Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1879-08-02
THE HOUSE AT BEAUvOIR.
Mrs. Dorsey's Bequest to Jefferson Davis
A Visit to the Ex-Confederate Presi-
From the Atlanta (Ga.l Constitution.


Mrs. Dorsey's Bequest to Jefferson Davis
A Visit to the Ex-Confederate Presi-
dent.
From the Atlanta (Ga.) Constitutional
About two years ago had telegraphic
orders TO find Mr.. Davis as soon as pos
sible, for the purpose of obtaining from
him certain desired information. went
to Memphis, then his nominal residence,
only to find that he was not in the city,
that his wife and daughter were in
Europe, and his son in-law in New York.
He then had the Presidency of the Mis-
sissippi Valley Insurance Company, a
sort of sinecure, think, provided for
him by his friends in the Crescent City,
and it was thought probable that he was
in that city. I went down the river, ap-
piled at the Office of the Trading Com
pany, but found Mr.. Davis absent. No
one could tell me where he was, but
was informed that he was very busy at
work upon his history of the war, and
was hid away at some quiet retreat, his
location being unknown to all but his
most intimate friends. / discovered,
however, that his letters from his wife
were forwarded to Mississippi City, a
fashionable watering-place near New
To this point took myself.
Making my way unguardedly into a
pair of railings that opened like a fun
mel at the depot, and then narrowed into
plank lane that led inevitably to an
old-fashioned, cool looking hotel, I
stepped up to the register and asked if
Mr.. Davis was in Mississippi City or its
neighborhood. Mine host replied that
he had not seen Mr.. Davis, but he had
heard that ne was stopping at Mrs.
Dorsey's." He further informed me
that Mrs. Dorsey was sort of literary
woman-that she was rich, and that her
residence was known as "Beauvoir,
and that for consideration 1 could Sc
cure transportation to The same. In q
half hour was on the way.
never had more melancholy ride
than that which followed. The road led
through heavy pine forests. The tall,
brown trees rose straight and monoton-
Gus from drifts of white powdered sand
the moan of the wind through their
tufted heads mingling strangely with
the swishing sound of the waves of the
yellow gulf IS they rolled ceaselessly on
the beach. At almost every turn of the
road we came upon old houses-of i'm
posing size, character and surroundings,
but thoroughly dismantled and DESC
late. Worm eaten and decayed piers
ran ont into the water-roofiess boat
and bathing houses were scattered along
the shore; broken down fences of fine
pattern barely limited the shape of for
mer Enclosures. There were mansions
dead looking, deserted, with grass
growing on their very roofs; there were
stables and carriage houses, and
pigeon-cotes all disused and ten
antless; handsome grounds choked up
with weeds and sand-drifts. Occasionally
there was sure to be seen some pert at
tempt at reclamation that only set off
the general desolation more wildly. i
was travelling through strip of coun-
try formerly one of the most fashions
BILE and celebrated. 1t was here in the
old days that the millionaires of New
Orleans brought their friends and fam
lilies for the summer, having establish
ments here that in splendor and luxuri
Gus appointments equaled any thing to
be found in this then prodigal land.
With the Gulf rolling at their feet; with
strong saline breezes driving the heat
waves back; with the best of surf-bath-
ing, Yachting, fishing and huntiag, and
with society brilliant, we'll assured and
knit together by the memory of half-a-
dozen generations, they had all that
they desired I learn that in the past
few years this gulf shore has regained
much of its lost glory, and that songs
and laughter once more fill these desc
late houses, and yachts and sailing boats
once more speck the yellow waste of
waters.
At length house of noble proper
tions, situated on the crest of match
less bit of beach, approached by hand
some and we'll kept grounds, confront
ed me. My driver stopped and notified
me that this was where Mrs. Dorsey
lived A gentleman was sitting on the
piazza with large table, covered with
papers, by his side. A large dog was
coming down the walk, and turned to
look at the waves that curled up the
beach. The barking of the dog
at the fence determined me to re-
main in distracted meditation on the
Gulf, until the gentleman, who my
driver confidentially informed the back
of my head had started to meet me,
could reach the gate.
" Did you wish to see any one, sir?''
A kind but grave voice, tall, slen
der man, with brown hair and whiskers
tipping out gray, clear eyes, calm
brow, erect carriage, an indescribable
air of dignity and sadness. There was
the first and last President of the Con-
federate States of America!
Upon presenting my credentials, Mr..
Davis welcomed me warmly, and shak-
ing my hand gravely, led the way to the
house. AS we walked up the high,
broad steps of the piazza small lady,
with black hair, worn as Mrs. HAYES
wears hers, and looking rem lrkably like
Mrs. Mary E. Bryan, the authoress, came
out of the front door. This was Mrs.
Sarah A. Dorsey, one of the most noted
women of Louisiana, and the benefac
tress of Mr.. Davis. She is an authoress
of some note, having written '' Pamela,
novel, and think biography OF one
of Louisiana's Governors. She owned
valuable river plantations and was at
the time of my visit deeply interested in
the project of national levees for the
| Mississippi. She was a thorough stu.
ent-companionable with and devoted
to Mr.. Davis. l remember that with an
air of protectorship she superintended
any allusion that the ex- President made
| to public affairs-a kind censorship that
he humored, if he did not regard it.
At her request, Mr.. Davis has made
Beauvoir his home during the time he
was engaged on his book. Accepting
this invitation, he had quietly dropped
ont of the world. have never seen 8
more delightful household than that
gathered at Beauvoir at this time. Be
sides Mr.. Davis and Mrs. Dorsey, there
was young jeff, most agreeable ano
earnest young fellow; a boy relative oi
Mrs. Davis, from the North, who, witt
jeff, Jr, was reading law under the
ex-President, smart and courteou.
youngster, and Mr.. Davis's old colorec
body. servant, who is passionately at
tached to him. This made up the fam
| ilv and there was friendly interest anl