|
TIME LINE
of
Dorothy Dix: 1821-1951
and
Selected bibliography of her writings
by
Inga A. Filippo, Professor of Library Administration
Austin Peay State University
Dorothy Dix (Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer)
November 18, 1861 – December 16, 1951
1821, Charles Nicholas Minor Meriwether married Caroline Barker.
1824, Charles Edward (Ned) Meriwether is born (Dix’ paternal
uncle).
1827, Nancy Minor Meriwether is born.
1830, Mary Walton Meriwether is born.
1837, William Douglas Meriwether is born (Dix’ father).
1854, Nancy Minor Meriwether died.
1861, November 18, Elizabeth Meriwether was born on the 5,000+
acre Woodstock horse farm plantation located in both Montgomery
County, Tennessee and Todd County, Kentucky.
She was the oldest of three children. Her father was William
Douglas Meriwether and her mother was Maria Kimbrough Winston
Meriwether. Her sister Mary was the middle child and her brother
Charles Edward was the youngest of the three children.
Dix’ stepmother was Martha (Mattie) Gilmer Chase Meriwether.
Mattie’s grandfather and father became medical men, general
practitioners in their hometowns. Mattie was the widow of a
cousin to William Douglas (Dix’ father).
1861, December 29, Ned was killed in the Battle of Sacramento,
Kentucky.
1863, Dix’ father left Woodstock to serve in the Civil War.
1877, Elizabeth graduated from the Female Academy in
Clarksville, Tennessee.
1877, Elizabeth completed one semester at Hollins Institute in
Botetourt Springs, Virginia (today is Hollins University). While
here she received the school’s annual composition contest medal
for her story titled Night Brings Out the Stars, a romantic
piece she composed in frustration over having been referred to
“as that little snip” by one of her teachers. In an interview
with Harnett Kane (author of the Dix biography) Dix mentioned
that her writing career began with this story (Kane, p. 34).
1878, Dix’ mother died and Elizabeth worked in her father’s
office as part-time book keeper and letter writer before she
married George.
1880s, Elizabeth has short stories published in the Nashville
American newspaper.
1880-1881, Elizabeth travels to Quincy, Illinois to visit her
stepmother’s family, the Gilmers. While there she meets George
who later becomes her husband.
1882, November 21, Elizabeth marries George Oglethorp Gilmer
(her stepmother’s brother).
1884, George O. begins to show signs of mental problems.
1887, April 2 the Albert Sydney Johnston statue was unveiled at
Metairie Cemetery. The sculptured horse General Johnston sits on
is (supposedly) Firefly, a horse from the Woodstock horse farm
in Kentucky. It is documented in family letters that some of
General Johnston’s horses came from Woodstock.
1890s, late, George O. Gilmer (Dix’ husband) sets up a plant in
New Orleans for the distillation of turpentine products. U.S.
government publications lists him among “pioneers of the
industry.”
1893, Elizabeth is taken by her family to Bay St. Louis on the
Mississippi Gulf Coast to rest. Here she meets Eliza Jane
Poitevent Holbrook Nicholson (Pearl Rivers), the owner of the
New Orleans newspaper Daily Picayune.
1894-1901, Elizabeth worked as a columnist and reporter for the
Daily Picayune.
1894, Elizabeth has her first publication in the Daily Picayune,
How Chloe Saved the Silver, a story based on the true account of
how Mr. Dick, a Meriwether servant, buried the family silver to
protect it from theft during the Civil War. Ms. Nicholson paid
Elizabeth three dollars for the short story.
1894, Elizabeth starts work at the Daily Picayune, writing vital
statistics, obituaries and short news items for a salary of
three dollars per week. Three years later she is writing theatre
columns and editing the women’s page which included the column
“Dear Dorothy Dix.” This was the column that made her famous and
rich.
1894, Major Nathaniel Burbank is the editor of the Daily
Picayune.
1894, Elizabeth lives in a rented room on Camp Street, New
Orleans while working for the Daily Picayune which is located on
the same street. Her husband George stayed with her here at
times.
1895, May 5 application to the U.S. patent office to take on the
trade-mark Dorothy Dix.
1895, Dix begins writing her column “Dorothy Dix Talks of Women
We Know” for the Picayune.
1895, May 26, Elizabeth begins writing her first weekly column
named “Sunday Salad” for the New Orleans Daily Picayune per
Major Nathaniel Burbank’s suggestion.*
1896, Elizabeth adopts the pen name Dorothy Dix for her column.
Dorothy, because she liked the name and Dix in honor of the old
family slave Dick who had saved the Meriwether family silver
during the rages of the Civil War. Within months the column was
renamed to “Dorothy Dix Talks” and became the world’s
longest-running newspaper feature. The “Dorothy Dix Talks”
column became Dix’ second column writing of her talks.
1896-1901, some time during these years Dix serves as the
Women’s Page Editor for the Picayune.
1897, Daily Picayune sends Dix to England to cover Queen
Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Dix’ father traveled with her (Kane
p. 79).
1897, June 4, Dix writes from Glasgow, Scotland. “From New York
to Glasgow,” New Orleans Times Picayune.*
1897, June 8, Dix writes from Ayr, Scotland, “On Scotland’s Fair
Strand,” New Orleans Times Picayune.*
1897, June 10, Dix writes from Stronach la Char, Scotland, “In
Bonnie Scotland,” New Orleans Times Picayune.*
1897, June 12, Dix writes from Edinburgh, Scotland, “Scotland’s
Capital City,” New Orleans Times Picayune.*
1897, June 22, Dix writes from London, England, ‘In Greater
London,” New Orleans Times Picayune.*
1897, July 1, Dix writes from Paris, France, “Shopping It Is Fun
and Trouble - A New Orleans Woman Tries It Abroad,” New Orleans
Times Picayune.*
1898, July 17, column article titled “The Selfishness of Men,”
Picayune, Dix talks about two violent tragedies; the sinking of
the steam-ship Bourgogne and a fire at a charity bazaar in
Paris. In both incidences men were saved at the expense of the
lives of women and children.
