USA > Alabama > Madison County > Huntsville > Early history of Huntsville, Alabama 1804 to 1870 > Part 8
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In 1825 those of the Cumberland Presbyterian faith organ- ized at Huntsville, under the leadership of Rev. Robert Don- nell. The first house of worship was erected in 1828-some- where-on Green street. The second church building was erected in 1845 upon the site of the present attractive structure on the southeast corner at the intersection of Randolph and Lincoln streets. This Rev. Donnell, the founder of the Cum- berland Church at Huntsville, was an eminent divine of great renown. He, with two other associates-about 1809-estab- lished the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America.
SCHOOLS
Educational facilities in those early days, afforded by the numerous schools of the town, were immeasurably superior to those of the present times. It can scarcely be expected that a visitor within our gates at this day would express himself as
62 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, June 19, 1830.
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did one in 1837, who on writing to a friend in the North said: "Huntsville will in the future rival any city in the North, and at present it is the most prosperous and progressive city its size in the United States, and exceeds any other town its size in the nature and character of its literary institutions. Green Acad- emy is the equal of any Western school."63 In addition to Green Academy there were numerous private "grammar schools" of known worth and character. The "Huntsville Mili- tary Scientific and Classical School" was opened Monday, the 2nd of January, 1832, under the supervision of Messrs. B. S. Lowe and M. R. Dudley, as Rectors.64 Institutions for the primary and higher education of females were equally numer- ous and fully as efficient as those provided for the males.
The first of this latter class of institutions of consequence, to be established in the county, was the "Female Boarding School," conducted by J. P. Horton ; nine miles northwest of Huntsville.65 Later, it consolidated with the "Pleasant Grove Academy," in 1822, which continued under the superintendence of Mr. Horton.66 During this same year C. White established his "Female Boarding School" near Huntsville.67
The "Huntsville Female Academy," later known as the "Huntsville Private Female Academy," a very superior institu- tion, was opened in 1826, by Mr. and Mrs. DeVendal, both people of culture and scholarly attainments.68
During the year 1831, competent female colleges were estab- lished here, whose period of usefulness extended even into the very last years of that century.
The "Huntsville Female Academy" was opened in January, 1831, with the following named gentlemen as officers: J. M. Taylor, president ; Dr. Thos. Fearn, A. F. Hopkins, W. Pleas- ants, H. I. Thornton, B. S. Pope, J. Martin, and J. G. Birney, trustees. Later this institution became known as the "Hunts- ville Female College."69
Almost contemporaneous with the opening of this academy on January 5, 1831, the "Huntsville Seminary," under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, was inaugurated.
63 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, March 4, 1837.
64 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, January 21, 1832.
65 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, December 20, 1820.
66 Ibid. November 16, 1821.
67 Ibid. November 16, 1821.
68 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, February 10, 1826.
69 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, December 28, 1830.
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Little did the founders of these two great, and, in after years, justly famous colleges, realize that both were to exert a pro- found influence throughout the whole South for generations to come.
During the same year, Mr. and Mrs. Rowe opened their Female Boarding School on Monte Sano.70
Since 1820 there had been a public library suitable to the needs of the times, for which quarters were provided in the court house.71
NEWSPAPERS
It is said that a man is known by the company he keeps, and so it is we can judge of the breadth of life in a community by the newspapers it supports.
We have heretofore observed that as early as 1812 the Madi- son Gazette was published at Huntsville, and that it merged on September 7, 1816, and thereafter was published as the "Alabama Republican."
During the first years of this period, particularly, Huntsville was the center of all State activity ; on account of which the local papers enjoyed an extended circulation. The enlarged field made it possible for many papers to thrive here.
The first issue of the "Huntsville Enquirer" appeared on February 1, 1822. This sheet was edited by Richard Benja- min Brickell, and was the eleventh paper then published in the entire State.72
The 'Planters' Magazine," a monthly periodical, was pub- lished at Huntsville by the editors of the "Alabama Republi- can," Messrs. Boardman and Adams; the subscription rate being $2.00 per year. The first issue appeared January 1, 1822.73
The conjecture is indulged that sometime prior to 1825, the "Alabamian" was published here; this, for the reason that the first issue of the "Southern Advocate and Huntsville Adver- tiser," later known as the "Southern Advocate," which was formed from a merger of the "Alabama Republican" and the "Alabamian," appeared on May 6, 1825. It was published by D. Farris & Company, and cost $3.00 a year.74 The "Hunts-
70 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, December 24, 1831.
