Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/18

 6 Southern Historical Society Papers.

plantantion, his attention was called to the fact that his corn field was being frequently robbed. One morning as he entered the field he saw a black object near him in the corn, and, approaching nearer he saw it was a grizzly bear, which sprang upon him and planted his fangs in his left hand. With his right hand he hastily drew his bowie knife from its scabbard and stabbed the bear to death. This shows the presence of mind of the man, and the courage he was accustomed to display on all occasions.

The whole city of New Orleans bowed down in grief at the death of Mr. Davis, and followed his mortal remains to their resting place in Metairie cemetary

Mr. McCaleb concluded by telling how in this city of monuments die good women now propose to erect a monument to Mr. Davis, a suitable shaft which would commemorate the virtues of this illustrious chieftian. He commended the work and said: " Let the monument be erected in the busy haunts of the great metropolis, so that our children as they pass beneath its shadow may be taught to emulate his matchless character. Let the first rays of the morning sunlight and the last gleams of the evening sun play upon his majestic brow, and teach those that come after us that patriotism is the highest vir- tue of the human race. And when this American Republic, follow- ing in the footsteps of all its predecessors, shall have perished from the face of the earth, the monuments of Jeff. Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson will remain near yon mighty Father of Wat- ers, like the pyramids in the valley of the Nile, to tell the tale of an extinct race of martyr patriots who lived and died for the eleva- tion and happiness of the human race."

Mr. McCaleb' s beautiful address was applauded to the echo. Miss Maloney played "Dixie," and Mrs. M. A. Farwood delivered an interesting address on the purooses of the Jefferson Davis Monument Association. Miss Buckley sang a beautiful solo and Miss Huber- wald read a touching and eloquent poem, written by Margaret Hunt Brisbane, entitled " The Confederate Dead." It touched each one present to the innermost heart. Dr. Gordon Bakewell, the beloved Confederate, delivered the benediction, and then " Dixie" was struck up again, the old veterans from the Soldiers' Home gave the rebel yell, and the beautiful ceremony was at an end.

The officers of the Association are: Mrs. A. W. Roberts, Life President; Mrs. M. A. Farwood, First Vice-President; Mrs. S. J. Fowler, Second Vice-President; Mrs. J. T. Spearing, Treasurer;