Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Alabama History & Culture News: July 13 edition

 


Here's the latest batch of links to just-published Alabama history and culture articles. Most of these items are from newspapers, with others from magazines and TV and radio station websites. Enjoy!




Historic Elba Chamber of Commerce building destroyed by fire
ELBA, Ala. (WSFA) - An overnight blaze has destroyed the Stinson House in Elba, a historic building that survived floods and a relocation effort over ...

Local band's recent music video gives last look at inside of Outlaw Mansion
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) -- A historic mansion went up in flames late Thursday night in north Mobile County. The home -- known as the "Outlaw Mansion" ...


Carrollton Baptist Church celebrates 175th anniversary
David Nelson of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presented a certificate to the church, as did Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama ..


Pan Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Baileyton, celebrates 75th anniversary
Gerald Glenn with the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presented the church with a certificate, and plaques were on display commemorating


History of the Outlaw House: Historical home catches fire
This article was posted online by WPMI 15 NBC | Mobile. Spot On Alabama collects excepts of news articles from this source and add these in the ' ...


Winfield Main Street renovates 'eyesore' into The Patio
A recent release from the program detailed the history. ... and Historic Places and has obtained a grant from the Alabama Historical Commission.



Auburn mourns death of women's athletics pioneer Jane B. Moore
First coming to Auburn in 1969 after earning her doctorate in physical education from the University of Alabama, Moore made history in 1975 when ...


New book explores murder of Irish priest by KKK in 1920s Alabama
While the book is a historical fiction novel, Killian said that she researched "extensively" over several years. "This is fiction after all, and for a while, I over- ...


The Alabama Filmmakers Co-op, a group of independent filmmakers from ... focused on Bostic's work with Gadsden's historic Sixth Street Cemetery.

Alabama Historical Commission announces 2022 grant program
The Alabama Historical Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, has opened its 2022 Grant Program with funds appropriated by the ...

Birmingham's history captured in postcards from a century ago
A horse race at the Alabama State Fair in October 1906, a view of the old Terminal Station in downtown Birmingham, picketers at a now-defunct mine ...


Buffalo Soldiers holding national convention in Mobile
“Our club represents history, not only African American history, but American history. We honor those African Americans who served in the 9th and ...


Abandoned historic Outlaw mansion goes up in flames
There's breaking news this morning out of the Saraland area, as an historic mansion goes up in flames overnight. Video posted on Facebook by ...


Brianna Jarvis Makes History As First Black Female Drum Major At Auburn University
Jarvis was a music education major at Reeltown High School in Alabama. That was where she first became interested in attending AU, seeing the ...


Effort begins to remove racist language, recompile Alabama Constitution
At today's meeting, Lathram gave some of the history of the document, which was Alabama's sixth state constitution, the first coming at the time of ...

We contacted the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance to find out how to properly clean the graves and take care of them," Davenport said.


Nearly 80 years after perishing at Pearl Harbor, the remains of an Alabama sailor are returning home to be buried. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting ...






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Friday, July 9, 2021

Audie Murphy in Alabama

Audie Murphy [1925-1971] was one of the most decorated U.S. soldiers in World War II. He single-handedly held off a company of German soldiers for an hour, then led a successful counterattack while wounded and out of ammunition. For his heroism he received every combat award possible from the U.S. Army, as well as awards from France and Belgium.

After the war he wrote his autobiography, went to Hollywood and became a movie star during a 21-year acting career, and later a successful businessman. He spoke out publicly about his own symptoms of what was then called "battle fatigue" or "shell shock". He also made appearances such as war monument dedications, which brought him to Alabama. He died in a small plane crash in Virginia and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Murphy came to Montgomery in late July 1968 to speak at the dedication of the Alabama War Memorial, a project of the American Legion. Included were marble monuments, a garden and a building. The newspaper articles below give more details about the event. A few years ago an audio recording of his remarks was discovered. Also below is the text of a resolution from the Alabama House passed after Murphy's death. 

You can read here about efforts to revitalize the neglected Memorial almost fifty years later. As noted below, Murphy made at least two other appearances in Alabama. 

His best known film is probably the 1955 To Hell and Back, based on his 1949 autobiography. Most of his other movies were westerns; I've seen many and enjoyed them. His acting range was pretty limited, but his personal appeal fit the movies he made very well. 




Source: Wikipedia




Alabama War Memorial, Montgomery




Montgomery Advertiser 17 July 1968

Source: Newspapers.com



I clipped most of this article from the Montgomery Advertiser 18 July 1968. The newspaper had other coverage I've not included in this post.

Source: Newspapers.com 



FREEDOM FLIES IN YOUR HEART LIKE AN EAGLE
Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun,
They sit in the corner and wait.
Two souvenirs of the Second World War
That have witnessed the time and the hate.

Mute witness to a time of much trouble
Where kill or be killed was the law.
Were these implements used with high honor?
What was the glory they saw?

