The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1950-09-21
WARREN COURTHOUSE. MUSEUM
GROWS INTO BIG ATTRACTION

The historic Warren County
Courthouse, VIII ose four-faced
tower clock has tolled the hour
for 80 years of Vicksburg's fabu-
' J history, today houses a two
year old museum which is draw
ing an increasing number of WISH
tors from far and near.
The massive, colonnaded struc-
ture, perched high on promin-
ent bluff in the city's heart and
commanding a sweeping view Of
the Mississippi River, is an out
standing attraction within itself.
>Egen more interesting. however.
Is the Courthouse Museum which
was established on the first floor
by the Vicksburg and Warren
County Historical Society in June.
194S, the month when jefferson
Davis was born.
At that time the Society boosted
only one small case of relics of the
city's colorful past. Today the
museum has more than 500 items,
including everything from apparel
worn by George Washington to a
fuse wire which was used to set off
the first torpedo ever fired against
a United States vessel of war.
The courthouse itself, Of red
brick finished in smooth cement,
was erected by slave labor in 1858.
Sugar was mixed with the mortar
for added strength. Ionic columns
support the porticos ON all four
sides of the building, with six
columns on the east and west sides,
and four columns north and south.
Although conflicting stories are
told of the courthouse's fate dur
ing the city's siege. the Historical
Society records the fact that it
was struck only once by cannon
fire and without serious damage.
despite its prominent position.
The public square on which the
edifice stands was given in 1925
to the county by the family of the
Reverend hewitt Wick, founder of
the city, who died in 1919, leaving
13 children.
The first courthouse was a
frame building, which burned in
1857. The present building was
constructed at a cost of 500, 900
and was used as the court house
until 1889. 1t stood vacant for nine
years after that date, before Gus
tody was given the Historical So
ciety to begin the Museum.
sBetween 500 and 1000 persons
visit the museum each week, pay
ing a small fee which is used by
the Society for upkeep. Mrs. Eva
Davis, president Of the Society,
serves as director, and is assisted
by Miss Elizabeth Carroll Taylor.
Much of the contents of the Mu-
scum center around the 47day
siege by General Grants forces.
Typical are a newspaper printed
on wallpaper ard run off by Cen
eral Grants staff on July 4, 1868.
date on which the city was sur
rendered by Confederate General
Pemberton.
Confederate money, war bonds,
various firearms and bullet molds,
numerous pictures and other relics
of those trying days are to be
found in the rapidly growing col
lection OF the Society.
Oldest item in the museum is a
leather covered jewel chest known
to be $50 years old through the
liri"g which is a newspaper re-
print Of a letter written by Sir
Walter Raleigh.
)Of similar vintage is a silk sash
which was supposedly worn by
George Washington at the time
knee britches were in style, and
later the possession of Confederate
President Jefferson Davis.
Many Of the museum pieces COW
er the life and love of Jefferson
Davis, including letters, inkwell,
sealing wax, and even a ballot
which lists Mr.. Davis as a candi-
date for president of the Confed-
eracy.
"A reminder Of the famous race
between the Robert E. Lee and
Na.chez is the replica of tho latter
stern wheeler which was auctioned
off to help raise funds for con-
struction of the Trinity Church
just prior to the War Between The
States. 1t is now owned by Miss
Taylor, the assistant director, and
has been in the Smithsonian Insti-
70 ond IN, fvyo urarIl 60; 81;