The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-20
PORTRAIT OF DR. CURRY
HANDSOME PICTURE PLACED IN
 STATES GALLERY.
Donated by Mrs. John Kerr Connnlly, . Niece of Mrs. Curry--valuabIe Acquisition to Depart-
 ment.

A handsome life sized oil painting of Dr. J. L. M. Curry has been added to the growing gallery of distinguished Aiabamians in the Department of Ar chives and History.
 The portrait Is speaking Hkkeness of the distinguished educator and public man. It was painted by c. A. Worrail. a leading artist of Washington. The por- trait represents Dr. Curry as he was about the year 1890 when he was in the full vigor of manhood. Not only is the portrait an excellent piece of art but it is enclosed in perhaps the handsomest frame Of any of the many pictures in the Capitol.
 The portrait was forwarded to Direc- tor Owen by Congressman Sydney J. Bowie. It came from Mrs. John Kerr ConnalIy, niece of Mrs. Curry, who carried out the wishes of her aunt in donating 1t to the Department of His tory of Alabama. Mrs. Curry, 1t will be recalled. followed her husband to the grave within a few months of his death.
 The receipt of the portrait Is of spe- cial interest at this time because of the action of the recent Legislature in desig- mating Dr.. Curry as one of the two prominent citizens of the State who should be honored with . statute in the Hall of Statuary at Washington.
 The letter of Congressman Bowie ir transmitting the portrait was as fol lows:
 "Anniston, Ala, May il. 1904 Hon. Thos. M Owen. Montgomery. Ala;
 My Dear Mir owen-On the 18th oi this month, Mrs. Connally will have shipped 10 you, as gift to the people of Alabama, a portrait of Hon. J. L. M. Curry. that was left for that purpose by his wife, Mary W. Curry. I have been requested to present 1t to you for the State, in the name of his wife. The most active years of his life were spent in this State. and to the day Of his death it enlisted his deepest affections. Having lived long life of singular use fulness to the State of his adoption. and to the entire South, feel that no gift would be more appropriate than this.
 with best wishes, I remain,
 Sincerely yours.
 Sydney !. Bowie"
 The death of pr. Curry occurred on February F. 1908. at Ashevtlle, N. C.. where he was sotourning for his health. Ills body was inferred at Richmond. Va, where he had lived for many years prior to his removal to Washington City, his home at the time of his death.
 pr. Curry was born in Lincoln County Ca, June B. 1925, of distinguished Revo- iutionary ancestry. In 1887 he came with his father to Talladega County. Ala, where he was reared. where he entered upon his long and useful career, and ir consequence of which he always regard. ed Alabama as his home State. He was graduate of the University of Georgia, and of the Harvard law school. He served in khe Mexican war and was successiveiy member of the Alabama Legislature, presidential cleo tor, a member of the United States Con | Rress. a member of the Confederate Con rress. a lieutenant colonel of cavalry 1T the Confederate army, a Baptist minis l ter, an educator, a diplomatist and ar author.
 In 1881 he became the general agen of the Peabody fund, position he heit until his death, excepting the years o his residence abroad as representative II Spain, lss5-iss8 It was while in this sta ton that he arranged the preitminar, steps for the quadri-centenniai of tn discovery of America, and he was als' of much assistance to students In pro | curing access to documents and ar | chfves, In ie02 he again returned t' Spaln as special envoy at the corona | ton of the young Spanish king. Dr. Curry's work as agent or tn' | Peabody and Slater runos lpeinB chosei to the management of the latter in lSsa was notable. He stood for educationa l advancement in it's higher. fuller ant l broader aspects, and in this ministry h. continued persistently as long as h 1 lived.
 pr. Curry was prolific writer, ant possessed 6 versatile genius. His worl | to 1891 listed in Owens autobiography o l Alabama" in the Report of the Ameri | can Historical Association for lSs7, em | braces six pages. He manifested at al l times the keenest interest in history ant historical effort. and his example an' l sympathy were always helpful. He par ticipated in the preliminary conference | and was present at the organization Q ! the Southern History Association il | Washington city, April "A, 1896. He wa chosen to be the first vice-president 1 the organization. and on the death Q Nhe first president, Dr. William l.. VII | aon. he was elected his successor. It was in his library at Washington | that the first meeting of the administra | tive council of the new Association wa 1 held. In his death good citizenship, tn' | forces of education, historical enterpris | ana all forms of philanthropy lost | friend. a sympathizer. and a co-laoorer TAAA