The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-22
HELM REUNION
HELD LAST NIGHT
Sons Give Banquet in Honor of
Father
NOW 80 YEARS OF AGE
Large Number of the Friends of the
Family Gathered at the Hotel Hill
mnn to Pay Homage to the
Prominent Guest of Honor
NOW SO YEARS OF AGE

The Helm banquet at the Hotel Hill
man last night was a distinctly happy
affair. For many years past the Hef-
lin boys as they are popularity called,
have invited a number of their friends
to join them In celebrating the BIRTH
day anniversary of their father, DR..
Wilson l.. HeflIn, greatly esteemed
citizen of Randolph county, and for
a long time practicing physician.
These reunions have become notable in
the social life of Alabama; and as
each recurring banquet is held here.
the reunion may well be regarded as an
institution of Birming am
DIR. Helm Is now so years of age.
He came with his fathers family to
Alabama when 7 years of age and for
rs years has lived in Randolph. His
wife died many years ago.
DR.. Heflin's sons are eight, name
ly: DR.. Wyatt Heflin, Solicitor Har-
rington p Helm of Birmingham, the
Rev. Walter w. Heflin of Moulton, John
T. Helm. one time mayor of Roanok
and member of the Legislature; Con
gresham J. Thomas Heflin of Iafay-
cite. DR. Howell r. Heflin of Birming
ham, Robert L. Helm. farmor of Roa-
noke, and the Rev. Marvin r. Helm
student at Vanderbilt university
Mrs. II. B. Reid of Danville, KY, il
the only daughter.
All the sons were present last night
DIR. Heflin. the venerable father ane
central figure of the reunion, appeared
to be In excellent health. He did mo-
seem a day older than when he at.
tended the banquet year ago or the
banauets during several years past
as for that matter. There were abou
rs guests. They gathered in the palm
room where DIR. Helm held a brie
| reception. He was cordially greeted
by all and for all he had a heart,
handshake and a oh cry word.
| The banquet was spread in the large
dining hall. 1t was entirely informal ano
was regarded as all the pleasanter for
that DR.. Wyatt Helm called upon the
Rev. DR.. Culver to ask blessing That
was followed by the guest of honor in a
short address. The aged father had pre-
pared his message and in clear voice
touched with pathos. read what he had to
say. He was loudly cheered as he arose
and as he took his seat. His address
was as follows:
My friends [ have reached another
mile post in the journey of life, and |
am grateful to God that he has permit
| ted my continued good health to make
another one of these occasions possible
Another twelve months have come and
gone and we are all older than when
we met here last. Many plans and pur-
poses have occupied your minds since
then, and l trust that We are all better
and happier men in every way
when we met here year ago / had
only eight sons and three daughters: my
only daughter. Mrs. H. B. Reid, Johns
wife and Toms wife; but now, ] an
glad to announce that l have another
daughter added to the list. Harrington
has married, and this leaves me only five
boys single. All of them are of marriage
liable age and they have my consent to sc
and do as John and Tom and Harring
ton have done-get married. / would
love to live to see them all happily mar
ried. | want them all to be good and
useful men, and there is nothing that con
tributes so much toward making a goot
and useful man as marrying 2ood
woman. a woman who realizes what the
true sphere of woman is. A man ther
feels more clearly his duty toward so.
cicty.
while many of the northern womeI
are advocating woman suffrage and 9th
er things for women that should be 1ef
| for men alone to attend to, l am glat
that the women of the south are cling
| ing to the duties of the home circle an,
| the lofty ideals and gentle virtues tina
made the womnrhood of the old soutf
| so loved and revered by the good mel
| of those days. 1t was my good fortune
| to have Us my companion and the moth
er of my children, one who. represented
| these noble virtues in their highest ant
| purest form, and cannot bring myself L
think we'll of the women who would neg
lect the ennobling duties of the firesid'
and the sweet companonship of the hom'
circle to go Off after politics. What thu
south needs and must have to keep he
great and strong Is. the pure-minded
| lome-loving woman. I pray that the fad
and new fangle notions that exist among
many women In some other sections O
| the country will never find a hold amons
| the good women of the South. The posi-
biiities of the south are marvellous. W.
have the richest section of the country
and while we are developing our ma
| terial resources we must not lose sigh
of the high ideals and civic virtues tina
have made the south so great in all thu
pa ST. and which. II we will cling to them
Will assure our success and high standing
always in the eyes of the whole world
Il am glad to be here tonight. l an
glad to have you friends help US cele
brate this occasion. I am thankful tha
all is as we'll with me as 1t is. Goo
has been good and mercicul to me. ant
the older l become the more fully / car
saw. THY will be done ! pray that yot
ALI NAV do good for your day and gen
Grafton. and may health and happines.
attend you all along the journey of life
When the dreams of life are fed,
| When its wasted lamps are dead,
| When in cold oblivion shale
Beauty. wealth and fame are laid,
| Where immortal spirits reign.
There may we all meet again F"
| Carrying out the idea of informality
| there was no toa stmaster, but man,
| ..a,bas v.era made in response to calls