Issue 17, Summer 1990

This image features the cover of “Alabama Heritage,” a quarterly magazine published by The University of Alabama. Here are the details: Magazine Title: The top displays the title in red cursive font: “Alabama Heritage.” Publication Information: Below the title, in smaller black font, it states: “Published Quarterly by THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA.” Issue Information: At the bottom right corner, it indicates that this is “Number 17” from “Summer 1990” and priced at “.00.” Central Element: The central figure is a a man wearing a feathered headdress with multiple colors. Their attire includes a plaid garment and a yellow scarf around the neck. They hold what appears to be a horn instrument. Background: The background is plain and cream-colored.

Issue 17, Summer 1990

On the cover: Chief William McIntosh painted by Charles Bird King, c. 1825. (From McKenney and Hall, History of the Indian Tribes, vol. I, 1836)

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Features

Chief William McIntosh
Scottish-Indian Statesman and General

By Benjamin W. Griffith, Jr.

William McIntosh was born around 1778, the son of a Savannah Tory and a full-blooded Creek woman. Over the course of his life, McIntosh gained fame as a diplomat and a warrior, but increasingly he became caught in crosscurrents between the white and Indian worlds. His genius for American entrepreneurship made him a prominent figure in both worlds, precisely the exalted position from which tragic heroes fall. This is his story.

This image depicts a classical portrait painting that has been digitally altered for a contemporary aesthetic appeal. Here are the specific elements: Individual: A man is seen standing in a portrait. Attire: The subject wears an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary clothing: Robe: A black robe adorned with white logos resembling those of popular streetwear brands. Sash: A red sash with black designs wrapped around the waist. Shirt: A white shirt visible underneath the robe, featuring ruffled elements near the neck area. Background: The background resembles a classic landscape painting style with dark clouds, trees, and natural scenery.
William McIntosh (c. 1778-1825), attributed to Nathaniel Negus, after 1820. [Courtesy Alabama State Department of Archives and History]

Souvenir Spoons from Alabama

By Nancy Rohr

In 1891 a new fad swept the nation: spoons. With the Gilded Age firmly underway, more Americans than ever were traveling, and these tourists wanted souvenirs to take home with them. Spoons, inexpensive and portable, engraved with the name of the city and featuring some ornamental design, were a popular option. Still recovering from the Civil War, Alabama had few tourist sites during this period, and so produced relatively few spoons. And yet, these souvenirs of Alabama do exist–spread across the United States by visitors, hidden in tiny shops and antique stores throughout the country. This article examines the history of the collectible spoon.

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General Overview: The image displays a collection of ornate silver spoons scattered on an intricately designed, lace-like surface. Both the spoons and the surface exhibit a warm, luxurious golden hue, creating an opulent and elegant aesthetic . Specific Elements or Objects: Spoons: There are multiple spoons with varying designs and intricate details. One spoon features an oval-shaped embellishment with delicate patterns. Another spoon showcases a figure, possibly historical or mythical, as part of its handle design. Each spoon’s bowl is reflective, capturing the rich tones of the surrounding environment. The handles of the spoons are adorned with detailed patterns and textures. Surface: The spoons rest on a surface with an elaborate pattern resembling lace or finely crafted embroidery. The texture of the surface is complex and detailed, adding to the overall sense of luxury. This image evokes a feeling of historical elegance, as if these spoons hold stories from the past. The golden tones and intricate designs create a captivating visual experience.
Birmingham spoons depicting ore mines, furnaces, Vulcan, City Hall, and various other buildings and scenes of importance to Birmingham residents at the turn of the century. [Chip Cooper and Ricky Yanara]

Rube Burrow, Outlaw

By William Warren Rogers, Jr.

The train robber Rube Burrow (1854-1890) was Alabama’s most notorious outlaw and one of the South’s most wanted men until he was shot dead on the streets of Linden, Alabama. His is a story of pistols and Pinkertons, of violence and vengeance. His career was steeped in blood, and his death–in an unexpected place and from an unexpected quarter–was covered in irony. This is his story, the tale of an outlaw who never repented and of the bullet he never saw coming.

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This intriguing sketch portrays a man wearing a collared shirt. The intricate line work meticulously captures the texture and folds of the fabric, emphasizing its depth and dimension. The man has a short beard and wavy or curly hair.
The train robber Rube Burrow (1854-1890) was Alabama’s most notorious outlaw and one of the South’s most wanted men until he was shot dead on the streets of Linden, Alabama. [Engraving from “Rube Burrow, King of the Outlaws, and His Band of Train Robbers,” by G. W. Agee.]
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