The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-22
BY CHARLES w. GREER

IN the big, bustling city of Bir-
mingham, a city still flushed
with the youth of pros
perity and progress, it is but nat
ural that the thoughts of the cit
izens should be absorbed in the de-
yelopment of its industrial activ-
tiles. In the rush and hurry of cos
mopolitan life, people are too little
wont to pry beneath the surface
of the bare and realistic for the
picturesque and the romantic
And yet, apart from the hurry
and glamor of the city, secluded as
1t were by the hustle of CONNER
cial progress about them, there are
in Birmingham a few characters
whose lives are interviewer with
a history so picturesque and ro-
nance so appealing that they read
like thrilling novel.
Such a character is Alexander
Hilton, a pioneer citizen of Bir-
mingham. Hearty and hale at the
ripe age of SO, he moves among
his prepossessed fellow citizens un-
noticed and unsung. An aged man
following quietly his humble walk
of life and earning his daily
he passes among the citizens of
Birmingham as one of the motley
throng.
And yet, how many thousands
of Birmingham people, hardened
to business life, would pause for
second glance at the stopped
shoulders of this aged man trudg-
ing before them, We're his nfe's
story thrown upon a screen before
their view. Here they might see
in action a gallant confederate SOL
der, one who charged with Pickett
at the battle of Gettysburg and one
VIM pidceu the colorS of the Con-
federacy upon the ramparts of the
enemy in that famous charge when
the death dealing fire of the fed
erals kicked dust spots of leaden
hail upon the bloody sod about him
They might see him upon tbe
plains of Texas, a real cowboy of
the real west in the emplov of tba
greatest of all Indian scouts; Ruf-
falo Bill. Or they might recognize
IN him an intimate friend, a fear
less companion and a stanch fol-
lower of the notorious Jesse James.
che fearless Missouri outlaw. And
throughout this life of strenuous
activity they might distinguish the
slender thread of love and romance.
the call of the boyhood sweetheart
after years of separation, the bat
tie for love and honor and ulti-
mate happiness. For such has been
the life of Alexander Hilton.
About two miles southwest of
Birmingham narrow clay road
leaves the frequented thoroughfare
and winds it's way back into the
heart of Shades mountain. Away
from the dust of the city and in the
clear pure air of the mountain. it
stops abruptly before a low two.
roomed cabin. 1t is an uniquely
attractive little home-this cabin.
set like gem among the summers
foliage and surrounded on all sides
by graceful sweeps of emerald
mountains. 1t is the home of Alex
ander Hilton, and here was found
the venerable citizen by visitors
some days ago, and here upon the
cabin porch, he was induced to tell
the story of his adventurous life.
Mr. Hilton received his visitors
with true southern hospitality. He
invited them to his comfortable cot
tage, and while he was somewhat
loath to speak OF certain periods of
his life, he answered questions
without hesitation. not in vain
glorious or boasting way, but as
one who speaks of a past in which
he still lives. Upon his associa-
tion with the famous James broth
ers he dwelt al length and brought
forward recent letter from Frank
James which he received only a few
weeks ago and which he allowed
his visitors to read. 1t was a sim
pie personal letter from an old
comrade. and dealt strictly with
personal matters. Their cores
pondence. according to Mr. Hilton.
has been continuous since the two