Okolona messenger., 1912-01-04
MISSISSIPPI MALMAISON
To The Editor:

doooCldtCu WIN OOulHCIH uCNClOp
ment may be unexpected. However
in this holiday season, when lighte
literature is appropriate, venture tc
give you brief account Of one of the
most notable homes in the South
eastern States, the history of which
and of its builder have found very
interesting.
Probably few Of the American
tourists who visit Malmaison the
chateau, near Paris in which the
Empress Josephine made her home
and which is so intimately associated
with the stors Of her romatic career,
are aware that a handsome Southern
mansion bears the same name.
The American Malmaison is Iocat-
ed about ten miles east Of Green.
wood Mississippi, on the line Of the
Southern Railway in Mississippi, 1t
is fine example Of modified Colonial
architecture standing on one Of the
hills bordering on the famous Yazoo
Delta, where, from an observatory
on the roof, a view of the surround.
ing country for many miles is
commanded. In the ample grounds
about the house are the Offices, store
houses, detached kitchen, and other
buildings which are always associated
with the typical Southern plantation
home. The mansion is palatial in
extent, with porticos and balconies in
front and on the sides. Most of the
furniture wos made in Paris Of solid |
mahogany and many pieces are
sxqusiteIy carved and overIaid with
gold leaf, Mirrors with giIded frames
are on three sides Of the parIor, and
he most striking piece Of furniture in
he room is a center table Of edony,
nIaid with tortoise shell, gold, and
mother Of pearl. The mantle is Of
black marble and on it is an ebony
lock, decorated with gold leaf, and
wo handsome chandelabras. The
arlor curtains are Of red silk bro
AIDED damask.
MaImaison was built about 1910 by
IoI. Greenwood LeFlore, the last
of the Cohctaw Nation
asst Of the Mississippi River.
Louis LeFIore, the fat. of
greenwood LeFIore, was a native of
rance who located in Mobile.
alabama, and engaged in trade with
lie Indians in 1892. He married
ebecca Cravat, beautiful Indian
ri, and their son Greenwood was
orn on June 2, 1900. Louis LeFIore
'rved with distinction in the war of
3l2 and subsequently kept an inn
r the entertainment Of stage
on the Natchez Trace
ere Major John Donly, of Nashville,
no had a government contract for
lrrying the mail from Nashville to
atchez became interested in the =
light and intelligent haIf-breed boy
ID took him to his home in Nash.
lie where he kept him in school for
years. {
Major DonIy was the father of n
II daughter, Rosa, and a youthful o
achment was developed between 4
two young people. Greenwood d
FIore, in keeping with the high f'
nse Of honor that governed him :, :,
ough life, told Major Donly Of his "
'e for his love for Rosa and asked Il
rmission to marry her. The Major :, =,
Mrs, DonIy objected on account st
the youthtulness Of both parties. al
me time afterwards the young man ~ s'
;ed Major Donly what he would do p,
he we're in love and the Iady's W
'ents objected to his marrying her. ~ =,
hout suspecting the design Of the m
ssiion the Major said: Il would al
al her and run away with her." u u
C young people promptly acted on he
advice and went to the home Of W
ghbor where they we're married. Ui ,'
sy were soon forgiven, hi
Iot long after his marriage, Geen. 81
ID LeFlore returned to Mississippi ~ ~
ere in 1922, though but % yeaas tn
lge ee was elected Chief Of the su