SUNDAY'S OBITUARY - Edward P. Horst (1858-1901)

Edward P. Horst is my 3rd great uncle, the younger brother of my 3rd great grandfather, Charles Frederick Horst (1856-1912). Their parents were Martin Horst (1830-1878) and Apollonia Weinschenk (1829-1908). Edward was born in Mobile, Alabama on November 3, 1858. He was the second of 8 children born to his immigrant parents.

Edward was educated at Spring Hill High School and College, where the sons of the city's established families - Catholic and non-Catholic - attended starting at the age of nine. After his education was complete he worked in the family's businesses. In 1869 he was a clerk at M Horst & Company, liquor dealers on the corner of Conti and Commerce. After his father's death in 1878, Edward became the proprietor of The City Exchange Saloon, originally owned by his mother's first husband before his death. He also managed Frascati Park, owned by his father; it was the city's premier amusement area, located off Old Shell Road.

Charles Horst, Proprietor, Palace Royal Saloon
(front of bar with moustache)

By 1890 Edward had joined older brother Charles and his young family when they settled in Birmingham. In the 1891 City Directory Edward was listed in the city directory as a barkeeper at the Palace Royal Saloon, owned by William Wigginton. By 1895 he was the saloon's "proprietor", located at 2100 2nd Avenue. Edward was listed in the 1900 Birmingham City Directory as "saloon keeper". He lived in the room above the bar, a common practice of the time.

On Saturday, May 18, 1901, The Birmingham News reported in the paper:

APOPLEXY

Struck Down Mr. Edwin Horst this Morning;

He is Now in Critical Condition - His Father Was at One Time Mayor of Mobile

"About 11:15 o'clock today Mr. Edwin (sic) Horst, proprietor of the Palace royal Saloon received a stroke of apoplexy. At the time he was behind the bar, serving a customer. He was removed to his rooms in the adjoining flat and Drs. Rosser and Brown were summoned. At this hour they are still at his bedside and hold out very few hopes for his recovery."

Edward died on the following day, May 19th. His obituary was published in The Birmingham News on May 20, 1901:



from The Birmingham News
March 20, 1901

 

EDWARD HORST DEAD.

Good Citizen Passes Away, Remains Taken to Mobile

"Yesterday morning at 6 o'clock, Edward P. Horst, proprietor of the Palais Royal Saloon, Twenty-first street and Second avenue, notice of whose being stricken with apoplexy on Saturday morning was given in the News of that afternoon, passed away. He never regained consciousness and died without pain.

His mother was summoned from Mobile, and arrived a little while before he passed away. The remains were taken to Mobile, his former home, for internment, last night and were accompanied thither by his mother and brother Charles Horst. The deceased was about 45 years of age. He was a genial, clever man, as straight as a shingle, honest in his dealings with the public and absolutely true to the men whom he accepted and classed as his friends. His saloon was noted for the quiet which prevailed there day in and day out, and for the absence of rowdyism, which was not tolerated either by the proprietor of his brother. Deceased was a strict observer of the law, and his saloon for that reason, was one of those never watched by the police.

Mr. Horst was a bachelor. He had never married, but was very fond of his nieces and nephews and his aged mother, who reside in Mobile. Every spring he visited his former home, spending several days there and showering gifts the while upon his young kinsmen. The rest of the time he spent either at his business or in his room on Second avenue. He led a quiet, unobtrusive, but a very manly life, and had many warm friends, who regret his departure.

Deceased was the son of the late Jacob Horst (sic), who was the first Democratic Mayor of Mobile after reconstruction. The elder Horst was a prosperous wholesale liquor merchant and a leading citizen. The deceased, after his father's death, was promoter of public amusements in Mobile, and spent a fortune entertaining the public at Frascati Gardens. He was known and loved by every one in that city, and his death will be sad news indeed to them, for he was a man of fine heart, of excellent sense and high character for integrity and faithfulness."

Edward was buried in Mobile's Catholic Cemetery, next to his parents.

FRIDAY'S FORGOTTEN - Elodie deGruy Gagnet Mendoza (1828-1914)

Julia Elodie deGruy Gagnet Mendoza
(wearing cameo of her mother)

Julia Elodie deGruy was born January 22, 1828 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was baptized at the St. Louis Cathedral on March 5th. She is my 3rd great-grand aunt. She was one of seven children born to Jean Baptiste Valentin deFouchard deGruy (1751-1838) and Melanie Gaudin (1786-1853), both from New Orleans - my 4th great grandparents. Elodie, as she was called, was the younger sister of my 3rd great-grandmother Augustine Melanie Laperle deGruy Fortier (1822-1872).

