The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-11-23

home during every Mardi Gras. On
these occasions he would entertain
numerous distinguished visitors from
all over the country. All were only
too anxious to be present on these
glorious occasions, and among the
guests were always anumber of charm
ing young ladies accompanied by their
chaperoues. On one occasion at a
house party Havemeyer, the sugar
king, and President Croker, of the
Southern Pacific Railroad, were among
his guests.
On other occasions he entertained
at his famous house parties six or
seven of the most beautiful young
ladies', with their chaperones, repre-
scnting New York, Philadelphia, Bos-
ion, Louisville and other large cities
of the country. Then fair women,
from distance, were always the
bellies of the Mardi Gras occasions.
On several occasions after these
house parties during Mardi Gras had
been thoroughly enjoyed, he took the
entire party up to his celebrated cot
ton plantation, Dahomey, situated a
few miles above Vicksburg, and show
ed them over the magnificent estate.
Mr. James Richardson was born on
the 22d Of February, Washington 8
birthday. He celebrated his birthday
on one occasion by giving dance in
the barn, as he called it, on the premi-
ses of his famous St. Charles street
home. The invitations were on Or
binary Manila paper and the guests
were asked to come and have as much
fun as they possibly could.
One of the features was most uni
que. In the splendid stables was
given genuine 'cake walk" in which
the swellest society people participa-
ted.
Very handsome prizes were given to
the successful dancers.
A big iron kettle boiling over with
burning brandy was placed in the
center Of the barn. The prizes were
placed in the bottom Of this kettle.
They consisted of diamonds, rubies,
opals and all kinds of valuable gems,
in the form of rings, pins, brooches,
earrings, etc.
The beau iful ladies walked by the
kettle and plunged their hands in the
flaming kettle and drew forth the
rich prizes.
The deeper the fair hands were put
in, the finer the gems they drew forth.
About two years ago Mr.. Richard
son gave famous riding party through
the mountains Of Virginia. BE took
his fine horses and coaches from New
Orleans to that State. The party
consisted Of twelve ladies and gentle
men. They travelled in the cid Eng
lish style. All Of the horses were
trimmed up nicely.
The supply wagons were sent ahead,
and sto. ping at various places of in
terest for the night, prepared the re-
pasts for the coming party, making
everything ready for their entertain
ment. White Sulphur Springs, Green
briar and all the noted Virginia re-
sorts were visited in this way. The
coaching party would remain only one
night at resort, and in the morning
continue their novel and delightful
journeying through the mountains.
Mr.. Richardson was a thoroughly
travelled man, and on two or three oc-
casions gave charming coaching par
ties through England. On these oc-
casions leading society people of
America and England were members
Of the parties.
Mr.. Richardson's hobby was his
famous Dahomey plantation above
Vicksburg. This is the largest cotton
plantation in the world. 1t is about
25 miles square, containing upwards
Of $1,000 acres in all. His other
plantations are in Mississippi and
Louisiana.
Around the Dahomcy plantation
runs q railroad from field to field.
On this track the cotton is placed on
cars and hauled to the main line over
which it is shipped to New Orleans,
and through the firm Of Richardson &
May sent to ali parts of the world.
Mr.. Richardson cultivated in cotton
about $4,000 acres in all. He made
from $4,000 to 10000 bales year.
He raised all his corn, wheat, meat,
oats, food stuff of all sorts, and his
vast plantations were self-sustaining.
On his plantations is used up-to-datc
farming implements. All the latest