Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. II, Part 77

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1166


USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. II > Part 77


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JUDGE ISAAC BUSH, son of James Bush by his second wife, Mary Caraway,


was born Sept. 21, 1821, and was reared in and around Blakely, Early Co., remaining at home until legally free (the only one of the children who did so), receiving an ordinary academic education. Having long cherished the ambition to be a lawyer, he bought some law books in 1846 and studied by himself at home, and practiced without a certificate until 1858, when, often finding himself at a dis- advantage, he concluded to apply for regular admission to the bar, which he did and was admitted at Colquitt, Judge David Kiddoo presiding. Mr. Bush con- tinued to practice until 1890, when he retired to his farm, seven miles east of Colquitt, where he is enjoying to the full the quiet and pleasures of a model country home. As might be inferred, Judge Bush was always much interested in politics. When the county of Miller was organized, in the spring of 1857, he was elected ordinary, but resigned the ensuing fall to take his seat in the state senate, serving during the sessions of 1857-58. Sympathizing with Hon. A. H. Stephens, he opposed secession, but when hostilities began, he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Georgia cavalry, Col. Hood commanding, and served to the close of the war, chiefly on scouting duty. In 1865 Judge Bush was elected to represent Miller county in the constitutional convention, and the same year was elected to represent Miller county in the general assembly, serving during the sessions of 1865-66. To him is due the credit of securing the enactment of the law requiring "wild-land" taxes to be paid in the counties in which the land lies, instead of, as had previously


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been the case, being paid in the county in which the owner resided. Also for secur- ing legislation making the property of married women non-available for the pay- ment of the debt of the husband. Prior to the passage of this act the property of the wife was subject to the debts of the husband contracted before marriage. Judge Bush ended his honorable and useful public life by four years' service as chairman of the board of county commissioners, 1890-93 inclusive. Judge Bush was married Feb. 5, 1845, to Temperance, daughter of Drewry and Chloe (Go- lightly) Roberts. Mrs. Bush was born in Early county, Feb. 4, 1825, and died Oct. 15, 1893. The bereaved husband tenderly cherished her memory as a woman of remarkable endearing qualities, a faithful and affectionate wife, a devoted mother, and as one overflowing with Christian charity and neighborly kindness, the loss of whose companionship is the sorest affliction of his life. Ten children were the offspring of this happy union, of whom the following named survive: James Smiley, merchant, Colquitt; Isaac A., lawyer, Camilla; Charles C., lawyer, Colquitt; Mary J., at home; Chloe, Mrs. William E. Hunter, Colquitt, and Emma, Mrs. C. M. Jones, Miller county. Judge Bush is now enjoying the well-earned fruit of a somewhat lengthy, busy and honorable (because useful) career, quiet, domestic comfort, thousands of broad acres of land, hundreds of bales of cotton and thou- sands of head of cattle and other valuable stock, and, better than all, the heartfelt esteem of the thousands of his fellow-citizens whom for more than forty years he has alternately counseled, led, and served. Politically Mr. Bush is an uncompro- mising democrat, religiously a devout and zealous Baptist.


