The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-16

cal giant. and has nominated himself as his masters bodyguard. He looks some-
 thing like Champion Johnson except that he is meek and silent except when asked
 a question. Ask him what he would do if someone should jump on MT. Davidson
 and he loses his breath trying to say
 what he would do. In the desperation of his inability to express it In words he rolls up his sleeves and pats the hams be-
 tween his elbow and shoulder. There lives on the plantation an old ne-
 gro ex-slave that belonged to MT. Dav- idson's father long before the war. He is more than 30 years old, but Is stout and
 well. He works every day and will not stop. His "reminiscences of the old days before the war and of his old master and
 mistress very interesting and he loves to recount them.
 There Is so much of the old time devo- ton of employe and employer that one can feel that he is living in a period of the past when one is the slave and the other the kind master The only differ
 ence is that these men are now paid for
 their labor in money and must look out for themselves. Though MT. Davidson does not allow his men and women to look ort entirely for themselves. I am told that he has sat up many nights ad-
 ministering to the sick among them and
 that he divides liberally with them when
 In need of anything.
 | They return this kindness In faithful service and unusual devotion. l But understand that this farm-this
 suasion alone. Every man and woman
 on the place has a wholesome fear of the
 master. One word of command is all that has ever been necessary. Perfect Discipline rt>t-x It is held at just that tension that se-
 cures service and loyal devotion as we'll The system Is wonderful Over every squad of men and women there are sub foremen-one of their nWmber who Is held responsible for that division or depart ment
 One negro. Doke. is in charge of the
 mule lot. He is responsible for every
 thing in that lot even for the mules | after they are turned over to him. Daniel Quinn and John Cobb are walk ing bosses'' for the hoe gangs. They
 walk behind the gangs while hoeing in
 the field. carrying bags of files to sharpen
 the hoes and small paddles to clean the
 dirt from the hoes.
 So 1t Is through all the departments.
 MT. Mcdonald. the white foreman. Is re- sponsible for the blowing as well as gen.
 eral supervisor of the farm. Old-Knte-Bellum Home will tell you something about the old Davidson home. It is one of those mag nifcent ante-bellum homes with large, high rooms, wide halls and stately columns in front It was built In 1S42 and is one of the landmarks of this section It was built by the grandfather of the present ocoupent.
 This was scene of that great open hospitality and social atmosphere that characterized the southern section for many years previous to the late war
 The parents of the present occupant were | typical southern lords and ladies. gentle and courteous The master was, I am told, an elegant gentleman of the old southern school, fond of fine horses and
 markedly domestic in his tastes. He was devoted to his wife and children Mrs Davidson Is still living in comfort at Uniontown and is widely known In the state for her gentleness of manner and intellectual refinement.
 | My night on the old plantation. In the old family mansion, surrounded by the l furniture ex-slaves and the many other suggestive associations carried me back to a period of romance in the south that will never be forgotten in story, song and history.