The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-05-08
An Incident of Ante Bellum Days
With a Squeal After
The War.

Previous to tho late civil war be-
tween the states, there lived in North
ern Louisiana, on the shores of one OF
those lovely lakes with which the val
ley of the Mississippi river is so fire.
quently dotted. proud and wealthy
planter named Shapley Owen. He
was Kentuckian by birth, and in
bearing and manners embodied all the
fearless chivalry and courteous hospi-
tally, of typical scion of the blue
grass dominion. and it was ever
source of pleasure to him, to narrate
the part he had taken in the battle of
Tippecanoe, when, as hoy OF sixteen,
he rode bareback and barefooted by
the side of General Shelby as volun-
teer courier, when the great Tecumseh
fell.
Col. Owen had amassed large for
tune as a cotton planter, and his broad
estate of twenty-four hundred acres in
the highest state of cultivation, equip
ped with all the advantages and re-
quirements of princely domain, was
as delightful in location and surround
ings, as could be found anywhere on
the surface of creation.
The residence was of palatal pre-
tentions, with broad verandas extend
ing from each of the two stories OF the
stately mansion; a spacious court in the
rear; grand halls and elegant apart
ments within. furnished in the highest
conception of luxury and taste, gives
an idea of this rural princely home. A
dozen or more coy cottages in the
rear, tidy and attractive, were the
homes of the house servants and their
families. Back on the plantation, in q
grove of live oaks lay village 80 tene-
ments, occupied by the colored peas
antry. or slaves. The mansion or "big
house" as termed by the negroes, with
the stables, carriage houses. etc., were
empowered in q luxurious growth OF
china-berry, myrtle and magnolia trees,
wish the choicest shrubbery of the
tropics blooming in profusion. Four
hundred slaves answered to the morn
ing roll call, and the yearly output of
the plantation was more than two
thousand bales of cotton, besides thous-
ands Of bushels of corn, and minor pro-
auctions. We give these details as a
gratuitous and truthful portrayal of q
model plantation, typical OF the anti
bellum days, and it may be OF causual
interest to the reader, who has little
idea of the elegance and Independence.
that was so universal in the cotton
states in "Barronial times" of 1860.
Col. Owens family had resided here
for many years, although each summer.
during the heated term they had found
it congenial to occupy residence in
Kentucky. amid the scenes of early
years. The matron of this proud
home was one of the kindest and most
lovable of ladies. Among the favor
lite slaves was house servant named
Henry Smith, ar handsome mulatto of
powerful build. who had grown up un.
der the eye and special care of -'Old
Mistus," as Lady Owen was affection
ately called by her servants.
The war was badly felt IN this remote
portion Of the Confederacy, until the
advent of the army of General Grant
i'm 1868, when the direful calamity of
invasion by hostile forces, was soon
painfully realized. in devastation and
distress that followed. When the adj
vance guard of the Union army swept
down the valley the land marks OF the
old regime were quickly destroyed,
and the mystic relations-domestic and
social-of master and slave, which
years had cemented into wondrous sys-
tenn of mutual regard and dependence.
dissolved before the fierce inconoclast
of war. The slaves were confronted by
a new and strange doctrine; the armed
missionaries brought to their doors q
new innovation of personal liberty aud
civil rights, and inculcated the idea,
that the first step to freedom required
that the slave must turn against his
master, and smite those who had here
tofore been held IN highest regard.
And so, when Henry, the faithful serv-
ant of Mrs. Owens household, was I'M
portuned by the new corners to forsake
the only friends he had ever known.
and to bctray the hand that had reared
him-to harm those, whose comfort and
happiness had been through life, the
first impulse of his heart, his better
nature revolted with horror. But such
splendid specimens of physical man
hood were wanted in the service of the
Union forces, which began at once to
recruit regiments for the service, and
Henry was compelled to leave his old
master and follow the army. II was
with sullen reluctance, however, and
poignant grief, and on the first oppor-
tunity, the "colored conscript" stole a
midnight visit to his old home.
Those were days and nights of dark
dismay and trouble, when scouts and
maraude-s, spies and informers were
ever proving about, invading the
premises. A constant feeling of ap-
prehension and terror brooded over
every household.
Late one stormy night, Col. Owen
was aroused by gentle knock on his
bed room door, and at once recognized
the voice of his favorite servant.
Henry was admitted to the apartments.
81 want to see Ole Mistus." he said.
and approaching the couch whereon
his aged benefactress lay, the great
tears rolling down his swathy cheek,
II come to tell Ole Mistus good bye,"
orJ foE,prr tho frond lodufS hopI non