The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-22

ana large family composed of six
daughters and three sons.
These pictures represent the daughters
in the full bloom of young womanhood
dressed in the style of the day. The old
est Elizabeth, married Maj. William b.
lnge and lived at Portland, Ala, and
died in the summer of 1867, leaving a
large family of children, who grew to be
useful men and women. The second
daughter Helen, married Col. Robert H.
Smith of Mobile. The third daughter
Fannie, became Mrs. Frank E. Stolen
werck of Mobile, living to have nearly
reached the age of 80. The fourth. Vir-
ginia Alabama, married Mr.. John Little
Smith of Mobile, who with Mrs. Stolen
werck, compose the only two remaining
members of the large family. The fifth
Emma, married Col. Brett Randolph of
Greene county, afterward of Blount
Springs, and the sixth, Tremlet, mar
ried DIR. Edward B. Perrin of Greene
county, but who moved with his family
In 1867 to California, when the western
fever first penetrated the south. Mrs
Perrin died in San Francisco 80 years ago
DIR. Perrin now makes his home in Will
liams, Ariz. These We're the sisters of
Col Thomas II. Herndon of Mobile, and
figured each of them in southern society,"
even being known as the six beauties of
Clinton" where they afterward made
their home.
These pictures were taken in groups,
when they were young women. just after
they had become among the homemakers
of Alabama, and for their quaintness of
dress-that seems antique now--have at
tracted much attention. In reproducing
them we take occasion to call attention
to the dignity of costume compared with
the frills of today To the young woman
who gives them casual glance there is
nothing distinguished in their attire-no
longer stylish Today laughs at what
was yesterday, and, yesterday recalls the
most glorious era of social life Days Of
hospitality, wealth and chvalry Times
when the laws of state were the laws
OF the land and respected by man-when
the name of fair woman was a sacred
charge and protected from unlSind criti-
cism and vulgar stare.
In talking of these changes to some Of
these very ladies of the ffties, they un-
hesitatingly remark on the custom and
practice between those of their .grlhood
and the laxity of now. Practice, fashion,
and even etiquette are more tolerant to-
| day than the welfare of young folks
should permit. Youth errs more often
| through ignorance. this thrusts the re-
sponsibility directly upon home and its
| training. If not ignorance, Indifference to
| public opinion which Is even more dam
gerous to society.
! Scandals were hushed in antebellum
days by the custom of dueling. Men
dared not venture to intrude upon a
woman's fair name, and then, woman did
! not dare so much. History tells these
facts, and progress shows a forward step
| in everything in commerce, in industries
and development; but a Generalization in
moral conditions. The affairs of politics
are wound up in graft, or accusations of
| Ito the outside world Just as harmful
as facts, even though half is untrue
The mothers and fathers who shared
in the glories and history Of the south
We're proud of their men and women and
had just cause. and we are proud of the
past; we are anxious for the present, and
fearful of the future. unless men and
women arouse themselves to the necessi.
ty OF calling a halt in the extremes that
reflect upon the modesty of the home
| We never pass on the street, and we
pass very often, that some one does not
point to that costume and they have
4 a cause undoubtedly. Causes. certainl,
have their effect, and as we place these
costumes of the fifties before you TO-DAY
| there will be critics, but the only jus
one will be of>the disnihed attirements oil
the girls. of long ago, and if by chance
! these groups in later years are framed
with some of those of their grandchildren
i is to be hoped the contrast will moi
be so appalling as the costumes of today
Indicate
Yesterday is the dead past:
| 1t has stepped Ger the border of time
| Memories will linger and last,
Records Will tell as we climb.
| lis well to look back upon it
| And give ii thought of a friend:
The hours are feetins and portant
Counting in the lives of man.
!
| Today is the hour to be needed:
| 1t breathes and lives with us now.
The harvest is here to be weeded-
| Remember, We reap what we SOW.