Some time in the mid-1840's Elodie married Alphonse Gagnet. Alphonse was born in Alabama in 1822. Their only child, daughter Alphonsine Gagnet was born September 1844. Tragedy struck early in their marriage when Alphonse, only 24, drowned on November 11, 1846. His obituary in the New Orleans Bee newspaper on November 16, 1846, page 1, tells the story (translated):

Obituary

"Alphonse Gagnet a young man of twenty-four years, has succumbed to one of these bad times which sometimes strikes us like lightning. Last Wednesday at Mr. Hewitt's house, he drowned in the river, by one of those inexplicable accidents. He leaves an inconsolable widow, which he was the sole support, a grieving mother that he was always the charm and glory, and many friends who know the magnitude of the loss to experience what they feel, and mingle their tears to all her were fortunate enough to know him. Good father, good husband, good son. May his soul rest in peace in the Lord, whom he liked to remind him. A FRIEND"

By 1850 "Widow Gagnet" was living with her widowed mother-in-law, daughter Alphonsine, 5, and F. Mendoza, a 29-year-old male clerk from Florida. On March 10, 1855, Elodie, age 28, was married by the Justice of the Peace to Ferdinand "Frank" Mendoza in New Orleans. By 1860 Elodie, Frank and Alphonsine had moved to Mobile, Alabama. In 1863 Frank enlisted, at the age of 42, with the Mobile Volunteers, a local militia assigned to protect the city during the Civil War. What happened to him after this time is unknown. By 1880, Elodie was once again widowed. But she's wasn't alone.

My 3rd-great-grandparents Jacques Omer and Laperle Fortier, Elodie's brother-in-law and sister, both died relatively young - Jacques in 1867 at age 54 and Laperle in 1872 at age 50. At the time of her death, she had six young children still at home and in need of a caretaker - Omer Auguste, 17; Odalie Felice, 15 (my great-great grandmother); Gaston James, 12; twins Lucian and Luciana "Lucy", 11; and Jeanette, 4 (born six months after the death of her father). The six orphaned children were sent to Mobile to live with their aunt Elodie. By this time she was 45 years-old and twice widowed. Her daughter Alphonsine was 28. Alphonsine would later marry James Southworth (1844-1899) and have one child that died before 1900.

The six Fortier children called Elodie "Tante Grandma" - 'tante' is French for 'aunt'. By 1880 the four youngest children were still living with their beloved aunt - Odalie had married Charles Horst (my great-great-grandfather) in 1879 and eventually moved to Birmingham; Omer married in 1880 and moved home to New Orleans.

At 2:30 in the morning on March 10, 1914, Elodie died at the home of her niece Lucy Fortier Boulo. The cause of death was listed as "Senility". She was 84. The Mobile Register published her obituary:



Julia Elodie deGruy Gagnet Mendoza by all accounts was a good daughter, wife and mother. She was also a good and caring sister and aunt, taking in her sister's six orphaned children after having been widowed twice. She was buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile, with her daughter Alphonsine after her own death in 1922. With no grandchildren and no descendants she has been virtually forgotten. But her life's circumstances and her willingness to take care of my great-great-grandmother made it possible for me to even exist. Here's why:

Grave at Magnolia Cemetery
Mobile, Alabama

• If Elodie's first husband Alphonse hadn't have died tragically, leaving her a widow at 19 years old she wouldn't have married Frank;
• By marrying Frank she left New Orleans and moved with him to Mobile;
• When her sister died young she accepted her six orphaned nieces and nephews to care for, making them move to Mobile to live with her;
• While living in Mobile with her aunt, my great-great-grandmother Odalie met Mobile resident Charles Horst, my great-great-grandfather, eventually having five children including my great-grandmother  - Pearl Alphonsine Horst (Flemming), named for her maternal grandmother Laperle deGruy Fortier and her mother's cousin Alphonsine Gagnet Southworth.

So thank you Tante Grandma. You are no longer forgotten.

MONDAY'S MOTHERS - Apollonia Weinschenk Berg Horst (1829-1908)

Mondays have so far been "Military Monday", highlighting a family member and his service in the military. I've got lots more of these stories - and I'm hoping to get more information from living relatives to have a fuller story to tell. But now I will also be writing stories of some of the mothers in our many branches. It is alot harder to find information on the lives of female ancestors for obvious reasons. Few women had careers or even jobs, they were often second class citizens and even their obituaries were short and sweet. You can't easily find out what they enjoyed doing in their (little) spare time, many didn't attend higher education and most were married relatively young. What is known is the name of their husband, the names of their children, where their home was, and what church they belonged to - all the important parts of the life of a Southern mother. Here's my chance to honor these often underappreciated family members.



