“Down in Mobile, they’re all crazy, because the Gulf Coast is the kingdom of monkeys, the land of clowns, ghosts and musicians, and Mobile is sweet lunacy’s county seat.”
- Eugene Walter, The Untidy Pilgrim (1953)
- Eugene Walter, The Untidy Pilgrim (1953)
Naturally, the adventure began at a midtown package store, where you could by cold beer by the can or keg. Nina lectured me on the high points and the low points of the century old community she now calls her home. Behind the woods adjacent to her home, are the remains of a 200 year old plantation home that once housed the neighbors to Augusta Wilson. The home was most likely built by some less than eager French immigrants that left the home and the city for a life not defined by heat, mosquitoes, and pecans. Our appointment with the procurers of the posthumously published cook book was drawing near, so we headed downtown. Sitting gin a sea of bow ties and over sized hats, we listened as the publishers of the book celebrate the life of their friend and muse, Eugene Walter.
We were entertained with stories of Mobile’s original Renaissance man which included his feeding cat food to guests and stopping roadside on the interstate to toast the half way point to Montgomery. Eugene Walters cook book certainly promises not only a good read and outlook on southern cooking, but delivers some interesting recipes as well. Afterwards, of course, with our cold beers in hand we visited his grave and gave a toast. While we were there, it only seemed fitting to have yet another toast to Joe Cain himself. The reader will be reminded that Church Street Cemetery was closed in the 1890’s but the city allowed for one last burial: Eugene Walter who was strategically placed by the resurrecter of Mobile’s Mardi Gras. Nevertheless, after toasting and paying homage to two of Mobile’s legends, two half drunk women returned to a porch in midtown and gave one final toast. This time to one another’s company.
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| "When all else fails, throw a party." |
Information about Eugene Walter:
Jonathan Yardley's piece from The Washington Post, August 19, 2001 - The Life of the Party
Moments with Eugene: A Collection of Memories - "In Memoriam" Piece by Joseph Sackett
Of Moonpies and Monkeys by Sharman Egan's "Of Moonpies and Monkeys"
Southern Living - June, 1998 - "An Afternoon with Eugene Walter" by Denise Gee
Piece by Thomas Upchurch, Capitol Book and News Company -
http://www.alabamastuff.net/walters.html - includes two audio clips: Eugene Walter's presentation "The Front Porch" and Eugene Walter's presentation "Cholesterol."
http://www.alabamastuff.net/walters.html - includes two audio clips: Eugene Walter's presentation "The Front Porch" and Eugene Walter's presentation "Cholesterol."
"Front Porches" by Eugene Walter
Charles McNair's piece from Paste Magazine.com - "The Booky Man: Eugene Walter, A Man You Don't Meet Every Day."
I cherish the times I spent with Eugene in his home. I always thought he would always "be there" and of course, I wish I had visited him more often. Minutes turned into hours when I would sit down with him,and time flew like a split second. I was always so proud to take him to lunch , despite the fact that he wore a monkey tail. It was fitting for him to do that. Long before his death, he planned his wake. He wanted friends to bring wine and chicken salad sandwiches to enjoy there. Many wrote messages on his wooden casket that night. I placed a monkey on top of it and wrote a note on the side of the casket "Say hello to Grandma" His funeral at the cathedral was just as unusual. It was a jazz funeral and many who attended stood up and shared stories about Eugene.I have some books and sketches he signed for me. Also I have several pictures of us together. These are some of my my prized possessions. There will never be another Eugene Walter and I am so very glad our paths crossed.
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