Fernwood, Home of Mr. J. E. Mann, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/jemann1.txt ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb Project policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ALGenWeb Archives File Manager Carolyn Golowka, -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by William Fischer, Jr., February 2001 A REPORTER FOR LEADER [Excerpt] ---------------------- At Malone, by rail only twenty-one miles west of Roanoke, is to be seen the most beautiful country home in Alabama, "Fernwood," the residence of Mr. J. E. MANN. Alighting from the train at a little past two o'clock, I passed over the Tallapoosa [River] on a well built wagon bridge and in a few moments I was the recipient of a most hearty welcome accorded by the master of Fernwood himself. Together we started on a tour of the premises, Mr. MANN talking interestedly of improvements and alterations which will be made in the near future. The spacious and palatial dwelling fronts west and south, and is distant from the river only about seventy-five yards on the east, being built on a knoll. Due north of the house there is to be a mammoth flower garden which will cover more than a fourth of an acre of ground. Immediately adjacent to the garden is a small mountain which runs down almost perpendicularly to the river, a distance of about 250 feet. On the western slope of the hill just back of the house is Mr. MANN's Homeing [sic] pigeon farm, well wired and furnished with nest houses, accomodating [sic] 1,400 beautiful birds of this famous breed. Overseer ATKINS' beautiful cottage was the first to attract our attention, and here we found every luxury that one could possibly wish for; it, like all the servants' quarters, being lighted with acetylene gas. Mr. MANN's residence is also furnished with this very efficient light service, together with all the walks leading to the house. A 50 pound acetylene gas plant suffices for an abundance of light in every house on the place. The view obtained from the south yard is the most beautiful and picturesque I have ever beheld. The Tallapoosa, stretching like a silvery sheen for two miles and a half southward, with the track of the A. B. & A. [Atlanta, Birmingham, & Atlantic], railroad winding snake-like along its bank and great mountains covered with pine forests rising majestically on either side like silent sentinels, present a [sic] picture no less beautiful than do the far-famed canyons of Colorado. Tearing ourselves away from the contemplation of this wonderful masterpiece of nature's art, and passing under a large stone archway on which the one word, "Fernwood," is carved, we were gazing upon two beautifully painted and surprisingly well kept barns and a crib containing 900 bushels of potatoes and an equal amount of turnips stored which were grown at home. Eight fat, sleek mules, weighing from eleven to thirteen hundred pounds each do the farm work on the 100 acres now in cultivation. For carriage service Mr. MANN has two snappy horses, and a trap and Prince, the handsome Shetland pony, delight the children. Chickens and hogs share largely in the benefits and improvements at Fernwood, as do also cats and dogs, Mr. MANN taking great pride in the exhibition of some fine specimens of all these animals. A unique method of keeping fish is used at Fernwood in the form of a fish house sunk in the river and containing six compartments for as many sizes of fish. Two future improvements most worthy of note are the addition of another story to the home and the building of a white marble stairway from the end of the bridge to the west porch. There are numerous other attractive features at Fernwood which a lack of space will not permit me to describe, but of the place and its hospitable owner, Mr. MANN, we cannot speak too complimentarily. Our short stay was most pleasant and the memory of it will ever be pleasing. H. G. B. [H. Grady BRADSHAW] [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 11 Jan 1911, p.1] ----------------------------