71 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, October 20, 1820.
72 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, February 8, 1822.
73 (Huntsville) Alabama Republican, February 8, 1822.
74 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, May 6, 1825.
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ville Democrat" was established October 18, 1823, by Philip Woodson.75 Mr. Flemming, in his monumental work, "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," makes the assertion that the Democrat was an "emancipation newspaper,"7 "76 edited by James G. Birney. The author feels constrained to say, in this, Mr. Flemming is doubtless mistaken. This inference is supported by the circumstances attending Mr. Birney's evolu- tion into an abolitionist, which have been heretofore noted.
Abolition principles were first espoused by Birney about 1830, and three years later, when he sought to give public ex- pression to his views, he used the columns of the Southern Advocate and not the Democrat. Lastly, it is hardly probable, that, had the Democrat been the advocate of such heresy, it would have endured the assaults of time produced by radical political and economic changes, even unto the present day. In 1859 this paper came into the hands of J. Withers Clay, and remained under that safe and sane management till his death ; since which time it has been edited by some member of that justly distinguished family; and is today the only newspaper published in the State by a woman.
Yet another paper was published here, about this time; the "Southern Mercury ;" the first issue of which appeared July 1, 1833, edited by Messrs. John J. Coleman and Geo. W. Noble.77 All of these papers were weeklies, each appearing as a general thing on a different day. They were liberal in policy. Though differing in politics somewhat, all espoused those principles which made for a strong South, economically and politically. The editorials were uniformly ponderous, heavy of words, yet lean of pith and without drive.
The splendid state of physical preservation of even the earliest of these newspapers attests the good quality of ink used and the excellency of the clear, white paper upon which they were printed.
Toward the latter part of this period another paper, the "Huntsville Independent," was edited and published at Hunts- ville by Messrs. J. J. Dew and J. W. Young. The first issue appeared December 1st, 1855.78
75 Huntsville Directory 1859, page 64.
76 "Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama," page 10.
77 (Huntsville) Southern Advocate, April 20, 1833.
78 Huntsville Directory 1859.
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MAKERS OF NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL HISTORY
To one not conversant with the history of Huntsville and her citizens, this caption might seem somewhat boastful if not humorous. It has been well said, that, the history of Huntsville in early years, is the history of the State. To this might be added, and of the nation; for, in truth, no other community founded in the nineteenth century has, through her worthy citi- zenship contributed more to the life of the nation, or been more prominent in national and State affairs than Huntsville. It is no idle protest to repeat what has been said herein; that, those names which form the very pillars of history's arc and thatch its roof, are intimate to Huntsville. Hers is the honor and unique distinction of having furnished the nation with eight United States Senators, (being without representation in that body but for six years, 1843-49, from the admission of Alabama into the Union till the resignation of Hon. Clement Claiborne Clay in 1861, upon the secession of the State. The first con- gressman from this State hailed from Huntsville, and in after years many others ; seven governors, an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, and one other who declined a like commission when tendered him; many justly famous jurists of our State courts, both appellate and nisi prius ; two senators in the Confederate States Congress; the first Secre- tary of War of the Confederacy; a candidate for presidency of the United States on the abolition ticket in 1840, and again in 1844 ; a distinction not then boasted no doubt. Lastly, it is her humiliation to have been the home of probably more than her share of traitors to the Confederate cause. Nor did all this ilk come from the rank and file of the men who wore the gray, but in large proportion from those high up in the coun- sels of the Confederacy.