Horst Women ca. 1907
[pictured L-R Odalie "Dolly" Horst (granddaughter), her sister Pearl Horst Flemming (granddaughter) holding daughter Pearl Flemming (great-granddaughter), Apollonia Weinschenk Berg Horst, Apollonia "Appie" Horst Manson (youngest daughter), and her daughter Apollonia Manson (granddaughter)]

Apollonia Weinschenk Berg Horst is my 3rd great-grandmother. She was born in Forst, Bavaria, Germany on March 9, 1829, the youngest of at least eleven children born to Matthew Weinschenk (UNK-before 1842) and Barbara Biebel (1787-before 1842). After her parents' death, Apollonia left Germany, along with at least three sisters, and immigrated to America. She settled in Mobile, Alabama and soon married Tobias Berg on December 15, 1846. She was just 17 years old. Tobias, an immigrant from Zonsweir, Baden, Germany and ten years her senior, owned the City Exchange Saloon. They soon started a family.

Their first child, Ferdinand was born December 10, 1847. He lived only 8 days. Ten months later, Apollonia gave birth to Josephine, on October 17, 1848. [Josephine lived to be 74 and had seven children.] In May 1850, Apollonia gave birth to Samuel. He lived only 3 weeks, dying May 23rd; the official cause of his death was "croup". Ten months after burying their second son, Apollonia gave birth to Anna, on March 14, 1851. [Anna had two children, dying at the age of 56.] On October 25, 1853, Tobias died at the age of thirty-four, leaving Apollonia with two children, ages 5 and 2 1/2, and a business to run.

On December 18, 1854, Apollonia wed Martin Horst (1830-1878), an employee at the City Exchange and an immigrant from Germany. Martin is my 3rd great-grandfather. Martin took over the business and managed it with great success. He also opened Horst Liquors. His success afforded him the opportunity to build a beautiful home which still stands in Mobile. In 1871 Martin was elected Mayor of Mobile, the first mayor elected after Reconstruction. He served one term, only one year.

Apollonia and Martin had eight children together:

• Charles Frederick born December 21, 1856, my great-great-grandfather, who married and had five children, dying at age 55;
• Edward P., born November 3, 1858; he never married and died at the age of 42;
• Henry August, born January 28, 1861; he married, was widowed and remarried, having six children, four living to adulthood; he died at the age of 61;
• William, born February 25, 1863; he lived only sixteen months, dying in July 1864;
• Emma Elizabeth, born May 23, 1865; she was married and widowed, then remarried, having five children, only three living to adulthood; she died at the age of 57;
• Frederick "Freddy", born April 1, 1867; he lived only 4 1/2 months, dying August 27;
• Martin, born September 6, 1868, just a year after Freddy's death; he married but they had no children; he died at age 60;
• Apollonia "Appie", born October 7, 1870 when her mother was 41; she married, had two children (only one living to adulthood), was widowed then married again; she died at the age of seventy-one.

"Before the Civil War started, the Horsts sent Josephine Berg to the Notre Dame Convent in Reading, Ohio just outside Cincinnati for her education. At some point during the War, Apollonia travelled to Reading to bring Josephine home and to pay her school tuition. Because of the danger in crossing the "line", Apollonia removed the stays from her corset and filled the seams with gold coins to cover the cost of tuition. On their trip home, the two women tied bags of sugar under their hoop skirts to smuggle it into Mobile, since sugar was scarce there during the War." [The Horst Family, William A. Powell, Jr.]

Besides raising her children and caring for her home, along with the help of one or more servants, Apollonia raised a large garden and would supply flowers to the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a few short blocks from their home. She and Martin also hosted many Dutch dinners at their home.

Before her husband's death, "while out riding in her carriage, the pair of horses ran away and the groom could not stop them. Apollonia was forced to jump from the carriage and was badly injured. From that time on she walked with the help of a walking stick." [The Horst Family, William A. Powell, Jr.]

Martin Horst died at the age of 48, in 1878, leaving Apollonia with eight children at home - four children, ages 8-17, and four adult children - as well as a large home, the family liquor dealership and Frascati Park, a popular attraction on the Old Shell Road for concerts, plays and gatherings in the city. By 1900 Apollonia was taking in boarders to assist with the living expenses of her home and family.

Apollonia died on April 24, 1908 at 8:30 PM from a stroke. She was buried along side her husband Martin in Mobile's Catholic Cemetery. Her estate was valued at $80,000 in 1908.

Her obituary in The Mobile Register recognized her as "a most estimable woman (who) had many friends throughout this entire county and city." She had borne 12 children, buried six of them - four before their second birthday - as well as five of her grandchildren, been twice widowed and was highly respected in her community and her church. She was survived by three daughters, three sons and twenty-two grandchildren.

