The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-11
THE DAVIS MANSION.
White House Of Confederacy to
Become Z Museum.
The 0omo II he Rebel H4eeaAent d
1seAnssA - Ds Preserved 60
Ceataia War Relies.

Efcuuonp, Va, June 6-lSpecsal Core
spondence. when the remains Of Jeffcr-
son Davis we're borne through the streets
Of Richmond on the way 70 their final
resting place in Hollywood cemetery, the
procession passed the home that sheltered
him through most Of the stormy years Of
his career - presidents Of the seeded
states. Il stands on Clay street, looking
down from the summit Of high hill
NoFthward. the view stretches far into
Henrico county. To the front. and few
miles away, can be seen the tall trees Of
the Chickahominy ssamps. At the rear
lows the James river. and from the east
windows its muddy current IS also visible
winding towards Drewry's bluff and Dutch
gap.
1t 10 vast. roomy old house, aimost pa
latiai in its proportions. though classicaily
simple in design, three stories high with .
basement, built Of brick and succeed. its
fiat roof surmounted BY . square cupola.
In front is q ssoop. and ct the rear broad
veranda with great round columns. When
the house Y a. built it was considered fine,
and when the city Of Richmond purchased
II for the executive mansion Of the new
Confederate States it Was selected ~ the
most suitable OF all the res,dences in Rich
mond. It is still an imposing building.
though its grandeur has been over
Swallowed by the more modern creations
that surround it.
The history Of the mansion IL full Of in
teres.. II was built in 1917 by DR.. John
Brcckenbrough. . wealthy and cultured
virginian. From him 1t passed into the
hands, first, of James n. Morson, and then
of the Hon. James A. Sedden. who sold it
TO Lewis d. Crenshaw.
When Virginia seeded and Richmond
was selected ~ the capital Of the Confed-
eracy, at the suggestion Of Mr.. Davis, the
president, who had been stationed ct the
temporary seat OF government in Mont
gomery, came on here at once with his
family. arriving the latterr part Of May,
1851. The city. pleased at having been
chosen as the capital, bought 1.-The Brock
enbrough house" from Mr.. Crenshaw for
~, 600. aud offered it 70 Mr.. Davis as
gift.
He declined to accept il. but consented
to occupy the mansion on condition that
the rent should be paid regularly by the
government. The place has ever since re-
manned the property Of the city. Presi-
dent Davis took possession Of the house in
the early summer of 1861. and left 1t on
the evacuation Of Richmond, April 2, 1865,
four years later. While the Federal troops
OCCUplcO tue CITY TIC MOUSSE " u USel as u
military headquarters, and since then it
has served as public school building. Re-
Gently, however, it was presented by the
city to the Confederate Memorial and Lit
erary Society for museum.
The building was found to b admira-
bly, adapted to its new uses. A contcm-
porary writer gives this description of the
interior ~ it then WAS:
From the front porch the entrance
door opened into the principal hall (14x18
feetl. elliptical in form with two inches,
each containing bronze statue utilized.
If not designed. for gas purposes. The
front of tho building to the right Of the
hail was divided into staircase hall.
with two inches containing marble
statuettes. and . coy library (l1x14 feetl
and to the left was private stairway. and
the entry atfording ingress to the dining
room and egress from the building. The
elegant apartments for entertaining were
in rear and en- suite. the parlor (lsx24 feet)
being located between the withdrawing
room (about 30 feet sQuare) and the