The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-05-02
deferyou Day,S 9
rs Pres7oeHr go

whom he was bound by the dearest ties or anec-
ton, and arrangements were speedily mace oy
which the younger brother and his bride shou'a
come into possession Of thousand acres aoJolh
ing his own estate, where house was built ana
land cleared for the coming cotton season. Inc
husband and wife began life together resolutely
Mr.. Davis worked with his own hands an al
rected personally and through his trusty FOREMAN,
James Pemberton the labor of the fields
promising harvest was approaching, when. as rs
usual the maarial season came on. Not being
acclimated, and to escape the added dangers of
living on freshly-cleared land he left the respon-
sbility of the estate to his beloved brother, 10
seph Davis, and moved down the river with his
wife to the home of sister Mrs. Luther Smith,
Bayou Sara, in southeastern Louisiana 1t
was not long before both fell seriously Ill, and in
September, 1885, Mrs. Davis died In the shadow
Of his sorrow Mr.. Davis slowly recovered from
his severe illness and returned in mid-October to
the lonely plantation. only to leave 1t again In
search Of health and oblivion Of affection. He
visited New Orleans in the early winter whence
he sailed to Havana and the island of Cuba--the
resort Of the invalid and grief-stricken of that
day.
In 1S43 Mr. Davis became the candidate of the
Democratic party for seat in the Legislature OF
the state OF Mississippi In February. 1S45, Mr..
Davis married Miss Varina Howell of Natchez.
the granddaughter of Governor Howell Of New
Jersey and daughter of William B, Howell In
the course of the same year he was elected to
congress Gas a representative from the state "at
large'). and took his seat in the house soon after
the opening OF the first session of the Twenty
ninth congress- In December, 1S45.
Mr.. Davis was devoted disciple Of John C.
Calhoun. and statesman after the same order.
When the president, not congress- settled the
Texas embroglio by causing the American army,
under Gen. Zachary Taylor, to threaten the Mex
lean position the Rio Grande and hostilities
followed as matter of course, from the White
House the word came to congress early In April
that war already existed, and called for troops
Calhoun arose in his place in the senate and de.
manded to know the authority OF the executive
In usurping the rightful powers of congress. Mr.
Davis made similar protest. at the same time, In
the house. The South Carolinian continued to
arraign the presidents policy but Mr. Davis
despite his admiration for Mr.. Calhoun. yielded
his support to war and deprecated all criticism OF
Colonel Taylor and his men for their unnecessary
advance 1t would appear that war was neces-
sary for the annexation Of Texas and having
favored the war Mr.. Davis was selected to com.
mand the first regiment enlisted In the state of
Mississippi called the Mississippi Rifles. Before
leaving his seat in congress- Mr. Davis had in
sisted that his regiment should be armed with
rifles. Later. when secretary OF war, he intro.
duced into the regular army the improved guns
he now used on the Mexican war He set out for
New Orleans the rendezvous of his regiment
early in June. 1886 After a short stay at "Briar.
field" where he procured his trustworthy servant
and horses. he continued his Journey embarking