The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-03


whatever to political matters throughout
the dinner. I remember one of the gen.
temen at table remarked subsilentio,
that he was upon the point of proposing
toast to the distinguished father of the
guest of the occasion, then at home in
Charleston, but restrained himself be-
cause of a possible political interpreta-
ton. Was this incident not sufficient ev-
idence of good breeding In an assem-
blage of southern slave drivers?"
At the fall of Vicksburg, in the summer
of 1863 a considerable number of the pa
rolled Confederate officers of that I'M
happy garrison came to Demopolis. Gen.
eral Hebert, a sugar planter from Louis
lana, was among them. He and others
were complimented by Mr.. Chapron with
a dinner. Two years later the general
commanding the United States garrison
at Demopolis was honored by a dinner
from the same host.
Mr. Chapron was a devout Catholic, he
and his children being the only persons
of that faith in the canebrake, as I re-
member.
JOHN McRAE.
This founder of the "AthoI' plantation
was In the third generation from the
Duke of Athol, Scotland His father,
younger son of adventurous disposition,
came to Williamsburg. Va, about ITO.
He settled there, but as far as l know
did not participate to any considerable
extent In the war for independence then
breaking out. However, in the darkest
period his sympathies with the patriot
cause were made effective to decisive
result.
Gen. Washington in New Jersey had
detached Lafayette with re-inforcements
for Green in South Carolina. Lafayette,
when on the march, heard of the battle
of Guilford Court House and of the ap-
proach of CORVALLIS northward to strike
Washington in the rear. So 1t happened
that barrels of brandy were stored for
LaF'ayettes army at Williamsburg. But
the British commander was turned by
LaF ayette toward the sea. The British
thus passed through Williamsburg.
McRae, with prudent care caused most
of the liquor to be, moved out of town.
Enough for his purpose however he held
back. with the heads removed from the
full barrels. When the invading column
approached he invited the troops to par
take of the contents The anticipated re-
suit followed. The brandy delayed the
enemy while washington pushed his
march southwark. CORVALLIS was said
to have sent the red-head Scot a mes
sage, promising to hang him high in
Hannah. After the war the United
States, as I have 1t. rewarded McRae to
the amount of $4,000 John McRae came
to Arcola about 1926 from Petersburg,
Va. An elder brother, Alexander, also
came. They had ample fortune. the man
agement of which soon fell to John. In
1888 John was married to Miss Marie
Josephine Ravesies, the bride much
younger than the groom. The couple set
ha ,,1o "a
second to none in the beauty of the land
scape. A few years later the silk worm
industry appeared as craze in the
south. Colonel McRae with a keen eye
to business, cultivated the mulberry. His
profits ran high.
Sons and daughters came to "Athol. .
A spacious residence was erected. The
entire community looked to the profuse
hospitality there only with delight. Pri-
vate tutors and polishing schools afar off
educated the children. A wedding party
or ball there marked the season with
enthusiasm
HENRY A. TAYLOE.
Mr.. Tayloe was born April 7, 1908, in
the "Octagors,'' his fathers private res
idence. in Washington City. This house
was built among the first in the city.
After General Washington had laid off
the federal capital he took pains to in
wife a number OF gentlemen of wealth to
build homes there. Col. John Tayloe of
the famous Mount Airy estate on the
Rappahanock was one. When the Brit
ish burned the White House, President
Madison, on his return from flight
escape the enemy made THE Octagon"
his official residence, and Mrs. Madison,
the central figure of fashion, lived there
after her husbands death. The govern
he arft Cd
for some department purpose.
Mr.. Tayloe was among the early matric-
ulates of the University of Virginia. He
related an interesting account of Mr.
Jefferson. The students were in revolt
Mr. Jefferson rode his horse over from
Monticello" tied him to limb and pro-
ceeded to address the rebels drawn up
in line to receive him, while tears
streamed down his cheeks. The rebels
dispursed and returned quietly to quar-
tiers.
Mr.. Tayloe came direct to the cane
brake in 1884 and made large investments
in land, representing himself and his
brothers In Virginia. He brought many
slaves. The "Oak Grove plantation,
near Uniontown, the "Faunsdale'' plan
tation, after which Faunsdale village is
called. and the Windsor plantation,
and the walnut Grove" plantation, near
Gallon, were among his purchases. He
was in the first flush of young manhood,
accustomed to the best things of life, and
In his wild, new home, created some high
pleasures for himself and his boon COM
panions. From his father, Col. John Tay-
1oe, he inherited love for the race horse,
that Is the horse that ran four miles and
repeat without getting weary. The first
time I. as lad. lately arrived in the
country, saw him, he was on the high
way, mounted on thoroughbred son of
Robin Brown riding at full gallop, his
habitual gait He remarked to the gen.
tlemen who confronted him that he was
out taking subscriptions to the Bishops
fund of the Episcopal church. He con-
tinued at this labor for several years, at
intervals, traversing I'll parts of the
state. When the work was completed and
a report Of his expenses calle.. for, they
were returned at 5000, not a. cent for
account Of railroad fare.
Several years before Mr.. Tayloe came
to Alabama ne lived with his widowed
mother at the "Octagon." He inherited
them In Maryland and at Washington.
His horses sometimes encountered Presi-
dent Jackson's on the turf. This incident
brought him in contact with the Presi-
dent in social way, though the Tayloes
were anti-Jackson people in politics.
After steeple chase in the Presidents
presence the two met on the street, when
the President threw his arms around the
young man, exclaiming: "Ah! Henry, you
ride after my heart"