Issue 50, Fall 1998

Visual Description: The image appears to be a cover of a magazine or brochure titled “ALABAMA HERITAGE.” The central visual element is a serene photograph of a misty lake surrounded by trees. In the distance, a person is seen paddling gently in a canoe across the calm waters. The overall scene evokes a sense of peaceful solitude and natural beauty. Design Elements: The title “ALABAMA HERITAGE” is prominently displayed at the top in bold, white letters against a dark green background. Below the title, there’s an atmospheric photograph capturing the tranquil lake scene. Mist hovers above the water surface, adding to the ethereal quality of the image. The trees with dense foliage encircle the lake, their silhouettes reflecting softly on the water. The lone individual canoeing enhances the theme of solitude and connection with nature. Text Details: At the bottom of the image, there’s text that indicates this publication is produced by two universities. Unfortunately, the exact content of the text is not entirely legible, but it likely mentions the involvement of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Issue 50, Fall 1998

On the cover: Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin walking on lunar surface, July 20, 1969. [Courtesy Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville]

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Features

e scene features a serene and natural setting: A small waterfall gently flows from among moss-covered rocks into a calm body of water. The rocks vary in size and are surrounded by lush green vegetation, creating a harmonious blend of nature. The water appears clear and unpolluted, reflecting the tranquility of the surroundings. The overall mood of the image is peaceful, suggesting that this might be a remote or undisturbed natural location.
Limestone bluffs on the Cahaba in Bibb County. The rare Alabama croton thrives at the top of the rocky banks. [Beth Maynor Young]

Alabama’s Heart River: The Cahaba

By Todd Keith

Todd Keith presents a comprehensive view of the history, geology, ecology, and current state of the Cahaba River, one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the United States. Along the winding course of the Cahaba are the relics of a Native American civilization, the ruins of Alabama’s first capital, Cahawba, and abandoned coal mines and coal communities. In addition to historic sites, the Cahaba in Bibb County supports a “lost glade,” a biological island of rare and endangered plants, and every spring, near West Blocton, an unusual display of Cahaba lilies brings hundreds of visitors to see the brilliant white blooms.

Although pollution has been and continues to be a threat to the river’s health, the formation of the Cahaba River Society, dedicated to protecting the river, and an increasing awareness among the public of the wide variety of aquatic life on the Cahaba provide hope for its future. The article features numerous photographs by acclaimed photographer Beth Maynor Young.

Eugenia Levy Phillips vs. the United States of America

By Joanna Jacobs

One of only a few Southern women imprisoned during the Civil War, Charleston native Eugenia Levy Phillips was just sixteen when she became the wife of Philip Phillips, a lawyer. Well-educated, outspoken, and fiery-tempered, Eugenia moved with her husband to Mobile, Alabama, where they lived for eighteen years, moving to Washington, D.C., when Phillips was elected to Congress. There, in 1861, Eugenia was briefly put under house arrest for suspected pro-Confederate sympathies.

The family then moved to New Orleans, where Eugenia soon ran afoul of Union general Benjamin F. Butler. For the crime of laughing at the funeral procession of a Union officer, Butler sentenced Eugenia to confinement in a Union prison on hot and barren Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Unrepentant, she wrote her husband, “let me rot where I am.” When Eugenia was released three months later, the family moved to Confederate-controlled La Grange, Georgia, for the remainder of the war. Eugenia Phillips died in Georgia in 1902 at the age of 82.

The image appears to be a sepia-toned photograph. The overall tone gives it an old or vintage appearance. A woman is seated while posing for the photo. The individual is dressed in vintage clothing. They wear a dark-colored dress with wide sleeves. A white lace collar covers their chest and shoulders, displaying intricate detailing. The person’s hands are gently clasped together on their lap. The background of the image is indistinct due to the aged quality of the photo.
Eugenia Levy Phillips (1820-1902) spend several months during the Civil War confined on Ship Island, Mississippi, for “laughing and mocking at the remains of a Federal officer.” “I was in good spirits the day of the funeral,” she told General Butler. [Courtesy Southern historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]

Places in Peril, 1998

By Ed Hooker and Brandon Brazil

For the fifth year in a row, The Alabama Historical Commission, a state agency, and the Alabama Preservation Alliance, a non-profit group, have drawn up a list of the most endangered historic sites in Alabama. As part of the effort to raise awareness of endangered properties around the state, the Places in Peril listing is published each year in the fall issue of Alabama Heritage magazine. The 1998 endangered properties list includes: Bullock County Road 14, Bullock County; Sand Island Light, Mobile Bay; Downtown Pine Apple, Wilcox County; Western of Alabama Car and Engine Shops, Downtown Montgomery; Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, Dallas County; Quinlan Castle, Birmingham; Historically Black Colleges Statewide; Atassi, Macon County; The Cash House, Chilton County; and the Queen City Pool Complex, Tuscaloosa. An update of the last four years of endangered properties appears with the article.

