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New Serial, “ETAc BLAZED TRAIL,” By Stewart Edward White, Begins May 9. See 2d Pag
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I Origin of South's Hallowed Memorial Day
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VTrii.cn 'or TTAo Sonny "c>*i'Tn
F1TRTY years ago there was
laid to rest under the ce
dars and flowers of Un
wood cemetery, in Colum
bus. Ga.. all that waa
mortal of a woman to
whom tlhe entire southland
owes an everlasting; debt
of gratitude. It was Mrs.
Lizzie Rutherford EJIIis,
In whose patriotic heart
sprang the thought of the
southern Memorial day,
the Sabbath of the south.
As tr.ie result of a custom which origi
nated at her suggestion in Columbus
just one year alter the conclusion of the
war. the entire southland now sets apart
one day of each year in which to pub
licly and appropriately honor the mem-
on- of the men who gave their all to
<Jhe cause of the confederacy. T'pon the
graves of the dead heroes are placed
the choicest flowers of the new'-born
spring—the first offerings of the season.
Upon the suggestion of Mrs. Lizzie
Rutherford Ellis At that time Miss Liz
zie Rutherford!, the 26th of April. t'he
anniversary of the surrender of General
Joseph E. Johnson, was chosen as the
date for the first memorial service by
the Ladies' Memorial Association of Co
lumbus. which is the moliher of all south
ern memorial associations. An order of
exercises was arranged, and the first
confederate memorial service in the
south, following the close of the war.
was held in the old St. Luke Methodist
Episcopal church in that city. The ad
dress was delivered by Colonel James
M. Ramsey.
The suggestion of Miss Rutherford of
a general southern memorial day was
given wide publicity and popularity by
a beautiful letter written by Mrs. Charles
.1. Williams, secretary of the Columbus
Memorial Association. As Miss Anna
Caroline Benni.g. president of Lizzie
Rutherford chapter. United Daughters
of thi Confederacy, so beautifull. says
in a preface to a history of Memorial
day. published by Lizzie Rutherford
chapter: "The eloquent pen of the sec
retary of the memorial association in
spired the press and touched the hearts
of the people. Like the hope that spread
over the earth on the morning of the
resurrection, so the soft light of the sen
timent shone over Dixie (andd when April
came, love wreathed her roses where the
soldiers sleep. The north looked on.
thought the custom good, took It to her
self and has hallowed it. as she does her
Thanksgiving obligation. April was too
early for her flowers, hence she set apart
May So. In the southwest the 2<5tlh of
April finds Flora past her bloom, so in
that section the day is earlier. Tear by
year. the procession of spring, marching
up from the gulf halts at every moun
tain side and mead to salute the dead
soldier with flowers. That future gener
ations may know the truth as to the
origin of this beautiful custom, this vol
ume, under the auspices of this chapter
of the United Daughters of the Confed
eracy. is given to the world."
The Ladies’ Memorial Association of
Columbus. Ga., was organized in the
spring of 1866, at the home of Mrs. John
Grave of Mrs. Lizzie Rutherford Ellis, originator of the Conf3derate Memorial Day.
In Llnwood cemetery. Columbus. Ga. on the stone are words crediting her
with the origin of this sublime custom.
Former residence of Mrs. John Tyler. Columbus. Ga.. wheic the Ladies' Memo
rial Association of Columbus, tbe first Confederate Memorial Association
in the south, was organized in the spring of 1866.
Tvler. at tne corner of Fourth avenue
and Fourteenth street. This residence is
still standing, and is a spot of great his
torical interest in Columbus. At this
meeting the following officers were elect
ed: Mrs. Robert Carter, president: Mrs.
Robert A. Ware, vice president; Mrs. J.
M. McAllister, second vice president;
Mr?. -\I. A. Patten, treasurer, and Mrs.
Charles J. Williams, secretary.
