The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-29
cHAIR16EN OF COMMITTEES

We deplore the absence of Chapter re- ports in our issue of this date. We hop ed after September came, the Cnapters would resume their regular meetings ana with this. there would come such an m. fiux of rich material for publication, that we would be embarrassed by cur riches. Surely the Chapters do not realize now interesting 1t is to read what fs being done by our sister Chapters; Wnxs . means of growth it is to the Alabama Division, 0T we would never pass over 2 meeting without having an account or it's proceedings written for publication m It is probable that this department will grow in interest as the season adyances into winter. We continue to urge the i'm portance of sending to Mrs. J. N. Thomp- son. Tuscumbia, all Chapter reports.
 Wilmington. N. C., Sept. 18th. 1901.
 The United Daughters of the Confed- eracy will hold it's eighth Annual Conven- day, November 18th, Bel. 1t Is earnest ly desired that every Chapter shall be represented. and all are therefore urged to send delegates. or: If ,.d this H De imRSsS,- s ter within same State.
 The railroads AEve given the usual Con. Vention rates ~ one and third fares: Delegates must pay full fare coming. and upon presentation of proper certihcates will be entitled to oue-third rates return Ing. These certificates must be obtained. at time of purchase oY ticket at initial point, from railroad agent selling ticket. Without them fun fare must be paid Notify agents in advance. so receipts can be in hand.
 headquarters. and special rate of R per day two or more in room, has been made. Private board can be had at $1 to Mrs R. W. Hicks, Chairman of Bureau of information. 41S South Third Street, Wilmington. N. C.. will cheerfullv furnish information. Delegates desiring to re- serve accommodations should write
 The Corresponding Secretary will also be glad to be of any assistance to any of the delegates or visitors.
 Miss Mary K. Meares, 4oS Market Street, Corresponding See.
 State papers will please copy.
 Southern Literature Before the War.
 The statement has been made iu these columns by an ante bellum woman that the South before the war was deficient in Literature. Allow me to say that the Intellectual work that was accomplished in that epoch, will compare favorably with that of any other people during the same period. Certainly there were two conditions commonly considered of im- portance in literary work-culture and It .sure--culture of the higheSt kind, that of the Classics, which is the most fertil- izlng of intellectual forces; also, a fine, critical ta3te. The general cast of the Southern mind was for politics and 1t was regarded as the science of sciences, the art of arts, the absorbing popular study and 1t drew tn itself the strongest minds and the best genius. The spoken oratiOp and the political debate were the great methods of expression and in them were poured out many an unwritten page of fine philosophy, of classical eloQuence, of genuine poetry. The energy of thought was so large that men were reckless of it's conversation. The earth was irrigat- cd with wine and only here and there vessel was caught up to show the flavor of the vintage" Men whose uttered wis dem and eloquence might have shown on lasting pages are remembered only as prominent politicians. Some busy lawyer like Wilde. would turn aside from his dusty brief to write poem, which was some facile journalist indulging in an humorous sketch "cleaves the general ear'' with laughter; some fine souled wo- man sings a tender song. such literature our Western World it was choice of quail tiy and fine of tone. There were master minds that rose to pre-eminence. Find contemporary with Pinkney's Health" or Poes Raven" There were others. who in prose or in verse, in a short sketch, or in lyric struck a high key, and if numbers are requisite enough of them. to constitute literature. The result of the war left our people in pow ertys clutch, and 1t was "Necessity's 8 sharp pinch" that has created such an army or HOuGTn WTlLeTS, ana their work like Walter Scott's Novels has been done under pressure. This new order of things has stimulated genius to marvellous fecundity as shown in the amount and quality of output
 Southerner.
 We print the following interesting let ter of information concerning the Sur ratt. Atzeroth Paine alias Powell mur- der. which was recently read before the Robert l.. Lee Chapter, and was one number on the SuIIatt program of this Chapter meeting.
 Valdosta. Ga. Dec. 3. 1899 Mrs. T. l.. Kennedy, Literary Director
 Robert F. Lee Chapter. U. D. C.:st Dear Madam-It affords me much pleas ure to comply with your request to fur nish you such information as I have re- gardlng the SuTratt. Atzerott, Paine alias Powell murder. Lewis Powell was a sol dier in a Florida Regiment captured at some time and imprisoned in the "Old CapitOi' at Washington City. Being a | handsome young fellow. he attracted the attention of young lady, who occasion- ally visited the prison and who often left l money in his hands. This being discov- cred by the authorities was at once pro- | hibited. but Love laughs at locksmiths' | the lady was permitted to bring him l loaf of bread in which she artfully in- | serted g gold piece. After awhile this | hne girl managed to carry in a suit of | citizens clothes under her own, which he | put on and accompanied her out of the | prison. He went to board at Mrs. Sur | ratt's house and there formed the ac- f uuaintance of John Wilkes Booth and I