The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-13
MRS. JEFFERSON DAVIS
rrrrrNcLY ENTERTAINED IN
 BTnMINoHAM YESTERDAY.
The Status of the Negotiations for the Purchase of Famous Beau
 voir Are Explained in Public Statement

Birmingham, Feb. 12.-(Special.)-Mrs Jefferson Davis was given a big pubic reception here this morning in the par lors of the Morris Hotel. and hundreds of ladies and gentlemen attended and greeted the beloved lady of the South.
 Pelham Chapter, United Daughters oi the Confederacy. presented Mrs. DAVIS with larg box of fine red and white carnations. Mrs. Davis received the many guests, composed of gray-haired Confed- crate and Federal Veterans, Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy and others. while seated in a chair. Often during the reception she expressed regrets at not being able to receive standing. special car was placed at the disposal Of Major L.P. Yerger of Greenwood, Miss. to which point Mrs. Davis accompanied the latter gentleman this afternoon. Mrs. Davis will spend a day or two with Mrs. Judge Kimbrough and Major and Mrs. l.. P Yerger before going to Jackson, Miss. where she will go before the Leg islature in reference to the purchase of the historic Beauvoir (Miss.) home of the Daviss by that State.
 The following statement was author ized here this morning as to the sale Of the old home: Much comment has been made in the South concerning Mrs. Da- vis's intentions of parting with the old home at Beauvoir. Mrs. Davis did not take the initiative step in this movement. Some time ago a Northern syndicate, de- siring the place for hotel purposes and a winter resort offered to purchase 1t out right for 800, 900. This offer was promptly refused. Then another offer was made of s35. .00o and this too. was refused. The United Daughters of the Confederacy got up movement looking to the pur- chase of -Beauvoir for the purpose of es- tablishing a home for Confederate Vete- rans and for memorial to President Jefferson Davis. Mrs. Davis was con- suited. Notwithstanding the fact that there is no less than $15.oo0 worth of inn provements on the property, Mrs. Davis consented to a sale with the understand ing that the property would be used as above stated, but would take no more than $I0,00o therefor. A bill looking to the purchase of the property was intro duoed in the Legislature, and has already passed the Senate. However. there Is fear expressed in Mississippi that the purchase of the Davis property and the use thereof as stated might interfere with a State pension system in vogue for the Confederate Veterans. and, therefore, there has been some objection put in to the bill. Mrs. Davis was invited to ap.
 
 now on that mission.
 When inquiry was made as to Mrs. Da. viss present abode. the statement was made that her residence Is Girard Hotel New York Her residence in the Nortl Is by no means the result of sympathy or desire It is purely for her physica preservation. She is now more than 7' years of age. Mrs. Davis has a heart af- lection which physicians announce would prove disastrous in the South even for [ month or two, either in the winter oi summer. Hence, her residence in thu North. It is further stated that Mrs Davis receives no pension, but makes her own living She is much respected 1T the North. and the most cordial feelings are expressed for her in her Northern home. II
 Mrs. Davis was pleased at the reception rendered her here, though she does no desire any publicity pr public display She would have preferred a quiet enter tainment instead of a public one. but tn many Confederate Veterans, Daughter of the Confederacy and others desired t show their esteem and pleasure for th beloved lady and she acquiesced In thei desire. When the gray haired veteran appeared before her. she thanked then for the kind utterances extended and fo their earnest solicitation for future life.
 After the reception. an elegant luncl was partaken of and a drive through sev eral of the prominent streets of the cit. followed. The train for Greenwood de parted after 2:3O o'clock. Mrs. Davis wa in Birmingham just twelve years ago. A that time she made several prophesie looking to the growth of the place. an, these prophecies she repeated again to day as to the next twelve years