Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 80, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 June 1899 — WINNIE DAVIS. [ARTICLE]

WINNIE DAVIS.

Love of font hern Soldiers for the Danebter of tbe Confederacy. The affection given by the Southern States to Miss Winnie Davis was something very beautiful. A writer in the Washington Post describes the enthusiasm with which she was received, when she attended the Confederate reunion at Atlanta, the largest and most complete gathering of the sort ever held in tbe South. “Winnie Davis is coming to-day,” was the word circulated among the crowd, and the faces of old soldiers grew bright, while women loudly expressed their Joy in seqfaig her once more. “Miss WinnUrls coming to-day!” “So they say. Well, I can shake hands with her once more before £ am gone.” “Who’s coming? Winnie Davis? God

bless her: She doesn’t ever forget us!* “She’s the sweetest woman on God’s earth.” “Let me see Miss Davis just one* more before I die,” said many and many hn old soldier, “and I shall die happy.” “Three cheers for Miss Winnie!”*. She reached the platform where the leaders of the men were gathered, Gordon, Hooker, Lee, Cabell and the rest. As she stepped to tbe front, tbe music grew louder, more triumphal cheers rent the air, and old Gen. Gordon turned and gave her the kiss of welcome. “Our daughter,” he said, quietly. Iu another moment the little whiteclad figure stood under the big wooden framework of the gallery; her eyes were shining with tears, and her faoe was wonderfully bright and glad. Cheers broke out. A path was opened, and she passed slowly toward the platform, through a maze of outstretched hands, bony and wrinkled hands, many of them maimed or distorted. She took them, one by one, in her strong, young grasp. “How do you do, sir? How do you do?” she cried, with such force of welcome in her tones that some old soldiers bent down and sobbed. “I am glad to see you, sir.” And so she passed on, bearing kindliness and good cheer.