The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-01
noUSCHKA PICKENS,
 THE GIRL WHO FIRED THE
 FIRST SHOT OF CIVIL WAR.

General George T. Afford. of Texas, has given to a Chicago correspondent story of the life of Douschka Pickens. who is said to have fired the first shot in the Civil War.
 The story of her life is more wonder ful than any romance that has ever been written. She was the daughter of South Carolina's war governor, but after her marriage she lived in Augusta, Ga, and died near there a few years ago.
 The following is the story of Douschka Pckens' life as told by General Afford:
 T was one of the Argonauts that were enticed by dreams of fortune to the gold fields of California" he said. When left Texas I went with the purpose of eniching myself and then returning to wed Lucy Holcomb. the belle of Texas. I remained in California for some time; went thence to Panama, and from there down the western coast of South Ameri- ca. l knew I was expected home, but the fever of adventure led me on, and I delayed my return for some months.
 Tn the meantime Lucy HolcOmb had become the belle of the South. She in fatua ted all who beheld her. Once when she was visiting the family of the fla nous Governor, John A. Quitman, at the Mississippi capital. she captivated the otdtO 1cBiSidihtt' dDu WftH FDS departed for Nsw Orleans the General Assembly adjourned and went with her Afterward she was married to the bril- liant Colonel Frank lickens, of South Carolina.
 From the time I left for California I saw her no more as Lucy Holcombe. When I returned she was Mrs. Pickens and it was not long before I. too, mar ried. I first met her again at President Buchanan's inaugural. where she was the most petted and patronlzed of all the beauties in Washington.
 A Court Favorite.
 President Buchanan appointed Colonel Pickens Minister to Russia, and there the beautiful Southern girl became the court fayorite. The Empress delighted in her society. and the women of all the legations gave way for the captivating American. Later she was taken to the imperial palace of the Romenoffs, and there, in May, 1858. was born the child that was destined to figure so strangely in history.
 'The Tsaritza claimed the privilege of being godmother to tho infant. When the day came for the christening all the grandeur of the Russian court was brought into play. Invitations were sent to the representa- tives of all the foreign nations. The company was the most illastrlous that ever assembled for similar purpose in the history of the world
 When the officiating disnitary of the church asked the Tsaritza, What shall be the name of this child?" she replied:
 " Her name shall be Douschka."
 The English for Dousehka is sweet little darling But. as is the Russian custom, several additional names were given to the child. and she was chris tened in full Dous chka Olga Neva Fran eisca Dorothy Pickens. The first of the series of names was the one by which | she was ever known.
 Fired First Shot of the War.
 During the campaign of 1860 Plckens l was nominated as candidate for Govern | or of his State, and on the day Abraham | Lincoln was elected President Pickens | was elected the Chief Executive of South l Carolina. of which his father and grand father had previously been Governor | He left the Russian court and brought his wife and little daughter to America. but the Russian royal family never for got the little Douschka, and upon each birthday she received from Tsar Alexan- der IT. a bewildering array of costly gifts, custom which was continued by he present Tsar until the death of tho woman a few years ago.
 Tn Carolina DouschkR, a mere tot, became as great favorite as she had | been among the splendid Russians Civil | and military officers worshipped the 'hild, and fl was this universal love for | ler that made her, historically. the lead ng young woman of the State and of the | south.
 When the days grew darker and dark 'r, and 1t was seen that war could not ne prevented, the Confederates at harleston prepared for conflict. The federals occupied Fort Sumter, and Gen eral Beauregard made every preparation 70 defend the citly. When it was finally lecided that he should Lombard the Fed 'rai fort he invited Governor Pickens to inspect the garrison and witness the in- 'epuon Of hostiltes. The Governor vls- ted the forts and gunboats, and took with him his wife and child, Douschka All the guns were in readiness for the first fatal shot which was to rend the nation in fratrcidal strife
 When the Governor had visited all parts of the garrison General Beaure- |