Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-31
Neterais from Sew York.
fBy telegraph 20 the Dispatch.l
TIE JEFFE RsON cAWS MANSION.
How 1t Is Notwithstanding OF Its
Past History.

How 1t Is Decorated ->omcthing OF Its
Past History.
Tho DAVIS Mansion. at tho corner of
Twelfth and Clay streets. Of which the
DISPATCH presents m excellent picture
this morning. j. one Of the principal OBJ
iectS OF attraction & visitors 10 has boen
beautifully and artl-tIcaiiy decorated on
tho north. south. and west sides, and pre-
seuts a sud and pathetic picture tho
white house of n conquered nation drap :
from domo % basement IN color, OF
mourning. Tho decorations. winch are
tie work of AlttelloTfer n Sons are
beautiful IN their simplicity and
effect. Hugo fans If sofa black aud
white hang beneath the WIudow-sIlls.
and the gray background furnished
by the old structure lends an imposing ap-
lC0Iauce to the whole. Streamcrs from
fhe top Of the mansion TO the bottom,
with Confederate Gags appropriately adj
lusted, add 10 the arrangement Of the SOFT
cOloIed bunting. The lltil0 stone porticO
on lie north sldo has been very skllfuily
draped. The posts are wrapped IN black
and white, whllo large white shields bear
the words, " Davis Mansion" A flag Of
Virginia is suspended from the DAVIS
house across Twelfth street.
u,scGurIoS OF TIE MANSION.
The mansion IL a roomy old house, al
most pnlatIal IN its proportions, though
Ciassicaily simple III design three stories
high with a basement, built Of brick and
succeed It's fat roof surrounded by \
square cupO!a. In front IS a StOOp, and a.
the rear q broad yoranda with great round
columns. When the mouse was built II
was considered fine. and when the cltr OF
Richmond purchased 10 for the executive
mansion of the new Confederate States. IL
was selected Us tine most suitable OF ali the
residences IN Richmond.
Its history Is fuli Ol interest. 1t was
built in 1877 10y DR.. John BrOckenbrough,
a wealthy and cultured Nirginian. from
him 1t passed into the hands. first. Of
James NJ. Morson, and then of the Hon.
James A. Seldom, VINO sold 1t TO LOUIS d..
Crenshaw.
When Virginia seeded aud Richmond
was selected as the capital of the Confede-
racy at tho suggestion OF Mr.. DAVIS, the
President. who had been stationed at tho
Temporary seat Of government IN Mont
gOmery. came on here at once. with his
family. arriving tine latter part of May,
1861. The city, pleased az having been
chosen a. the capital, bought the Brock
enbrough house" from Mr. Crenshaw for
$4,000 and offered 1t 10 Mr.. Davis as a
gift.
lie declined to accept it. but consented
TO occupy the mansion on condition that
the rent should be paid regularly by tine
government.
GIVEN TO TIE LADIES.
The place has since remained the pro-
perty of the city, bat in the summer Of
1891 It was donated by the City Council 10
the ladies Of the Confederate Memorial
and Literary Society TO DO used as q Con-
federato museum.
President Davis took possession of the
house III the early summer of 1861 and
left II on the evacuation of Richmond the
I'd of April, l365-four years later. While
the Federal troops occupied the city the
house was used rs a military headquarters.
and SINCE then it has served as a public
school building. being occupied bv Cen
tral School. handsome now building for
this school is now being erected Just back
OF the Davis house, on Twelfth street. and
when this Is completed the historic old
house will be formally given over to the So
ciety for museum purposes. Its use as q
school building has deprived the mansion
of many of its beauties. but IL is the inten-
ton OF tho Confederate Memorial and
Literary Society TO restore ii as tar a.
practicable 10 the condition in which 1t
was while serving as the Confederate
White House.
Little Joe" Davis met his death by
falling from one of the windows of this
old structure. His remains now lie in
Hollywood and will soon be reintarred in