The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-25


 tapestries that adorns the venerable
 ouHdlng, there are some sad. dark
 fateful shadows After the death of
 Governor Bibb, whose remains were in-
 tered in Huntsville. his son, Porter. became master of Belle Nina; and it was In the life time of that gentleman
 mat shocking and sensational trag-
 edy darkened the annals of the man.
 sion Mir. Blob was a lover of fine
 horses and took much pride in his
 stables. Ills hostler happened to be a
 full-blooded, native African, little dis
 posed 10 properly attend to the horses.
 And so 1t became the duty task of Mir.
 Bibb 8 son. splendid youth of about
 10 years. to watch this negro and re-
 port any neglect of duty on his part
 The slave hated the boy and planned
 hls murder He enticed him to a se-
 cIuded spot on a creek which runs
 near the home. on the pretext of ind
 Ing wild turkeys. The negro carried
 with him ans axe. While the youth,
 Thomas Bibb. gun in hand. was seated
 on a log awaiting the turkeys, the
 black fend, with all his native cum
 ming, slipped upon him and slew him
 with the axe. The murderer concealed
 the body of hls victim. But being sus-
 pected of his crime, under torture, he confessed and disclosed the hiding
 place of the body.
 In the Civil War.
 The deplorable Civil War also cast tragic shadows on this scene of thrift. plenty and happiness in times of peace Then, when Scott's Confederate cav- airy entered Athens, Ala, they drove the commanding Federal oficer. Gem eral Mitchell. famed for his geographi- cal text books, from the town. the old home of Alabamas first Governor. became an interesting scene. Then within Its wall the nobility of It's owner prevented a dire calamity be- falling the people of its neighborhood. It will be remembered the Confederate plan was to entrap General Mitchell and make him prisoner.
 Athens is on the Louisville and nashville Railroad. Decatur Junction IS on the same road twelve miles south or Athens. and Huntsville is twenty nve miles from Decatur Junction east on the Southern. Now, to go by rail rom Athens to Huntsville, one must go by way of Decatur Junction over the Louisville and Nashville and the south ern, So, when Scott's cavalry en- tered Athens. General Mitchell started Tor Huntsville by way of Decatur; just as the Confederates expected he would do. But between Decatur and Hunts vile, only A mile from Belle Nina. the southern crosses Limestone Creek, and - OI SOHEGUGTateR mad In adVance, sawed the timbers of and set Ire to the bridge across that creek with the view of capturing the general wh en he reached 1t. The plan did not quite succeed-the fugitive general passed safely over the shaking tim- 1ers. amid flames. But following him. commissary train, with guards on 'oafd, dashed to its doom with the fall | ng bridge Some of the guards were | titled and some were wounded. Those | n either condition were carried to | dr. Porter Bibb's residence, Belle llna. 1t was a sad spectacle. IJpon he brick floor. under the tall roof of he porticos. with massive white pil- ars, the dead and wounded were laid ut until the generous host could prop riy care for them. Everything was one that could be done. The famous ospitality of the large-hearted owner [ Belle Nina was taxed to its utmost care for his unfortunate foes. And here is true but little known se- uel of great interest to this story. Ii evails the sweet flower Of humanity ursttng into bloom amid the dark cenes of war. The strain of Csod-lIle orgtveness soothing breasts that are empestuous with martial fury. Gen. ral Mitchell. in his excitement and 'rath. issued an order that, to avenge le burning of the bridge, every house nVe miles of 1t occupied by Confed- rate sympathizers, should be given le torch. That meant the burning the old Bibb mansion, where the rounded Federals were receiving every ttention from the owner. The humane onduct of that gentleman caused the 'ederai General to except that howse rom his order. And afterwards the opportunities of the kind descendant Alabama's first Governor, obtained
 general rescinding of Mitchells order nd tho homes of all the citizens were pared.
 tGen. William Wyatt Bibb was the rst Governor of Alabama. His home as at Coosada then in Autauga Coun- z. but now In Fillmore. He lies buried the old family burying ground, sur- ounded by the dust of members of his lmily, short distance from Coosada. inc miles from Montgomery. Hon. homas Bibb was the second governor Alabama. On the organization of le State government at Huntsville, he as elected President of the Senate. Then Governor William Wyatt Blbb led. in July. 1920. Thomas Bibb, his rother, succeeded him. Not until 1901, Then Governor William J. Sanford led and Hon. William D. JeIks suc- eeded him. did a Governor of Ala