FLIJAH B. BUSH, physician and surgeon, Colquitt, Miller Co., Ga., was born in Early county, Ga., Nov. 20, 1850, and is the half-brother of Isaac Bush, being the nineteenth child of James Bush, and the fourth by his third wife. His maternal grandfather, William Grantham, was killed by the Indians in the 20's in Early county. The body was gallantly rescued from the Indians by his son William, who lashed the corpse to a pony and carried it hoine, killing seven Indians while on the way. Dr. Bush was reared and remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one, receiving, in the meantime, an academic education. In the spring of 1864, when only thirteen years of age, he ran away from home to join the Confederate forces. He was overtaken by his father, who sent him home. The next year he was employed in the quartermaster's department, handling stock, provisions, etc., to feed prisoners at Andersonville, Ga. On Nov. 19, 1868, when only eighteen years of age, he was united in marriage, in Miller county, with Miss Susan, daughter of James E. Scarborough, by whom he had ten children: James S., deceased; Oliver B., physician, Miller county; Virginia D., Mrs. A. D. McNair, Colquitt; an infant, deceased; Eldridge E .; John R .; Julia; Elijah B., Jr .; Susan C., deceased, and Thomas W. Dr. Bush began the study of medicine by himself at home in 1871, and soon after went to Atlanta and studied under Dr. W. C. Asher. In the winter of 1872-73 he attended the session of the Savannah Medical college, after which he underwent an examination by the state medical board at Milledge- ville, Ga., and practiced medicine under a certificate from that body until 1889, when with his son Oliver he entered the Atlanta Medical college, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1890. The wide-awake, progressive spirit of Dr. Bush, together with his family connections, naturally caused him to participate actively in public affairs, and to become an important political factor. In 1877 he was a candidate for the general assembly, but was defeated by Henry C. Sheffield by a majority of forty-three votes. In 1882 he received the democratic nomination for senator from the Eighth senatorial district and defeated O. G. Gurley, inde- pendent democrat. In his capacity as senator Dr. Bush influentially served on the ยท


following committees: Corporations, academy for the blind, petitions, engrossing,


E. B. BUSH.


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and the academy for the deaf and dumb, of which he was chairman. He was also made chairman of a special committee to investigate the management of the academy for the deaf and dumb. A searching investigation disclosed much crook- edness in its conduct, which was promptly remedied by legislation recommended by the committee; commended by his well-earned, wide professional reputation and his experience as a painstaking legislator, he was appointed by Gov. Atkinson in August, 1895, a principal physician of the penitentiary. Dr. Bush is an ardent democrat, a member of the State Medical association, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a member of the Primitive Baptist church. His fine business capacity and commanding professional and social position have won for him a well-deserved influence in the county, which honored itself by honoring him.


BENJAMIN F. JONES, eldest son of Alexander and Priscilla (Gibson) Jones, was born in Wilkes county, Ga., Sept. 8, 1836. His brother, and the only other child of his parents, died when only ten years old. His father, also a native of Wilkes, was a mechanic, and conducted a small farm while working at his trade. Both parents died at the home of this son, the mother Sept. 2, 1865, aged sixty-five years, and the father, Aug. 4, 1881. Mr. Jones remained with his parents until Aug. 8, 1858, the date of his marriage to his third cousin, Navey F., daughter of Benja- min F. and Susan (Bussey) Jones, of Lincoln county, Ga. Her grandparents were named Weathers. Mr. Jones and wife have had six children born to them: Charles M., Miller county ; Hattie E., Mrs. W. J. Roberts, Colquitt; Ellen F., Mrs. C. B. Mathis, Miller county ; and Benjamin A., Emma L., and Nora E., all three deceased. About a year after his marriage Mr. Jones moved from Wilkes county, and in 1860 established his present cozy home in the piney woods of Miller county, about eleven miles east of Colquitt, the county seat, where he owns a fine large tract of productive land. In 1862 he enlisted in the Tenth Georgia cavalry as a private, with which he remained throughout the war, mainly a foragemaster. Feeling and taking always much interest in public matters, Mr. Jones has been almost con- tinuously in some public position since the war, plainly indicating the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. He was elected to represent Miller county in the Georgia house of representatives in 1884-85, and is now chairman of the board of county commissioners. Mr. Jones is a democrat, a member of the Baptist church, and a master Mason. He is a worker wherever employed, in private or public life, and is a very useful citizen.


MILTON COUNTY.