Neither the time at hand nor the scope of this work will permit of more than a brief mention of some of Huntsville's justly famous and worthy sons. Not alone did Huntsville con- tribute to the political growth of the nation, but her profes- sional men through their great skill and learning swayed the nation. Among these latter was Dr. Thomas Fearn, of whom we have already heard much. He was probably the most emi- nent physician in the whole South. His article upon "The Use of Quinine" excited the interest of the entire medical world, and exerted a profound influence, even to the extent of revolu- tionizing the treatment of fever. The name of this great man
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is not unfamiliar to us of the present, for of his descendants, in the Fearns, and the Garths, we have living representatives in the community.
The recognized leader of the Whig party in the State, Arthur F. Hopkins, lived here. A jurist of no mean ability, he served as circuit court judge and later as associate justice of the State Supreme Court. Other prominent jurists of those times living here were: W. I. Adair, sometime speaker of the Alabama lower house, and later circuit judge; Henry Minor, who became judge of the Circuit Court and afterwards reporter of the Alabama Supreme Court; J. M. Taylor, who followed him as judge, and finally was elected associate justice of the State Supreme Court.
The high esteem in which Lemuel Mead and Samuel Chap- man were held by the people of this county, is attested by the terms of office vouchsafed to them. The former of whom was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1819 and served till 1835, while the latter presided over the county court from 1820 to 1834. The last judge of this court was Edward Cham- bers Betts, grandfather of the author; a scholarly gentleman of distinguished literary and judicial attainments. He served several terms in the State Legislature and later as the first commissioner of agriculture of Alabama; and to him in no small measure is due credit for the organization of that de- partment as a potent influence in the agricultural development of the State.
For the sake of completeness, the author again introduces the name of James G. Birney ; who, as he had a positive effect upon the national thought of his period and left the impress of his efforts upon time as it passed his way, it will not be amiss to record, was the candidate of the Abolitionists for the presi- dency in 1840 and again in 1844.
Among those brilliant statesmen, from Huntsville, serving in the counsels of the nation as senators, were: John W. Walker, 1819-1823, president of the Constitutional Convention of the Alabama Territory ; William Kelly, 1823-1825, the first and only congressman during his term, for then it was that Alabama had two senators and but one representative at Wash- ington ; Dr. Henry Chambers, 1825-1826 (uncle of the author's paternal grandfather), was one of Madison's delegates in the Constitutional Convention ; later he represented her in the first State Legislature ; twice defeated for governor by Israel Pick- ens, first in 1821 and again in 1823; elected to the Senate in
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1824 over William R. King, who later became vice-president of the United States under President Pierce's administration. Senator Chambers set out upon his journey to Washington by horse-back, but died while on the way, at the age of forty years, before taking his seat in the Senate. His residence yet stands at the intersection of Gates and Green streets, on the southeast corner, and is the late home of that gentle spirit and famous poetess and artist, Howard Weeden : John McKinley, 1826-1831, for a number of years judge of the United States Circuit Court, congressman, and upon death of Senator Cham- bers chosen to succeed him. While a member of the Senate, the Supreme Court was increased to nine, and he was com- missioned by President Van Buren as associate justice during the recess of Congress, on April 27, 1837, and was re-commis- sioned upon confirmation by Congress, on the 25th of Septem- ber that same year.79 This position on the Supreme bench was first tendered Hon. William Smith, of Huntsville. His nomination by the President having been confirmed by the Senate, he was duly commissioned, but declined the honor. The author ventures the assertion that Mr. Smith's action is entirely unique in the history of this nation. Gabriel Moore, 1831-1837, fifth governor of Alabama, one of Madison's delegates to the Territorial Constitutional Con- vention, later president of State Senate, served as congress- man for eight years before his election as governor. While a member of the Senate he opposed the policies of President Jackson. On this account his resignation was requested by the State Legislature. He declined to comply with the request, and at the expiration of his term, ran for congress and was defeated ; Clement Comer Clay, 1837-1843, Madison's repre- sentative for two terms in the Territorial Legislature, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, resigned as circuit judge to become speaker of the State House of Representatives ; con- gressman from 1829 to 1832, eighth governor of Alabama, resigned from the United States Senate after four years, di- gested the laws of Alabama in one year, and submitted his work to the Legislature, of which his son Clement Claiborne Clay was a member ; twice upon the Supreme Court bench of Alabama, settled the State debt and then retired from public life to make way for his illustrious son, who had given evidence of even greater talents. It has been said of Senator Clay
