The sea coast echo., 1909-07-31
MARGARET HOWELL
DAVIS HAYES.

In the death of Margaret Howell Davi
Hayes the last link of the family of JET
ferson Davis is broken. One by one
like beads slipping frola chain, the,
have passed away, and in the cemeter,
OF Richmond is gathered what was onc'
large family-father and mother, fou
sons and two daughters, and the tin,
grandson, who only came to bloom ane
| fade.
Margaret Hayes was the oldest child
of Jefferson Davis and his wife, Varina
| Howell, and, aside from theclaim of the
first child to an especial love, she was
doubly dear to Mr.. Davis as bearing his
mothers name. The tie between the
two was-an unusually close one, arising
from similarity of tastes and trend OF
thought. "Polly," as was his pet name
for her, was ever his companion, and
when together, neither seemed to need
nor care for other companionship.
Margaret Davis was educated at a
convent in Paris, where Margaret of
Italy and Princess Margaret of Bavaria
were her closest friends. To distin-
guish her in this trio of namesakes, she
was called Pearl, the meaning of her
name, and that jewel entered largely
into her life pleasures. The friendship
for the two Margarets never was lost nor
laid aside. During the time of her alb
sence in France Mr.. Davis said there
was an aching void in his heart that
nothing could fill. He was man who
took bright views of circumstances; but
sometimes even to him the horizon dar-
kened, and, like Saul with the harp of
Dayid, nothing could soothe nor COM
fort him like his daughters singing.
She had a voice never powerful, but OF
unusual sweetness and pleading pathos
deep, velvety coAtralto, haunting in
the tenderness of melody that won its
way into all hearts, swaying the listener
to nobler deeds and truer aspirations.
After graduation, Miss Davis returned
to Memphis, where her father and
mother were living at the time. Here
she became at once leading social ia
vorite. She was very young, only
eighteen; but even then she possessed
the wonderful magnetic charm, the gra-
cious personality that marked her ma
turer womanhood. In Memphis Miss
Davis met Mr.. J. Addison Hayes, the
second son of j. Addison Hayes, of
Nashville, and grandson of Oliver Bliss
Hayes, one of the pioneers of the capt.
tai of Tennessee.
The first view Miss Davis had of Mr..
Hayes was at Calvary Church, where as
vestryman Mr.. Hayes took up the offer
ing. On her return from the service
Margaret said to her mother that she
had seen the man she felt sure she
should marry. Her premonition was
amply justified, for an ideal love affair
followed the introduction, and the first
of the January following the wedding
took place in Calvary Church. The
world was clad also in bridal white, and
| the joy bells that welcomed the new
born year rang in one of the happiest
married lives possible to humanity; for
with these two, lovers always, duality
ceased to exist and unity of life and
purpose took its place. Miss Davis
went to the altar on the arm of her no.
bic father, and Winnie, then child OF
eleven, was maid of honor, while young
Jeff Davis, then in his early twenties
was groomsman. A grand reception
followed, where all of Memphis society
came with good wishes for the fair bride
and noble groom. At this reception
the wedding cake served was brought
from England, and had been buried in
Theoretically sealed tins for fifty years.
The remnant of the cake was then
sealed, and was again opened for the
weddi ig of Varina, the oldest daughter
born to the young couple.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hayes lived for many
years in Memphis, where Mr.. Hayes
was very prominent in banking circles.
Here were born the tiny boy who bore
the name of Jefferson Davis, but who
lived only three months; Varina Howell,
who is named for the maternal grand
mother; Lucy White, who bears the
name Of her fathers mother; and JET
ferson Davis Hayes, who by the act of
the Legislature of Louisiana became
Jefferson Davis, receiving the name in
baptism over the coffin containing the
body of President Davis.
Mr.. Hayes, developing throat trouble e,
the doctors ordered him to Colorado,
which climate proved so attractive that
the family moved their residence to
Colorado Springs, where Mr.. Hayes be :
came the leading banker of the State.
Their home on Cascade avenue was one
of the show places of the city, and was
fitted with every luxury money could
buy. Here was born the youngest boy,
Billy, named for the passionately loved
and neyer-forgotten brother, who was
killed by fall over the balustrade on
to the stone floor in the White House OF
Richmond during President Davis term
of Office.
At this home was solemnized the mar
| riage of Varina Howell Hayes who