The image showcases a tall, aged lighthouse standing on a rocky foundation surrounded by water. The lighthouse has a cylindrical shape, with its body made of weathered stone that gives it an antique appearance. It is equipped with several small windows and topped with a dark-colored lantern room where the light source is housed. Here are some additional details: The lighthouse is cylindrical and appears to be made of weathered stone or brick, giving it an aged look. There are several small rectangular windows spaced vertically along the body of the lighthouse. The top of the lighthouse features a dark-colored lantern room with glass windows and a dome-shaped roof. A series of large rocks surround the base of the lighthouse, indicating it is located near or in water. There are no visible inscriptions or markings on the structure.
Sand Island Lighthouse [Alabama Historical Commission]

Departments

Recollections

Hope Chest

By Bailey Thomson

As Yankee troops drew ever-closer in 1865, Mary Ann Kemp hid a leather-bound chest under a chicken coop. Inside was three hundred dollars in gold. Over the following years, the chest came to contain still more valuable treasures: the memories of generations. Bailey Thompson contributes to that treasure by recounting the story of the chest in full. 

The image showcases an old, weathered chest. It appears to be made of wood and is heavily adorned with metal reinforcements, including numerous rivets and a central metal plate. The chest has a vintage or antique appearance, indicative of considerable age. Here are some specific features: The chest is an antique wooden piece. Dark metal reinforcements are distributed across its surface, adding to its rugged aesthetic. Numerous rivets are visible, suggesting both functionality and decorative elements. A central metal plate, possibly for locking or added reinforcement, is affixed to the front of the chest. The wood shows signs of wear and aging, with visible scratches and a faded coloration. The background is indistinct but appears to be a soft surface in a muted tone.
This leather-bound chest- and the three hundred dollars in gold that was secreted within- escaped capture by marauding Yankee troops in April 1865 when the author’s great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Aemp, hid it under a chicken coop. [Photograph by Rickey Yanaura]
The central figure in the painting stands outdoors, surrounded by nature. Here are some key observations: Attire: The person wears an elaborate robe adorned with intricate designs and patterns. The robe is dark-colored, possibly black or navy blue. Underneath, a striped garment is visible around the neck area. Footwear: The individual’s footwear is unique, featuring patterned leggings or socks and pointed shoes. Background: The background depicts a scenic view of nature, with trees and cloudy skies. The impressionistic portrayal adds to the dramatic effect of the painting.
This painting of Gen. William McIntosh is nine-feet long. [Alabama Department of Archives and History]

Art in the South

Nathan Negus and the Portrait of Gen. William McIntosh

By Laquita Thomson

The nine-foot painting of Gen. William McIntosh (c.1778-1825) that hangs today at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, has long been regarded as a masterpiece of frontier art. Long misattributed to Washington Allston, the painting is in fact the work of Nathan Negus, who has himself come to be regarded as the most talented practitioner of the fine arts in Alabama during the early statehood years.

The Nature Journal

Pink Moccasins

By L. J. Davenport

Perhaps the most beautifully deceptive wildflower in North America is the pink lady’s-slipper orchid, which lures insects with the promise of nectar as part of its reproductive cycle. The catch is that the lady’s-slipper has no nectar; this deception-based pollination may be counter-productive, since very little pollen is ever transferred. L.J. Davenport examines this counter-intuitive method of reproduction.

The focal point of this image is a unique plant that closely resembles an orchid. Here are the specifics: The flower stands out with its large, pale pink petal. This petal has an intriguing, pouch-like shape. Slender green leaves extend outward from the top of the pouch-like petal, creating an elegant and delicate appearance. The overall composition is set against a dark background, which enhances the contrast and emphasizes the beauty of the flower.
A pink lady’s-slipper orchid in all of its enticing, deceptive glory. [Photograph by L.J. Davenport]
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