WILLIAM BUICE, farmer, Ocee, Milton Co., Ga., son of William and Mary A. (Mathis) Buice, was born in Spartanburg, S. C., Nov. 22, 1836. His parents were natives of South Carolina, descendants of early settlers-the father of English and the mother of Irish extraction. He was born in 1804, was an excel- lent, well-to-do farmer, came to Georgia in 1857, and settled in Forsyth county, where he died in 1884; his wife having died in 1879. They had sixteen children born to them: Adaline, wife of Moses Thompson; Betty, widow of William Staple; William, the subject of this sketch; Amanda, widow of Reuben Matthews; Susan, wife of John Williams; Marcena, wife of Robert Buice; Joshua; Emily,


II-34


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wife of Francis Thompson; and John, all living. Those deceased are: Merriman, Henderson, Marcellus, Harriet, Elisha, Samuel, and an infant. Mr. Buice was raised on the farm, and was educated at the common schools of the county. He came to Georgia with his parents in 1857, and in 1858 he went to Gwinnett county, Ga., where he lived until 1862, and then returned to Milton county. That same year he enlisted in Company H, Capt. Whaley, Second Georgia cavalry, and was a participant in the following among other battles: Murfreesboro, Mun- fordville, Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, New Town Church and the siege of Atlanta. He was wounded near Marietta, and sent home. At the end of three months he rejoined his command at Griffin, Ga., and con- tinued in the service until the surrender. He saw much arduous and dangerous service, and relates many thrilling incidents connected with his soldier life. After receiving his discharge at Kinston, N. C., he returned to his farm and went to work, giving his undivided attention to the same until 1870, when he was elected sheriff and was consecutively re-elected five terms. He was then appointed deputy United States marshal and served seven years. About that time he moved to Forsyth county, where he lived until October, 1894, when he came back to Milton county and settled in Ocee. During his residence in Forsyth county he served two years as deputy sheriff. Mr. Buice owns a fine farm, is a progressive and successful farmer, and is well fixed for making abundant crops, and enjoying an easy, pleasant old age, and the esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Buice has been twice married. He was first married in 1854 to Miss Adaline, daughter of Sherod and Elizabeth Webb, who bore him ten children: Sherod; Letitia, wife of Adolphus Webb; Hampton; Robert; William; Ida, wife of Roane E. Johnson-all living, and the following deceased: Tallulah, Kitty, Dora, and William A. The mother of these died June 2, 1894, and on October 7 following, he married Matilda E. Martin, daughter of Jackson and Elizabeth Webb. Mr. Buice is a strong democrat, and a consistent member of the Baptist church.


THOMAS F. CHANDLER, physician and surgeon, Alpharetta, Milton Co., Ga., son of John and Saphronia (Turner) Chandler, was born July 17, 1854. His parents were native Georgians-the father of German and the mother of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, a prosperous farmer of Cobb county, is still living, and a very large land-owner. Dr. Chandler was reared on his father's farm, and after receiving a good English education engaged in farming. Deciding to adopt a professional life he began the study of medicine in 1875 under the pre- ceptorship of Dr. Cleland of Marietta, Ga., and pursued the study three years. He then attended lectures at the Atlanta Medical college, from which he was graduated in 1880, and soon afterward entered upon the practice in Marietta. In 1883 he located in Alpharetta, where he has remained since. He has estab- lished an excellent reputation in his profession, and upon it built a very large and remunerative practice, extending over the surrounding country, and into adjoining counties. He is popular and prosperous and stands well with his fel- low-citizens. Dr. Chandler was married May 3, 1875, to Miss Georgia-born April 22, 1854-daughter of Lewis and Martha (Murdock) Grover. Six chil- dren have been born to them: Chessie R., born July II, 1877; Annie Pauline, born June 8, 1884; Leo, born Sept. 29, 1889; and Thomas C., born June 7, 1892, and two died in infancy. Dr. Chandler is a democrat and a master Mason; and himself and wife are active members of the Methodist church.


