The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-09
Badham represents a fine old Carolina

MIS- w IldidiHS as d iAcStN'o ioo
accomplished a number of social tri-
umphs in the past 10 years. To bring the
story again to later period, her cotillon
at the Country club the past winter, intro
ducing her sister, Miss Syddie Moore, to
society, was one of the unusually beau
tlful affairs that will stand out against
a background of lesser happenings in the
social picture. This was one of many
splendid affairs that Mr. and Mrs. Hard
ing have given. Their hospitality is pro-
verbal. At Avalon their home in Glen
Iris, they keep perpetual open house. Mrs.
Harding is the eldest daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Sydenham NJ. Moore, former resi-
dents of South Alabama, and both men,
bers of southern families of distinction.
Mr. Harding is a relative of the distin-
guished eastern family of that name.
Their daughter Miss Elizabeth Harding,
young girl just entering her teens,
promises to inherit much of her mothers
regal beauty.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Bramlette Gray's
sen, Henry Gray, Jr,--for they have no
daughters-w be their representative in
society, and with much credit, be it said,
for he is winning laurels at college and
numbers his friends at home by the score.
Mrs. Gray is one of the loveliest women
in society. Her sweetness and womanli-
ness and her loyalty to her friends have
done equally as much toward giving ner
the envia BILE place she occupies as wealth
and family name. She was Bessie Mar
tin, one of three charming sisters-Miss
Florence Martin, a famous belle and
beauty, now Mrs. Buck one of the hand
soonest women in society; Miss Susie
Martin, now deceased, first wife of DR..
Lewis Morris, and herself formerly Miss
Bessie Martin. She is the wife Of one of
the states most prominent men, and its
lieutenant governor. Her brother is Mr.
William Mudd Martin, a popular clubman
and bachelor He bears the name of his
mothers family. Mrs. Gray has been
identified with exclusive society affairs
since her girlhood Her own entertain
ments have always been so splendid that
they would make a large part of social
history of this section. One of the most
interesting was Japanese cotilon, which
vas as picturesque as it was elaborate
Hillman, where the palmroom, ballroom
and drawing rooms suggested some rare
tea garden and wistaria-draped bower of
far Japan. Even the lights were given
cast of Oriental loveliness in their shades,
fa shioned of lanterns and fans. The cos
tunes were, many of them, superb, and
all were picturesque. Mrs. Gray's own
was an importation of rare splendor. One
remembered with special vividness was
worn by Mrs. Robert Redus. whose moth
er, Mrs. Leary, had just returned from
Japan and brought with her this rare
creation of wonderful tints, rich en-
broideres and fabrics of unbeleveably
handsome texture Mrs. Tomlinsons was
also beautiful, and so was that of Mrs.
Scion Jacobs, who was one of the cum
ringest Japs of them all. That same win
ter, by the way, Mr.. and Mrs. Bradley
Saunders gave memorable cotillon, also
at the Hillman. 1t was a domino affair
and quite perfect
If Mrs Gray had been only the first
ch airman of the Charity Ball in Birming-
ham, she would still have done much for
society. 1t has not been long since the
third annual charity ball was given with
splendid success at the Country club,
under the direction of Mrs. Elias Davis
The second. last year, at the Hotel Hill
man, with Mrs. T. G. Bush as chairman,
was also brilliant, beautiful and success
full. The first of these chairmen, the one
to launch the ball as an institution, and
to interest society in its welfare, how
G,.c.t ,I,o i,-t,,o
she made of it one of the most brilliant
affairs ever given here. The Country
club was like a fairyland with Its soft
colored lights. Refreshments were served
on the balconies, and one of the loveliest
features was a May-pole dance on the
lawn. In which the participants were 10
society bellies and beaux. light from
the club was thrown on them as they
presented this snowy and beautiful spec
tacle. The success of the Charity Ball
plan for all future time of course depended
largely upon this event and Mrs. Gray
management of it proved her woman
of splendid ability.
Among the well-known members of that
little circle of early corners was the Bark
err family. who impressed themselves IN
delibly upon the history, social and civic,
of birmingham. A quiet family of gentle
folk. none of its men or women have ever
cared for social prominence. Their home
fife is charming, and gentle, and tactful;
as a family they would grace any as
senbly. Mrs. Walter Moore was Miss
Margaret Barker. A sweet, lovely lady
she is. and her home at Norwood is one
of the most elegant in that locality. Her
daughter, Miss Bessie Moore, who is the
wife of Mr.. John Armistead, is quite
beauty Mrs Moore is essentially home
loving heart. Miss Fannie Barker mar
ried Mr.. Frank Lynch, and her sister,
Miss Jeanette Barker, Mr.. Barlow Eber-
hart An elder sister is the wife of Mr..
Cornelius Hughes. They are all lovely
and are members of that quiet coterie of
gentle. true women who are such neces-
sary factors in the life of the community
Mrs. FELTON, Wimberly, as Miss Mary
Gillespie. represents the Gillespie family
and the owens, both of whom were peo-
rle of importance In Birmingham's in
fancy, and have remained so until the
present time. She Is related as well to the
McAdorys who have always borne an
importanl part in civic history, though
they are quiet folk socially. Mrs. VIM
berly is the elder of DR.. and Mrs John
sharpe Gillespie's two charming daugh-