Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-11-28
An Alabama Home House.

After quick ride of three or four
miles through the prairie, says a CORE
spondent of the New York Times, we
reached q small collection of log cabins
which surrounded an imposing but di-
lapidated-looking structure inclosed
with fence which had fallen down in
many places. The garden in front OF
the houses was overgrown with weeds,
through which rare flower occasion
ally forced its way. Clustering rose
vines chung to the moldering pillars
which supported the broad balcony OF
the house pointers and deer hounds
ran unmolested throughboxwood hedges
that must once have been kept with
scrupulous neatness, and funny looking
little black boys and girls tramped at
will through the orange groves which
fanked the dwelling. This, DR.. Arm
stead informed me, had once been the
"home house" of one of the richest
planters of the South. Since the war
the seasons had been bad, the crops had
failed, and the house was occupied by
an overseer who had charge of the
estate. This 1 afterward discovered
consisted of no less than eleven thou
sand acres of rich land, which, on ac-
count of the change of labor and other
causes, was now for the most part lying
waste and uncultivated. Entering the
house a novel scene presented itself.
We were met at the door by Mr.. Car
ter, the overseer, who had been expect
ing us, and were at once conducted
through large hallway into wains-
coted apartment in which three bed
steads were standing. They were
great, massive pieces of furniture, made
of the finest mahogany, and having
four immense posts of polished wood.
These supported canopy of light,
carved oak, which, though old and
worm-eaten, gave evidence of beauty
and artistic taste. The fine feather
beds we're covered with a promiscuous
assortment of torn army blankets and
worn linen sheets. On the wall one OF
two rare and costly steel engravings
were hung, This was all that remained
of the former appointments of the
chamber. The "modern improve
ments" were quite as striking. In one
corner rude pine table bore cracked
water-jar and basin, a huge lump
of common brown soap, and a torn,
rough towel. This completed the
toilet apparatus. A great fire of oak
logs was burning in mammoth fire.
place, and round this number of bro
ken down chairs and stools were placed.
While waiting for supper our party
gathered around the fire, and I soon
discovered that their conversation was
far from being in keeping with theil
rough appearance. The man with the
torn hat was familiar with three OF
four languages, had travelled extensive
ly in Europe, and spoke easily of his
former acquaintance with French
counts and German barons. He oil
the boots and trousers proved to be 8
brilliant conversationalist, who il
choice language spoke sensibly of the
condition of his own and other South.
ern States. DIR. Armstead himself
having all the appearance of careless
Southern farmer, was not long in dis
playing depth of learning and thought
which is seldom found in the so-called
''best circles of Northern cities. AL
the gentlemen present had before The
war been rich and prosperous. Nov
all Of them, except perhaps the doctor
are in condition of poverty that would
be distressing were it not for the sensi
BILE way in which it is borne. After W,
had rested from our ride the oversee,
conducted us through the old house
1t consists of twenty-five or thirt,
rooms, which give evidence of having
once been magnifcently furnished. Ii
one large apartment there are not lesi
than two thousand rare and valuabl,
books. They are now moldy and un
opened. In what was once the draw
ing-room of the mansion old oil-paint
ings, and a faded carpet in keeping will
the frescoed walls, speak plainly O
=" the days that are gone" Nor is tn
condition of the house have described
an exceptional one. I am credibly in
formed that just such places are to b.
found in all the rich planting district
of Alabama.