SUNDAY'S OBITUARY - James Benjamin Flemming (1827-1907)

James Benjamin Flemming is my 3rd great-grandfather and the farthest Flemming ancestor that this branch of the family goes back. He was married to Sarah Linza Jackson (1837-1902) and they had seven children, four living to adulthood. My great-great-grandfather Charles Clinton Flemming (1854-1932) was their oldest. James Flemming's obituary appeared in The Rome Tribune on December 7, 1907.

A ROME PIONEER

AGED 79 YEARS IS DEAD

J.B. Flemming, Oldest Merchant in Rome, Found Dead in Bed.

     "Very early Friday morning, Mr. James B. Flemming, one of Rome's oldest citizens, passed to death in his sleep.

James Benjamin Flemming
(1827-1907)

      Mr. Flemming left his shop Thursday evening after a full day's work and went to bed at his home on Eighth avenue that night, with no indication of being in other than his usual health. In the morning he was found, lying in his usual position, with no sign of suffering, his life having gone forth in entire peace and quietness. He had very lately expressed the hope that such might be the manner of his death.

      Mr. Flemming was seventy-nine years old, having been born in October, 1828. He had lived in Rome continuously for nearly fifty years, and had carried on a harness and saddlery business during practically the whole of that time. No other business in the city, probably, has been carried off without interruption for so long a time in one place.

     In 1850 Mr. Flemming first came to Rome, but after a short time left and returned in 1858. Since that time he has been constantly resident here, except during the time of the war, during the whole of which he served bravely in the ranks of the army.

     Mr. Flemming leaves four children, who are Mrs. R. B. Blake and Mr. Tom Flemming of Rome, Charlie Flemming of Birmingham and Oscar Flemming, who now lives in Talladega.

     In the death of this aged and respected citizen, Rome loses one of those who have made and sustained her reputation and prosperity. Mr. Flemming was undemonstrative and quiet, but a man who with never failing industry performed his part and more in the work of building up his town and aiding his fellows. His character was strong and manly, and his word could be relied on to the uttermost. His many friends will regret to miss his familiar figure and will sympathize with his children in the loss of a kind parent, a faithful citizen and a good man.

     Funeral services will be held this afternoon at the First Baptist church at two o'clock. The following gentlemen will act as pallbearers, and are requested to meet at the Banks Furniture Company at 1:20 pm: W. M. Neal, M. W. Brett, James Douglas, M.C. Kay, J. F. Hillyer, R. T. Fouche, Moody Andrews, T. C. Callahan."

Several "facts" in this article are questionable. The newspaper says his birthday was October 1828, while his headstone says October 1827, making him actually 80 years old. The paper goes on to state that James was in Rome in 1850, but we know that his first son was born in South Carolina in 1854. It then states by 1858 he was settled in Rome, but according to the 1860 U.S. Census, the family of James & Sarah Flemming were in Cassville, Georgia at that time. [see "Hometown Tuesday - Cassville, Georgia" post, 7/5/11, for more information]

FRIDAY'S FAMOUS - Pope Awards Highest Medal of Service to Family Women



Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal

 The Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is an award of the Roman Catholic Church. The English translation of "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" is "For Church and Pope". It is also known as the "Cross of Honour". Three of my ancestors were awarded this medal, the highest medal by the Pope that can be awarded to lay people within the Roman Catholic Church. It is awarded for distinguished service to the Church by lay people and the clergy.

"The award was established by Pope Leo XIII on July 17, 1888, to commemorate his golden sacerdotal jubilee and was originally bestowed upon those women and men who had aided and promoted the jubilee, and by other means assisted in making the jubilee and the Vatican Exposition successful." [from Wikipedia.com]

Pearl Horst Flemming

My great-grandmother Pearl Alphonsine Horst Flemming (1884-1861) received the medal from Pope John XXIII in 1960. She served the Church and the Birmingham community throughout her life. She was a member of St. Paul's Cathedral and is buried at Elmwood Cemetery. Married to Harry Clinton Flemming (1878-1955) for 49 years, the couple had 8 children. Her many involvements were listed in her obituary:

"A member of St. Paul's Cathedral she was very active in many Catholic organizations, including the Ladies of Charity, Jefferson County Orphans Home, Band No. 2 of St. Paul's Altar Society, Order of Martha and National Council of Catholic Women." [from The Birmingham News, September 26, 1961]

Zoe Josephine Dawes Cumberland (1887-1974) was Pearl's first cousin - Zoe's mother, Emma Horst Dawes (1865-1923), was the younger sister of Charles Frederick Horst (1856-1912), Pearl's father. Zoe was born and lived all her life in Mobile. She was a member of Joan of Arc Catholic Church in the city. Married to Thomas Parker Cumberland (1883-1973) for sixty-four years, the couple had no children. She is buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Mobile. She, too, was a recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal. Her obituary lists many of the contributions that earned her this award:

"She was honored the Papal Decoration medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, Scroll of Merit from the City of Mobile for outstanding work, a member of the Electra Semmes Colston Chapter of the U.D.C. (United Daughters of the Confederacy), Past President of the Ladies of Charity, Deanery President of the National Council of Catholic Women of Mobile...." [from Mobile Register, August 21, 1974]

Mary Regina Altice Lane (1893-1979) was the half-sister of Zoe and the first cousin to Pearl, and she, too, received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal. Regina and Zoe had the same mother - Emma Horst. After Zoe's father, Patrick Henry Dawes (1861-1889) died, Emma married Charles Monroe Altice (1864-1943), Regina's father. Regina married Maurice Joseph Lane (1885-1942) and they moved to his hometown of Newton, Massaschussetts. Maurice died after only 5 years of marriage and Regina moved back to Mobile. They had no children. She lived 37 years after the death of her husband. In her obituary, her accomplishments were listed:

"She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, having served on both the Diocesan and Deanery Boards and received the Pro Ecclesia-et-Pontifice medal from Pope Pius XII. She was also a member of St. Mary's Home Auxillary, Allen Memorial Home Auxillary, Ladies of Charity, Burse Club, Woman's Club, Forum Club and other organizations." [from Mobile Register, June 19, 1979]

Other women from Alabama who are past recipients of the papal medal include Mother Angelica, founder of the Eternal Word Television Network, and Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, M.D., Surgeon General of the United States.

THURSDAY'S TREASURES - Flemming Family Baptismal Gown ca. 1880



Daniel Powell Thomas
in Family Baptismal Gown
November 1994

 [This article appeared in the LifeStyle section of The Birmingham News on November 7, 1994, page C-1]

Generations

Hand-me-down christening gown worn by 147 babies - so far

Susan O'Donnell is one of the first people called whenever the women in her family find out they're having a baby.
     And the expectant mothers have more on their minds than just spreading the good news. They want to make sure their baby will be able to wear the christening gown that has been worn by five generations.
     "They've got to get their name in the pot and reserve it for that month," said Mrs. O'Donnell, who keeps the gown at her house in Homewood.
     Her grandmother, Odalie Fortier Horst, sewed the gown by hand in 1880, and Mrs. O'Donnell's uncle, Charles Frederick Horst, was the first baby to wear it.
     Since then, 147 babies - five members of the first generation, 15 members of the second generation, 45 of the third generation, 67 of the fourth generation and 15 of the fifth generation have worn the gown.
     Daniel Powell Thomas - Mrs. O'Donnell's great-grandson and Mrs. Horst's great-great-great-grandson - was the last baby to be christened in the dress on Sept. 25 at St. Peter's Catholic Church. His mother, Susan Powell Thomas, his grandmother, Barbara O'Donnell Powell, and his brother, Matthew, all had wore the gown.
     "It's a beautiful gown," Mrs. O'Donnell said. "It's so elaborate I tell everybody it's a good thing it takes a woman nine months (to have a baby) or she'd never have finished it."

from The Birmingham News  article

Details
     The full-length gown and petticoat are embellished with embroidery and lace that Mrs. Horst made by hand. "To me, that's what makes the dress exquisite," said Mrs. O'Donnell.
     The gown has been worn by babies in a number of states, including Virginia, Rhode Island, Illinois and Louisiana. Three sets of twins have been christened in the ensemble: one baby wearing the gown while the other wore the petticoat, Mrs. O'Donnell said.
     Mrs. O'Donnell and her seven brothers and sisters all wore the gown, as did Mrs. O'Donnell's eight children, 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
     "When I was having my first baby (John Huber O'Donnell Jr.), my mama was freshening up the dress," Mrs. O'Donnell said.
     "My husband said we weren't going to put that old country dress on that baby, we'd buy him his own clothes," Mrs. O'Donnell said. "I told him that Mama was going to disown him, and he liked my Mama's cooking, so he let the baby wear it."
     So far, every baby has worn the gown, except for Mrs. O'Donnell's sister's granddaughter. The child lives in Chicago, and Mrs. O'Donnell was afraid to send it in the mail.
     "I told my sister if she wanted to come get it and take it back with her, she could," Mrs. O'Donnell said. "But I wasn't about to send it. I know you can get insurance, but what good is the money if you don't have the gown?"

