Issue 59, Winter 2001

The cover of the publication features the title “ALABAMA HERITAGE” in large, white capital letters at the top. The background is dark, possibly black or a deep purple. Below the title, there’s an image of an ornate necklace. The necklace appears to be metallic and intricately designed, with multiple star-shaped pendants hanging from a curved bar. Each star pendant is detailed and reflective. At the bottom of the cover, smaller text reads: “PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM.” The central focus of the image is the detailed necklace. It has a metallic sheen and features star-shaped pendants suspended from a curved bar. The intricate design suggests craftsmanship and attention to detail. The text at the bottom confirms that this publication is affiliated with two universities: “PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM.”

Issue 59, Winter 2001

On the cover:  Inspired by the Halo of the Virgin in Mexico City’s Museo de Arte Religisio, this bib necklace by William Spratling was made in the 1930s and 40s. [From the collection of Phyllis and David Goddard. Photography by John Lewis]

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Features

The image features a vintage bottle and its corresponding packaging box of “LYDIA E. PINKHAM’S VEGETABLE COMPOUND.” The bottle is dark in color and has a white label with black text. The packaging box is ornately designed, featuring intricate details and text. Both the bottle and the box indicate that this compound contains Vitamin B (Thiamin). The backdrop appears aged or antique, adding to the vintage aesthetic. Text on the label: “LYDIA E. PINKHAM’S VEGETABLE COMPOUND WITH VITAMIN B (Thiamin)"
Of all the patent medicines of the late 19th century, none were as well-known and widely distributed as this popular remedy for “female complaint.” [Patent medicines courtesy of Dr. Dennis C. Pappas, Birmingham, Alabama. Photography by Robin McDonald]

Good for Man or Beast: American Patent Medicines from 1865 to 1938

By Michael A. Flannery

In these days of revolutionary advances in both our medicine and in our understanding of the nature of disease, it is easy to forget that less than one hundred years ago, germ theory was in its infancy, the Food and Drug Administration was merely a glint in FDR’s eye, and trips to the doctor were likely to make patients sicker than they were in the first place. On the other hand, we are also in an age when more and more people are turning to alternative medicines, so perhaps the world of patent medicines–and the motivations behind their use generations ago–is not all that difficult for us to fathom.

Demopolis, City of the People

By Stuart Flynn and T. J. Beitelman

Alabama’s Black Belt was once awash in cotton, and every fall the planters who grew it would come to town to do business. In the Black Belt, town often meant Demopolis. Situated at the confluence of the Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers, Demopolis has had a storied history, one that arcs and dips with that of the society and economics of the region around it, and it thrives today, thanks to a committed, unified group of people.

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Setting: The image captures the interior of a spacious, well-lit library or study area. The room features high ceilings painted in a light color, creating an airy and open atmosphere. Large ceiling fans and square-shaped hanging lights provide ample illumination. Furniture and Layout: Long wooden tables are neatly aligned throughout the room, each accompanied by elegant table lamps. Wooden chairs are placed around the tables for seating. Towards the back, there appears to be a counter or desk where people are standing—possibly library staff or patrons. Bookshelves line the sides of the room, filled with books or other materials. The polished wooden flooring enhances the classic aesthetic of the space.
Rehabilitated c.1920 Ulmer Furniture Company building now houses the public library. [Robin McDonald]
The black-and-white photograph captures an individual seated beside a small table. Clad in a dark suit, they appear engaged in conversation or explanation, their hands gesturing expressively. On the table, an ashtray with cigarette butts and matches suggests smoking took place. An elegant lamp provides illumination, and curtains in the background hint at an indoor setting.
William Spratling at Auburn. [Auburn University Archives]

William Spratling

By Wayne Greenhaw

Budd Schulberg, author of the classic novel What Makes Sammy Run? and the screenplay for On the Waterfront, described his friend William Spratling this way: “He was not only My Most Unforgettable Character, buy My Five Most Unforgettable Characters.” He was getting at the multifarious talents and pursuits of a man who spent his formative years in Alabama dealing with the tragic loss of both his parents. Spratling would go on to great success in New Orleans and, ultimately, Mexico, where he single-handedly revived an ancient but struggling industry in the sleepy little village of Taxco. Wayne Greenhaw takes a closer look at the life and times of William Spratling in this issue of Alabama Heritage.

The image appears to be a black and white photograph. Five individuals stand in military-style uniforms. The background reveals part of an aircraft wing, suggesting an aviation context. The monochromatic quality hints at its historical or older origin.
Clockwise from the back row, young pilots Bob Dillon, W. C. Crookham, Garland Cottle, Robert Braddock, and Ray Davis. [Courtesy Bobby Davis]

Missing in Action: The Story of Ray Davis

By Sam Duvall

Ray Davis’ story is like those of thousands of other American boys sent off to fight for democracy and freedom in the greatest war of the twentieth century. Born and raised in a small town–Fort Deposit, Alabama–he quit his job at the railroad in 1943 and volunteered to fly planes over Germany. He fought hard, he fought well, and he paid the ultimate price, going down with his plane in a ball of fire over Stotzheim, Germany just as the war was turning for good in 1944. But members of Davis’ family did not know the truth behind their loved one’s demise until fifty years after the fact. Sam Duvall, in this issue of Alabama Heritage, examines the anguishing process the Davis family went through to find information about their son, who was reported missing in action for over a year before the Army officially declared him dead.

Departments

Recollections

Boom Town 

By Juanita Weems Hinton

Preparing for the growth of Bluffton, developers built The Signal Hotel in the late 1880s. The town never grew as expected, but the hotel remained open, along with the town, as long as mining continued on a small scale. Now there is nothing left of Bluffton, and nothing left of the Signal Hotel. All traces have been erased, though some day they may be discovered again.

The central focus of the image is an old, large wooden house. Its architecture is intricate, featuring multiple stories, balconies, and a tower-like structure on one side. The house appears weathered and somewhat dilapidated, suggesting abandonment or neglect. The sepia tone gives the image a vintage or historical feel. Shadows cast by surrounding trees contribute to an eerie atmosphere. The grass around the house is overgrown, emphasizing its isolation.
Preparing for the growth of Bluffton, developers built The Signal Hotel in the late 1880s. Prospective investors in the enterprise were advised that The Signal was “one of the finest hotels in Northern Alabama, . . . lighted by electricity, and furnished throughout with elegance and comfort. ” [Courtesy Juanita Weems Hinton]

Nature Journal

Trapdoor Spiders

By L. J. Davenport

The ravine trapdoor spider, with its prominent posterior, was discovered by Nicholas Marcellus Hentz in the 1830s. This curious spider has been elusive, and its life-habits have only come to be understood within the past hundred years.

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