Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-11

Mrs. AUGUSTA EVANS-WiLSoN.
MOBILE. Ala, May 1O.-Mrs. Augustus
Fvans-Wilson. the beloved southern au-
thoress. died suddenly at her home mere
at o'clock. Her death came as ois-
tinct shock to her relatives and has cast
gloom over all Mobile. Mrs. Wilson was
widely known personally In mobile anu
when the announcement of her sudden
death became generally known there
were many expressions of regret. Death
was due to a sudden attack or hearl
failure. ,,,
Arising early this morning Mrs. Will
SON was up and around and apparently
in the best of health, considering her
advanced age. She had retired last nlsho
in excellent spirit. Shortly oeIore y
o'clock Mrs. Wilson was suouenly se a.,
with heart trouble and died almost IN
stantly. The family physician was caileo
but the aged authoress was beyond med
zeal aid. 90, -
At the time of death Mrs. Wilson was
,r the 74th wear of her age, having been
horn at Columbus, Ga, May 8, 1886. her
parents were NJ. r. and s. l.. Evans Oh
that city At the age of IL years she
removed with her parents to San Anto-
nio TEXAS. in 1886 and remained there
for three years. Sixty years ago she
came TO Mobile and had resided In TINS
citv ever since In 1868 her marriage III
this city to Col. L. NJ. Wilson prom
inent business man of Mobile, was an
event that will long be remembered. he
died. in 1891. There we're no children.
Brief Married Life
With her marriage to Col. Wilson she
entered into a new world OF stIlle ST.
out. a world of love shut In. her pr ,,e
married life was one of happiness Inc
death of Mr.. Wilson was a shock TO hel
and from which she never fully recover
ed. 1t was here that Mrs. wilson came
into the home of her idea which was
III. SEVENTY wears ago, located in
crrinobuI avenue, and though since
given over to the strides of commercial.
ism, Is now the ideal of great CITY Oh
people Although the mansion sun STAINS .,
20 nerpetuate the memory of Mrs. VII
son the beautiful grounds have been al
vided into residence lots. 1t was III t,iis
colonial structure OF whUe, go
among magnolias, oaks ana ceoars' MIS-
Wilson did her best work with her pen'
aydearinp herself to the American people
esnaciaIly those of the south, ana cnal-
Iepginp the admiration of the entire
world. .,, ....,a,,ood
II was here that Mrs. Wilson produced
such popular books as 'lnez, tale oL
the Alamo; "Beulah," ''Macarla, 81
Elmo" book of Oriental archltecture
written during the closing OF the crVll
war and probably her greatest work. ana
copyrighted I'm 1866 1t gets Its name from
that village in the shadow OF LooAouI
Mountain, near Chattanooga, and mace
a sensation in the reading world. Among
other notable works were "Vashti, IN
feIice" AT the Mercy of Tiberius, ana
the 'Speckled Bird" Her first book was
.'Inez.'' written in 1885, and her last pro-
duction was "Devota." in 1907.
Fayorite Place for Writing
Her favorite place for writing was in
the large hall which led through the house
10 a long flight of stairs on either side or
the house Corresponding to this hall on
either side was a wide avenue shaded by
majestic trees and fringed by oranges
japan plum trees, figs and other fruit
trees. The house throughout represents
the best type of architecture of the old
south.
After the disposal of her famous resi-
Dental place, Mrs. Wilson took up her
residence at the home of her late broth
err. Howard Evans, $50 Government street,
where death came sudden and unexpected
this morning.
Mrs. Wilson spent the evening time of
her beautiful and eventful life in the re-
tirement and quietness verging on soil
tude She cared to see only her personal
friends, although, in spite of her age she
was in most excellent health, and her
friends say that even a few days before
her death was quite active.
Refused Interviews
In her latter days Mrs. Wilson refused
to be interviewed as to her life and works
by newspaper men, avoiding all publicity
and feeling perhaps somewhat piqued be-
cause of certain criticism and structures
on her last publication, THE Speckled
Bird" Withal this Mrs. Wilson was of
a most happy disposition. In the grand
aim of life this lovely woman kept her
worthy purpose constantly in view and
for its accomplishment every effort was
made day by day and She unconsciously
perhaps, approached the goal of this am
bition.
Prominent Mobilans who knew her. ex-
pressed deep regret over her death. Mrs
Wilson is survived by three sisters, Mrs.
Virginia z. Bragg. of this city; Mrs. J.
/ w. Bush, of Birmingham, and Mrs Leo
( Tarleton, of New York city, besides
many relatives here and in other parts of
! the state and Mississippi.
Body Laid to Rest
The remains. of Mrs Wilson were in
TERED this afternoon in the Evans plot
! I'm Magnolia cemetery. the body beinS
| laid alongside of her mother. who died
in this city many years ago. The services
for the dead was held at the st. Francis
Street Methodist church, with the Rev
w. p. Dickson, Of Selma, Ala, her pastor
| for many years. officiating.
A special program, in charge of Prof
| Charles Dust, was rendered, the selections
being Asleep in Jesus" Lead Kindly
Light" and Nearer, My God to Thee"
The pallbearers were personal friends of
the family. The floral designs were the
most beautiful ever seen in this city