The leader., 1904-09-07

ing letter from james III. Parker,
q Federal soldier of Gen. Wilson'S
staff, who took part in the cap.
ture of the grand old man, writ
ten to the Argus, of Portland,
Me, Is posted conspicuously on
the case, and should silence the lie
that has travelled SO long:
/ am no admirer of JEFF Davis:
/ am a Yankee, full Of Yankee
prejudice, but / think it wicked
to lie even about him.
] was in the party that captui
ed Jefferson Davis; saw the whole
transaction from the beginning.
/ now say, and hope you will pub
lish it, that Jefferson Davis did
not have on at the time be was
taken any garment such as worn
BY women. He did have over his
shoulders waterproof article OF
clothing, something like Have.
lock. = 1t was not in the least
concealed. He wore a hat, and
did not carry pail of water on
his head, nor q kettle in any way.
His wife did not tell any per
son that her husband might hunt
somebody if he got exasperated.
She behaved like lady, and he as
a gentleman, although manifestly
he was chagrined at being taken
into custody. / know what / am
writing about. saw Jefferson
Davis many times while he was
staying in Portland several years
ago and think that / was the FIRST
one who recognized him at the
time of his arrest.
i defy any person to find a
single officer or soldier who was
present at the capture of Jeffer-
son Davis who will say upon hon
or that he was disguised in wom-
ans clothes. go for trying him
for his crimes, and, if he is found
guilty, Furnishing him. But ]
would not lie about him, when the
truth will certainly make it bad
enough.
JAMES III. PARKER. "
The day set apart for the dedi-
cation Of the Mississippi Build
ing, Sept. Is, is attracting atten-
tion, many inquiries being made
regarding it. 1t is understood
that regiment of the National
Guard will be present to take part
in the dedicatory exercises, and
that the Mississippi Society of st.
Louis will also assist. Brief adj
dresses will be made by the State
Commissioner, President Francis,
Gov. Vardaman, Capt. Frank
Burkitt and Hon. r. I. Brow
rigg, President of the Mississippi
Society in St. Louis, which is
composed of former Mississip-
plans.
There will be reception at
night, when Gov. Vardaman and
wife will be host and hostess, as
sisted by members of the EXPOSE
ton Bureau. their lady relatives
and the State Commissioner, wife
and daughters. At this reception
light refreshments will be served.
For days the weather has been
delightfully."- cool, the thermome-
ter rarely reaching over 80 de
grees. We have a hot day occa-
sionally, but it lasts for only
about twenty -four hours. 1t is
ideal Worlds Fair weather, and
a better time than now could not
be selected to visit the great Elk
position. To reach the Mississip-
pi Building, take either the La
cIede or Market Street cars, which
run Immediately Id front of the
Union Depot. Get off at the In
side Inn entrance and come at
once to the Mississippi Building,
take rest, get such information
as the Commissioner is able to Inn
part, and be prepared to see the
great Exposition ina consecutive
and systematic manner.
Inthe meantime the State Com
missioner will be glad to give any
information, or answer any ques-
ton requested by letter, if within
his power.
R. II. HENRY.
St. Louis, Mo-, Aug. %.