Restoration
     Although all the lace and embroidery is original, the gown has been repaired, Mrs. O'Donnell said.
     "Some babies weren't as kind as others, and it was beginning to look seedy around the neck," she said. "And the petticoat had to be patched because so many beauty pins had left holes in it."
     Following a tradition in her family, Mrs. O'Donnell was the first person to kiss Daniel following his baptism. The oldest member of the family always receives the first kiss she said.
     The kiss was extra-special because Daniel was Mrs. O'Donnell's birthday present.
     "He was born on my 85th birthday, just like Susan promised he would be," Mrs. O'Donnell said.
                                                           - written by Scottie Vickery

When my second son, Daniel, was born, I so wanted to honor my grandmother and the historic gown that our family held so dear. With my mother's help, I sent a letter to the newspaper to tell them about the dress and it's history in our family. To our delight, a reporter called me and we set up a time for Daniel to be photographed wearing the gown. She also interviewed Grandmom. Daniel was three months old at the time.

I don't know how many more family babies have been baptized since this article ran 17 years ago. My youngest child, now 14, and my nephew, almost 16, both wore it. That brings the number up to at least 149.

Since my grandmother passed away, the baptismal gown is being cared for by another family member. If you are a descendant of Odalie Fortier Horst and would like your baby to be baptized in the gown, please let me know and I'll get you in touch with its caretaker.

from The Birmingham News article

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY'S PHOTO - Grandma and Grandpa Flemming, ca. 1913

Charlie & Lizzie Flemming, with granddaughter Flo
(name of dog unknown)
Birmingham, Alabama ca. 1913

My great-great-grandfather, Charles Clinton Flemming (June 23, 1854-January 26, 1932), was the oldest of seven children born to James Flemming (1827-1907) and Sarah Jackson (1837-1902). Born in Darlington, South Carolina, Charlie, as he was known, was raised in Rome, Georgia. It was here that he met his future wife, Elizabeth Agnes McCaffrey (December 23, 1858-July 17, 1922). Lizzie was the third of thirteen children born to Thomas McCaffrey (1832-1896) and Charlotte McCluskey (1838-1917).

Charlie and Lizzie married on April 9, 1877 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rome. Together they had ten children. The family moved to Birmingham, Alabama, after the birth of their fifth child, in the mid-1880's. At the time of the 1900 Census, the family was living at 2500 1st Avenue (the Red Mountain Expressway stands where their house once stood), with their eight living children, including my great-grandfather Harry Flemming, age 22. Also living with the family was Roxie Sanduf, their 30-year-old black house servant from Georgia. Charlie was the Yardmaster at the downtown Railroad Station; Harry was a train Engineer.

I remember my grandmother, Susie Flemming O'Donnell (1909-1999), proudly telling the story that her grandfather Charlie had one of the first automobiles in the city of Birmingham (or was it the first?). If anyone knows what kind of car this is, please let me know!

In the backseat of the car next to Lizzie is their first grandchild - Florence Elizabeth Flemming. Flo, as she was called, was born in 1904, the only child of Charles Clinton Flemming, Jr. (1884-1935) and Marie Sophia Fidger (1884-1908). When her mother died, Flo and her father moved in with his parents. Charles remarried in January 1910, marrying Katherine "Kate" Aurelia Lambert (1885-1935) and together had seven children. Flo stayed with her grandparents until marrying Horace Thomas Kilpatrick (1900-1958) at the age of 18. They moved to Montgomery; the date of her death is unknown.

MONDAY'S MILITARY - PAUL BOULO & THE BATTLE OF SHILOH

Paul Augustus Boulo married my 3rd great-aunt Luciana "Lucy" Fortier in Mobile, Alabama in 1888. Paul was born in Mobile on June 13, 1842. His parents were immigrants - Paul Boulo (1809-before 1880) was born in Genoa, Italy; Ursule C. (March 1823-before 1910) was born in France. Paul was the oldest of eight children.

On October 13, 1861, Paul enlisted with the 21st Alabama Regiment Volunteer Infantry Company E. He was a private, one of 71, in "Woodruff Rifles". The regiment originally stayed at Fort Gaines in Mobile until March 1862. According to the Alabama Archives website, "it remained there a few days, then moved to Corinth (Mississippi), where it was brigaded under Gen. Gladden. The regiment took part in the battle of Shiloh, where it lost six color-bearers in succession, and 200 killed and wounded out of about 650 engaged and was complimented in general orders."

Paul Boulo, at the age of 19, participated in the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee, April 6-7, 1862. On the first day of the battle he was severely wounded in action. Of the 84 members of Company E, 17 were wounded, 3 were missing and 8 were killed - a 27% casualty rate. Paul survived his wounds but was discharged due to the disabling wound, on July 5, 1862. He continued as a volunteer in Mobile in the Ordnance Division, responsible for weapons and ammunition in the city.