79 The Supreme Court of the United States, Vol. 1, page 298, by Hampton L. Carson.
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that he was the greatest political teacher of his times; Jere Clements, 1849-1853, author, one of Alabama's delegates to the Secession Convention, first commander of the troops of the "Republic of Alabama" with rank of Major-General; Clement Claiborne Clay, 1853-1861, who was even more illustrious than his father. When Alabama withdrew from the Union, he resigned his seat in the Senate and became a senator in the Congress of the Confederacy. A statesman of the biggest and truest type. He was arrested along with and became a fellow prisoner of Jefferson Davis, at Fortress Monroe, at the close of the war.
Senator Clay's wife-familiarly known in latter days as Mrs. Virginia Clay Copton, who lived here till her recent death- was the most brilliant and distinguished woman in the whole South. When asked whom he considered the greatest orator he ever heard, Father Ryan replied : "I have heard Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Everett, Choat, Gladstone, Douglass, Prentiss, Yancy, Jefferson Davis, and all of the great orators of my day ; but I tell you, the greatest of them all is Mrs. Clement C. Clay."
The talented editress of the Huntsville Democrat, Miss Susanna W. Clay, is a niece of that great man, Senator Clement Claiborne Clay, as is well known.
In addition to the two just mentioned, five other worthy sons of Madison became governors of the State.
Thomas Bibb, second governor, as president of the State Senate, succeeded to the office upon the death of his brother, William Bibb, who was killed by a fall from his horse. As the time of his ascendency he (Thomas Bibb) had probably moved from Madison county, though for many years he was a promi- nent figure in the early life of the settlement. The new gov- ernment at the new capital, Cahaba (the capital having been at Huntsville during his brother's term of office), was set up by him.
Hugh McVay became the ninth governor, by virtue of his presidency of the Senate, upon the election of Governor Clay as senator. He came to Madison county when it was a part of the Mississippi Territory, and was elected to the Territorial and State Legislatures eight times from the county ; became a member of the Territorial Constitutional Convention, and after the State was formed, served in its Senate twenty years. Prior to his advancement to the governor's office he had removed to Lauderdale county.
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Reuben Chapman, thirteenth governor, distinguished himself by the masterly manner in which he guarded the State's finan- cial interests attending the winding up of the State banks. He served one term in the State Senate, and was in Congress from 1835 till he was elected governor. He was defeated for re-election ; afterwards, in 1855, he was again elected to Con- gress. His last public service was rendered in 1862, when he became an elector for Jefferson Davis as president of the Confederate States of America. Worthy descendants of Gov- ernor Chapman are still prominent in the life and activities of the community; foremost among them, his daughter, Mrs. Ellelee C. Humes.
John H. Winston, the fifteenth governor, was the first native born Alabamian to be elected to that office. Madison county was his birthplace in 1812. At the time of becoming governor, however, he was a resident of Sumter county. After the war he was elected to the United States Senate. He was denied the right to enter that body.
D. P. Lewis, became the twenty-third governor, and a sorry time it was for Alabama. Upon his election in 1872, Alabama once more went into the "hands of Black Man's Party." He obtained his office through the grossest fraud, and held it at the point of the bayonet by the aid of Federal troops. One of Alabama's delegates to the Secession Convention, he was elect- ed to the Provisional Congress, and in 1863 was appointed to a judgeship by the governor. This position he held for a few months, and then went over to the Federals.
In addition to Clement Claiborne Clay, Madison furnished the Confederacy with another senator, Richard W. Walker, and a member of the president's cabinet, General Leroy Pope Walker, first Secretary of War. Hon. Richard W. Walker, at the outbreak of the war, was a member of the State Supreme Court. Few of the earliest families settling here, when Alabama was a territory, have been so continuously represented throughout these one hundred years by justly illustrious and worthy sons, as has this Walker family. Each of its three generations has fur- nished a brilliant public servant, beginning with John Williams Walker, president of the Constitutional Convention of 1819, and first United States Senator, and continuing through Rich- ard W. Walker, his son, Supreme Court justice and Confed- erate Senator, to his grandson, Richard W. Walker, Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court, member of the Constitu- tional Convention of 1901, Presiding Judge Alabama Appellate
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Court, and at present Associate Justice of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals.
