Issue 53, Summer 1999

The image features a vintage black and white photograph. Four individuals are captured in the photograph. Let’s break down the details: Composition: The image is primarily composed of the vintage photograph. People: There are four people in the photo. One individual stands out, dressed in bridal attire. They wear a veil and hold a bouquet of flowers, suggesting that they might be the bride. The other three individuals are dressed formally, indicating that they are likely attending a wedding ceremony. Text Overlay: Bold text at the top reads “ALABAMA HERITAGE.” Smaller text at the bottom states that this publication is produced by The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. The text at the bottom of the image reads: ALABAMA HERITAGE PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM

Issue 53, Summer 1999

On the cover: In 1953, fashion designer Ann Lowe, a native of Clayton, Alabama, designed and make Jackie Kennedy’s wedding gown. [Courtesy John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library]

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Features

Ann Lowe: Couturier to the Rich and Famous

By Ann S. Smith

Ann Lowe, born in Clayton, Alabama, in 1898, granddaughter of a former slave, rose to great heights in the rough and tumble world of fashion design. Despite the considerable obstacles she faced as a young black woman, Lowe was, at the height of her career, the designer-of-choice for many of this country’s elite families. Indeed, she designed Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding gown for her 1953 marriage to John F. Kennedy. “I love my clothes,” she once told an interviewer, “and I’m particular about who wears them.” Ann S. Smith recounts in fascinating detail the life of Ms. Lowe—her meteoric rise in New York’s fashion industry and the sometimes tragic circumstances that left her to spend her old age poor, unheralded and nearly blind.

This is a black and white photo featuring three individuals. The person in the middle appears to be wearing a wedding dress with floral details, and they are being assisted by the other two individuals on either side. The person on the left is holding what seems to be scissors and is wearing a sleeveless patterned dress, while the individual on the right is dressed in dark clothing. The central figure stands out in an elegant wedding dress adorned with delicate floral patterns. The overall atmosphere hints at a special occasion or preparation for an event.
Ann Lowe (left), and one of her expert fitters (right), work on a gown. [Esther Provenzano]
This image depicts a person in a military uniform sitting on a wooden chair. They wear an elegant, dark-colored military uniform adorned with gold buttons. In their hand, they hold a pair of white gloves. A sword leans against the chair, suggesting a position of authority. The scene appears to be outdoors, with natural light illuminating the setting. The central figure is seated on a wooden folding chair. The person wears an elegant dark-colored military uniform with gold buttons and decorations. A beige rectangle obscures the person’s face. White gloves are held in the person’s hands. An ornate sword rests against the chair. The background shows part of an outdoor setting with natural light and a glimpse of a building structure.
Gen. Joe Wheeler in his Spanish-American War Uniform [Alabama Historical Commission]

Fightin’ Joe Wheeler

By John Scott, Jr.

Photographs by Anderson Scott

Gen. Joseph Wheeler—West Point graduate, veteran of both the Civil War and the Spanish American War, and sixteen years a U.S. congressman representing Alabama—is the only Confederate veteran buried in Arlington National Cemetery. It was a fitting tribute to a man whose greatest legacy was his promotion of the reconciliation between North and South. Mildred Witt Caudle, professor emeritus of history at Athens State College, documents the broad range of adventures Wheeler experienced in his remarkable life. Whether being attacked by a small band of Indian marauders on the road to Santa Fe, New Mexico, or fending off superior federal forces in Shelbyville, Tennessee, Wheeler always seemed to be at his best when the situation was most harrowing. Though he was a slight man—never more than 125 pounds on a five foot, five inch frame—early in his Army career he earned the nickname “Fightin’ Joe” for his ability to fight with a fury greater than his physical stature.

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The central focus of the image is an aged book with yellowed pages. The book appears well-worn, suggesting it has been cherished and used over time. Round glasses with thin frames rest on one of the book’s pages. These glasses evoke a sense of intellectual curiosity and perhaps belong to someone who spent hours engrossed in reading. The left page of the book contains printed text. Unfortunately, the specific content is not visible in the image. However, there is a small colored illustration or photograph at the top corner of this page, adding a touch of visual interest. On the right page, we find handwritten text at the top. The inscription reads “Love God.” This personal touch adds a layer of sentimentality to the book. Below the handwritten text, there is a printed black-and-white illustration depicting a ship sailing on rough seas. The ship’s presence suggests themes of adventure, exploration, or perhaps a metaphorical journey through life. Towards the bottom of the right page, we see pressed flowers encased in an oval-shaped plastic cover. These delicate blooms evoke memories, emotions, or perhaps symbolize a connection to nature. Adjacent to the book lies another piece of paper. Unfortunately, the content of this paper is only partially visible in the image. It contains printed text, but we cannot discern its full message.
Annie Wheeler’s writing desk. [Robin McDonald]

The Intrepid Annie Wheeler

By Nanda Hopenwasser and Signe Wegener

Authors Nanda Hopenwasser and Signe Wegener recount the exploits of the indomitable Annie Wheeler. The daughter of Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Annie cut her own legacy by tirelessly attending to the well-being of others. She followed her father and brother to Cuba during the Spanish American War, serving as a nurse-volunteer, and worked in the same capacity in Europe during World War I. Her uncommon charity and inexhaustible energy made her a symbol of recovery to the soldiers in Cuba and Europe. Her compassion for other people, particularly children, made her an institution throughout the Tennessee Valley. At Annie’s funeral in 1955, when asked by a reporter what she remembered most about Annie Wheeler, a young woman said, “Annie never really approved of the phrase ‘pursuit of happiness.’ She always said that you were never made happy by seeking your own happiness, but you incidentally found your own happiness by seeking it for others.”