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RTHUR C. MAXWELL, farmer, Alpharetta, Milton Co., Ga., son of Wil- A liam P. and Sarepta (Rucker) Maxwell, was born in what is now Milton county, Feb. 4, 1840. His grandparents were natives of Virginia, but his parents


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were born in Georgia. The Maxwells were of Scotch descent. Mr. Maxwell's father was a good and an extensive farmer, and owned 480 acres of excellent land in Milton county on which he died in 1885-his wife having died ten years previously. They were the parents of fourteen children: Mary, wife of Single- ton A. Maxwell; Martha, wife of John H. Turner; Arthur C., the subject of this sketch; Edna E. (deceased); William B .; Frances, wife of Elisha Buice; Saman- tha, wife of Robert Hembree; John E .; Caroline E., wife of Robert Cobb; Sophia, wife of Martin Ball; Nancy (deceased); Amanda (deceased); Jane R., wife of Scott Turner; and one which died in infancy. Mr. Maxwell was raised on the farm and received a limited education at the near-by country schools. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-second Georgia regiment, which was ordered to Richmond. The first battle in which his regiment took part was White Oak Swamp, and then, among others, the following: Malvern Hill, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Front Royal, Spottsyl- vania Court House, Cold Harbor, Turkey Bend, and Petersburg. He served through the war and received an honorable discharge at Appomattox Court House after the surrender. After his return he farmed on his father's land until 1874, when he went to farming on his own account. He has worked hard and managed well, is considered a good farmer, owns a fine 200-acre farm and is a stockholder in the Alpharetta creamery. He is one of the reliable, substantial citi- zens of Milton county. Mr. Maxwell was married March 22, 1885, to Miss Emily F. Maxwell, by whom he has three children: William J., born in 1886; Robert W., born in 1889; and an infant child deceased. Mr. Maxwell is a democrat and is a member of the Methodist church.


DAVID R. MORRIS, farmer-merchant, Alpharetta, Milton Co., Ga., son of Shadrach and Elizabeth (Pierce) Morris, was born in Jackson county, Ga., Aug. 24, 1824. His parents were born, raised and married in North Carolina, whence they came to Georgia and settled in Jackson county in the early years of this century. Subsequently he removed to Fayette county, Ga., where he stayed until 1837, the year before the Indians were removed, when he moved to and permanently settled in Cherokee county. He followed farming all his life- accumulating considerable property, and died May 18, 1862. His wife died Nov. 28, 1856. Nine children were born to them, three of whom are living: William, born May 4, 1805; David R., the subject of this sketch; and Mary. The follow- ing are deceased: Sarah, Nancy, James, Joseph, Eliza, and Cynthia. Mr. Morris grew to manhood on the farm. He had to help in raising the crop, school- houses being far apart, and the schools not the best. Twenty-one days schooling were all he had, but he says it gave him a good start, and he finished it at the family fireside by the flickering light of burning pine-knots. His mind is strong, and his memory bright and clear as to interesting incidents and important events of the past, while he is wide-awake and keeps fully abreast with the leading political and other matters of the present time. In 1846 he bought eighty acres of land, to which he has gradually added until now he has 320 acres of as good land as there is in Milton county, and it was paid for by money made by working early and late-and hard, and good management. In 1880 he and his son-in- law commenced a general merchandising business in Alpharetta, which was suc- cessfully run until 1886, when he bought his partner's interest, and has since conducted it alone. He is one of the pioneer settlers of the county north of the Chattahoochee, and has much to tell-and loves to tell it-about frontier life and experiences. There are few men in the county better liked or more highly respected-or to whom more deference is paid. Mr. Morris was happily mar-


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ried Sept. 3, 1844, to Miss Dorcas, daughter of William and Nancy Thompson, native North Carolinians. The following children blessed this union: William J., born June 15, 1845; Mary A., born July 4, 1846, wife of Lowery Segers; John O., born Dec. 19, 1849; Joseph (deceased); Lewis T., married Mary Davis; Nancy A., wife of Joseph Rainwater; Martha, wife of George W. T. Grant; Sarah 1., wife of William Blackstock. The mother of these, a faithful helpmeet, and an exemplary member of the Baptist church, was born March 28, 1819, and died May 16, 1894. Mr. Morris is an ardent and uncompromising republican, a master Mason, and a revered member of the Baptist church.