The Ladles' Memorial Association was
Lie successor of- the Soldiers’ Aid Society
of Columbus. The parent organization
did most noble work, and it was titling,
indeed, that at its dissolution at the
close of the war the brave-hearted wom
en who composed it should be the ones
who should organize for the equally
beautiful work of keeping green the
graves of those Who fought in defense
of the southland. The work of the Sol
diers’ Aid Society of Columbus is of pe
culiar interest to southern people, since
it was from the ashes of this society
that the Ladies’ Memorial Association of
that city, phenixlike, arose. Of this
work Miss Anna Caroline Benning beau
tifully wrote in the preface to the offi
cial history of -memorial day:
"The land of these women was neither
n food-producing nor a manufacturing
one, yet through their pious ministrations
and sacrificing devotion, the hungry sol
diers were fed and the destitute were
clothed, Ihough aged loved ones and
helpless, innocent children were often left
in need. At first the sick and wounded
were cared for in the families of tic
members. As these multiplied, hosp’t-.-^^
were established and supported. a >j v0 ^
ladies nursed the sick, fed the h;:>uh!T-i
and buried the aead. Day nv u«..- fT.'L
grew worse, food and clothing scarce and
scarcer grew. Gei*eral Sherman was
making his march through tbe south
land to the sea. leaving behind a desert
of ashes. With homes devastated, hearts
broken, hopes gone, fathers, husbands,
brothers, sons and lovers killed, these
patriotic women, with lips compressed,
forced back their tears, gave away the
bread they needed, wrote letters to dis
tant and sorrowing soldier mothers, sent
locks of hail- to far-away sweethearts of
those whose dying hours they soothed,
and with all this gave direction to the
practical affairs of their home life in
absence of husband and father. Bear
ing alike the burden of woman's devo
tion and man’s-care, they wrecked their
health and died for their country. The
last battle of the civil war. east of the
Mississippi river, was fought on the Ala
bama heights overlooking Columbus, Ga.,
on the night of April 16, 1S63. The city
was assaulted, and, after it fell, was
sacked and burned. When the smoke of
battle cleared away, where do we find
these devoted women? Where were Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary after the
crucifixion? At the sepulcher with sweet
spices. So these women come to the
soldiers' graves with choice plants and
bright flowers. One day. after a group of
hem had been occupied in this loving
' ’ vi’.-e, one suggested the adoption and
<!''■) on of a day, and of each recurring
ii: ( ; p a to, the decorrU" o’’ tV •«.-.! •
diers^gn: *\il were, pleaded wph' the"
though!, and at the next meeting of the
Soldiers’ Aid Society it was acted upon
so quickly that it seemed a simultaneous
throb from the heart of each. Tne sol
diers’ Aid Society became the Ladies’ Me
morial Association.”
CONTROVERSY OVER
DAY’S ORIGIN.
For many years there was a controver
sy as to who originated the idea of
Memorial day. it was generally conceded
that the custom had its origin at Co
lumbus, Ga., but there was some con
fusion as to what particular member o*
the old Soldiers’ Aid Society made the
suggestion which led to the adoption of
the custom. Two persons were credited
with the suggestion-—Mrs. Lizzie iTut-feer-
ford Ellis and Mrs. Charles J. Williams.
Mrs. Williams, as the first secretary of
the Ladies’ Memorial Association, wrote
the beautiful and touching letter which
bad so much to do with the general adop
tion of the custom throughout the south.
Five year? ago the Lillies’ Memorial As
sociation, and Lizzie Rutherford chap-
t< r. Daughters of the Confederacy, at Co
lumbus. saw the great importance of as
certaining the truth, determining who
should have the credit of originating the
idea, and publishing it to the world. Up
to that tim. no official statement had
been made by the Ladies’ Memorial Asso
ciation of Columbus as to the origin of
(he custom -at least, no p»--tI--V.v p
.-(•o had beer named as the suggestor of
the idea. Among the numbers of the
association. Mrs. Lizzie Rutherford Ellis,
was generally spoken of as the origina
tor of the custom. Avery’s History of
Georgia gives Mrs. Charles J. Williams
l lie credit of having originated the idea.
In settling the controversy the Ladies’
Memorial Association decided to proceed
in the simplest and most direct way;
they procured affidavits from the surviv
ing members? of the original Ladies’ Me
morial Association as to their recollec
tion of the manner in wnieh the custom
originated. In their official history of
Memorial day, subsequently published,
they say:
"The history of Memorial day has be
come a prominent feature of the history
of the south, and before all shall have
passed away of the little band who or
ganized it we have endeavored to get
the facts before they became tradition.
The affidavits of Mrs. William G. Wool-
folk. Mrs. C. M. Dexter and Mrs. Jane
E. Ware Martin have been obtained and
are hereto attached, and from them and
a copy of an original letter of Mrs. Mary
Ann Williams, and a letter from Mrs.
