Last week I spent parts of three days researching for my next book set in Natchez. I toured antebellum homes where I learned their history. Sad to say the homes and many of the furnishing were built with slave labor. Look at the craftsmanship of this building and the furniture they made! It is A-Ma-Zing!
This is a desk that was built at Auburn, the home of Mississippi’s first Attorney General, Lyman Harding. After his death Dr. Stephen Duncan purchased the estate and it remained in the Duncan family until 1910.
The doctor-turned-cotton-planter learned there was more money in growing cotton than doctoring, although he did continue to see patients even after becoming extremely wealthy.
At one time, Natchez had more millionaires than any other city in the US.
In 1811, Auburn was designed by cabinet maker Levi Weeks, who claimed to also be an architect…I think his claim was true. Below is a free-standing spiral stairs that is an engineering marvel. There isn’t one nail in the rails.
In 1919, the heirs of Stephen Duncan donated the house and 200 acres to the city of Natchez and it remained empty until 1971. During that time teens used it as a place to hang out and roller skate. In 1972, the restoration began and continues today.
Now for last week’s Mystery Question: Deaths from taking selfies are on the rise. Did you know that while more women take selfies, 75% of the deaths that occur from selfies are male? Here are four selfie-death stories. Three, unfortunately, are true. Can you guess which one I made up?
- An 18-year-old male attempting to take a follow-up selfie in his SpongeBob Square Pants slipped and fell, hitting his head.
- A man jumped from an airplane, intending to take a selfie, then pull his parachute cord. Unfortunately, he was so focused on getting just the right angle, he waited too long to pull the cord.
- A fifteen-year-old jumped in front of an approaching train to take a selfie, but the train was moving faster than he anticipated.
- Two men perished when they took a selfie of themselves holding a hand grenade with the pin pulled out. The phone is the only thing that didn’t blow up, documenting the cause of death.
And the one I made up is #2…I have no idea how the phone survived in #4! Congrats on all who picked #2.
Now for this week’s Mystery Question which will be a little different. Below is a photo of a mirror at Auburn. Can you spot what is unique about it? First person to get the correct answer will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. Everyone else will be entered in the monthly drawing for a book from my library.
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I’ll tell you the story of this mirror next week.
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Can you spot what’s different about the mirror? If you are the first to answer correctly there’s a $10 Amazon gift card waiting.[/tweet_box]
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Comments 40
Is the mirror a hidden door? It looks top heavy. I can’t imagine an ordinary mirror that big being able to be hung on a wall except with a special techniques to keep it from falling.
Author
Hi Christine. You’re close or at least on the right track. Come back next Tuesday for the story behind the mirror!
The right half of the top scroll on the frame is missing.
It resembles a doorway..
Author
It does resemble a doorway, but that isn’t what makes it unique…Linda.
Author
That’s true, Delores, but that isn’t what makes it unique. 🙂 There’s a story that goes with the mirror I’ll tell next week…
It’s hung upside down
Author
Hmmm. We’ll see, Carole.
If is a portrait as well as a mirror.
Author
That’s an idea, Lisa, but not the right answer. 🙂 Next week I’ll tell the story I was told…
That is a big mirror, it looks like it would slide to the side to make it a door also, but maybe not, I think it is a window looking into another room and not a mirror.
I may be too late but I just got time to open your email. I notice there is not reflection of light on the floor in front of the mirror but there is a reflection on the floor in the mirror.
Author
Great observation, Edward, but I’m afraid it isn’t what makes the mirror unique…just wait until you hear the story Tuesday!
The more I study the picture, I think that is an entry into the adjoining room rather than a mirror. However, if I look again later, I may think something different. I’m sure whatever it is, it will be suddenly very obvious once you tell us the story. Now I think I’ll just go read some more of Justice Delivered.
Author
🙂 So glad you’re still puzzling this over, Edward! And yes, once you hear the story you’ll say, “Of course!”
It hides a secret passageway.
Author
That’s a great answer, too, Lucy! But alas it doesn’t hide a secret passageway. One of the house I toured did have a secret passageway, though.
The wallpaper next to this “mirror” appears to be the same as the wallpaper with the people so I do believe it is a reflection. It does appear to be too heavy to hang on the wall and it looks as if it is sitting on the floor. You’ve stumped me!
Author
🙂 I think you’ll enjoy the story behind the mirror, Connie.
I’ve looked at this thing all which way and I honestly don’t know what is unique about the mirror. Secret passageway was wrong, which would have been my first guess. I bet it’s something right in front of our eyes…lol!
I have two outlandish thoughts; a.) Maybe it’s a one-way mirror or b.) It’s reflecting your image. I’m not sure they had one-way mirrors back then. I also agree with Carole’s answer, she may be on to something, lol!
I can’t wait to find out about this mystery behind the mirror 🙂 And miracle of miracles, I’ve guessed correctly three weeks in a row…wow!!
Arrrgg…I HAD my name in the boxes but the gremlins ate it! Sorry!
Author
I thought this was Trixi! 🙂 It’s really a funny story that I think everyone will enjoy. And congrats on getting the last three!
Nice pictures, I’ve searched in vain to find out about the mirror. I guess my research skills need to be sharpen :). I learned furniture from that era was donated to Duncan Park. I’m guessing this mirror was used to cover a door way or hide out for slaves. Interesting history, I’m sure you had a great time .
Author
I had a great time, Jessica. And one of the things I learned was that back in 1912, the city sold all the furnishing in a giant yard sale. Yep, moved all those valuable antiques out on the lawn and practically gave it away.
It seems to be a sliding Mirror.
Author
We’ll see next week, Alicia! Thanks for stopping by.
could be a ghost mirror since there is no reflection of light in front of it
Author
I like that thought, Shelia…but that’s not the answer. 🙂
I think it hides a safe.
Author
That is a great answer, Perrianne, but unfortunately, not it. 🙂
The edges on the very top of the mirror are different, the ends of the top of the mirror do not match, they are different.
Author
Alicia, everyone has really good observations, but only one person has actually gotten it right. But I can’t say who because it would spoil the story next Tuesday. lol
The mirror is huge and looks top heavy. Other than that, it looks normal to me. I’m looking forward to the story about it. I love the pictures of the spiral staircase. Beautiful!
Author
It.Is.Huge! Jeanna. And that’s part of the story. Yes. The spiral staircase is amazing. It’s hard to believe it was created over two hundred years ago!
I think this is actually a window rather than a mirror. What you see there in the “reflection” is actually what is in the next room. I look forward to hearing the actual story next week! 🙂
Author
Great thought, Rosalyn. I can’t wait to share the story with you all!
Is there a code in the scroll work around the frame? Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos from Natchez.
Author
Afraid not, Caryl. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed my photos!
I have looked several times at this post and finally admit defeat. I look forward to hearing tomorrow.
Author
I guess you’ve read what’s wrong with it by now, Gloria. Thanks for trying to figure it out. 🙂