The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The public and private sides of old Natchez u Natchez. Miss., there Inrv approximately 500 antebellum houses and public buildings. These wellâ€"preserved structures were built before the American Civil War. the American Civil Yvar. We toured several manâ€" sious on spacious estates including Melrose, the townhome and winter dwelling of the McMurran tamily from the late 1840s to 1866. Like â€" many _ young Natchez girls from influenâ€" tial families, Mary Louisa [urner married a northernâ€" John MceMurran was a lawrer who, after his marâ€" riage, settled into the Natchez community and We walked both the pubâ€" lic side and the private side of Melrose with its Greek Revival and Georgian Archiâ€" tecture, magnolias and live oaks. began to acquire land and slaves in order to make his fortune with cotton plantaâ€" tons. We were told that Mary Louisa would be distraught to learn that we had venâ€" tured to the upstairs bedâ€" rOOmMs. The main floor, with handâ€"carved Victorian furâ€" niture, Italian marble fireâ€" places and rare, painted English fAoorcloths, was a sharp contrast to the plain upper levels where guests were never invited. John, on the other hand, would never have allowed us to see the hidden walkâ€" ways and secret staircases used by the slaves that cooked his meals, washed his clothes and cleaned his house. When John McMurran entertained his friends and business partners from the north, any slaves in eviâ€" dence were well dressed, educated and falsely preâ€" sented as paid servants. The diet was rich in vegâ€" etables. Turnip roots were seldom eaten. Even today, turnip greens are preferred over turnip TOOTS. Un occasions when the turnip roots are cooked they are olten combined with potatoes to remove the bitâ€" terness. Peel the turnip. Cut the turnip into small cubes. approximately 5 cups. Peel the potato. Cut the potato into small cubes, approxiâ€" mately 2 cups. Drain the vegetables. Add the musbroom soup and caraway seeds to the Place the turnip and potato cubes in a saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to medium. Cook the two vegâ€" etables until they are almost tender. 1 medium turnip I large potato 1 can (10 34 oz.} mushâ€" room soup 8 teaspoon caraway seet 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese TURNIP AND POTATO AU GRATIN Makes 6 to 8 seri Continued on page 14 ung g! ds Youth, the building blocks of our future.The Waterloo Chronicle will be publishing a special edition that celebrates these outstandâ€" ing citizens in our unique community. We will be profiling youth excellence in a full range of disciplines including academics, athletics, arts, and volunteer participation. We invite you. the business owner, to participate in this exciting keepsake edition. Publication Date: Wed., April 6, 2005 _ Advertising Deadline: March 8, 2005 Distribution: 32,000 ]\.o,i ~ | c ~*& ) oR u.. To reserve your space call your advertising representative at 886â€"2830 FACES FUTURE WATERLOO CHRONICLE Serving your community since 1856 of the