Mary R. Jones, we learn that in Jan
uary, 1666, Mrs. Jane Martin was visit-
fng Columbus. Ono afternoon Miss Lizzie
Rutherford called and asked her to ac
company her to the cemetery, now Lin-
wood cemetery, to join some other la
dles in looking after the graves o? the
soldiers who had died in Columbus hos
pitals and been burled under the direc
tion of the Aid Society; that they went
and assisted the ladies, and, returning to
Columbus alone, were discussing the
work they had been doing. Miss Lizzie
Rutherford remarked that she had been
reauTng the Initials’ (by the Baroness
Tautphceu8. and. containing a chapter
describing the custom of Roman Cath
olics in decorating the graves of the
dead on All Saints’ day), and thought
the idea of setting apart a special day
for decorating the graves such a beauti
ful one that It occurred to her it would
be a good, idea for the Aid Society to
organize as a society for the purpose
of adopting a custom of this kind and
set apart a particular day l'or decorat
ing and caring for the soldiers’ graves.
Meeting Mrs. John A. Jones. Mrs. Mar
lin suggested to Miss Rutherford to speak
to her about it, as she was a member
of the Aid Society, which she did. Mrs.
Jones concurred with her, and suggested
that she speak to Mrs. Robert Carter,
president of ilie Aid Society. Miss Ruth
erford stated- that as secretary of the
Aid Society she had to call a meeting
for the purpose of disposing of certain
personal property belonging to the so
ciety, and thought that It would be the
best time to bring the matter up. The
meeting was subsequently called, and
was held at Mrs. John Tyler’s (now cor
ner Fourth avenue and fourteenth
street, in this city). The ladies present
were Mrs. Robert Carter, Mrs. R. A.
Ware. Mrs. William G. Woolfolk. Mrs.
Clara. M. Dexter, Mrs. J. M. McAllister
and Mrs. Charles J. Williams. Miss Liz
zie Rutherford was not present at t’ne
meeting, as she was suddenly called to
Montgomery to the bedside of a dying
relative. Her resolution was offered t •
one of her friends and * unanimously
adopted, and Hie Ladies’ Memorial A.--
no. . . • •—» organized.
•‘Mo day was determined on at the
meeting, but. after Miss Lizzie Ruther
ford returned to Columbus, when she end
other members of the society were work
ing at the cemetery and discussing the
best day. she suggested April 26, which
was adopted, and Mrs. Williams, as so.
retary (of the Ladies’ Memorial Associa
tion) was requested to write to tlie -
ferent societies throughout the south
asking them to unite in making it a
universal custom. Her beautiful lett r
speaks for itself. How well the work
was done has been attested each voar.
We hope that every southern woman
will teach the young of the south no.-
only to reverence the memory of the
soldiers who died for us. but we espe
cially beg the women of Columbus to
instill in the hearts of (heir children
reverence for the soldiers and reverence
for the women of the memorial associa
tion who inaugurated this beautiful cus
tom."
The “History of the Origin of Memo
rial Day." in which the above statement
COMTiMUEEToN LA5T PAGE.
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! &f>e Coloners Story and Jessica’s
By Thomas W. Ragan t
Special Mention Story In Sunny South Short Story Contest
N a gentle eminence over
looking the fine old town
of Talladega. Ala., front
ed by a beautiful and ex
tensive lawn. and sur
rounded with every ap
pointment that is calculat
ed to delight the eye and
please the taste. stands
the home of Colonel Pryor,
for many year* the town's
leading merchant.
One fine morning in the
year 1ft... Coionel Pryor,
upon whose face and form were stamped
the sure signs of encroaching age and
f-oi)qo,ies?. but whose bearing was still
erect and frond in spite of bis seventy-
five years, might have been soon, through
the open window of his library, pacing
to and ffro in the room with quick,
nervous stops, bis working countenance
denoting tne act that he was struggling
with emotions almost too powerful for
resistance, while his glance turned toward
tl.e gate as if In search of some on**
whose coming he was impatiently await-
Perched on/ the top rail of the lawn
gate which opened out onto the pike,
was i .being of marvelous proportions^
or rather disproportions, of body, and
fully as remarkable features of face. A
massive head sat upon the shoulders
of a giant: and beneath tills massivity
appeared waist and limbs so slender as
to ex -jte a doubt as to theJr ability to
fulfill the duties for which they were
designed. The eyes were small but ex
ceedingly bright and keen: the mouth
and ears enormously large, and th/e
cheeks bo fat as to make the lower
line of the face entirely unworthy the
appellation of chin.
