The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-08
FAMOUS MEMORIAL
 OF THE OLD SOUTH The Saunders Mansion Was
 Built 70 Years Ago AND IS STILL MAJESTIC The.Marble Was Brought From Italy for Use in the Structure--Sur- rounded By 1200-Acre
 Plantation
AND IS STILL MAJESTIC
By HUGH ". ROBERTS

Courtland. Osctober -(Special)-The castle of James E. Saunders, who reigned prior to the civil war. was constructed m 1s4O It is in existence today still ma iestic in spite of the ravages of 70 years. Another such mansion is not to be found within the borders of the state, and possi- blv not in the borders of North America. It is a grim relic of that period in which the south was the country of barons with castles and slaves, when the south was great in literature, in statesmanship, and in war.
 The old baron died 20 years ago. The estate was acquired by William Swoope. who agreed to pay $l0,o0O for the 120O acres and the old mansion in sums of 5000 an- nually. Some years ago Mrs. Swoope together with her baby and a colored nurse, were drowned in the creek which separates the old place from Courtland. Shortly thereafter MT. Swoope died. His brother, Edgar c. Swoope, as executor of the estate, holds possession of and occu- pies the Saunders mansion. As far as can be learned, there still lives but one member of the Saunders family. Dr. Dudley Saunders has a fine practice, in Memphis.
 Construction of Mansion
 Colonel Saunders, the baron of this story, acquired the 1200 acres comprising the original estate from the government, agreeing to pay $40 per acre for the prop erty It was in that period when the government was selling it's property in the young state promiscuously, and as is a learned that they could not meet the notes as they fell due. So the government. very generously reduced the price to $20 an acre. Of this generosity, Colonel Saun- ders was beneficiary. He acquired the property, and planned for his large fam lily a mansion more imposing outwardly and more magnificent inwardy than any other in the entire southland.
 To accomplish his object, he made trip to Italy, and there reached an agree ment with an architect This expert visited the wilderness of Alabama and as a result of his three year residence he succeeded in erecting in the heart of a dense and primeval forest one of the most magnificent residences in the state today.
 The labor was done by the slaves of Colonel Saunders. In spite of this fact, however, the material and construction cost the old gentleman $35,00O.
 Mantles of Marble
 The walls are of brick and rock with marble decorations. They extend up ward three stories, terminating in a cupola from which can be obtained one of the most splendid views imaginable. To the north, the majestic Tennessee winds through the county of Lawrence. To the east lies the prosperous little community of Courtland. To the south and west extend acres of trees of all varieties And as far as the eye can see towards the north and east stretch the titled fields of the property.
 Each. mantel in the residence is of marble, imported from Florence, the home of the Italian architect. The ceiling of each room is Enthusiastically | decorated in hand carving, reminding of mysterious mazes in miniature. The | old furniture still remains, massive though plainly carved mahogany. In the library, old style bookcases extend with folding, doors to the top of the | room. Velvet carpets 50 years of age stlll adorn the floors. It was mag | nifieent home for the old planter. and surrounded by his family, by his ne- groes and his acres of fertile land; by his horses and dogs and cows, he must have lived a life which man will lead no more. Than he no feudal baron with | all his armed henchmen was more powerful. Saunders was lord of all he could survey
 PryO's Famous Vineyard
 Stories in Courtland are told of the crops grown by the Saunders negroes, | Of the corn and cotton and oats and | rye and sugar cane, of the swine and cattle and horses But the pride of the old mans heart seemed to be his vine- | yard There was none other in that | day and time to compare. There is none in Alabama today which could compare were the Saunders vinyard in existence. l Old residents of Courtland recall the | Italian. imported foY the purpose. who | grew the vines and nurtured the ma | turing grapes. He answered to Pujo, | end Pujo was almost as famous and | as widely known as Colonel Saunders. | It appears from the memories of peo- | pie here that annually, Colonel Saun- | ders invited his neighbors to assist in making the wine, and that with gallons | of each of the numerous varieties scat | tered over the yard. each guest was re- l quired to sample each brand and to