GHOSTS OF OLD MOBILE Ghosts OF OLD MOBILE BY MAY RANDLETTE BECK Published for the Historic Mobile Preservation Society THE HAUNTED BOOK SHOP MOBILE, ALABAMA 1946 COPYRIGHT, 1946 by MAY RANDLETTE BECK Printed and Bound By GILL PRINTING & STATIONERY CO. Mobile, Alabama Engravings By GULF ST ATES ENGRAVING CO. Mobile, Alabama TEXTS MA y RANDLETT£ BECK VERSES CAROLINE McCALL ---- DRAWINGS WILLIAM B. BusH DEDICATED To MY SISTER FAN LOUISE RANDLETTE 1883-1939 With her cheerful happy nature she scattered sunshine and sowed the seed of her beautiful philosophy of living an2ong all who knew her .. Vll MOTTO OF '' THE .ANCIENT MAR IN ER'' "I can hardly believe that in the universe the invisible beings are more than the visible. But who shall reveal to us the nature of them all, the rank, the relationships, the distinguishing features and the offices of each? What is it they do? Where is it they dwell? Always about the knowledge of these wonders the mind of man has circled nor ever reached it." -Translated from the Latin of Buckner and used -by Coleridge . Vlll ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My sincere thanks go to all who have helped with this book. To Caroline McCall, for her generous assistance and encouragement during my explorations down highways and byways looking for ghosts. Research in any activity demands time and thought and energy but it has been fun working together. Many times the wee sma' hours have found us in close communion at our ghostly task, attempting to recapture the spirits of another day. Caroline, with her gifted touch, can transform a plain statement of facts into a poem. Her mind is a ·store-house full of beautiful material for clothing her thoughts, which she has generously shared with us. To William B. Bush, ready and agreeable, I am grateful for the clear vision, the open mind and a:Ptistic drawings. As the work progressed, the inspiration increased. Naturally the subject called for more sketching, and "just one more". They have been cheerfully forthcoming, not one more, but many more. To Cameron Plummer, I am grateful for the title of my book. When he, after many had made varied suggestions, offered "Ghosts of Old Mobile", I knew that was exactly what I wanted. But he has done more than just suggest the title of my work. He has stood one of the "powers" behind my Iittle "throne". I am grateful to Frances Durham for willing assistance and critical review of a part of the manuscript, and to the Mobile Press Register for kindly cooperation and interest. To Estelle Chaudron, for reading the Legends and offering helpful suggestions. IX My family are my unofficial critics. If you would have the truth, go ask them. If they appear doubtful or non-committal, a trifle dubious, it portends nothing good. If half-way compromise is to be offered, expect a thoughtful expression, perhaps a slight nodding of the head-but if your idea is approved, spontaneous applause is given. I thank you, my husband, for your patience and long suffering. You have tried to listen politely when I have read my notes, but sometimes when I have tried the hardest to awaken your receptive mind, you have gone to sleep! Or Ethel has listened to the baby's wail, instead of mine, and Ed Marty has thought more about the house that he was building, than the one I hoped to see restored. To my son Edward: I thank you dear, for the many times that you ·sat down with me and painstakingly went over my notes, even if you did make fun of my punctuation and tell me I couldn't spell any better than "Ef". You have been sweet and understanding always. To Hilda, my son's wife; to Dotty and Scotty, the two young daughters in the family, and Dorothy, Hilda's sister: "you were all dear to help me last Summer." It wouldn't be fair not to mention the keen interest manifested by our two babies. At first it was Nancy, who sat by n:ie at the table demanding duplicate material for work, and then Ned, learning to crawl, persisted in sitting under the table to play "peek-a-boo!" I express my gratitude to Mr. F. M. Goodhue for kindly suggestions, interest, and coming to the rescue of my punctuation. X A TRIBUTE Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace. And saw within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich and like a lily _in bloom, An Angel writing in a book of gold: Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the Presence in the room he said, "What writest thou?" The vision raised its head, And, with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men." The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night It came again, with great wakening light,- And showed the names whom love of God had blessed, - And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest! -LEIGH HUNT, 1784-1859 . XI FOREWORD "Ghosts of Old Mobile" has been compiled with the specific purpose of presenting a group of old homes that were constructed during one of the peaks of Mobile's greatest prosperity. The architectural design and build­ ing doubtless assisted in the promotion of the city's progress and growth, creating an unusual charm and beauty. Certain types unique in structure and typically distinctive of Mobile are fast disappearing and when they go, the loss will be irreplaceable. The houses selected are of sufficient historic significance to encourage interest and invite attention to the possibility of restoring some of the cherished old landmarks, that unless a revival of interest is manifested more earnestly than has been shown in the past, will be lost to posterity in the ruthless onslaught of progress. Numerous records are being lost; legends of historical value and im­ portance, many that have been handed down from one generation to another, through carelessness- and neglect will disappear with the age that is passing. This book opens with "The :Bugle Call" - a call to all ghosts of old Mobile, to rise again and infuse those now living with the spirit of enthusiasm that inspired the founders of a city in a new and untried world, with a determination of purpose to build and never turn back·. May that same spirit possessed by the early settlers who built for the future, inspire the present generation to protect and preserve for future ones to come, the relics of antiquity that survive. In answer to the Call, the ghosts come trooping in. Through chan­ nels of memory, legend and traditional lore, may knowledge be brought to light, to reveal hidden treasures and forgotten relics, that may appear trivial to the possessor of the facts, but prove of great value to the historian . .. Xlll Before us is the vast Indian country with its primeval pine forests and inland waterways, the Bay and the Gulf. The Indian ruled supreme and communed with the Great Spirit. One day he saw a vision, and all his world changed. He struggled to hold his own; the invaders were victorious after many battles and hardships, but it was nearly two hundred years before the shores of Mobile Bay were settled. A fort was built and the founding of Mobile began. We all know the story; it has been repeatedly told in song and verse, but it was not until early in 1800 that a real city began to flourish, with good and bad to its credit. The Tour of Old Homes, with its variations, may recall forgotten mem­ ories that lie hidden away in the inner recesses of the mind, and awaken an answering echo that will bring a smile to the lip or a tear to the eye and inspire one to make contribution of incidents that the reader may remem­ ber only through an association of ideas - something that may prove price­ less in its historical significance and value. An earnest appeal is voiced for ~etter protection in the future of our ancient oaks, better protection and care of Washington Square, Bienville Square and the Church Street Cemetery. All are old historic land­ marks; the former held dear in the memory of those who have spent a lifetime in the neighborhood, and the latter, with its sacred dead held in reverence by all old Mobilians. Bienville Square, with its historic value and unique beauty, is situated in the heart of the busy city. XIV TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Acknowledgments -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------····------ _______ 1x A Tribute _______________ ·----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ____________ _____ ______ ________ xi ·1·· F orew ord _____ _____ _________ ----------------------·----- --------------------------------------------------------------·· ___ ---•·• _____ X1 1 Prologue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------· __ ... _. -··--· xvii Chapter 1. The Bugle Call ---------------------------· -------------------------------------------------------------··-- ... __________ 1 2. The Indian Country -----------------------------------------------------------·--------------------------- ___ ____ 5 3. Mobile ________ · ----··-----------·----------------- __________________ ----------------------------------------- ·•-- __ ____ _____ ___ ____ 9 4. First Jail and Court House _______________________________ ---------------····------------------ .... ____ ._:. __ 13 5. Bucket of Blood·--------------------------------·----------------------------____________________________________________ 27 6. To the Past ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------