The age-herald., 1901-05-05

hooA oA thc uulId1nB was uFdpeo III Aed and white. The floors were covered with crash just as 1t was, so the story goes. on that evening thirty-nine years ago.
 Remarkable State of Preservation.
 The report that has gained credence that the building Is utterly worthless and that only few bricks and rafters could be removed is erroneous. The thousands or tourists who visit theold house could deny that report. the many Montgom- eryans who know anything at all about the building know also that this report is erroneous. Architects have been em- ployed to examine the building and they pronounce 1t in a remarkable state of preservation and would sooner undertake to remove it than many another new house of the present day.
 Relics at the Capitol
 Crowded into one small room at the Capitol of Alabama are the Jefferson Da- wis relics.
 These relics were procured by the White House committee from Mrs. Davis when she left the beautiful Beauvoir home after the death of Miss Winnie Da- wis. The relics were given to the White House committee by Mrs. Davis with the understanding that they be placed ulti- mately in the White House Museum.
 It was her desire to send them first to New Orleans or Virginia until such time as the old home in Montgomery should be purchased. But the committee peu- suaded her that they could care for them in Alabama until such time They consult ed the Governor of the State and the fol- lowing letter is his assurance to Mrs. Da- wis that the State would assist the com mittee in caring for the relics until placed in the White House:
 .State of Alabama
 "Governor's Office
 April Il, 1S99 Mrs. J. D. Beale, City:
 Dear Madam-In answer to your re- quest, will say that l will be glad to re- ceive the furniture of MT. Davis room and keep it carefully held in the Capitol until you have arranged to give it per manent place in the White House.
 Yours respectfully,
 'JOS. F. JOHNSTON Governor"
 On receipt of this Mrs. Davis sent the relics to Montgomery and placed them in the perpetual keeping of this committee of the State of Alabama. The White House committee hold her deed of gift and guard 1t carefully.
 These are by far the most valuable relics in Alabama and attract attention from tourists both north and south.
 During the last Legislature the White House committee gave a private view" of these relics to the General Assembly of Alabama. while the White House As- sociation served to these distinguished gentlemen delightful refreshments.
 It was morning long to be remem- bered. More than half of the guests never dreamed that crowded within the old walls of the Capitol there was so great a treasure. and their enthusiasm was fully expressed and subsequently, p1oven for 1t cannot be forgotten that the White House Association. which is trying in ev- cry way to assist the committee and which secured its charter from this As- sembly, asked an appropriation of s25,000 towards the preservation of the first White House of the Confederacy as a museum and library. The flattering ma jority vote by which this bill passed the two houses in spite of a desperate fight against 1t was considered one of the most marvellous victories ever won in Ala bama's old Statehouse.
 The Daughters who worked so faith fully for the bill felt that even with this small sum the days would be few ere the old house representing sacred memories of loved cause would stand on Capitol Hill, a monument no less worthy than the monument on the other side, which these same Daughters had helped with a like undaunted courage to build.
 But their hopes were crushed Governor SdmIOTQ vetoed IIlc Dliis Sifihb dS hto reason that 1t was not legally drawn up. It was not two weeks after that that these indomitable women were hard at work trying to raise by other means the required amount.
 Success generally crowns such zeal The old house will yet stand on Capitol Hill, a library and museum for all Confederate relics.
 When this consummation Is realized Al.A lea very precious relics of Gen. Robert E. Lee and other glorious leaders.
 Many of the most prized of the White House relics cannot be seen through the glass door of the Jefferson Davis room at present. The committee only last week packed them away for the summer.
 Other Historic Houses.
 The Alabama Daughters have been spurred on to action by the work of other historic organizations throughout the country. The Betsy Ross house, over a hundred years old. had been bought and filled with curios of the past. Plans have been effected to buy the Jemuel mansion in New York, Washington's headquarters, and to convert it into a public museum at a cost of s15O,0O0.
 The women of Georgia were trying to save the Heard house, where President Davis cabinet last met. The people of Mississippi were working to preserve "Fairfield," his farm house, where he was found repairing his fences when called to the Presidency. The whole world knew of "Beauvoir."
 The Virginia Legislature has authorized the incorporation of about one hundred citizens intoNa company which will pur- chase the old Chandler house in Carolina | County, Virginia, in which General Stone wall Jackson died. Their object Is tc l F.. x.IA etc nrdc a l Jackson memorial.
 The requisite funds will be obtained by | popular subscription,
 1 The unostentatious old house on the | corner of North and Marshall streets 1T Richmond, which was the former home of Chief Justice John Marshall. has beer | preserved as a memorial.
 | Only few weeks ago the famous col