The Forrest City times., 1893-10-27
A Visit to Libby Prison.

So much has been written on the woib ders of the White City, that to the u,s skilled pen. little renssins to be said. But in acceeding to a peeuest. shall speak of my interesting visit to Libby Prison.
 A little astonishmept very likely, will greet the reader, as he wonders how true Dixie girl can find a visit to this WI Museum interesting, for our uncharitable northern cousin does not hesitate to tell us that the history of Libby IS a blemish on cOnfederacy; but no sectional animosity is intended. No North,no South but fair representation of the gypat civil War. from both Northern and soNthern standponts.
 This famous old structure as con- , federate prison is too well knowR to need the repetition of it's history. and 1t is enough to state that it was the pal ace prison of the South, and that during the late war it held more than 10000 Un- ion officers and enlisted men as prisoners. The prison as it now stands does not de- viate an inch from its original proportions. 1 It has been the aim of the management to make the yard surrounding. in keeping with the interior of the old structure, and toward this aim number of the larger relies have been placed OH exhibition. Along the front If the building is line of l. Gsrs board some of the war ships, and iD some of ihe land Notifications dur 1 ing the war.
 With these are some specimens of shot and shell. and the appliances (shell tORgsl used in handling them. Visitors will be instructed by guides, old war veterans. wlpUse explanations make doubly interest ing all the relics. One of the most i'm. pOrtaDt points about the exhibit in this 1 building is she fact that n contains the most complete and valuable collections of Confederate relics in existence Promi- nent among these being the Jeff Davis collection. The first paper of interest in this collection is a love letter, written by this celebrated Southerner to Sarah Knox Taylor. daugher of Zach Taylor. : Having copied from the original. l will reproduce this billet dour, which 1 feel sure his admirers will read with interest. Davis at that time was . young Lieutenant ' in the U. $. A stationed at Ft. Gibson, h. dian Territory.
 ''FT. GIBSON. DEC. Is. 1884.
 Iris strange how supersttion's intense feeling eneircles us. but stranger still what aids chance sometimes brings to aid our superstition.
 Dreams. my dear Sarah, we will agyee are our thoughts, and yet by dreams have l been lately almost cra1ed for they were of you, and the sleeping imagination painted you not such as 1 left you, not such as 1 could live and see you, for you seemed d sacrifice to your parents de- sire-the bride of a wretch that yOur pride anu sense equally compelled you to de- spi,e But last night the vision was changed: you were at the house of an un- cle in Kentucky. Capt. McCree was walk ing with yOn.
 i When met you he left you. and you told me of your father and of your self almost the same that 1 have read jn your letter tonight. Kind, dear letter! have kissed it often and often, and it has driven many mad notions from my brain.
 Sarah, whatever l may be hereafter, wiiI aseribe to you. Neglected by you should be worse than nothing, and if the few good qualities l possess shall, under your smiles. yield fruit, it will be yours as is the grain of the husbandman. It has been productive of regret with me that our union must Seperate you from your earliest and best friends; a test to which the hrmness of very few are equal.
 Though giddy with passion or bouvant with the hope Of reconciliation, there be many who brave it.
 From you am prepared to expect all
 that intellect and dignihed pride brings.
 The question as 1t has occurred to you
 k truly startling. Your own answer is the most gratifying to me; is that which l should expect from you. for as you are the first with whom ought 10 have won fortune so yOu be the last from whom
 would expect deseriion. When l wrote
 io yon supposed you did not intend sooi io retaTn to Kentucky, approve entirely ol
 Jour preference to meeting elsewhere than al Prairie du Chine, and your desir,
 Ia avoid any embarrassment that nigh widen the breach made already, cannot bs greater than my own.
 Did know that you would be at St Louis. l could meet you there. At al events VIC must in keutnekv