Though serving at a later day than that here dealt with, no history of the county would be complete without mention of those two distinguished educators, Dr. Carlos G. Smith, who afterwards became president of the State University, and Cap- tain Charles O. Shepherd.
The excellent school maintained by that scholarly gentleman, Dr. Smith, was liberally patronized by this end of the State; as was also the school of that noted and striking personality, Cap- tain Shepherd, who left his impress upon the "seat of learning" of many of the youth of the surrounding territory.
Through these pages, little warning has been given the reader, that toward the last of this period a national crisis had been reached. The tocsin of war had been sounded. From thence forward the South was to live through ever changing conditions, even to the extent of subjugation, for in very truth it passed under the yoke. The beauty, the charm, the elegance of life at the South was to pass out. The elegance and grandeur of the Old South might have survived the rude shock of war ; but all, all, was submerged in that anguished struggle, after the war, to preserve its institutions, its people, its customs, even civilization itself, from threatened extinction.
References :- Brewer's Alabama; Northern Alabama; kind- ness of many older citizens; newspaper files and clippings ; Judge Taylor's History of Madison County; Indoors and Out, May 6, 1906 ; Huntsville Directory, 1859; Hand Book of Ala- bama, Birney ; Life and Times of James G. Birney; Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, Fleming ; The Supreme Court of the United States, Vol. I, With Biographies of the Justices, Hampton L. Carson.
Chapter V.
CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION
T HE author approaches the discussion of this phase of Huntsville's history with much trepidation and embar- rassment, due to the knowledge of his own limitations. That cause for which Madison's men fought and died and her women suffered and endured, was the same for which the whole South fought, suffered and endured. No adequate understanding of the justice, the purity, the honor of that cause can be had without a knowledge of its history throughout the Confederate States of America. Wherefore, the scope of this work will extend beyond the geographic confines of Madi- son county. However, it is not the purpose to review in any profound sense the causes leading up to the war, nor its con- duct; but merely to touch lightly upon a few potent circum- stances which may aid in forming a proper understanding of the reasons for the war of secession; or to be more exact, enable us to know and appreciate the fact that our ancestors were not "traitors," not "rebels," but patriots and heroes. It is not the purpose of this work to perpetuate or revive any spirit of bitterness toward any section of our re-united country ; for, "the bitterness and resentments of the war are past and forgotten. The glories are the common heritage of us all."
It has been said, "It is better to know less, than know so much that ain't so." This can be repeated with peculiar emphasis to the youth of the South, as he has gained his knowledge of the history of the Confederacy from the partisan historian of the North. The matters and things related in this chapter are historic and authentic. They are in the nature of those happenings which go to make up family lineage, and family history. If perchance, any of those who come to scan these pages were, or still are not in sympathy with the South in the course pursued, it is hoped they will at least appreciate the sincerity of the motives which prompt the author. The duty to teach and spread the truth is enjoined upon us all.
Nor is it the purpose of the author to attempt a vindication of the Confederate cause; time has established the honor, the justice, the right of the principles for which the South fought.
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The denial at the North of the Constitutional right of a state to withdraw from the Union was the cause of the war. Slavery was the occasion, not the cause, and bore the same rela- tion to the war as does property to robbery. The conflict, as we view it now, was inevitable, and but the logical out- growth of the feeling and strife, which existed from the set- tlement of this country, between the Puritans landing at Ply- mouth Rock and the Cavaliers who landed in Virginia.
The right of secession, was the constitutional right guaran- teed to the states forming the Union, to withdraw from the compact she had voluntarily entered into. Both the North and the South at the time of entering into the articles of con- federation claimed and boldly asserted this right. The question of state sovereignity, especially the right to withdraw, was debated at the time of framing the Constitution and was decided in the affirmative. This, and not slavery, vel non, was the question submitted to the arbitrament of the sword and decided for all times. Gettysburg and Vicksburg were not forums of justice but battlefields.
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