Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-04-17
THE BEAUTIOR MANSION.
Notes of a Recent J7sit 10 TIE Mississippi
Home Of jefferson D0ris

''-
Beauvoir, the home of Jefferson Davis, Is
a part of the property which was bequeathed
to him by the late Mrs. Sarah A. Dor,ay.
Her relatives attempted to set aside thewiil,
but the Supreme court recently confirmed
the decisions Of the lower courts in his
favor.
1t is situated on the gulf coast in Missis-
sippi, between Biloxi and Mississippi City.
Near by are the camp grounds where the
Me;hodists bold their annual summer meet
ings
The house is an old Southern Mansion,
such is quite common in this section. Its
wide halls and many galleries speak OF ante
bellum days, of the olden time when wealth
and luxury here were the common lot of
all.
Beauyoir mansion stands something less
than one hundred yards from the blue waters
of the gulf. 1t rests upon brick pillars
twelve feet high Broad steps reach from
the ground mp to the wide front. gallery,
which is the entire length Of the building.
Other narrow porchcs join at each end, eX-
lending around the house. The entire strHc-
ture is of wood. The main entrance j.
through a vast hall, whose high frescoed
ceiling is now dim from age. To the right
are two spacious bed chambers opening into
the hail, and sebarated from each other by
large sliding doors The windows extend to
the floor, and furnish easy egress to the gal
leries.
( ON the LEFT of the hall are parlors and
library furnished with easy chairs and sofas.
Around the walls hang fine old oil paintings
and attractive ornaments adorn the tables
and mantels. The bookcases contain
wealth ofliterature seldom seenin private
library. Many of these things were the
property of Mrs. Dorsay, and included iE
the bcqucs,s she made Mr Davis.
In the wide, airy hall are divans and
lounges, upholstered in chintz by Mrs. Da-
viss own hands. On the walls hang her
paintings and those Of her daughter. ~
round ON every side are curious relics Of
other DAYS and other lands. Beyond the
hall to the left is an ell containing the bed
chambers, with large windows and doors o.
pcning on the latticed porches. Across an
intervening courtoppositeis is the dining room,
with its wealth of old silver and glass, pic
tures and ornaments.
( In the yard toward the front of the house
are two payilions Of two rooms each. The
one On the left is furnished rs bedrooms
Z for quests. The other on the right, is Mr..
! Davis study. The latter is moderately fur
nished with lounge, tables and chairs and
contains quite library. Here the great
man spends much of his time in reading and
writing. A small room adjoining is his
daughters bcudor, containing many little
articles denoting 4 woman's occupancy.
The window opens on a small garden ofrare
and beautiful tropical flowers.
4 few orange trees are scattered in the
garden and yard. The stately pines, oaks
and elms stand around in foTrcst-likc gran
deur. From their branches wave the ies-
toons tf gray mess. Again. it hangs in
graceful pendants or interlaces thepine cones
and green foliage Of the trees.
/ in the rear of the house. on the lclt may
be esccn the cottage occupied by Robe. Brown,
Nr. Davis body-servant, who still follows,
as he ever has done, bis masters fortunes.
I, was he who took care Of the children and
carried them to Canada, when Mrs. Davis
followed her husband to 4 prisoners cell.
He Is a dark muIatto with mixture Of In
dian blood. His hair is long and nearly
straight, and now quite gray. His bearing
is that of q polished gentleman.
There is another not less faithful friend,
though he is dumb brute and said to be
without soul 1t is traveller, great New
foundiand dog. Lord Byron pronounces
dog the mcst disintercsied friend Of man.
Perhaps he was right Traveller is the con-
slant attendant either of Mr. or Mrs. Davis.
When no: with one he is surely found near
Tic other.
He welcomes the stranger with glad dem
onstratons aud taking his hand gently in
his great mouth, leads him up the steps in
10 the house. He stretches himself on the
rug at his masters feet when there arc guests
in the parlor; he walks with the family and
friend. to the dining-rsom aud soberly seats
himself near the hearth until the meal IS
finished. lie remains quiet until his kind
and good thoughtful master fills 4 plate with
food and tells him to speak if be Is hungry.
wag olhis tail and a bow-woH," and he
is Immediately served just outside the door
on a mat
Whenever Mrs. Davis drives out Traveller
accompanies her. When the Phaeton is or
dered the dog Immediately goes to the beach
for bath, returning in time to join bis mis-
tress AZ the door. He trots along beside the
phaeton through the woodland roads, stop
ping 70 battle in every clear-runni1g brook
let by the wayside Shaking his long sill
ken hair. 50 white and black, uatil it is al
most dry, he resumes his journey, passing
through the Villages Of Biloxi, IIands5oro
or Mississippi City, as the route Of his mis-
trcss may determine Traveller was the
property Of Mrs Davis son, who fell victim
a, III rro,, :, 1879