The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-06
"Llfe of Mis-. Howard weeden."


 Mrs. J. c. McAndrew. President.
 "LIfe of Miss Howard weeden."
 The following paper was read by Mrs. William M. Hundley before N. B. Forrest Chapter U. D. C.. Belle Nina. Ala. Mrs. c. H. Pulley.
 Corresponding Secretary.
 Miss Howard Weeden lived for a number of years on Weeden's Mountain near Huntsville at the old homestead and was very probably born there. since her birth occurred shortly after the death of her father, and he died at that place. "As an artist she belongs to the world and fame will write her story: as a woman she Is all our own. and the memory of her noble life Is the priceless heritage of her friends. Apart from her God-given genius. she was a pearl among women. To all courteous and kindly to her friends loyal and true: fearless to defend them when attacked and hailing with gen. uine pleasure their prosperity and success. The precious ointment of her sympathy was not kept for the dead who are at rest. but was poured out with lavish hand on the bruised and wounded spirits of those still strug- gling in the hard-fought battle of life In her was found the highest express sion of true womanhood, not chafng at the narrowness of her sphere, but striving with unswerving purpose to ennoble, to beautify and to bless the sphere into which she was born. Like Fra. Angelica in life as in art, she sought not to adorn the high places of earth, but was content to glorify a cloistered home and thence illumine the outer world. Of her 1t may truly be said that the world Is better that she has lived. Hers in life was the well learned palm but with the palm of success was ever twined the olive branch of peace. Hers in death, Is that peace which passeth all under standing and which shall keep her soul until the perfect day"
 Her best work of art was considered by herself to be a Madonna which she copied from a very handsome import ed piece from the Italian school, hers being the only copy made from the or iginal. Her lighter work has been thought by many to be superior to the heavy oil paintings her delicate touch being rarely equaled.
 Her studies from life have made for her much reputation and she will be known to fame in the artistic world as the most successful depictor of that type of the negro race which will oc- cupy a favorite and honored place in the history of plantation life of ante bellum days.
 No one has ever put upon paper or canvass such delineation of those sweet old faces of the old time nanny as Miss Weeden has accomplished nor has any artist discovered the art of color, in portraying those features so successfully.
 The first of her valued books came out in 1898 and was given the signifl- cant title Shadows on the WalP' and certainly could the "old fashioned ne- gro of quality" but read of It's con- tents. it would indeed seem to him Sounds from Home."
 The first picture in the book is the bandanna-covered head of Miss Weed ems old nanny. the features are reg uiar, the expression saint-nke. while a halo rests above the head. The pie ture is accompanied by these three stanzas:
 Mother and Nanny.
 Among the ranks of shining saints.
 Disguised in heavenly spfendor, Two mothers faces wait for me,
 Familiar. still and tender.
 One face shines winter than the dawn
 And steadfast as a star;
 None but my mothers face could shine
 So bright-and be so fer.
 
 Brooding still to calm me;
 Black as If ebon rest had found
 Its image is my Nanny.
 feel sure that the Daughters of the Confectionery will be interested in the record of the father of the able historion of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She Is a member of the Mobile Chapter U. D.. C., and as her father lived in Hunts vile at one time we feel that we have a right to be interested in his military career.
 Obituary of Major John Clarke Thompson, of Fernando DeSoto Coun- tv. Miss, of Blythes Battalion, after the reorganization of the army known as the 44th Mississippi Regiment. Fell at Chfckamauga September goth, 1863.
 Copied from Memphis Appeal" of December 7th. 1863.
 Among the gallant slain at Chick amauRa, whom our country is called to mourn, is the honored name of Ma