The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-26

serept power.
 TKere is less need, even than of space, to warm over this spoiled mess of the past. Common sense and na- tional decency have at last locked arms over both: even as they have over the surrendered verdicts against Mir. Stanton's "suspects." It is best so. in busy. rushing and not always thoughtful age. that still finds time to pause and honor the memories of its great opponents of both sides. To- day the men who most reverence Da- coin, Grant and Farragut; those who fought best and longest under them. look south across the Potomac with candid eyes. not filmed by passion. The duel of the Alabama" and the "Kearsarge" off Cherbourg on June 19. | 1864. was too much discussed to need reminder. Why Semmes sent the den to winslow has never been distinctly cleared up. There is no space Cor need) to revive the discussion here. IL | was gallant fight between nearly equal ships at close quarters. It left the loser with "ali lost. save honor" | The captain returned to Richmond and was given command of the James river squadron, with rank of rear ad- l miral. At the surrender of the city, he blew up his ships and formed his men into naval brigade. joined John- ston at Greensboro. and was surren- dered with that remnant army on April 26. 1865.
 Settled in Mobile.
 Then he moved to Mobile, practiced law with his son 1now judge) and was elected probate judge. but not allowed to serve. His disabilities had not been removed and never were. He died at Montrose. at his ."over-the-bay" resi- dence. on August s0.1S77. mourned and admired by his people. His statue | now greets passersby on Mobiles busiest thoroughfares. standing near the sea he so long loved and domi- | mated.
 In 1897, Lieutenant Raphael Semmes married Miss Annie Elizabeth Spencer of Cincinnati, whose father was an early pioneer in Ohio and one of the founders of It's "River Queen" city. The Spencer family was an historic one; Mrs. Semmes sire having been captured by hostile Indians and held as a hostage for over two years. Only the 1 personal exertions or General George Washington who was his intimate friend, finally secured Spencer's re- lease. So the Semmes couple have triple claim to consideration of the whole nation; having been Colonial Revolutionary and indubitably rebel" by descent.
 This marriage resulted in a family of three sons and three daughters: all | still living and each noted for some thing personally done Spencer S., the eldest, Is the father of 6 family of twelve, having married the daughter of General Paul Semmes. af Gettysburg fame. The next brother. Oliver Joseph. was a gallant and useful artillery of 1 fcer through the war: and. while his fathers law partner. thirty years ago, was elected judge of Mobiles criminal | court So cleanly and well has he worn | the ermine that no man in his county | would dare essay its wrestling from l him. He married Amante Gaines, daughter of Dr. Edmund Pendleton Gaines. Her death left him a daughter and two sons married and making him several grandfa thers." Raphael | Semmes, youngest brother. was still a youth at the wars end He Is physi- | cally a replica of his great sire: an sn. | gineer and in electric railroad. He married Miss Marion Adams and with their family Of i've children, now re- side in Montgomery.
 Women of the Family. All the women of the Semmes blood seem to have been gifted and attrac- tive ones; and the admrial's three daughters are marked proofs of the rule. Just in their teens when the | war began. they were reared socially | in it's whirl and educating events. The mental vigor and character strength of both sparents seem, to have concerted in sall sorts and, conditions of men" int smoother texture. The admiral's wife chose Mobile as the family's war home; {; probably former residents and also heirs from its being considered the most impregnable port, and largely as the one into which the flying terror of Northern commerce might possibly make sudden dash at any time. Tne household in the Gulf City was one Of It's most sought; and many ot the ola ties then formed are still ot green and vigorous life. The eldest sister, EIec- tra, was the only one really old enough even to peep into society: but her sis- ters while not out" enjoyed every thing to the full. with none of the pen- alties inflicted on more mature hel!e- hood.
 The eldest. just ere the war closed. married Mr. Pendleton Colston. Of Maryland. a young naval man under Admiral sBuchanan's command. He died while their two aboys-Pendleon and Semmes Colston-1werS still in pima forces; and to their rearing and educa- tion the brilliant young widow dedi- cated her life. She had been-as all
 
 in many branches by her father: and she took to teaching with natural apti- tude. Almost ever since the peace, she has been prominent in Mobiles school system, and for many years has been at the head of It's female departures
 Cultured. a Anguish and an omnivers bous reader. who assimilates mental food, Mrs. Colston is a noted and de- lightful conversationalist. She has been broadened by travel and her in- born tact makes her fit into any niche offered by occasion. She is a tirelass and conscientious professional worker: with and for her friends as well as for the public. She had been the president of the Mobile U. D. C.. of the Memorial Association the Shakespeare Club and Colonial dame. She is always wanted and. usually goes; and withal retains her physical. no less than her mental elasticity.
 The younger sister. Anna Elizabeth Semmes, is now one of the most noted women of Tennessee. When quite young she married MT. Charles B. Bryan of Memphis. now one of its leading citi- zens and lawyers. She has her sis ter's knack of knowing what to do and how to do it; all the three having found that in the training at their fathers knee. She is popular woman In society, but is worker as we'll. Her work In all woman's organizations has been well directed and telling. and it's governors have several times made her commissioner and representative of Tennessee. notably at the Jamestown exposition. Chere are three Bryan children, all married and all notable In Memphis socially.
 Catherine Middleton Semmes, the