Suspicious Fire Damages Historic Mississippi Estate

Built in 1848, it was owned in 1877 by a Natchez woman who invited Davis to write his memoirs there.

Joined by his wife, Varina, Davis bought the property in 1879 and lived there until his death in 1889. Varina Davis sold the central portion of the estate to the Mississippi Division, United Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1902 for use as a memorial to her husband and as a Confederate veterans home.

The veterans home operated on site from 1903 until 1957, caring for a total of about 2,000 soldiers and widows.

Museum operations at Beauvoir began in 1941. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and holds designations as both a Mississippi Historical Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.

A historic home and tourist attraction, Beauvoir - the last home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis - was the possible target of arson near dawn on Saturday.

An off-duty Biloxi firefighter prevented the 160-year-old signature landmark from burning after a fire apparently was lit against the front doors. Fire officials are investigating the "suspicious" fire.

"We should know more (this) morning," said Battalion Chief Kerry Borden, who would not comment on the investigation.

Beauvoir officials believe the fire was deliberate.

"Somebody attempted to burn the house," said Patrick Hotard, executive director of the historic home and library that draws about 85,000 visitors a year.

"An off-duty firefighter saw the smoke," he said. "He jumped the fence and extinguished the fire."

The firefighter, David Lemasters, doused the fire using a water-filled trash bag. Beauvoir's security guard had not seen the flames.

The home's massive front doors were charred and several of 18 etched glass panels in the doors appear ruined. Damage to the front porch was limited by door mats that apparently kept the fire from burning planks, which had recently undergone $120,000 in repairs.

"The doors seem to be in pretty bad shape," Hotard said. "The deck is in good shape."

Beauvoir, on U.S. 90, is owned by the United Sons of Confederate Veterans and flies a large Confederate flag beside the highway, almost directly in front of the home. That flag, which flew at half-staff Sunday to honor former President Regan, and others like it have been at the center of controversy across the South and even in Mississippi in recent years.

A Saturday party to celebrate Jefferson Davis' birthday was not canceled, despite the damage to the home. No one has claimed responsibility for the fire, and Hotard said he did not know whether it was timed to spoil Davis' birthday commemoration.

"It's certainly very interesting," he said.

The wooden building would have been destroyed quickly if the fire had burned much longer.

"It would have been difficult to extinguish," Hotard said.

He said the Davis home, on a 52-acre site, had not received any threats, nor has the organization been involved in any conflicts with members, neighbors or employees.

"Things have been rolling along rather well," said Hotard, who added that security procedures will be reviewed.

Though the library, grounds and visitor's center remain open for tours, the home will be closed until an investigation and repairs are complete.

Beauvoir officials are asking anyone with knowledge of the incident to call the state fire marshal at (888) 648-0877.