remarked to guests of the hotel that she anticipated much benefit from her so- journ.
 Then, quite without warning came an attack of dysentery, mild at first, but which soon took on a serious form and became acute. Finding 1t difficult to check the trouble, the physicians were alarmed, and at their suggestion Mrs. Hayes, daughter of Mrs. Davis, was sum moned from her home in Colorado. She came at once, accompanied by her hus- band, and has been almost constantly at her mothers bedside ever since.
 About the time of Mrs. Hayes arrival Mrs. Davis commenced to improve, and there has been a gradual change for the better ever since. It is doubtful if she will be able to leave her room this month, but unless complications at present un- looked for should develop 1t is believed that Mrs. Davis, with the coming or cool CT weather in the early fall, will gain considerably in strength and that her gen eral health will be better than 1t was when she came here The excessively hot weather of the last ten days of July, coupled with Mrs. Davis advanced age,
  tient's recovery.
 Mrs. Davis Is well past the psalmist's allotted age and for several years has suffered very much from rheumatism, and has been obliged to use cane even in getting about the house. Her grief be cause of the untimely death of her beau tifui and devoted daughter, Miss Winnie, is as great as ever.
 It goes without saying, therefore, that this venerable woman, although she comes of stock noted for longevity, can- not survive many years longer. In a sweet but sad message to an old friend, written only few weeks before she came to this city, Mrs. Davis alluded to her feebleness and to her heavy sorrow. She said, In substance, that she was awaiting patiently the end, which she felt was not far away.
 When Mrs Jefferson Davis shall have passed away there will remain of the Da- wis family only Mrs. Hayes, the daughter of Mir and Mrs. Davis, and the latter's children, Jefferson Davis and varina H. D. Hayes. The Jefferson Davis just men toned was born Hayes, but in order that the name of his distinguished grandfather might not be lost to the family he changed his name from Hayes to Davis The Colorado Legislature legalized this change.
 All Portland Is tenderly interested in Mrs. Davis condition and she has been the recipient of many kindly attentions from the townspeople She has been made to feel that, although far from her be- loved southland, she Is yet among friends who sincerely hope for her restoration to health, and that her remaining days may be days of peace and comfort. even though they must be clouded by sad memories
 Mrs. Davis visits to Portland in re- cent years are not her first. She has pleasant recollections of a brief sojonrn here as long ago as the late fifties. Then she was accompanied by MT. Davis. Old residents remember that she came n search of health.
 "Reminiscences of that visit have been printed in the local papers, and anecdotes having to do with the personal appear ance of MT. Davis at that time and of the excellent impression which he made upon the minds of the people have been related.
 Mir Davis had come to Boston to con- suit an eminent physician residing there, and upon the urgent invitation of his friend and senatorial colleague, James w. Bradbury, had extended his trip to Maine He went as far east as Augusta. which was MT. Bradbury's home, and dur ing his brief stay there he delivered public address in the course of which he touched upon the state of the coun> try and set forth his views on the great public questions of the time. questions The discussion of which not long after wards led to secession and the civil war. That was MT. Davis first and last pub | lie address in New England. Notes and Personals.