The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-28

is the most beautiful and imposing
place on the Gulf coast, says the New
Orleans Picayune. 1t Was settled and
improved by James Brown, a worthy
planter, who was lavish in the expen-
diture of his abundant means in build
ing and identifying his home. Oaks,
cedars and m%agnolias vie with each
other in adding charm, and the long,
gray moss fills in any little details that
are lacking. The mansion, as it was
termed, is as good as it was the day it
was built, over sixty years ago.
All the material was shipped there
by water, for that was a long time be-
fore a railroad was thought of in that
section. Mr.. Brown bought a whole
kiln of brick" explains Vincent
knecht, the keeper who shows visitors
over the building and grounds. Most
folks" he continued, buy brick by the
thousand, but he bought the whole
| kiln"
A gallery eight feet long and four
teen n one-half feet wide borders the
building in front and one the sides,
| and ends in wings that are etered
through tall Venetian doors. The hall
is sixteen feet wide. and opens at the
rear on a wide gallery, on which the
wings also open. The room to the right
d. TIC Hall Is entered from the front
was Miss Winnie Davis room. What
a Mecca this room will be for the vet
erans, and how they will cherish every
thing that belonged to the Daughters
of the Confederacy." If her portrait
can be secured n placed on her own
easel it will be more to them than any
gift that car be bestowed.
Opening into this room by folding
doors is the room that was occupied
by the older daughter, Mrs. Hayes.
Some of the old family furniture is
stored there that Mrs. Davis has given
to a relative. A relic there worth
keeping is Mr.. Davis own trunk. 1t
is Of medium size, made of sole leather,
and bears the imprint of the American
eagle with wings outspread On the
top. 1t is pasted over with labels of
hotels in this country and in Europe,
indicating something of the traveller
Mr.. Davis was.
The first off the hall to the left
is the parlor. The mantel there is
of white marble. The fender and fire
set are of brass. Opening off the par
Tor is the family library, which has
shelves on all sides, and covering the
entire wall space that is not taken up
by the windows and doors. Miss Win
MES piano as formerly there but it
has been taken away. All these rooms
n the hall are frescoed a delicate tint
N4iNS lit SSolS lOI llolISO oD
~jectionably. The work was done by a
French artist, it is claimed, when the
house was first built. The corners are
rounded, which is in marked difference
to the present mode of building.
From the library was a door that led
into Mr.. Davis room in the west
wing. This room is not nearly as
large as the rooms in the main part OF
the house. 1t was here that Mr..
Davis was taken i'll just prior to his
death. He was taken to New Orleans
for treatement. and there he died. Mrs.
Davis room was the one joining. and
is smaller yet but a real mother room.
There is the little medicine cabinet,
where the family remedies were close
at hand, and there are lockers and cup
boards enough to satisfy the feminine
heart for places to store things innu-
merable.
Across the wide back gallery from
these rooms is the family dining room.
All the cooking was done in a large
double kitchen in the yard, which was
connected with the house by a covered
walwway. The roof of the dwelling is
red English slate n has the appear
ance of being sound.
Equal distance from the mansion.
east and west, are quaint little cot
tages. Originally there was only one
room in each, surrounded on the four
sides by wid galleries. Later one and
two additional rooms 1t is abou the
east cottage that the principal inter-
est centres. for it was in this that Mr..
Davis studied and wrote and where
Miss Winnie did much of her early lit
erary work. The main room of this
cottage was Mr.. JAWS private libra
~. The walls are lined with shelves,
and a little gallery u n along the up
per shelves. This was reached by a
small adder. ear the fireplace is
where Mr.. Davis' desk stood, and the
door beside it is spattered with ink
thrown from his pen when he was
writing his book. The Rise and Fall
of the Confederate Government" The
east porch has beer inclosed, and in
this room the chieftain was wont to
recline and rest on a sofa. Back of
this was a tiny room where Miss Win
ME wrote. 1t is a real girls den, and
is yet quite characteristic Of the form
er fair occupant. Under the mantel
shelf are two landscapes painted by
her, and the desk she used is there yet.
1t is an adjustable one, fastened to the
wall by hinges. and can be made a
table with fiat top, and when not in