Confederate Roses are blooming at White Force Cottage on Mabry Street. The roses are a hibiscus and related to cotton and okra. The large blooms first open as white blossoms, then turn pink on the second day and blue-pink on the third day.
White-Force Cottage was the Selma home of Mary Todd Lincoln's (President Abraham Lincoln's wife) half sister, Martha Todd White, and is next door to Sturdivant Hall.
The "ghosts" of famous Selmians returned to life Friday evening to tell their stories in Part 1 of the Old Live Oak Cemetery Ghost Tour.
Here, the "ghost" of Elodie Todd Dawson tells how her family was divided between North and South during the Civil War and how she spearheaded efforts to erect the cemetery's Confederate Monument after it was over. Mrs. Dawson was the half-sister of Mary Todd Lincoln, making her President Abraham Lincoln's sister-in-law.
To see the fine monument that her husband placed in her memory, click HERE.
Other Friday night ghosts included black educator R.B. Hudson, Alabama's first female State Representative, suffragette Harriet Wilkins, a Confederate soldier and more.
More "ghosts" will rise tonight at 6 p.m. for Part 2 of the Selma Pilgrimage cemetery tour. Pilgrimage celebrates Selma's heritage from its founding in 1820 to present-day history.
More Pilgrimage 2009 pictures can be seen at Selma NOW.
