The Brunswick times-call. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1900-1902, 1901-04-24
PRETTY OLD RETREAT.
Pen Picture of the Beautiful Ante Belum
Home.

"ue1 AiItle AesS IMAM midway from
St. Simons' surf washed pier towards
the Mills lies Ratrea., the old King
homestead so well known among
Georgians. Although the place now
in comparative ruins 1t still bears
some resemblano to the old ante bel
lum Southern home. The house pro
per has fallen into complete decay and
mosses and liohens cover the walls.
Picturesque vines Chamber jealousy
over the close barred windows as
though to keep sacred from curious
eyes the interior of the rooms where
once mirth and laughter reiRned su-
preme, Where gay young "Misses"
and brave young "Marsters" with their
ebony satellites lowering ever In at
endance fiirted and feasted and trip
ped the light fantastic so many eve
nings In those glad old days, till SUD
denly one day the war cloud lowered
the buge note was sounded and In.
stantly and without delay the valiant
boys and saddened men answered the
the call 40 Arms" and at the South
lands cry went forth to battle and
perohanoe to die,
Retreat was SO named by Major Page
who came to the island before 1912
from South Carolina. He purchased
the land and house from Mr.. Sosuldlng
a great uncle Of C.ps. Charles 8.
Wylly,
When Major Page came 80 the island
his oejact was to seek health for his
youngest daughter. The little girl
rapidly regalned her wonted strength
under the Influence Of the sea breezes
and he quiet country life, hence the
name of Pleasant Retreat.
Ths land and what remains Of the
bou'es, SONS OF which are old tabby
buildings in which the slaves lived
still belong to the family. the daugh
terd OF Captain Mallory Page King and
great grand daughters OF Major Page
Gen. Floyd King Is also one Of th,
owner.
Since the storms. which of late year,
have devasted St. SIMON, Retreat has
lost much of It's former beauty. Tue
loss is especially noticed among til.
trees. But there etill remains lovers
lane, the cid well and many other
points of interest.
Mr., Pleasant Stovall in his account
of 81. Simon ia the Savannah Press
entirely ommittsd any mention of Re
treat which Is so we'll known by so
many prominent Georgiains who have
visi ed there before the war and
since,
1t teens with romantic md Historic
memories aud is one of the best loved
spots in Glynn county to the inhah-
itants thereof, There is absolutely no
authentic record OF the age of the
house but 1t is known that a young
officer was shot there during the Rev
war. The deeds to the
place made out to Major Page are still
In possession Of the family ard are
written on shespskin In the quRintest
style Of Old Ell ish writing.
Many scenes gay and pathetic have
those old walls witnessed and many
generations have lived and died within
them. Perhaps sometimes when human
eyes are closed In sleep, when the
moon, that mute witness OF SO many
scenea, shines calmly down on the
weirdly swaying branches Of thu ole
anders, when the stars twinkle know
ingIy overhead and the wind sobs and
signs through the trees, perhaps they
reasonable, those happy spirits Of the
long ago, and, freed from the heavi.
ness Of earthly woes. they minRIe
once again and with stately step and
gracious courtesy Irvine out and in In
a ghOstly minues. Young again mid
the scenes of their early Joys and
triumphs, the grandfathers and grand.