Such was “Puffy,” whose real name and
antecedents were unknown quantities,
i Vdonel Pryor had found him wandering
on the streets, had brought him to Ins
• wn home and supplied him with food
and clothes. From that moment Puffy
had been a fixture in the colonel's home,
a remarkable mixture of ugliness, mis
chief and shrewdness, with a special
fondness for cigarettes and a special dis
like for education. And now as he sat
on the gate:
"I say. Dandy.” and the dog who sat
on. the ground beneath his master's peich
watching his actions out of a counte
nance not wholly unlike the one above
him. turned his head to one side in token
of his attention. "T guess that's the Saw
yer er coinin’, so yer must be on yer
digliert.v. reddy ter take advice Instill
er givitf it." and the boy proceeded to
roll a. cirgarette with a gravity and im
pressiveness of mannor that would have
done credit to a judge delivering a
weighty charge. Dandy appeared to fee:
the significance J the remark that had
been addressed to him. for his attitude
became more rigid and bis countenance
more, solemn, as a buggy, driven by a
young man. rapidly approached the. gate.
Bringing his Imrse to a stop, the young
man. not without a smile of genuine
amusement, said: "Is this where Colonel
Pryor lives?”
Puff deliberately removed the cigarette
from between hi* lips, emitted a great
cloud of smoke from mouth and nostrils,
and then regarding the new arrival close
ly f.»r a moment, -a? if considering his
fitness for receiving so important a bit
of information, be replied: “It is.”
"I should like to see him,” said tlie
gentleman, "and if you will lie so kind
as to admit me 1 will drive up to tite
house at once.”
Another long draw at the white roll,
another long, deep Inhalation, and then
Puffy, without changing ills position the
least bit, said: “All rite, mister: as I
take yer ter be the lawyer what the kur-
nel sont fur, you’ll git in at the proper
time; but we wants ter go slow, an’ art
’cordin' ter the ’portance uv the erca-
shun.”
■•I? tfie colonel, then, seriously sick?”
I* t v • v • v t # *’* • v • v • *1* • e
inquired the young man in tones of sin
cere alarm.
“Mo, he's not serously sick, but sc-
rously mad.” replied Puffy.
“If that is the case, perhaps 1 had bet
ter not go up to the house just yet,”
laughingly remarked tlie gentleman.
"Oh. lie’s not mad at you. I guess,”
said Puffy.
"Well, if you will let me in T will drive
up and see him a moment anyway," said
tlie occupant of the buggy..
Puffy slowly descended from hi? perch,
opened the gate, and without Invitation
or permission climbed into the buggy
and gravely sea lei] himself beside tlie
young gentleman.
“Now. drive slow," he said, "an' I'll
tell yer sum tilings what yer ought ter
know afore yer git up Utar.” and taking
it for granted that his listener was will
ing to hear what he had to say, proceed
ed: - Yer see. (lie Vureel's warurd or
Sunil bin’ live? with him. and he sets
grate store by her an' means ter b ve lier
at! he's got. which is a whul lot. t tell
yer. Well, erboul free months ergo she
went up in Ferginny soiners on a visit
to another gal what she lied knowed a L
skule. an' this mornin' the kernel got a.
letter frum her what sod she herl fell
in lev with er Plier up thar. an that
she wanted the kernel to meet him an'
like him: an' she sont the kurno! tin'
feller's kard, an’ when he looked at the
kard he swore an’ groned an' tuk on so
wc tho't ho wuz cr goin' ter hrv a tit. an'
we sont fur the doctor, an' when lie cum
the kernel sed that It wuz not his doc
tor but his lawyer that he wanted; an"
so he sont the doctor back ter tell the
lawyer ter cum up rite away, as he want
ed ter change his will an' disherit or
somethin’ the thankless gurl.”
At that the young man, who had lis
tened to Puffy's recital with growing
interest and seriousness, clutched the
lines so convulsively that the horse came
to a full stop and for an instant the
driver's inclination seemed to he to turn
’-•-’-a e o o a -
him about and cause him to retrace his
steps. f
"Thar's the kurnel on ther porch er
waitin' fer us." said Puffy, and the an
imal was urged forward, and a moment
later the buggy drew* up at the piazza.
Giving the lines into the boy's keeping,
tlie young gentleman sprang out, abscond
ed the piazza steps and approached the
colonel.
"tVilonc? Pryor. 1 presume.'” lie said.
“Weston is my name. sir. i am stopping
for a few days with my aunt. Mrs. Judge
"Watson, (if your town. When tlie doctor
came by a little tvhilo ago to say that
yon wished to see the judge at once, my
uncle. I am sorry to say, had just left
bn* Montgomery to be gone several" days.
My aunt suggested that I drive up and
explain the situation to you. .Allow* me
to add that as I have the honor to be
long to. the legal fraternity, 1 would be
glad to have you consider my services
at your command during the judge's ab
sence."
“Pome hi. sir." said the colonel and led
the way Into the library. "I am, truly
sorry tli.it. Judge Watson is away." he
sa.id after they were seated. "He lias,
for many years, been niv most, intimate,
friend, as well as my legal adviser, end
nothing less than reasons of a. most im
perative nature would impel me to take
taiiy action with reference to my business
affairs without his advice. But as I have
a matter in hand which demands imme
diate attention." and his voice broke
painfully. "5 shall avail myself of your
kind offer, taking your face and your
relationship to Mrs. AVatson as your
credentials In the premises."
"I trust that you will find me not un
worthy of your confidence, sir,” said the
young man in a low voice, and there was
a perceptible flush on his fine face. And
then. “IIow can I serve you. colonel?”
“Five years ago,” replied the colonel,
ns he laid a paper on the table before
them. “I made this will, in which my en
tire property is left to my ward, Alice
•»v»v*v»vtv*v»4*v#v»4»T»v#v#v*'
/McMillan; now. however. J wish a new
will made, leaving my estate without
reservation to the trustees of the church
of which I am a member for the pur
pose of building and maintains a hos
pital.” and no one who could have heard
the colonel's voice, seen his face,
deathlike in its pallor, as lie uttered those
words would have doubted that the state
ment had cost him unspeakable agony.
"Pardon me. Colonel Pryor.” and the
young man's voice war as emotionaless
and business-like as could be, "for the
seemingly unw*arranted liberty T take,
but. may i ask what lias caused this
change in your intentions?'
Colonel Pryor arose front his seat and
glared at tlie young man as though un
able to credit. Ills ears as having heard
aright. He seemed on the point of re
senting tlie question as involving an un
pardonable interference; and then, as if
thinking better of it. he took two or
three hasty turns in the room, stood at
tlie window gazing out. a moment, re
sumed bis seat, and bowing hi? white
head on tlie table before him. great sobs
broke from his quivering lips evincing
bow exceeding painful was the ordeal
through which he was passing. Present
ly composing himself, lie raised his bead
and s;ijd:
"Voting man, my first impulse when
>dii asked me that question was to order
you freni the room; now. however,
through an incomprehensible reversal of
sentiment l feel disposed to make a
confidant of you and toil you that of
which I h-ari thought never to speak to
any human being. 1 am but a weak old
man, sir. and there are times when the
heart hungers for that sympathy which
.only a human soul can supply. Today
T feel That hunger as never before.”
To say that the young man was pro
foundly impressed with the situation
is but to faintly express his real feelings
and be. too. in countenance and manner,
showed the signs of no inconsiderable
agitation; but composing himself, he said:
"You have my sincere sympathy, Colo
nel Pryor."
"T believe you. sir. and thank you."
returned the colonel. "And now if you
have the time and patience to listen to an
old man's story. I shall open my heart
to you as I have heretofore opened it
only to my God. My father was one of
the largest land and slave owners in
the state of A'irginia. Being an only
child, 1 was surrounded with every
happy condition that money could buy
er parental love devise. But fvom child
hood I was of a peculiar temperament,
caring nothing for the association of
idler childiTh or young people, but choos
ing rather, when not in my room reading
or riding about the farm with my father,
to spend my time in /ambling a/ime
through the great fores! or in lying lac-
side the streams watching th” shadows
come and go on the rippling waves.
When sixteen years of age 1 was sent
away to college and for six years was
at home only for the holidays and dur
ing vacations. My mother, the only wom
an for whom I had up to that time en
tertained the slightest feeling of affec
tion. died si week after my graduation,
and for a while after tbni my disposition
was to be. if possible, more reserved
than ever in habit and association. Late
in the summer, however, a? I was out
riding one afternoon. I was suddenly
startled by hearing screams sonic dis
tance ahead of me and directly observed
a liorse coming toward me at a terrific
pace, the light buggy to which lie was
hitched swaying and bounding from side
to side of the road in a fearful manner.
At first I thought the vehicle empty,
but on its nearer approach 1 /.'as horri
fied to see a little girl clinging to the
seat in mortal terror. I sprang from
my horse, and throwing myself in front
of the frightened beast I managed to
grasp the bridle, and after a desperate
struggle, bring him to a halt. Tying
CONTINUED ON 1 nAST P.VL
III
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