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Alabama License Plates

By Stephen Goldfarb

From early in the century, license plates have offered a fertile field for collectors, many of whom nailed old plates to the walls of garages or barns. More recently, collecting license plates has become an organized hobby. Author Stephen Goldfarb explores the intertwining history of the automobile and the license plate, and their particular evolution in Alabama, from the enameled placards of the early 1900s to the more durable plates used today. 

The license plate is rectangular with a white background and red lettering. At the top of the plate, the phrase “HEART OF DIXIE” is written in red capital letters. In the center, there’s an alphanumeric code that appears to be upside down. A small red heart symbol precedes the word “ALABAMA,” which is also written in red at the bottom of the plate. The year ‘73’ follows “ALABAMA,” indicating that this license plate was issued in 1973. There are four holes on each corner of the license plate for mounting.
Misprints on license tags are rare, and therefore collectible. [Velma B. Hosey]

Departments

The central focus of the image is a large, intense fire with bright flames that contrast sharply against the dark background. The flames are illuminating the surroundings with an ominous glow. The fire seems to be occurring in an industrial setting, with structures like tanks or containers visible. These structures are likely the source of the blaze. There’s a significant amount of smoke billowing from the flames, adding to the dramatic effect of the scene. The overall mood of the image is ominous and alarming due to the intensity of the fire and the darkness surrounding it. No individuals or firefighting efforts are visible in this image; it solely focuses on capturing the initial moments of a significant blaze.
The Burning of the Eliza Battle, attributed to Gen. Nathan Bryan Whitfield. (Courtesy Gaineswood, Alabama Historical Commission, and Bryding Adams)

Art in the South

An Antebellum Physician

By Robert O. Mellown

Dr. Solomon Williams Clanton (1826-1858) of Warsaw, Sumter County, Alabama, was not a major figure in Alabama history. And yet his portrait, with his medical library in the background, reveals much about the young doctor and the medical education available to Southerners in the mid-nineteenth century.

Recollections

The First Sunday in May

By Lenda Haynes McCain

Lossie Mason and George McCain married in 1931 when they were both nineteen years old. Four years later, Lossie was tragically and prematurely dead.George McCain eventually married again, but he was never able to talk about the death of his first wife. Nevertheless, Lossie remains in the memory of the McCain family; several years after the death of George, his widow still places flowers on Lossie’s grave every year on the first Sunday in May.

The image features two individuals standing in front of a closed, striped shutter or door. The person on the left is seated and appears to be wearing lighter, casual attire. Meanwhile, the individual on the right is standing and dressed in a dark suit, suggesting formal wear. The overall color tone of the image has a yellowish tint, giving it an aged or vintage appearance.
Lossie Mason and George McCain married in 1931 when they were both nineteen years old. [Courtesy Lenda Haynes McCain and Eleanor A. McCain]
The image depicts a scene outdoors, framed by two slightly weathered white columns. Here are the details: Setting: The photograph captures a group of people gathered outside, possibly in a park or garden. They stand between two large columns, which appear to be part of a larger structure or building. Columns: The columns are white, slightly worn, and positioned symmetrically. They frame the scene and create a sense of grandeur. People: The individuals in the image seem engaged in conversation or an event. Their attire suggests casual or semi-formal dress. Some are standing, while others may be sitting or walking. Background: Beyond the columns, we see green grass and trees. The sky is clear, indicating pleasant weather. A car is parked on the grass to the left of the frame.
The entrance of Saunders Hall. [Sara Martin]

The Ramble

The First Sunday in May

By Alabama Heritage staff

At 8:00 AM, on May 1, 1999 approximately 150 people from around the South gathered at the Old State Bank in Decatur to ramble through the central Tennessee Valley. This special department entry chronicles the highlights of that day’s ramble.

Alabama Heritage wishes to thank the ramble’s guides and lecturers: Robert Gamble, Milly Caudle, Camille Bowman, Melinda Dunn, Roger McNeece, Shirley Hammond, and Rita Baker. The ramble coordinator was Sara Martin, Marketing Director of Alabama Heritage

The Nature Journal

Tung Oil–The Crop that Was

By L. J. Davenport

The tung tree, Aleurites fordii, was imported to Alabama from China in the hopes of producing a tung oil industry in the United States. These hopes never came to fruition, but the tung tree has now become part of the Alabama landscape, popping up along field edges and in fence rows as a reminder of a crop that was.

The image you’ve uploaded depicts a cluster of delicate white flowers set against a dark green backdrop. Let’s delve into the details: Flowers: The focal point of the image is a group of white flowers. Each flower has five distinct petals, which appear soft and delicate. The petals form a circular shape around the center of the flower. The overall appearance of the flowers is radiant due to their pristine white color. Center: At the heart of each flower, there’s an orange-yellow center. This vibrant hue contrasts beautifully with the white petals. The center might contain reproductive structures like stamens and pistils, contributing to the flower’s life cycle. Buds and Blooms: Some buds are visible, indicating ongoing growth and development. These buds will likely open up into fully bloomed flowers. The combination of buds and open blooms adds dynamism to the composition. Background: The dark green background consists of densely packed leaves or foliage. These leaves create a lush and vibrant setting for the flowers. The contrast between the white flowers and the green backdrop makes the blooms stand out prominently.
A tung oil tree in full bloom. [L.J. Davenport]
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