University Missourian., 1910-11-25
Ante-ReIlum Homes in the Southland

the car one can look up long and
shadowy driveway to the crest of a
knoll. where is one OF the finest types
OF the ante-bellum home to be found
in the South.
The house is large and white and
imposing. and the four massive porch
columns are of Doric design. Stone
steps lead from the driveway to the
house, and the hedge on each side of
the walk is carefully kept. A flower
garden is south of the house, to the
right of one approaching the residence
The orchard of choice fruit trees is
behind the house, while houses to
care for servants, live stock and feed
are to the north. Surrounding this
site except on the west side, are the
fields for growing cotton and grain.
Before the war this was the home
of Gentleman of the South" 1t suf-
lfered greatly during and after those
four years of strife for lack of atten-
ton. Since then it has been restored,
anu is today one of the prettiest coun.
try homes in that state.
| There are scenes similar to this in
every state from Louisiana to Virginia,
and there is something charming,
something picturesque. some romantic
suggestion about every one of them. In
late years the people of that section
have been able to turn their attention
to these old-time mansions, and most
of them are being bought and fitted
up again.
The history of many of these places
is very interesting. Built prior to
the Civil war and on great plantations.
they represent the architecture of that
time and the luxury in which most of
the slave owners lived. The buildings
sit OFF the thoroughfare from fifty to
five hundred yards, and they are gen.
orally situated on the most elevated
and commanding spot of ground. The
driveway from the public road may be
straight or circular, with border OF
magnificent wateroaks. Viewed from
a distance. the house, with its great
white columns, suggests castle of the
medieval period. Within, there are
the spacious rooms, where the ceiling
is high, the windows large, and al
ways the big open fireplace.
Around these old homes were gath
cred the wealth. the culture, the hos
lpitality. and the grandeur of the "Old
ISouth." From such seats the mas
tiers directed their slaves in the cul-
ltivation of the soil, and in these
homes were held brilliant social
levents, gatherings of various kinds,
and, later, councils of war and confer
ences of peace. These places were
where all kinds of meetings charac-
teristic of that period were held.
At last the call to war came, and
the owners had to turn their atten-
ton to the defence of home and state.
True to their masters-and be it ever
said to their credit-most of the slaves
remained on the plantation. looking
after the "Mistus" and the home as
best they could.
Returning four years later, the own
ers of these large plantations found
their slaves free and their fields prac-
tically barren. Added to this, the
"Scalawags" and "Carpetbaggers" be-
gan to overrun the South, and the
former slaves soon became demoraliZ-
ed. Through misrepresentation of ev-
cry kind they were led to turn against
their old masters and the white peo-
pie in general. Consequently. they
work.
Nowy without money, without labor.
without stock and implements with
which to work. the owners of those
great estates stood helpless and saw
their property go to ruin. The once
stately mansions soon began to need
REPAIRS, fences rotted away and drive
ways were washed by the rains. Yet
these things could not be helped, for
the man who had lived in luxury must
now toll by day, that his family might
have bread.
This condition continued to exist for
Iseveral years. In the meantime peo-
pie began to move from the country
to the cities. From every direction
|people flocked toward the industrial
lcenters. In many cases the then dilap-
dated old mansion was forsaken, and
the family moved to the more pros
Epective centers. Of those who re-
manned on their. estates some were af-
terwards able to restore them to their
former condition, while some defect
Iedly watched their beloved old homes