Boulo Family ca. 1901
(L to R) May, Lucy, Joseph, Paul Boulo; (standing back) Paul, Jr.
 [daughter Aimee died in 1900 at age 9]



In 1870, Paul listed his occupation in the Census as "City Tax Collector"; he was living at home with his mother and younger siblings. By 1880, he was working as a clerk. In 1888, at the age of 46, he married 27-year-old Lucy Fortier (1861-1942), the younger sister of Odalie Fortier Horst (1857-1920), my great-great-grandmother. Lucy, along with her twin brother Lucian "Lucie" (1861-1884) were the next-to-youngest of eleven children, born in New Orleans to Jacques Omer Fortier (1813-1867) and Augustine Melanie Laperle DeGruy (1822-1872), my 3rd-great-grandparents.

After their marriage Paul and Lucy had four children. Paul worked as a grocer and liquor dealer. Paul died on March 19, 1909. His obituary listed his military history:

"He was a member of Raphael Semmes Camp No. 11 U.C.V. (United Confederate Veterans). He enlisted and went to the front at the call to arms at the beginning of the Civil war, as a member of Company E, Twenty-first Alabama Regiment Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. There are only three surviving members of the company." [Mobile Register, March 20, 1909]

BATTLE OF SHILOH

[from www.nps.gov]

"As a result of the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson, Confederate Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, the commander in the area, was forced to fall back, giving up Kentucky and much of West and Middle Tennessee. He chose Corinth, Mississippi, a major transportation center, as the staging area for an offensive against Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee before the Army of the Ohio, under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, could join it. The Confederate retrenchment was a surprise, although a pleasant one, to the Union forces, and it took Grant, with about 40,000 men, some time to mount a southern offensive, along the Tennessee River, toward Pittsburg Landing. Grant received orders to await Buell’s Army of the Ohio at Pittsburg Landing. Grant did not choose to fortify his position; rather, he set about drilling his men many of which were raw recruits.

Johnston originally planned to attack Grant on April 4, but delays postponed it until the 6th. Attacking the Union troops on the morning of the 6th, the Confederates surprised them, routing many. Some Federals made determined stands and by afternoon, they had established a battle line at the sunken road, known as the “Hornets Nest.” Repeated Rebel attacks failed to carry the Hornets Nest, but massed artillery helped to turn the tide as Confederates surrounded the Union troops and captured, killed, or wounded most. 

Johnston had been mortally wounded earlier and his second in command, Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, took over. The Union troops established another line covering Pittsburg Landing, anchored with artillery and augmented by Buell’s men who began to arrive and take up positions. Fighting continued until after dark, but the Federals  held. By the next morning, the combined Federal forces numbered about 40,000, outnumbering Beauregard’s army of less than 30,000. Beauregard was unaware of the arrival of Buell’s army and launched a counterattack in response to a two-mile advance by William Nelson’s division of Buell’s army at 6:00 am, which was, at first, successful. Union troops stiffened and began forcing the Confederates back. Beauregard ordered a counterattack, which stopped the Union advance but did not break its battle line. At this point, Beauregard realized that he could not win and, having suffered too many casualties, he retired from the field and headed back to Corinth.

On the 8th, Grant sent Brig. Gen. William T. Sherman, with two brigades, and Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood, with his division, in pursuit of Beauregard. They ran into the Rebel rearguard, commanded by Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest, at Fallen Timbers. Forrest’s aggressive tactics, although eventually contained, influenced the Union troops to return to Pittsburg Landing. Grant’s mastery of the Confederate forces continued; he had beaten them once again. The Confederates continued to fall back until launching their mid-August offensive."

CASUALTIES
                   Union                                                Confederate
               Dead: 1,754                                          Dead: 1,723
               Wounded: 8,408                                   Wounded: 8,012
               Missing: 2,885                                      Missing: 959
                  Total: 13,047                                        Total: 10,694

SUNDAY'S OBITUARY - William George McCaffrey (1877-1897)



Will McCaffrey
(1877-1897)

 William George McCaffrey, born in Rome, Georgia on May 31, 1877, was the eleventh of thirteen children born to Thomas McCaffrey (1832-1896) and Charlotte McCluskey (1838-1917). Thomas and Charlotte are my 3rd great-grandparents. Will, as he was called, was the younger brother of my great-great-grandmother Elizabeth "Lizzie" McCaffrey Flemming (1858-1922). Will is my 3rd-great-uncle.

On Saturday, March 22, 1897, at age 19, Will died from complications after having had an appendectomy earlier in the week. Two notices of his death appeared in the local Rome newspaper. He was buried in Rome's historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery.





