The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-02
BY MYRTLE MILES.

81 have an interesting subject for a
story for you," remarked an old resident
of Birmingham yesterday.
"A society story2" I asked.
Yes, one that has bearing upon many
phases OF life. I have just learned that
Mrs. J. T. Nixon is going to retire into
private life and make her home in the
future on the Highlands. I don't know
that she has decided upon the exact place
Of residence. but Mrs. Nixon has been a
part of the Northside for SO many years
that her leaving brings to my mind frag-
ments of Birminghams history from its
very early infancy
TELL me about It," I replied, knowing
that anything that bears upon the life of
this beloved little woman would make in
teresting reading for thousands in the
district-yes, in the state-for she is an
Alabama woman born and bred.
"She came to this city with her hus-
band, who was civil engineer, very early
in the seventies and has been one of the
best known women in the social, business
and philanthropic world ever since. My
wish on this, the first day of the new
year, I am sure. will find ready response
In the hearts of many It is this: May
the dear little woman be here many years
more. May she live long and prosper,
continuing in her usefulness and scatter
ing sunshine as she has done SO long.
You may depend upon her usefulness as
long as she lives, for she couldn't be idle
think it was in 1871 that Mr.. and Mrs
Nixon came to Birmingham, then not a
city, scarcely could 1t be dignified by the
name of town. OF an energetic, helpful
nature. she decided to take a few board
ers. did not know the personnel Of her
household at that time, but have heard
many a man tell Of her beautiful home
life, her happy nature. her constant eff
fort to make someone comfortable; her
busy little body and her business little
head; her answering devotion to her
husband and the little children coming
into her life. During the colera epidemic
her house was full of boarders, and she,
AS many of the old settlers, saw many
trying times. Mrs. Nixon's fortitude was
thoroughly tried since she lost beautiful
sister with the dread disease. She had
come to visit her sister and was stricken
dawn and died a few hours after coming
from her home in Tuscaloosa. Mrs
Nixon came Of prominent old Alabama
family, her maiden name being Margaret
Cummins. Her first boarders were taken
for the accommodation of her husbands
employees and few friends who had no
home life in the cherries little town.
"Of a convivial nature, and an easy
manager, she grew to love the associa-
tions In a large household. and whether
a financial necessity or not, she has al
ways kept some in her home to cater to-.
During business depressions she kept at
the helm that she might help in providing
for her loved ones. When hard times
she kept boarders because she knew how
to make a good business of it. During
the many years when 1t was not necessary
for her to make living she has kept
boarders just the same. because she has
loved to be busy and has loved con-
genial people around her. I am one OF
the many married men who lived at her
house before marriage, took my bride
there and now have children almost
grown. There are hundreds of others
much older than 1 who experienced the
same epoch In their lives under the same
conditions and who have grandchildren.
Among these were the late Capt. ]. C.
Henley, who was one of the boarders in
the early days. Then there was Senator
Joseph F. Johnston, who. I think. was
married from her house; Judge A o.
Lane who was one of the early ones. The
late Col. R. H. Pearson, who was mar
ried from there TO Miss Sallie Harrison.
whom Birmingham has always delighted
to love and honor, and Captain Scott, who
has been dead many years. Mr.. James
A. Allen was married while a guest at
her home to Mrs. Kerr. There was also