Statewide County GaArchives Obituaries.....Davis, President Jefferson December 6, 1889 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 August 21, 2005, 12:29 pm The Georgia Enterprise, December 5, 12, 19, 1889 *December 5, 1889 SOMEWHAT PERSONAL Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS is nearing death’s door at New Orleans. May the Master spare him to his people yet a little longer, is the earnest prayer of every true Southern heart. *December 12, 1889 PRES. DAVIS DEAD, THE GREAT STATESMAN, SOLDIER AND PATRIOT CALLED HOME When Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS “wrapped the drapery of his couch around him and lay down to pleasant dreams” there passed from earth one of the grandest and noblest men who ever lived or died in any age or any country. His soul winged its flight to the spirit land at 12:45 last Friday morning, Dec. 6, 1889. He died at the home of a friend in New Orleans, of a congestive chill, surrounded by wife, kindred and friends. He was a little past 81 years at the time of his demise. The life and history of this great and good man cannot be given in a newspaper article. He was idolized, honored and beloved by his people and this entire beautiful Southland is draped in mourning and bathed in tears over his death. He was a patriot, a soldier and a statesman. He was bold and fearless in the discharge of every duty, and while he has been denied citizenship in the land which gave him birth, and has been insulted and misunderstood, ostracized and misrepresented by a great nation, yet he has borne it all with patience and murmured not. For more than quarter of a century he was made to bear the alleged wrongs of a whole people. In the annals of all time there can be found none who through a long life adhered more steadfastly to noble convictions than did JEFFERSON DAVIS. In all the vicissitudes of peace and war his character remained the same in it virile strength, rounded and smoothed by the polish of a high philosophy and softened by the graces of a Christian spirit. A leader always, we can recall no one who had such an army of followers for a quarter century after defeat. A third of a continent loved him, a malignant faction paid him the high homage of their bittersweet hatred- a whole nation has paused to hear the news of his death and all noble minds will feel a pang at his loss. He is gone and while we lament his death and mourn his loss, it gratifies us to know that his memory will ever be cherished by the people whom he so truly loved and whom he so well and faithfully served. His temporary burial place will be in Metaire Cemetery, in New Orleans, where his remains were interred on Wednesday, 11th inst., and large delegations from all the Southern States were in attendance. It is thought that the final resting place of the dead statesman’s body will be Brierfield, Mr. DAVIS plantation on the Mississippi River, near Vicksburg; however, this will not be determined until his daughter, Miss WINNIE, returns from Europe. A movement is now on foot to raise money, by voluntary subscription, to purchase Mr. DAVIS’ plantation, so his family can pay off his debts and have something to live upon. It is intended to erect a handsome monument to his memory, in Atlanta, and perhaps other cities will do the same. We might pen page after page in eulogy of this great man, yet the half would not be told. The impartial historian will award to him that justice which his valiant deeds and patriotic devotion to principle already entitle him to, but which has been denied him by narrow partisan historians of the north and east. *December 19, 1889 MEMORIAL SERVICES Wednesday, Dec. 11, will long be remembered by our people. Business houses were closed from 12 to 2 p. m., bells were tolled and several stores were draped in mourning. A large number of ladies and gentlemen met in the court house to engage in appropriate memorial services over the death of Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS. Judge E. F. EDWARDS, President of the Newton County Confederate Veteran’s Association, under whose auspices the service was held, took the chair. Rev. T. H. GRIER opened the exercises with prayer. Judge EDWARDS paid a beautiful and tender tribute to the life and character of Mr. DAVIS. Major J. M. PACE presented patriotic resolutions eulogistic of the dead Chieftain, and moved their adoption in eloquent language. The motion to adopt was seconded by quite a number present and appropriate addresses delivered by Messrs. CAPERS DICKSON, JNO. B. DAVIS, W. H. LAPRADE, T. J. SWANSON, T. H. GRIER, JNO. V. WOODSON, B. F. CAMP and EMMETT WOMACK. A committee was appointed to solicit and receive contributions to the widow and orphan and monument funds, and quite a sum was raised. That Newton County will discharge her full duty in this matter is sure and certain-- and that she will do so without any unnecessary display also true. *December 19, 1889 On December 11 at the same hour in every southern city and town funeral ceremonies were observed and a patriotic people vied with each other in doing honor to the memory of a statesman and a soldier who had been denied citizenship in a free and proud republic. No such elaborate and universal honors were ever paid to any man, at any time, in any country, as were those paid to the pure life and spotless character of JEFFERSON DAVIS and no where were the ceremonies more impressive or more appropriate than here in Newton County. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/statewide/obits/d/davis2705gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb