Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-21
OUR SOCIAL WORLD

V V AU " V OIAAA IT V AOA D
 (An items of social interest will be gladly noted in these columns if sent to Mrs George C. Ball, Nineteenth street, between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South Hlsn- lands Telephone 9SS)
 The story told of the circumstances connected with the marriage and divorce of the late Mrs. Sallie Ward Downs of Louisville and her first husband, T. Bige- low Lawrence of Boston, is sufficiently characteristic of the people of Kentucky at that time to be an interesting and gos- sipy tradition. It seems that this famous southern bellie, Sallie Ward, bright and fascinating to a degree, met young BiSe- low Lawrence, the son of Abbott Law renee, then minister to the court ot St. James. The meeting occurred at New orleans. in the height of the social sea- son, and they were immediately ln1atu- ated with each other. Their marriage was apparently peculiarly appropriate and congenial one and was solemnlzed with great eclat at Louisville. It was one of the most magnificent weddings or the period, and the young couple went at once to the New England home or the groom to reside.
 There the petted and indulged southern girl found her husbands family quiet, sedate people, not in sympathy With her tastes and evidently not approving those diversions which were essential 10 her The mother of MT. Lawrence was an especial trial to the gay, light-hearted girl; her cold, reserved manner was new phase of social etiquette, ana one she was not prepared to submit to. 50 after time Sallie Ward Lawrence re- turned to her Kentucky home, leaving the entire Lawrence family to enjoy them selves according to their own fancles unmolested by any suggestions from the southern bride
 Soon after Mir. Bigleow Lawrence sent to the Louisville Journal an advertise ment, stating he would not be responsi- ble for his wife's debts, as she had de- serted him. This impertlnence was re- sented by the entire city of Louisville, and all the beaux of the town rushed to the newspaper office and insisted that the insult to southern girl should be avehg- ed The legislature was in session at the time, and Hon. George D. Prentlce and another friend secured relays or horses and reached the capitol before the lawmakers adjourned and demanded that divorce be granted Sallie ward Lawrence from a husband who had so grossly insulted her. This was at once done The Kentucky legislature, by rising vote, granted the petition, and di- vorced the young husband and wife, The subsequent life of this notable wo- man was apparently happy and satlsfac- tory.
 
 MT. and Mrs Thomas D. Cobbs of Texas are visiting their parents, Chan cellor and Mrs. Thomas Cobbs, on Eighth avenue. Miss Mary Leigh Broadnax left yes tefday afternoon for brief visit to friends in south Alabama.
 Next Thursday afternoon a beautiful and brilliant bicycle fete will be given by Mrs. Robert H. Pearson and Mrs. J. Morgan Smith at Avondale park. The blcyclers will meet at Capitol park promptly at 6 o'clock in the afternoon, and at 630 the procession will start for the park at Avondale, where delightful refreshments will be served. All bicyelers are cordially invited to meet Thursday afternoon at Capitol park and to take part in the procession It will not be necessary to prepare any especial cos tune, nor to decorate the wheels, though that will be left 10 the taste and fancy of each individual wheelman or wheel woman. The proceeds will be given to a deserving charity, and every citizen of Birmingham Is invited to attend the bi- cycle fete, enjoy the refreshments, greet their friends in the crowd that will be present and witness the novel sight of hundreds of bicyclers in lire.
 Mrs. J. Morgan Smith and Mrs. R. H. Pearson are arranging all the details, which is guarantee of a perfect suc- cess. The tete VIII continue rom O:3U o'clock until midnight.
 Miss Louise Chlsolm and MT. John Chisolm left yesterday for South Caro- lima, where they will spend some time with relatives.
 MT. Tom Trmble of Little Rock spent Sunday in Birmingham with his cousins, Messrs. John and Duncan Trlmble, en route to Annapolis.
 Miss Rena Lawson of Montgomery IS visiting friends at Woodawn.
 Miss Annie Walker. Miss Cornelia Meade and Mrs. Oliver Chalifoux left yesterday afternoon for Shades moun- tain.
 The Montgomery Advertiser of Sunday has this item of interest in it's social col umns:
 Several days ago the following invita- tion appeared MT. and Mrs. Walter Ellis Sistrunk request the. honor of your presence at the marriage of their daugh- ter, Kate, to Dr. Benjamin James Bald win on Wednesday afternoon. July 22, 1896, at o'clock. Tallassee, Ala. Sev- eral hundred cards were issued. but the
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