The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-06-21
CONFEDERATE WHITE
HOUSE is RESTORED
ALABAMA WOMEN VICTORI-
GUS AFTER LONG FIGHT TO
PRESERVE OLD MANSION.

MONTGOMERY, Ala.-The ambi-
ton of the women of the south to
make the home OF Jefferson Davis in
Montgomery, Ala, Confederate
shrine was realized early this month
when the first white house of the Con-
federacy was dedicated. Sixty years
have come and gone since President
Davis, from the old Exchange hotel in
Montgomery, penned his anxious wife
these prophetic lines:
Il was inaugurated Monday. The
audience was large and brilliant Upon
my weary heart was showered smiles
plaudits and flowers, but beyond them
| saw troubles and thorns innumera-
Bile. Yet I do not despond, and will
not shrink from the task imposed up
on me-"
White House Scenes.
1t has ben said that every home has
its romance. The first white house OF
the Confederacy could tell many tales
of bygone days. Famous statesmen OF
the south gathered in the quaint home.
Mrs. Davis said the house chosen for
the presidents mansion was gentle
mans residence.
1t is for this historic property that
the women of Alabama have been
struggling for "a years to preserve it
for the state and the south. When the
Alabama division, United Daughters
of the Confederacy, was organized in
Montgomery in 1897 the preservation
of the Jefferson Davis home became
the accepted work of the division.
Some years later opposition towards
the preservation OF the building devel-
oped within the organization and many
efforts were made to abolish it.
Growing weary of the struggle to
keep up this work the friends OF the
movement gave up the effort and form
ed the First White House Associa-
ton that they might continue. and
keep up the work. The association
was granted a charter by the state leg
islature in 1901 Interested in the
preservation of the home where she
had spent those thrilling days during
the war Mrs. Davis presented the wo-
men struggling to preserve this his
tory of Alabama many priceless relics
to be placed in the old white house,
which they were determined should
be preserved.
When a committee went to La
Grange, Ga, to consummate, if pos
sible, the purchase of the Davis home,
the owner refused to sell the land, but
gave the committee his promise that
whenever he decided to remove the
house he would give the association
the refusal of the building. His heirs
faithfully have kept his promise.
Excavate Near White House.
Later workmen began excavating in
the corner lot next to the white house.
Then things began to happen. News
papers took up the cry of protest
against razing the white house. Then
came the news that the women OF
Louisiana were negotiating for the
purchase of the sacred building. Final
iy the white house was purchased.
Twice the women succeeded III hav-
ing the legislature pass measures max
ing appropriations to preserve the
building, but the bills were vetoed.
Nothing daunted, these women con-
tinued making and saving money as
best they could. Contributions were
received from other states in the south.
Passage of the last white house bill
bv the assembly in 1919 took hard
work, tact, tears, sacrifice and cour-
age. The measure was passed and
signed. The victory was won.