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We sadly note the loss of Ernest Edgar, III on August, 26, 2025 in Auburn, Ala. His grandfather, Ernest, Sr. married Mrs. Bellingrath’s younger sister Daisy Morse back in 1905. Ernest, Jr. arrived a year later.
Bessie and Daisy were particularly close, perhaps since they were less than two years apart in age. Walter and Bessie married in November of 1906 and eventually both families resided on Ann Street in Mobile.
Young Ernest, Jr. spent much time with his aunt and uncle and he and his good friend Gus Meaher were with Walter Bellingrath at Belle Camp on New Year’s Day, 1919, which he often spoke about. Ernest, Jr. was present when the camp was overrun with curious visitors in 1932 and later assisted in manning the gate when an entrance fee was put in place.
In November of that year, Ernest Edgar, Jr. married Amelia Lyon Moore of Mobile. And two years later that young couple accompanied the Bellingraths on their cross country trek to Canada, the west coast and the south west with Ernest at the wheel. It was Amelia who kept a detailed diary of the trip and later typed it up and presented it to the Bellingraths as a Christmas gift.
Another Gift
On January 15, 1936, Ernest Edgar, III arrived. He and his parents were frequent guests in the Bellingrath Home, occupying the Purple Guest Room. The trundle bed was reserved for him.
He was particularly fond of one of the Bellingrath’s young butlers, Edward Carl. The youngster had trouble saying Edward, and called him Bub. That was a nickname Edward recalled fondly and he had warm memories of roaming the Gardens with the little boy.
Ernest, III or Duke as he was then known, spent a great deal of time in the kitchen with Edward and Luther Harris. As the little boy began to talk, they discovered that he would repeat almost anything they said to him. Their language grew saltier and Duke kept on parroting them to their delight.
A couple of days later the lunch table on the Riverside Dining Porch was filled with family and friends with Duke in his high chair. During a sudden lull in the conversation Duke clearly asked “Would someone pass the damn butter?”
Amelia Edgar was nearly speechless and stammered “Where on earth did you learn that??” Her grinning son responded, “Bub.”
Walter Bellingrath left the table and told the two culprits in the pantry that the boy would learn those words on his own in due time and did not need further prompting. And what was Bessie Morse Bellingrath’s response? She was heartily laughing.
An Airplane in the Dining Room
At about this time Ernest Jr. walked in the front door and looked into the Dining Room where he saw Duke circling the banquet table with a sterling silver peacock held aloft and making airplane sounds. His first thought was to look for his aunt Bessie. Since there was no sign of her he quietly walked to the doorway and said quietly to his son “Put that down carefully. You know not to touch Aunt Bessie’s pretty things!”
As he walked into the room, his mother and aunt were sitting in chairs to his right, previously out of sight. “That’s alright Ernest,” his aunt said. “I told him he could play with it. If he breaks it he breaks it. Don’t worry about it.” And with that Duke went back to his imaginary play with a silver bird.
The nickname of Duke was eventually dropped and Ernest graduated from University Military School in 1954 and Virginia Military Institute in 1958. In June of 1964 he married Elizabeth Brown and a 34 year military career followed. He achieved the rank of Major General in the U.S. Corps of Engineers and after retirement moved to Auburn where he enjoyed his garden filled with seasonal flowers and shrubs.
This January 15 would have been the 100th birthday of this special and memorable member of the Bellingrath-Morse family. His childhood antics remain alive today when retold by the tour guides of the Bellingrath Home and always bring a smile to our visitors.