ANNE MCKEE: 10 pounds of terror

It was the fall of 2008 when I located an old photograph of the lovely Kittrell sisters – twin sisters. The photo was black and white – yellowed and worn with age, but I could see the care the sisters had taken on that day in 1889 with their dress and coiffures. The photo is a nice piece of Lauderdale County history. 

The girls stood on the front porch of a dogtrot style house. Seated in between them were probably their momma and poppa. The old folks were in identical hand-carved (I assumed) rocking chairs. Lying on a rug at the feet of momma and poppa was the family dog – not a hound dog, but what is termed a lap dog (terrier, I think). 

As I gazed upon the photo that I found with the help of Lauderdale County Achieves and History Director Ward Calhoun, I felt the excitement the young ladies must have experienced. At least, I think I did. 

They are dressed in long dark skirts, mutton-sleeved white blouses with high neck collars, and ribbons around the collars. Each held a fan that looked as though they had pearl handles. The girls held the fans in identical positions in their right hands. The left hand is held daintily behind their backs. Their hair style, I think, was pulled back into a bun. Neither one had a smile on her face, but there was a pleasant expression present. I wondered…yes, I did – I would like to know about their lives. Did the young women live long and happy lives? 

Their parents were dressed in their Sunday best. Momma wore a long dress of striped material with high collar and poppa wore dark pants with a white long sleeved shirt and dark color vest. There was a walking cane hung from the arm of his chair. He sported a full beard and moustache. The older lady pulled her hair back into a bun as well. Again, neither one smiled, but both gazed intently into the camera. 

It was spring or summer because of the blooming potted plants apparent on each side of the front porch. Also, off of the front porch, there were glass window panes with white curtains and scalloped shades. A view of the back of the house may be seen through the dogtrot hallway – opened at the end. There were trees and bushes seen to the rear of the house. 

All I really know about the Kittrell family is that they lived in the north end of Lauderdale County near what is today the Naval Air Station. But I do know that this was a big day for them – the day of their family portrait. I know they must have prepared for many weeks to put this portrait together – perhaps even months. 

It wasn’t as simple as going to Sears to have a photo made. The traveling photographers of the day were celebrities in their own right. One of the most successful was Elisaeus von Suetter, a German immigrant, who, along with his family, conducted business in the Jackson area, but traveled extensively in Mississippi to snap family photos such as the Kittrell family. 

Mississippi Department of Archives and History has a collection of his work and included is at least one photograph by the Clark Studio of Meridian. I’m certain there were numerous traveling photographers at this time (late 1800s) and their names have been lost, but their work remains as a testament of the times. I believe that is the case of the photo of the Kittrell family.

You may find a clearly defined reproduction of the historic photo on page 25 of my book “Historic Photos of Mississippi.” As I researched for the book, I seemed to have stumbled upon lives, places, and happenings that were somewhat buried with the lapse of time. 

I was determined to find historic photos that were not seen as often or perhaps never seen in a publication. I admit that once I found each historic photo, I became intrigued to learn more – to take a glimpse into the time and place. 

Then, the opportunity came to me to take the book of historic Mississippi photos into schools so students could also take a glimpse into a long ago time – a time in Mississippi history. 

The students were intrigued. Their eyes sparkled and hands darted up and down as they asked questions.  Yes, they were intrigued – just as I. After all, I am a child at heart. I can never learn enough about Mississippi history, the strong people, and the beautiful, natural habitat. 

As I stated in the book … only the sweet songs of the mockingbird are required to understand a land whose beauty is second only to the strength of its people. 

As Mississippians, we know our past struggles and present struggles.  Yes, we know that we are strong people.  Perhaps, the struggles will continue, but, then, the strength will continue as well. Let us endeavor to teach our youth this important lesson – never give up, set goals and work toward those goals, live integrity-filled lives, follow the laws of the land, and support our state.  

Mississippi is worth it all.

One day, someone will find an old photo from the year 2023 and discover all over again the strength of our Mississippi people, and the beauty of our natural habitat, but we knew it first. 

Anne McKee is a Mississippi-inspired storyteller. See her website: http://www.annemckeestoryteller.com