Issue 54, Fall 1999

The image features a cover of “Alabama Heritage” magazine. It prominently displays a photograph of tall, weathered brick columns that are part of a historical structure. These columns stand amidst lush green grass under a clear sky. The text “Alabama Heritage” is boldly positioned at the top of the cover, while additional text at the bottom indicates that the magazine is published by The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Specific details: The main focus of the image is on the four brick columns. These columns show signs of age and wear, with their reddish-brown color contrasting against the green grass. The columns are set against a backdrop of vibrant green grass, suggesting an outdoor setting. The sky above is clear, with no visible clouds. The text “ALABAMA HERITAGE” appears in bold white letters against a brown background at the top of the cover. Smaller text at the bottom provides publication information, indicating that the magazine is published jointly by The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. The exact text at the bottom reads: ALABAMA HERITAGE PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM

Issue 54, Fall 1999

On the cover: The columns of the Forks of Cypress. [Photograph by Robin McDonald]

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Features

“Cavalry Crossing a Ford”: Walt Whitman’s Alabama Connection

By Betty Barrett

In July of 1864, Walt Whitman was a relatively unknown, under-employed, forty-five year old poet, living in Washington, D.C. With the war on, he supported himself by working part-time copying documents in the army paymaster’s office. He also served as a volunteer nurse to war casualties. His real work, however, was completing his volume of war poetry, Drum-taps, which drew heavily on his experiences caring for the injured and dying. Included in the collection, published in 1865, was “Cavalry Crossing a Ford,” a seven-line poem that is widely considered one of Whitman’s best. In the Fall issue of Alabama Heritage, Betty Barrett reveals intriguing evidence that the cavalry in question were Union troops under the command of Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau, and the ford they crossed was at Ten Islands on the Coosa River in St. Clair County, Alabama. In fact, not only does the poem recreate a scene from Rousseau’s July 1864 raid through Alabama, it relies heavily on the language and imagery of an anonymous war correspondent’s report of the events.

This vintage black and white photograph depicts a person from the waist up. The individual wears formal attire, including a dark coat, a white shirt with a bow tie, and appears to be adjusting the bow tie. They stand in front of a plain, light-colored backdrop, with their left arm resting on an elevated surface—possibly a podium or desk. The overall composition suggests a formal setting or event.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) had published three editions of Leaves of Grass, his major work, before moving to Washington in 1862 to work with war casualties as a volunteer nurse. The Civil War and events surrounding it provided much of the material for Whitman’s volume Drum-Taps (1865), a collection of poetry containing “Cavalry Crossing a Ford.” [Courtesy Library of Congress]
The photograph is sepia-toned, suggesting its vintage nature. The central focus is a large, two-story Victorian-style house. Its architectural features include a gabled roof, ornate trim, and a slightly weathered appearance. A white picket fence surrounds the front yard of the house, adding to its charm. Parked on the street in front of the house is an antique car, evoking an early 20th-century ambiance. Notably, there are no people visible in the image; it emphasizes the historical architecture and transportation.
Millie Teal’s house became an infirmary, which was the forerunner of the current hospital. [Bob Ward and The Huntsville Times]

Historic Huntsville Houses (and We Don’t Mean Homes)

By Bob Ward

When Mollie Teal, a well-known businesswoman, bequeathed her home to the City of Huntsville at her death in 1899, she requested that it be used as a school or a hospital. Why, then, was there a column in Hunstville’s Evening Tribune denouncing the newly-passed Teal as a scourge against the community? Bob Ward details the life of the controversial Ms. Teal in the Fall 1999 issue of Alabama Heritage. It seems that the business behind Teal’s philanthropy was prostitution. In fact, Mollie Teal was the flamboyant madam of a brothel considered to be the largest and finest “sportin’ house” Huntsville ever saw.

Places in Peril: Alabama’s Endangered Historic Landmarks for 1999

By the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Preservation Alliance Endangered Landmarks Committee

Nineteen-ninety-nine marks the sixth year that the Alabama Historical Commission, the Alabama Preservation Alliance, and Alabama Heritage have joined forces to call attention to some of our state’s threatened landmarks. This year we also feature the successful restoration of The Forks of Cypress, near Florence. This year’s roster brings the total number of situations we’ve highlighted to sixty-five. The newest additions include: Old Memphis & Charleston Freight Depot, 1857 (Huntsville); “Chapman’s Quarters” and Griffin Hotel, c. 1920 (Athens); Pinson School, 1921 (Jefferson County); Mount Zion A.M.E. Zion Church, 1899 (Montgomery); Bluff City Inn, 1855 (Eufaula); Pre-1860s Log Houses (Southern Lawrence County); St. Florian Community, 1870s (Lauderdale County); Lower Dexter Avenue and the Old Montgomery Theater (Montgomery); Masonic Hall, 1902 (Mobile); Shipwrecks off the Alabama Coast.

The image showcases a section of an architectural structure, seemingly a building with intricate designs and details. The building features ornate arches and moldings, giving it a classical and elegant appearance. Two American flags are hanging in front of the building, adding a patriotic touch to the scene. The building itself is predominantly white, and its architectural style appears to draw inspiration from classical or neoclassical design. The upper sections of the building are adorned with elaborate arches and decorative moldings, while the lower part is relatively plain. The two American flags, suspended from poles attached to the front of the building, flutter gently in the breeze. Their presence suggests a sense of pride or celebration, perhaps related to a national holiday or event.
Façade of the Central Bank of Alabama, Montgomery. [Alabama Historical Commission]

Departments

The scene features a serene outdoor setting with a large, elegant building in the background. This building, named “WOODWORTH HALL,” exudes classic architectural charm. Its white columns and gabled roof create a timeless appeal. Here are some specific elements captured in the image: WOODWORTH HALL: The stately building stands prominently. Its brick walls and white columns evoke a sense of grandeur. Entrance Sign: Above the entrance, a sign clearly displays the name “WOODWORTH HALL.” Natural Canopy: The building is surrounded by tall, mature trees, forming a natural canopy. Expansive Lawn: In front of WOODWORTH HALL lies a well-maintained lawn, providing open space. Biodiversity: Smaller shrubs and plants dot the foreground, showcasing biodiversity. Sky: The overcast yet bright sky suggests either early morning or late afternoon.
Winsborough Hall [Stillman College]

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

Mammy

By Helen Friedman Blackshear

Mammy grew up on the Taylor plantation in Northport, where she was a slave until her teens, at which time she was emancipated. Her life was difficult, but she made her way all the same, becoming a midwife. When Helen Friedman Blackshear wrote a tribute to Mammy titled Mother was a Rebel, she could not imagine that her story would serve as a catylist to bring Mammy’s scattered descendants together.

The image appears to be a black and white photograph. It features two individuals. The person on the left wears a long-sleeved dress or blouse, while the smaller individual on the right dons a short-sleeved shirt or dress. The smaller person also has flower-like adornments on their head. The overall composition has a vintage feel. Unfortunately, additional details are challenging to discern due to the dark background.
The author, Helen Friedman Blackshear, is pictured here as a child standing next to her beloved Mammy. [Courtesy Helen Friedman Blackshear]

The Nature Journal

The Birmingham Wandering Banana Spider

By L. J. Davenport

Phoneutria fera, the Brazilian wandering spider, often travels to the United States in shipments of tropical fruit. An insectivore, the spider is nonetheless dangerous: it is considered among the most venomous spiders in the world. Its bite can cause respiratory disease and death, particularly in small children. L.J. Davenport describes the habits and travels of this keen-sighted stowaway. 

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