The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-05-18
FOR GREATER MISSISSIPPI
Dsvotsd . Industrial, md Aercul.
tural Development Of the Wonderful Resources AZ
the State Items Of interest from all Quarters.
By h. Z. BLAnEsLEE. Jackson Mss.

Director Dunbar Rowland Of the de-
partment of archives and history, has
returned from Natchez where he man.
aged to secure the loan of the entire
collection Of Spanish records, one of
the most valuable collections Of his
.orical data in existence, covering a
period from 1871 to 1898, or the time
just preceding American occupation
If the territory that forms the state Of
Mississippi, the records are bound in
forty-one volumes, and consist Of
about 5000 documents dealing with
the official acts Of the Spanish gov
srnors. The documents have never
been given a careful examination, and
Director Rowland intends to give
them most thorough study, believing
that they will throw light on many
dark places in the history Of Missis-
sippi, Louisiana and Alabama dur
ing the provincial period. Director
Rowland also visited the ruins Of
"Old Concord,' the historic home Of
the Spanish governors, and secured
many valuable relies from the ruins
which will be preserved by the depart
ment. Mr.. Rowland also visited the
gulf coast and had the satisfaction Of
positively locating the site Of old Fort
Maurepas, the military station estab-
.ished by Pierre LeMoyne d'Iberville
who has been called by his biograph-
ars, the greatest warrior Canada ev-
er PRODUCED The name of Fiber
Vile and his brother, Bienville, are
lndissoluby linked with the early his
tory Of what afterwards became the
history of Mississippi. In discussing
this old fort Director Rowland said:
No more picturesque spot can be
found on the Gulf coast than what re-
mains of old Fort Maurepas. 1t is
on beautiful elevation, much high
ar than the surrounding country and
covered with magnificent oaks and
magnolias Of great age, overlooking
The bay east of Biloxi. It is within
the corporate limits of Ocean Springs
and near the settlement Of Old Biloxi
where the first governor Of Louisiana
had his seat Of government. The en-
bankment Of the fort, however, is con-
stantly caving into the sea. Several
Of the old cannon used at the fort can
still be SEEM Director Rowland
states that he will try to secure one
Of these cannon for removal to the
capital and preservation in the state s
archives.
The following letter was read by
Hon. B. w. Griffith at the bankers
banquet at Vicksburg, referring to
the good work of Mr.. Hirsch and 9th
ers in getting that $500 subscription
Vicksburg, Miss, May II, 1905.
To the Mississippi Bankers Associa-
ton:
Gentlemen:-It would give me
much pleasure to remain and thank
you in person for your very liberal
contribution to the Beauvoir pur-
chase fund, but duty calls me else
where; SO 1 will leave behind few
pen words Of thanks and appreciation.
| bear away much lighter heart
than the one with which / came to
the Hill City, thanks to your gener-
osity, and in the name Of that brave
and noble woman (our mother) Vari-
ma Jefferson Davis, the Sons Of Con-
federate Veterans and the patriotic
organization which / have thehonor to
represent, | thank you all; but one of
you stands out from the rest because
Of the faithful work he did in assist
ing me in this contribution, that gen.
tleman is the Hon. Joseph Hirsch, to
whose eloquent appeal I feel I am
chiefly indebted for the accomplish
ment Of my visit to Vicksburg. ]
also desire to thank the committee
who assisted in securing the contribu-
ton.
Cordially and Sincerely,
SUSIE YERGER,
Chairman Beauvoir Home Memorial
Committee.
DR.. E. C. Parker, President Of the