The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-17
lRWIN'S HISTORIC CAPITAL.
NEAR 1T THE MARTYRDOM OF
JEFFERSON DAVIS BEGAN.

Half a Century Ago IrvinviiIe Came
Near Being a Big City-The Cap
ture of the COnfederacy's Eeader
in n Pine Forest just Outside or
the Town Has Given IL a Place in
the Annals of the COuntA-The
story of the Federal Raid Upon
President Davis Camp-The Tree
Against Which Davis Tent Was
Placed Cut in Pieces by Relic
Hunters. But the Rest of the Grove
jealousy Guarded.
Irwinville, the county site of Irwin
county, is one of the oldest towns in
the state, and just missed being
city of some Importance, and possibly
the center Of trade for all Of South 9rn
Georgia, by a gentleman changing his
mind. 1t YVES in the "fifties' when Mr..
Brisbane conceived the idea of build
ing a railroad from Irwinville to the
Ocmulgee river and graded the road
bed. a part of which is now utilized
by the railroad from Ocilla to Irwin
vile. Why that enterprising gentleman
changed his mind, after expanding a
large sum Of money in grading, is un-
known to the present generation of
people living in Irwin county. Had
Brisbane's railroad to the Ocmulgee
river been built. Irwinville would
have had the benefit of quick and
cheap steamboat connection with Sa-
vannah and other points on the coast,
and that would have brought trade
and population.
The Irwin Superior Court was in
session when l reached the county site,
and his honor. Judge Roberts, with
the assistance of the grand and petit
Jurors, Acting Solicitor General Ken
nedy, and other members OF the bar,
was administering the law.
We dined with Judge J. B. Glenn
ents. who during court week accom-
modates a number of guests. The
judge presides over the City
County Court. He is one of the
wealthiest farmers and land owners in
the county, in addition to being an
able lawyer.
The Luke House is the principal
hotel at Irwinville. I had the pleas
ure of meeting many citizens of IT.
win and other counties during my
brief sojourn, among them Z. j. Ho-
gan OF Whitley. Col. Tom Taylor of
Hawkinsville. Hal Lawson of Abbe-
Vile, +. D. Graham OF McRae. Thorn
as Hill of Cordele, j. w 'Barrentine OF
Hyaeinth, ". B. Dasher Of Sycamore.
veteran Of the Oglethorpe Light In
fantry of Savannah, Company 3.
Eighth Georgia. Judge Luther M.
Mershon of Fitzgerald, ex-senator r.
). Smith of McRae, j. W Tomberlin.
II. j. Luke, William Rogers, Warren
Fletcher, Sheriff, Marcus Luke. Eon.
). J. Lee, Ordinary, L. D. Taylor, Hon.
a ). Dorminey, Representative from
Irwin, ID. NJ. Hogan, Jesse PauIk. J.
r. Paulk. Elijah Dcrminey. c. II. vii
cox, William Fletcher, Jesse Luke. q.
W. Lyman, and DR.. j. T. Dismuke
1t was near Irwinville that the mar
tyrdom of President jefferson Davis
began. The capture of the great Con-
1ederate leader his incarcera ton and
III treatment at Fortress Monroe. and
q
him, even in those days when innocent
women were sent to the gallows, is a
story that has passed into history The
grand old pines that witnessed the
opening of that drama. which still
stirs Southern blood to anger. untouch-
Cd by ak or hack. still sway to the
wind in all their primeval grandeur.
while others nearby are falling before
the inroads of saw mills and turpen-
interests he
which Mr.. Davis tent was placed, has
peen surreptitiously cut away by relic
hunters, but Judge ]. B. Clements the
owner or the land, and whose father
owned 1t before him, now iealously
guards this historic forest
When President Davis left Wash
ington. Ga, it was his intention to
cross the Chattahoochee river and Join
the Confederate forces in Alabama
ana II, as 1t then seemed probable that
tneFe was no prospect of successful
resistance, to cross to the trans Mis-
slsslppi Department, and re-establish
the Confederate government in Ar
kansas or Texas.
A few days after leaving Washington
ia, however the President heard
that band of marauders were in pur-
suit of Mrs. Davis and family whom
he had not seen since leaving Rich
mond, who with a small escort was
trying TO reach the Florida coast, and
turned from the route he was pursuing,
and rode across the country to the pro-
lection of his loved ones; finding them,
ne Travelled with them for several days.
The two parties. the Presidents and
Mrs. Davis. halted for the night lust
outside of Irwinsville in an open pine
forest
It was an ideal place for a camp. a
gently sloping hillside, with a branch
Of ripping water at its feet. President
Davis having satisfied himself that all
danger from the outlaws was passed,
had his horse saddled and pistols in
holsters in readiness. for an early start
in the morning. laid down to rest with
out undressing. 1t was his intention
10 bid his dear ones goodbye at early
dawn and start to carry out his or
iginal intention of joining the Confed-
crates in Alabama, or making his way
TO the armies of Gems. E. Kirby Smith
and Richard Taylor across the Missis-
sippi.
1t was still dark when the President
was aroused by the sound of firing
across the branch, and stepping out
the tent he saw cavalry deploying in
the pines. He realized the situation
at once and told Mrs. Davis, who i'm
plored her husband to leave her, but ne
hesitated, and in the meanwhile
some of the cavalry came between
him and his horse, and he turned to
make his escape in an opposite direc-
ton. Hastily picking up what he
thought was his raglan, but which
proved TO be his wifes. and with q
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