Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-02-12
A GHOST OF A PLACE.
THE STORY or ASHLEY HALL AND
HospITaBLE COLONEL euLL.

THE STORY or ASHLEY HALL AND
HosPITasLE COLONEL BULL.
now tn. Planter Kept Ills Household
Goods From the Hands Of the Raiders"
Pictures of N Beautiful suburb That All
Visitors 10 Charleston Admire.
Woodlands thick with underground,
tranquil country stiffness. the stiffness
Of bit of country comparatively I'M
titled and unpastured; roadways lined
with tall and stately trees--snch the
scene as the clatter Of horses hoofs echo
ing on the hard flooring Of the river
bridge dies away into noiseless footballs
and the wheels turn without sound In
the Welding soil Of ST. Andrews. The
murrnured chorus Of countless pines
charms us into forgetfulness Of the city's
close proximity across the river. Ahead
the way unfolds 20 US, broad and smooth,
winding between long battalions Of an
Gent oaks, mufficd up 10 their chins in
gray; on through miles OF tho century old
trees, their massive trunks bound with
fbrous scarfs, as IL 10 veil the scars OF
successive seasons. every twig and
branch and spray hung with streaming
moss. Grand old oaks! Autumnal
storms and April airs in turns have
tossed and kissed their rugged boughs,
yet the giant trunks stand firm. Scarce
a gap in the uniform line shows whero
o grenadier has fallen out Of ranks, and,
elbow to elbow. they guard the ancient
highway from encroachInent Of forest or
field
Here is an old gateway. tho entrance
10 the grounds which once surrounded
Ashley Hall, one OF tho proudest and
most spacious Of tho ancestral homes In
this parish We pass through the use
less massive portals into the driveway
beyond. In the shaded light the avenue
seems dreaming Of the past. for these
great oaks stand guard over tho wreck
Of all they were intended 70 adorn. or
the stately home TO which their beauty
formed q 81 approach nothing now re-
mains but the crumbling marble steps
and tall. spirelike chimneys. Little
pickaninnies play hide and seek where
once the flowers in my lady's garden
grew in trim IGxuriance. Only the Ash
Icy Is unchanged rs il ripples by on It's
way 70 tho sea. It's waves as blue and
sparkling as when il bore many boat
ing party from the mansion house.
Ashley Hall was the scene Of a muniii-
cent and lavish hospitality in antebel-
lum DAYS It, owner possessed immense
plantations in Mississippi and Louisiana
in addition 20 his Carolina estates, and
the great halls and spacious drawing
rooms II the St Andrew : mansion were
frequently thronged with a gay com
pany II the most distinguished people
Of the state. The host was passionateiy
fond Of the chase and delighted TO as
sernb!e abou. him those who shared IN
his love ~ sport Deer hunts, partici-
patod In by famous spOrtsmen from all
over the sonih. were features OF every
season. The same open handed geDeros-
ity that dictated hospitality so marked
obtained between master and slave, and
tho large rctiuue OF servants 1T the hall
were happy. care free set. IL was ira
ditiona. that no one was ever sent away
empty handed who applied for aid at
the doors % this plantation home
This old ball, in which seven genera
,ions Of the same lamily bad dwelt, liy
ing almost ideal lives. met with tragic
fate. The organized struggle between
the north and south was at an end, bui
the raiders" were in possession ~ this
country. They had already sacked and
destroyed every house IN the parish.
with single exception. and thar plan
,ation was occupied by an enemy more
dreaded even than demoralizeG soldiers
namely. smallpox That frightened
even rough handed raplcity away, and
venerable Drayton Hall. today famous
for Us wonderful gardens, was preserved
inviulata Tho knowledge Of the fate
that had oyertaken the homes Of 10
neisbbors. and which he fe,t that afaw
hours more would precipitate upon ms
own. determined Colonel Bull Calling
for kindiing wood surrounded by ~
awestricken servants, he himself apple
the pine torch 20 his household gods
Pictures, plate, antique furniture, VA
ned heirlooms--all were sacrificed say
the small number which could he ha,
tily secretcd BY trusted slaves when they
learned Of his intention II j, related .
M eyewitness that the stalwart planter
went tears Of infinite sorrow y the
sounds # falling brick aud crumbiing
woodwork smote upon MS cars Just
back Of the house is AZ ancient morn
ment erected 10 commemorate one o.
Cardinals colonial governors. an ances
tor of the doughty colonel /; was Oh
the base Of this shaft that the master OF
the manor sat and watched the destruc-
ton Of his homo
We retrace cur way along the ranks
of rare old trees, passing through the
ancient gateway, fit subject for poets
theme. into the open road. where we are
greeted by a procession o. oaks o. sym
mctrical as those we left behind Niles
Of moss fringed trees, their sOmber chr
tains swaying far above, and again
dropping so as almost 20 touch the earth
about their feet, continue even TO the
cleared strip Of land Immediately in
front Of the bridge Opposite lies The
rity. her cluster turrets and slender
,pires outlined against the evening sky.
Asked how We like the oaks, We say
that they are beautiful, but all IN
while we are conscious that they have q
charm OF their own not TO be interpreted
IN words. Cor New York Post