SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH
The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library has announced the donation of a letter written by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to Winfield H. Worthington of Columbus on July 14, 1877.
In the letter, Davis discusses his involvement with the Mississippi Valley Association, of which he was president of the American branch in 1876. The Association was a British firm seeking to promote emigration to the South and to encourage direct trade between New Orleans and European ports.
Davis also mentions his “old affection” for the Columbus Democrat newspaper. Worthington was editor of the paper at the time. His father, H.H., began the paper in 1836. Davis writes that he is “proud of the strict adherence to principles my friend, its Editor, has uniformly exhibited.”
Worthington went on to also own and operate The Index and The Patron of Husbandry newspapers in Columbus.
In his closing, Davis writes “I have long wished to revisit Columbus and trust I may do so when the host season is over.”
The letter was given to Gladys McGeorge of Columbus by the Worthington family, with whom she was very good friends. It eventually passed through her family to Sid Caradine, who has generously donated it to the library. Caradine, along with his wife Brenda, owns and operates bed and breakfasts at both the Amzi Love Home and the Lincoln Home in Columbus.
“My Great Aunt Gladys was given this letter and wanted to keep it for posterity,” said Sid Caradine. “I thought this donation would be something she would want us to do.”
In addition to Davis’ letter, the collection includes family letters, newspapers and other documents relating to both the Love and Caradine families.
For more information about the collection, contact Mona K. Vance at 662-329-5304 or by email at [email protected].
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