G IDEON B. THOMASON, physician and surgeon, Alpharetta, Milton Co., Ga., son of James and Susan (Thomason) Thomason, was born in Laurens district, S. C., May 19, 1842. Although his parents bore the same surname, they were not related, he being a native of Georgia, of English descent, and she a native of South Carolina, of Scotch-Irish extraction. When a young man his father went to South Carolina, where he remained until after his marriage, when he came back to Georgia, settled in Milton county, and engaged in farming, which he fol- lowed until his death in 1862. His widow died in 1889. They were the parents of four children: Joseph M., Gideon B., the subject of this sketch, George S., de- ceased, and Elizabeth, wife of James Taylor. Dr. Thomason grew to manhood on the farm, helping in the work on it according to his ability. He received his primary education at the common schools of the county, which was fairly good. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company C (Capt. Parris), Fifty-second Geor- gia regiment. He was commissioned orderly sergeant of his company, which was ordered to Knoxville, Tenn., and thence to Vicksburg, where he was during the siege-forty days and nights. With his command he was in the battle at Baker's creek, and subsequently those of Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, between there and Atlanta, and around the city during the siege of the city. Thence he went to North Carolina, and at Smithfield, in that state, was wounded and sent to the hospital at Raleigh, and after remaining there about six weeks was trans- ferred to Greensboro, where he was at the time of the surrender. He took the oath of allegiance at Washington, Ga., and then returned to his home. In 1866 he began the study of medicine under Dr. R. B. Anderson, and then attended lectures at Atlanta Medical college, from which he was graduated in 1867. He located immediately afterward about three miles from Alpharetta, where he remained until 1881, when he moved to Alpharetta and located permanently. He has been satisfactorily successful as a physician and enjoys the confidence of the com- munity to the fullest extent as to his professional skill. He owns and has in a fine state of cultivation and improvement an excellent 140-acre farm near Alpha- retta, and thirty acres of eligibly situated property in the town, and is also a stock- holder in the Alpharetta creamery. He is enterprising and progressive in all lines of professional and business activity. Dr. Thomason was married Nov. 22, 1882, to Miss Jemima A .- born in 1862-daughter of James and Angelina E. (Polly) McCullun, by whom he has had one child, Willie G., born Dec. 23, 1883. He is a democrat and a master Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist church.


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MITCHELL COUNTY.


ROBERT J. BACON, planter, Baconton, Mitchell Co., Ga., son of Thomas and Sarah (Holcombe) Bacon, was born in Liberty county, Ga., Dec. 6, 1830. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Bacon, was a native of South Carolina, and came to Georgia when a boy with his father's family with a company composed of Puritans and some cavaliers from Dorchester and Beach Hill, S. C., and set- tled at Medway and Newport, St. John's parish (now Liberty county), Ga., in 1752. He was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. Mr. Bacon's father was born in Liberty county, Ga., in October, 1775, and was the first-born of the children, and was reared and lived and died in the county. He was a man of great energy and activity, very influential, and as a Jeffersonian democrat repre- sented the county in the general assembly. He was a very. prominent member of the Baptist church, of which he was for many years a deacon. He died in 1834 in Philadelphia while on a visit to that city. He raised nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch, and the only daughter-Mrs. Joshua H. Foster, Tuscaloosa, Ala .- are the sole survivors. Mr. Bacon was reared and received his preparatory education in Liberty county, and then entered the university of Geor- gia, Athens, from which he was graduated in 1851. He afterward settled in Troup county, Ga., and engaged in planting until 1858, when he moved to Mitchell coun- ty, and settled at what is now known as Baconton-a town founded by himself. With the exception of a few years spent in the mercantile business in Albany, Ga., he has lived here and given his time and attention exclusively to his planting interests. He is a gentleman of culture, of extensive and varied information, prominent and influential in politics, and in all matters bearing on the development of his county and section. No citizen is better known; few, if any, more popular. From 1861 to 1865 he represented the county in the general assembly. He owns and conducts a large plantation at Baconton, under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Bacon has been twice married. By his first marriage he had four children: Cornelia, wife of Rev. R. J: Wilingham, D. D., Richmond, Va., corresponding secretary Foreign Missionary board, Baptist church; Isabella, wife of W. G. Cooper, editor "Tribune," Rome, Ga .; Ella and Laura, at home. By his second marriage he has had one child-Robert J., Jr. Himself and wife are exemplary and leading members of the Baptist church.


