The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-11-02
MRS. CORY'S REPORT
ON WORK OF j. D. c.
FOR THE PAST YEAR
Tribute to Wilcox County
and Courtesy of the
Hostess Chapter
SUGGESTS PLANS
FOR THE FUTURE
Careful Review of Organizations
Activities by Retiring President.
Finances Are Reported in
Excellent Condition
BY MRS. CHAPpELL CORY

Retiring President Alabama u. ID. Z.
(The minutes of the United Daugh-
ters of the Confederaoy annual conven-
ton. containing Mrs. Sory's address,
have just been published)
Mingled feelings of emotion, pride
and sorrow sweep over me as 1 stand
before you today in Wilcox county.
How mete 1t is that We should be here.
First In Importance comes the thought
uppermost in all our minds-that here
in Wilcox county in Camden OF olden
mem cries. was formed the Alabama
Charter Chapter u. D. c.. the first In
the state of Alabama and the thirty
sixth chapter in the whole south. AT
the request of two veterans of Cam
den. Col Richebourg Gailliard. COM
mander of Camp Franklin K. Beck, No
224 U. D. c. and Judge J. L. Foster now
both resting under the shade of the
trees. Miss Sallie C. Jones formed the
Charter Chapter U. D. c. on March 26,
1896. Until her death she was presi-
dent, since which time Mrs. Mary II.
Beck has been the wise and able leader
of this our hostess chapter. being in
active service the oldest member of
our organization. On April s, 1897, as
president OF Charter chapter as guests
of the Sophia Bibb and Cradle of Con-
federacy chapters Miss Jones came to
Montgomery and with seven chapters.
Camden, No. SO; Selma, No. So; Auburn
No. 81; Tuscaloosa, No. Ga; Sophie Bibb,
No. 65: Pelham. No. 81; Cradle of Con-
federacy, No. a. our Alabama division
was formed, formed II years ago with
seven chapters, while today we have 80
chapterS-formed with a membership OF
4of-today, we have a membership OF
over 1000. How well those of us who
We're the organizers remember that
brilliant April morning of the memoir
able 9Th day of April 1897 Montgom-
cry was never more beautiful with her
lovely homes and her wealth of south
ern bloom, her queenly women an
brave men, and all her glorious men,
cries. | see again the old Council cham
Der. the earnest women. and 1 hear
again the clarion tones of our leader
and organizer as she eloquently ex-
planned the work before us. When
think of how we have grown since
then and OF the really splendid things
we have done for our heroes and our
states. am consumed with admiration
for you-you brave daughters of Ala
pama. 1t was with deep regret that
we saw our organizer on account of i'll
health give up her office as president
before she had served out her full term
OF office Nine presidents have served
you we'll. Mrs. William A. Gayle, Mrs.
j. A. kirkpatrick, Mrs. A. L. Dowdell.
Mrs Wood. Mrs. ]. N. Thompson, Mrs.
Charles G. Brown, Mrs. B. B. Ross,
and now the present encumbent, the
tenth since Miss Jones' must also return
with renewed zeal to her work in the
ranks
Personal References
Blended with these memories OF our
organization come others that we'll I'm
within me, for here in Wilcox county
my great grandfather, the Rev. James
King, breathed his last. He was the
first ordained Methodist preacher in
New Philadelphia (now Montgomery
so worthy and stainless character as
to be Familiarity and lovingly called
throughout the pioneer communities
Grandfather King" Here, too, In Will
cox county, my own father, the Rev. DR..
Thomas Armstrong. was born anu
reared 80 many times In my child
hood have l heard the familiar sound
Wilcox county, that 1t seems almost
like coming back to some remembered
place. How strange that this should
be the first time my feet should press
this hallowed soil But 1t is of today
l am to speak, not of yesterday, how
ever alluring and sacred the theme, to-
and achievement And what we have
achieved should be source of congrat-
ulatfon to the thoughtful citizens OF
our state, as we'll as every daughter
Hof the Confederacy. As l reported at
Washington. our work during the year
has been largely fundamental with a
commendable struggle for system and
a. solid foundation rather than a brill
liant outward show. Almost every ac-
tive chapter has reported increase In
membership, and with that increase.
and the members in new chapters we
have gained at least 400 new members
to say nothing of gathering In the chill
dren from the new auxiliaries-those
precious Jewels of our U. D. c. crow H.
In every line of endeavor we are going
forward, and this the supposed unlucky
1913 Is our banner year for progress
Yet there are dangers ahead which we
as loyal daughters must be honest
enough to realize, discuss calmly and
avoid, or remedy.
A few days since it was my happy
privilege to assist in the completion
of a beautiful work, which marks an
incident OF thrilling Interest in our
Confederate history-the unwilling of a
tablet in the old Exchange hotel, his
toric hosiery of many memories, where
Yancey introduced Jefferson Davis with
the immortal words, THE man and the
hour have met" This memorial tablet,
the work of the Cradle of the Confed-
eracy chapter, should be an inspiration
to all chapters who have not done so
to seek out these historic places and
preserve the story they speak. What
ever perpetuateS the history of great
men who did great deeds and wore
pure hearts. Is worth doing.
Buildings and Grounds at University
And just here l will speak of a plan
l<~I t. a1 liz l.
thusiasm. For historical interest the
University of Alabama stands pre-emi-
nent in our Confedei ate history. Out
from it's walls went band of littl.
boys. mere children. to make a stand
against an army of veteran soldiers