The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-16
IN AND ABOUT THE CITY
A BIBLE WITH A HISTORY.

] a 0ADLG W - - N A@S a ~ -
The Book Which All OF Geor2ia's Post
Bellum Governors Have Kissed
T. n. Theus received from Atlanta yes
tsrday the Bible which has been in use al
the executive department Of the state CAPT
toll since 1865. aud upon which all the gov
ernors Of the state since the war have taken
the oath Of Office. The old Bible bears upon
its back the name Martha A. Theus, the
mother of Mr.. T. n. Theus.
There is a good deal of history attached
TO the old Bible, and it has passed through
many experiences, having changed hands
several times How 1t ever found its way
into the executive department of the state
is a mystery, eKplainable, perhaps, only by
lips that have been long since sealed.
Mr.. Theus remembers that the Bible was
in his mothers possession in the early
"iftiss." He says that parts Of it were
issued to subscribers in monthly INSTALL
rnents by the publishers, until the whole
Bible had been received. Mr.. Theus'
brother, B. o. Theus, who died in Fernan-
dina several years ago, was then serving his
time in w. T. Williams book bindery on
Bay street, about where Q. Z. Suits a. co. S
establishment is nov. and he bound the
book for his mother. After Mrs. Theus' death
the book fell into the possession OF her
daughter. Mrs. f. Fl. Howell, who re-
moved to Milledgeville during the war.
Mr.. Howell did the state printing and en-
craving. Possibly Mr.. Howell may have car
ried the Bible TO the state house in pursuit
OF his work When the Howells fed from
Milledgeville when 1t was abandoned on the
approach Of Shermsn's army the Bible was
left behind with other property. How it
came to be regarded as part of the furni-
ture of the executive department no enc
knows. The reconstruction governors were
not very well supplied with Bibles, perhaps.
and used the first one that came handy
when the oath was to be administered.
Anyway, it came to have its place in the
department, and when the capital was re-
moved to Atlanta it was carried there with
the other furniture belonging to the office.
Gov. Gordon, like all of his post-bellum
predecessors kissed its cover when he was
sworn into office.
In the issue of the Atlanta Constitution
of May 81 some mention was made of the
old Bible. aud description was given of it,
including the name upon the cover. A
FREUD sent Mr.. Theus copy Of the paper,
and he knew at once that it was
his mothers old Bible. He determined
to lay claim TO it, and s addressed
Gov. Gordon upon the matter, giving
grounds for his claim. After some CORE
spondence Mr. Theus established the fact
satisfactorily that 1t was his mothers Bible,
and the book was made subject to his order.
IL arrived by express yesterday and was
the subject of much curiosity to those who
had heard something of its history.
A MORNING NEWS reporter made thor
ough examination of the old book and
turned its pages with much interest. 1t is
somewhat the worse for wear. the top cover
bearing the name being torn loose and the
fly leaves aud first three chapters of Genesis
being missing. Otherwise 1t is in good con-
ditlon. Its leaves bear no thumb marks,
which is prina facie evidence that the gov
ernors did not seek relief from the cares of
state within its pages.
The style of the book is quaint and
unusual, and the book could easily pass for
one of the old English editions of century
and half ago did it not bear the imprint
of an American publishing house still in ex-
Upon q leaf between the old aud
new testaments is found the inscriptions:
published by Harper & Brothers, SO Cliff
street, New York, in 1896" This makes the
book about "A years OLD.
The Bible is original, indeed, in
its style and thereare probably few
Of the same edition now extant.
1t is profusely illustrated with large and
small engravings every Bible subject of
note being illustrated with one or more
half page pictures, and each chapter
through the whole book having from one to
a dozen of vignettes about
an inch square. The typographical
work is excellent, the print being beauti-
fully clear, and the engrav1ngs showing up
better than is usually seen now in works
published with all the modern improve
ments.
The curious history OF the old Bible makes
it valuable family relic, and now that it
has come into his possession Mr. Theus will
take good care of it.