"Under the wings of midnight, the angel of death stole down to claim the immortal spirit of Will McCaffrey. Hovering over the home until the early hours grew apace, it swooped in, and upon its gloomy pinions, bore it away to rest. The hush that precedes the angelic visitation settled over the home only yesterday evening, but lingering on until 1:25 this morning the tired spirit left the weakened flash. A baby softly cooed and laughed in the quiet household, where the loving sisters softly sobbed as the end grew nearer. The awful dawning realization of death, makes this infantile simplicity more marked, and we are tempted to pray that the grief-stricken sisters be made as little children. An humble resignation to His sweet will, would then be immeasurably easier. May that love that sustained the anxious sisters, as they fearlessly hurried for physicians at the midnight hours of his early illness, still be to them a consolation, for he said he was ready to go. God will send an angel in the home to take the place of the comforter to the mother, and protector to the sisters, and though seemingly reft of the one who so bravely and faithfully took the father's place, yet, angel watchers guard you, mother- angel faces guide you, sisters."  [March 22, 1897]

WILL M'CAFFREY

Death's Chilling Touch Ends a Bright Young Life.

MANY HEARTS ARE SADDENED

He Never Rallied Since the Operation For Appendicites Was Performed Last Monday -

The Funeral Today



"Yesterday morning at 1:25 the soul of young Will McCaffrey passed away.

Since the operation performed on him last Monday afternoon for appendicities (sic) he has steadily sank, and the end was expected at any time.

 Will McCafferey (sic) was on the threshold of young manhood - lacking only a few months of being twenty years of age. He was a splendid young fellow, upright, honorable and a general favorite among all his acquaintances.

He was the son of the late Capt. T. J. McCaffrey, and the comfort and solace of his widowed mother. Her loss is great, and the tenderest sympathy of every one goes to her in the hour of sorrow.

 Young McCaffrey was a devout Catholic. The services will be held at the Catholic church this morning at 11:30 o'clock by Father Clifford.

 The following gentlemen will act as pall bearers, Eugene Logan, Chas. Barclay, Stephen Devorski, W. Kane, D. Kane and Alex Bonnyman.

 From the different fire companies the following honorary pall bearers have been selected, R.C. Tippin and Sam Taylor from No. 4, Sam Hardin and Ed West from Hook and Ladder, Bailey Gordon and M.D. McOsker from No. 1, Fred Hanson and J.K. Williamson from No. 2." [March 23, 1897]

W. G. McCaffrey
Myrtle Hill Cemetery
Rome, Georgia

FRIDAY'S FORGOTTEN - Horst Family Slaves



Lizzie and Jimmie
"Well done of God to halve the lot,
And give them all the sweetness,
To us, the empty room and cot,
To them, the Heaven's completeness."



Albert and Willie
"While none shall tell them of our tears,
These human tears now falling,
Till after a few patient years
One home shall take us all in."

In my Dad's research and writings on the family of Martin Horst (1830-1878), my 3rd-great-grandfather, he wrote about the slaves that Martin owned as a Liquor Dealer and owner of the City Exchange Saloon in Mobile. At the time of the 1860 U.S. Census - Slave Schedule, Martin owned one slave, a 32-year-old black female. He also held ownership of four others as the Administrator of the estate of Tobias Berg, his wife's first husband: a 20-year-old black male, a 21-year-old mulatto female, a 12-year-old mulatto male, and a 9-year-old mulatto female. The Schedule also noted that they lived together in one slave house.The government didn't ask for their names on the census, as they were were only listing "property". It was said that Martin may have owned as many as ten or eleven slaves at one time.

"At the end of the war, most of the family's slaves had left. The first to go was one male slave that Horst had bought for $1,000, the most that he had paid for any of them. Two of the older females stayed with the family until they died and are buried in graves in the Horst family lot in Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile. One of the former male slaves, a trained barber, continued to share and cut the hair of prominent Mobilians and, it was said, brought the money back to Mrs. Horst." [from the as-yet-unpublished Horst Family, by William A. Powell, Jr.]

The graves of these four people - Albert and Willie, Lizzie and Jimmie - are in the family plot of Martin Horst (1868-1928), the youngest son of Martin and Apollonia Weinschenk Horst. Their graves don't include last names, so it is possible they were still slaves at the time of their deaths. Neither headstone includes a birth date or date of death.

But these were not simple headstones, or unmarked graves. In fact, of all the headstones for our family members throughout this cemetery or the Catholic Cemetery, these were actually the most ornate, and two of the few that had more than just a name and date on it. They were buried along side the family. Obviously these four individuals were cared about, and in a way considered "family".

But nothing personal is known about them. Were they married to each other? Were they parent and child? Siblings? If any of them were parents, and have descendants tracing their family tree, would they have any way to know where to find their ancestors? Did anyone ever lay flowers, or come to visit in the years since they died?

They meant something to someone once, a long time ago, in a world far, far away. They weren't born into freedom like our Horst ancestors were, or like we were. Maybe they never knew what freedom was. But for a time, in some way we may never know, they were "family".

The verses engraved on their headstones come from a poem written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)- "A Child's Grave at Florence," published in 1856.