GEORGE M. BACON, manager De Witt Farming company, De Witt, Mitchell Co., Ga., son of Thomas J. and Georgia (Meriwether) Bacon, was born in Troup county, Ga., Sept. 7, 1847. Thomas Bacon, his grandfather, was an early settler and a wealthy and prominent planter in Liberty county, Ga. Mr. Bacon's father was born and raised and prepared for college in Liberty county, then attended the university of Georgia at Athens. He married Miss Georgia, only child of George Meriwether, a wealthy planter and influential citizen of Clarke county, Ga. Not long after his marriage, in 1845, he settled in La Grange, Troup Co., Ga., where for awhile he edited "The Chattahoochee," a news- paper. Subsequently he entered upon the practice of law, which continued with increasing success until 1861. During this period he was mayor of La Grange a number of years. He was an "old line whig" until 1860, when he voted for Breckinridge. Soon after the war between the states begun he enlisted in


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the Twenty-seventh Georgia regiment, of which he was made commissary, with rank of captain. At the battle of Seven Pines, near Richmond, in 1862, he vol- unteered as aide to Gen. Anderson, and was killed early in the fight. His wife remained a widow and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Baker, in Carters- ville, Bartow Co., Ga., in 1890. They had five children: George Meriwether, the subject of this sketch; Sumner Winn, Atlanta, Ga .; Jeannie Beatrice (Mrs. J. A. Baker, now of Guthrie, Oklahoma); Lucy Anderson (Mrs. Thomas Fulton, de- ceased, Decatur, near Atlanta), and Thomas J., deceased at six years. Mr. Bacon's boyhood was passed in La Grange, and he was about thirteen years of age when his father entered the Confederate service. The last year of the war he enlisted in Company B, Gen. Tyler's brigade, state troops, was elected third lieutenant, afterward promoted to first lieutenant when only seventeen years of age, and was in command of his company at the time of Lee's surrender. In 1868 he entered into the management of the large farming interests of his uncle, Robert J. Bacon, in Mitchell county, Ga. Continuing in this capacity until 1877, when his uncle and himself formed a partnership, and engaged in merchandising and farming, making from 300 to 400 bales of cotton per year. In 1883 he moved to and settled on the present site of De Witt, then an old dilapidated place that had been run as an old cotton plantation until considered worn out and almost value- less. By thrift and untiring energy the lands have been brought up to their pres- ent high state of cultivation, and the general improvements are the best in southwestern Georgia. In December, 1893, he became associated with D. C. Bacon in the De Witt Farming company, with D. C. Bacon president, and engaged extensively in raising cotton, grain, hay, stock, etc., and they have now, also, 300 acres in fruits, nuts and grapes. The company owns 2,000 acres of land in a body. The S., F. & W. railway passes through, near the center of the plan- tation (and on this is located the little town of De Witt), and Flint river borders the west. On the east side of the railroad can be seen from the car windows the fine young orchard of 20,000 peach trees. On the west side pears and pecans, and the broad avenue of oaks and elms that lead up to "The Park." Mr. Bacon married Miss Julia Holcombe, daughter of Thomas Holcombe, of Savannah, Ga. Mr. Bacon is a K. of P., a Knight of Honor and a member of the A. O. U. W. Mrs. Bacon is a devout Episcopalian and their little daughter has been christened Cleland Nelson, for the bishop of Georgia. Mrs. Bacon possesses a loveliness of character and disposition which makes her a social favorite among a very extensive acquaintance. Her beautiful home is noted for its hospitality and many social gatherings. Her sister, Mrs. D. C. Bacon, and her mother, Mrs. Holcombe, each own cozy cottages and winter homes on either side-all in the same enclosure, known as "The Park." Happier homes or more pleasant sur- roundings cannot be found in the south.




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