The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1909-04-30
Governors Reception
Exceedingly Brilliant
National Patriotism and Southern
Loyalty Everywhere IN Evidence
In The Mansion.

IN Inc ManSlOn.
The throng Of guests who attended
the reception and dance given last
Thursday evening at the Governors
Mansion by Governor Gilehrist and his
charming mother, Mrs. James G.
Gibbes, in honor Of the members Of the
legislature, were treated TO scenes Of
beauty and splendor seldom, III ever,
before witnessed in any residence in
Florida.
The beautiful Mansion itself, compar-
atively new, and the handsome furni.
ture afforded a splendid setting for the
remarkably elaborate and tasteful dec
oratiOns which made the Mansion on
Thursday evening simply magnificent
in It's brilliancy and complete attrac-
tiVeness.
The unique, yet eminently apprOpri-
ate nature Of the mural ard other
adornments Of the Mansion at once i'm
press the visitor. National patriotism,
Southern loyalty and State pride are
evidenced on every side, while at every
turn are seen interesting souvenirs and
witnesses Of tho extensive travels, the
cosmopolitan fancy and the cultured
taste Of the Mansions present master.
Upon entering the long, graceful hall
and facing the beautiful double parlor,
one notices upon the wall the seryicea
ole canteen aud other priced relics OF
Governor Gilchrist's service in the
Spanish American war Adjoining these
Is a striking portrait OF the Governor
when a cadet at the West Point Mill
tary Academy, beneath which hang two
crossed swords-One being the Govern
Or's and the other having been his IA.
theirs. Under these swords - beau
ulul painting, made in far-Of Siberia, /
OF the famous three monkeys, below 7
which IL another captivating picture Of
three lovely young Homen teaching the /
same lessons OF wisdom that the mon |
keys have eXpoundei 70 FlOrldians.
Over the parlnr door hang paintings f.
Of President Jefferson and Madison, be- !
tween which are exhibited two Aauser /
rifles which have seen hard service IN /
actual war; the whole space being /
striklngly decorated with United States. /
States, and Cuban flags |
and bunting.
On the same side OF the hall and over
the grand diVan. itself undoubtedly one
Of the most elegant pieces o furniture
ever seen In Florida, Is fixed a superb
brace Of Elk'a horns, one Of the larg-
est ia existence, from the Yellowstone
National Park, and above this is one Of
the noblest trophies of all, huge
stuffed American Eagle.
ABOVE the rear parloF door, just be-
fore the grand staircase ~ reached, are
seen excellent portraits OF Grover
and William ]. Bryan, tasti-
" Wreathed with bunting and numerous
Of travel
The north side Of the hall 10, II posi-
bic, sven more interesting. Here are
portraits of George Washington, Rob
ere r. Lee and Andrew Jackson,
splendid painting Of the last meeting Of
Generals Lee and Jackson, a picture Of
Governor Francis p. Fleming's Staff,
Dn which Governor Gilchrist was Inspec
Tor General, and finally excellent por-
traits Of Jefferson Davis and Abraham
Lincoln, with the flags Of the Union
md the COnfederacy crossed between
.hsm--all OF these large pictures being
most effectively interpreted with cross
u swords, crossed sabers. crossed ma
.hetes and crossed rifles. with rich
bunting 20 connect and sec OF the whole.
Along this wall h portrayed the his
.Ory Of the last gubernAtOrial campaign
n earFicaLure. A large number OF the
Dest cartoons which appeared IN the
State Newspapers from the time Gov
,rnOr Giichrist's name Was hrst SuE-
rested until after his election. have
,een mounted and are arranged along
me vail In sequence, Ia three groups or
Isries This exhibit Of cOntempOraneous
history makes one Of the most enter {
aiming an amusing feature Of the
Mansions decorations. Ia
Here and there throughout the beau. {
iful hail and In the four elegant rooma
lpening into II are innumernble curioo.