Many times I've wanted to ask them...
And now that we're here, all alone,
Relics all three of that long ago war. . .
Where has freedom gone?

Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.
Let it soar with the winds high above
Among the Spirits of soldiers now sleeping.
Guard with care and with love.

I salute my old friends in the corner.
I agree with all they have said . . .
And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,
I'll be free, or by God, I'll be dead!

. . . Audie Murphy, 1968
This is the last known existing poem of Audie Murphy. It was written as part of a speech Murphy gave at the dedication of the Alabama War Memorial at Montgomery, Alabama on July 20, 1968. The poem was later recorded to music in an arrangement written by Scott Turner. It has also found its place on engraved memorials. Without question, it is probably the best known Audie Murphy poem. (Simpson, pp.374-376).

Source: Poems of Audie Murphy




Montgomery Advertiser 20 July 1968

Source: Newspapers.com



This long interview with Murphy was conducted on Saturday, July 20, before his appearance at the dedication banquet that night and published the next day in the Montgomery Advertiser. 

Source: Newspapers.com 





Murphy returned to Alabama over a year later to meet with Gov. Albert Brewer in hopes of getting a state contract for his machinery company. This article appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser 25 September 1969. Note the author, Wayne Greenhaw, who went on to publish a variety of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, etc., before his death in 2011. 



ALABAMA JOINT HOUSE RESOLUTION 35: June 24, 1971
 
Alabama House Joint Resolution 35 Memorializes Audie Murphy and Claims Him as Her Own


WHEREAS, On May 31, 1971, Audie Murphy met an untimely death in an aircraft accident; and

WHEREAS, It is ironic that his death occurred on Memorial Day, a day when America honors its fallen combat heroes; and

WHEREAS, Audie Murphy, the most decorated serviceman in the history of the military of the United States of America was a patriot in the true sense of the word, believing in and living the ideal that freedom and democracy are worth dying for; and


WHEREAS, On other visits to Alabama, Audie Murphy expressed his affection for the State of Alabama saying "On my one-time visit, I fell in love with this State, and its people have shown me great southern hospitality."; andWHEREAS, On July 20, 1968, Audie Murphy delivered the dedicatory address at dedication ceremonies of the Alabama War Memorial and Hall of Honor honoring Alabama fallens sons, and at that time, in referring to this memorial, said: "May it be an inspiration for other states to follow . . . that one day there will be fifty war memorials"; and

WHEREAS, Audie Murphy had consented to participate in the Spirit of America Fourth of July celebration in Decatur, Alabama, to help revitalize the spirit of patriotism in Alabamians, and although his body is enshrined in Arlington, we know his spirit will be with us; and

WHEREAS, Audie Murphy's bravery, courage, devotion to and love of country and concern for his fellowman have been and will continue to be an example for all Americans to follow both in time of war and in time of peace; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature of Alabama wishes to express it profound sadness and sense of loss upon the death of Audie Murphy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of Audie Murphy has sadden the hearts of Alabamians, and that America has lost one of her true patriots.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED RESOLVED, That the Legislature requests that a place of honor be reserved for Audie Murphy in the Hall of Honor at American Legion Headquarters in Montgomery, with a copy of this resolution to be displayed there to show the world Alabama claims him as her own.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED RESOLVED, That the Legislature hereby requests that certain of his personal articles be collected by the Alabama Department of Archives and History there to be kept until duly dedicated to the State of Alabama.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to his widow and two children who reside at 1201 Toluca Road, North Hollywood, California; the President of the United States; and to both Houses of the Congress of the United States.

Approved June 24, 1971
Time: 11:45 A.M.




Murphy played himself in the 1955 film based on his life, To Hell and Back 

Source: Audie Murphy Movies



His autobiography was published in 1949. 



This film was released in 1959. 





A still from Showdown [1963]





Murphy came to Birmingham in 1954 for some reason; here he is at the old Tutwiler Hotel which was demolished in 1974. The photo was taken by Eldred Perry of the Birmingham News. I've yet to determine the purpose of this visit, although perhaps it was related to a release that year of one of his films, Destry. 

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives & History 




Source: Poems of Audie Murphy






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Thursday, July 8, 2021

Alabama History & Culture News: July 8 edition

 


Here's the latest batch of links to just-published Alabama history and culture articles. Most of these items are from newspapers, with others from magazines and TV and radio station websites. Enjoy!



1000 miles in their shoes: Ogden family biking the Underground Railroad
The family's history trip started in Alabama at the historical site of the Mobile Slave Market and ended at Harriet Tubman's grave in New York. Cadman ...


Slave ship Clotilda at 161: State holiday request, tourism push mark critical date for Africatown
The Alabama Historical Commission has been devoted to carrying out their ... The History Museum of Mobile will then need several months to install ...

Veteran prosecutor elected first Black president of Alabama District Attorneys Association
A veteran west Alabama prosecutor made history Wednesday when he was sworn in as the first Black president of the Alabama District Attorneys ...


NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center: A hub for historic and modern-day rocket power
Marshall is located on the grounds of the U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, a city in northern Alabama about 145 miles (233 kilometers) ...

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE: John Patterson holds special place in Alabama political history
Alabama lost its oldest past governor when John Patterson passed away last month. He died on the same land where he was born in rural Tallapoosa ...


graveAlabama
al.com
The site where the great Richard Wayne Penniman, better known as rock & roller supreme Little Richard, is  in Huntsville, . “They've come from ...




Colony residents raising funds for cemetery  marker
Cullman Times Online
COLONY — Colony Cemetery was placed on the state of  Cemetery Register in April and now town residents are spearheading a ...
Alabama's Historic


 Black neighborhood added to National Register for  Places
whnt.com
The  Black neighborhood was developed in the 1950's near Alabama  A&M's campus. “It's just an area that had really interesting ..
historically


.
Joseph Ricci on Twitter: "Stumbled upon RAF  in Montgomery, . Most date between ...graves
twitter.com
Training would be my guess... the USA and Canada trained a large number of British pilots during World War II (particularly the first stages of flight ...



Invisible Histories Project tells stories of LGBTQ life in South
Atlanta Journal Constitution
The IHP had its beginning in Birmingham, , and has since ... said Stephanie M. Chalifoux, an associate professor of  at UWG and ...



'I am an American and an Alabamian': Winston County tried to secede from  160 years ...
WIAT - CBS42.com
The state organized  Secession Conference, set for January ... of Winston: A  of Winston County, ,” one resolution resulted in ...




Alabama NewsCenter
Today, Wooster's  at Oak Hill still draws visitors who want to pay tribute ... and bedding, according to an account in the Encyclopedia of .



Alabama NewsCenter
McCrory lived a varied and interesting life before settling in . ... He is  5 miles south of Aliceville in Old Bethany  at the site of ...



Bledsoe releases fourth book
Valley Times-News
VALLEY — “Rocky Shoals,” the fourth  in Lanny Bledsoe's Shoal ... out with a deadly conflict between River Bluff residents on the  side of ...


The forgotten colony
Gulf Coast News Today
Your  teachers had it wrong. There were in fact 15 ... The West Florida Colony, of which  was part of, was number 14. Never heard of it?



Restoration Project Set to Start at  Selma Church
Alabama News Network
From the West  Newsroom–.  Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma — just broke ground on a $1.3 million dollar restoration project ...
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Friday, July 2, 2021

Judson College, 1838-2021

On May 6 the Judson College Board of Trustees voted to close the venerable women's school; academic operations will end on July 31. The decision followed months of fund raising efforts that were ultimately unsuccessful and declining enrollment for almost two decades. Only 12 students had committed to attending in fall 2021. The school will also file for bankruptcy. Huntingdon College in Montgomery, which was originally a women's school, has offered to accept Judson transfers. 

The ending is a sad one for the Baptist school founded in Marion in 1838 to educate female students. At the time of this announcement, Judson was the only such institution in the state and the fifth oldest women's college in the U.S. The first session opened on January 7, 1839, with nine students; three were male. The number rose to 47 by May. The state legislature granted an incorporation charter on January 9, 1841, and commencement for the first graduating class was held that July. The school was named after Ann Judson, a Baptist missionary. 
Judson had faced financial crises before but always rebounded. The Alabama Baptist Convention considered merging Judson and Howard College during the Great Depression. The school also faced problems during World War II as many women left to join the military or take jobs left open by men who had enlisted. 
One of many questions arising from the closure is what will happen to the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame, located in A. Howard Bean Hall on the campus. The Hall of Fame began inducting significant women in the state's history in 1970.  Bean Hall is a former Carnegie library building. 
You can find more photographs, postcards, catalogs and other materials related to Judson at Alabama Mosaic. The Judson College Legacy Project from 2014 is here. 

Further Reading

 Hamilton, Francis Dew and Elizabeth Crabtree Wells. Daughters of the Dream: Judson College, 1838-1988. Marion, Ala.: Judson College, 1989

Manly, Louise. History of Judson College. Atlanta: Foote & Davis, 1913
[This book is online via Hathi Trust]



Judson College's Jewett Hall, the third building on campus with this name. The first two burned to the ground. 





A photograph of the second Jewett Hall taken in 1889, the year it opened. 

Source: Manly's History of Judson College [1913], as noted above




A 1910 postcard of the second Jewett Hall on the Judson campus, built in 1889 and burned in 1947. 

Source: Ward Hall Postcard Collection, Troy University Library




In 1906 Judson College received $12,500 from the Carnegie Foundation to build this library on campus. This postcard dates from 1920 or earlier. The library eventually moved to another building and this one became Bean Hall housing the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame beginning around 1970.





This postcard announces the school's Diamond Jubilee to be celebrated in May 1913. The card was mailed in February to a young lady in Maine. 

Source: Wade Hall Postcard Collection, Troy University Library





Judson College seal

Source: Wikipedia



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