The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-03

struggle to save the state these price- less relies of her glorious past ana said that 1t struck a death kneii fc the preservation of the Jefferson Dagis home. But the regent, Mrs CorN though her heart was heavy, and 4R- bidden tears sprang to her eyes as the great key was turned on the beloved relics in the dark vault--was not cas. down, and she confidently believed and openly said as she handed the key to the custodian of the Capitol: This s the beginning of the end" When the legislature meets, this very misfortune will make them come to our ssistance and will result in the accomplishment of our task. Returning to her home ln Birmingham, the regent wrote the Render heirs concerning the property and the old house. Later a letter from the corresponding secretary, Mrs. Belle Allen Ross, was received by the regent stating that the Renders were in Mont gomery, and wished to improve the property, were ready to sell, and thought the timber alone worth s2,000 After some correspondence between the regent and the heirs and her re- hinder to them that their father, MT. l.. J. Render, had promised her they might have the house for $500, they de- cided to let the house go for $500. but refused to sell the grounds-the as- sociaton to remove the house to other grounds
 The First Decision.
 With this offer in hand, the regent went to Montgomery and calling meeting of the association and know ing that the grounds could never be purchased urged the acceptance of the offer for the house. There was some sentiment towards waiting and making another trial at buying both house and lot, but after thorough discussion, the offer was accepted and the regent ex- pectng to meet them in Montgomery to complete the purchase, and sign the contract in a short while.
 Purchase Complete
 In the meanwhile workmen began ex- cavating on the corner lot next to the old White House, and reports went out that the old building was to be razed to the ground Then things began to happen, reporters sent the news broad cast, city newspapers took up the cry and protest against tearing down the sacred old building came pouring in thick and fast.
 About midnight one night the Adver- tiser phoned Mrs. John Tilley, second vice regent, and Mrs. Belle Allen Ross. corresponding secretary, concerning Louisiana womens proposition to pur- chase the home.
 After a consultation between Mrs Ross and Mrs. Tilley 1t was agreed that Mrs. Ross should long distance the re- gent, Mrs. Chappelle Cory to ascertain whether she had already signed the pa pers. Mrs. Ross long distanced Mrs. Cory and suggested that if papers had not already been signed, she would go imm ediately to La Grange, Ga, and complete the trade. Although Mrs. Cory expected to meet the legal repre- sentatives In Montgomery at an early date and complete the purchase, she authorized the corresponding secretary, Mrs. Ross, to go immediately to La Grange and sign all papers necessary, that no complications might in any possibility arise. The next day Mrs. Ross went to LaGrange and returned with the papers properly signed, paying $5 to legalize the transaction, the re- maining $795 to be paid when the house should be removed.
 Thus the first White House of the Confederacy became the property of the women who had so long and patiently and at times hopelessly toiled to pos sesS it.
 Two yetoes by Governor
 Twice the women of the First White House association, during Mrs. J. D.
 
 ing the legislature of Alabama pass bills making appropriations to preserve the building. but the bills were vetoed by the governors in each instance. Noth- ing daunted these brave women who continued quietly making and saving money as best they could. The first money from the outside was given by. Mrs. Norman V. Randolph for Virginia United Daughters of the Con nfederacy, who, having assisted in preserving sacred old White House of Virginia, had a fellow feeling for the Alabama women in their noble effort to save similar memorial to their state. This delicate sentiment on the part of Vir- ginia Daughters was deeply appreciated by the White House women of Ala bama. During the hot summer days of the Alabama constitutional conven- tion of 1901 the Confederate women of Alabama cooked lunches at home and served them on daintily arranged tables In the capitol rotunda to add money to their treasury. Thoroughly appreciat- ing the service rendered them, and also the movement for which the women were working, the Alabama statesmen in the constitutional convention unani- mously indorsed the preservation of the Jefferson Davis home and pledged to the faithful women of the White House