1940 Recollections of Mary Comer Lane

It seems to me, in looking back over the eighties, that children sang more than they do now. When our play was over, we sang "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," "A Spanish Cavalier," and "Hang Jeff Davis on the Sour Apple Tree." You will remember that General Davis came to Savannah in May of 1886 to be present at the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the Chatham Artillery.

There was some doubt on the part of the committee as to the reception. For some years after The War Between the States, Mr. Davis was not popular. That fear was dispelled the morning of his arrival when a huge delegation awaited his train and escorted him to my father's house.

I was but five years old and do not remember very much about the visit, but the few things I do remember, stand clearly like slides we see on a stereoptican viewer. My mother, of course, told me that we were to have an important guest named Jefferson Davis, but the significance of his position meant nothing to me. I remember very distinctly saying, "Then I shall call him Jeff." Not being an angelic child, my family remained in a state of terror that I would so transgress.

I remember Mr. Davis, and I can see him now as he stood in the doorway of our back sitting room. A tall, thin figure in a black Prince Albert suit, tightly buttoned, showing to advantage, his height and his slimness. I don't remember his saying anything: but, the picture is clear of a black, ghostly figure__white bearded, appearing at intervals and creating, in my very small body, a feeling of awe.

Violets were in bloom and each morning, I went into the garden and picked a small bunch to pin to his lapel. Then, I remember standing on the stoop while he greeted the people standing in the square. Every morning it was the same, a sea of people waiting for a glimpse of their President. Then many crowded up the steps to meet him and shake his hand.