Of the 300 women on board the ill-fated Bourgogne, which sunk at
sea a few days ago, only one woman was saved. Of the 200 people
who came out alive, only one was a woman. Survivors tell how
women, struggling to reach the boats, were beaten down and trod
upon, how those who succeeded in getting on the rafts were
pushed off and thrust under the water with boat hooks, how the
little white hands of women and children, clinging to life
lines, were hacked off with knives.*
1899-early 1900, Dix wrote short stories under her real name.
Mara’s Story, Juba and the Ghost, Her Christmas Gift and others.
1900, Dix got the first offer to work for the Hearst Journal in
New York which she turned down. She wanted to stay with her
mentor Major Burbank at the Picayune. She granted permission for
the Journal to use some of her writings, and accepted a part
time contract to report on the notorious temperance crusader
Carry Nation’s endeavors for the Journal.
1900, Dix’ brother Ed moved from Clarksville to New Orleans to
take over the management of the turpentine business Dix’ husband
George was unable to uphold.
1901, Dix’ mentor and editor Nathaniel Burbank died of a heart
attack.
1901-1907, Dix and her husband George lived at 440 Riverside
Drive, New York City, New York. They bought their first car
during that time. Dix enjoyed riding in a car throughout her
life.
1901-1917, Dix covers the New York criminal scene for the New
York Evening Journal in addition to the “Dorothy Dix Talks”
column published three times per week at first and later daily.
In her “My Autobiography” for the Ledger Syndicate she says that
“it was my first writings for my gender about relationships of
men and women.”
1901, Dix’ address in New York was: Mr. and Mrs. George Gilmer,
440 Riverside Drive, New York, NY.
1901, Dix is hired by the newspaper magnate Randolph Hearst and
moves to New York City to write for the New York Evening
Journal.
1901, Dix became inundated with mail from New Yorkers and
realized they also had problems.
1901, Dix moves to New York from New Orleans and takes her cook
Milly with her. Miss Milly (surname unknown) became well known
among Dix’ artsy friends as the “Southern Cook of many well
tasting dishes.” First-class tasting food was important to Dix.
1901, April 1, Dix is hired by William Randolph Hearst and
starts work in the New York Journal office. Immediately begins
to cover murder trials.
1901, Dix continues to write her “Dorothy Dix Talks” column
three times per week for the next 16 years in the Journal. She
became inundated with mail from New Yorkers and realized they
also had problems.
1901, Dix becomes known as one of the four original “Sob
Sisters;” Ada Patterson, Nixola Greeley-Smith and Winifred Black
(Annie Laurie). Dix, and the other three Sob Sisters, became a
fixture at murder trials that involved women in the roaring
twenties.
1902, Dix and her husband George took half a double house at
1617 Jackson Avenue, next to St. Charles. At this time she
wanted the chance to establish her own home. She printed Mrs.
George O. Gilmer on her calling card, and did not want the Dix
part of her intrude her life at this time (Kane p. 124).
1902, Dix’ first book Fables of the Elite.
1905, Dix covers the Nan Patterson murder trial.
1905, Dix featured in a full page of The New York Herald due to
her outstanding journalistic activities. The salute included an
interview, work history, photographs and drawings.
1905, Dix started to write five columns per week instead of
three per request from Mr. Brisbane. Her writings were also
printed in other Hearst syndicated papers such as the
Cosmopolitan.
1906, Dix wrote the story of Josephine Terranova that changed
the verdict of the case and set Josephine free. The judge and
jury agreed with the city editor of the Journal who was given
the story by Dix.
1906, covers the Harry Thaw-Stanford White murder trial which
subsequently brought her permanently to New York coupled with a
pay increase. Dix became the highest paid woman journalist in
the United States at that time.
1907, March, “Woman’s Most Attractive Age,” by Dix. Cosmopolitan
42:569-71, March 1907.
1908, Dix’ column “Dorothy Dix Talks” becomes a daily feature.
1909, Times-Picayune dropped Dix’ column “Dorothy Dix Talks.”
Mr. Rapier serving as the Picayune treasurer decided to cut
costs, but the New Orleans Item picked it up (Kane p. 185).
1910-1920, Good Housekeeping magazine printed Dix’ “Mirandy”
series.
1911, June, “Mirandy on Aids to Beauty,” by Dix. Good
Housekeeping 52; 679-81, June, 1911.
1913, Mammy Emily died.
1914, the “Mirandy” stories were published and in 1922 the
Mirandy Exhorts were published.
1914-1916, Dix works with the New Orleans feminists Kate and
Jean Gordon in lobbying for women’s rights (Kane p.198).
1914, Dix was the keynote speaker at the Suffrage Jubilee
meeting in Boston along with professor Seubling. Also present
were Miss Shaw, Mrs. Catt, Mrs. Belmont and Mrs. Makey.
1914, Dix was the U.S. delegate to the International Women’s
Suffrage Convention in Stockholm, Sweden. Due to W.W.I
insecurities she decided not to attend. However, she visited
Stockholm later on one of her European travels and said it was
“the most beautiful city she had ever seen.”
1914, July, “Case for Women Judges,” by Dix. Good Housekeeping
59: 48-51, July 1914.
1915, the book Hearts a la Mode was published.
1916, New York Journal editor Arthur Brisbane did not agree to
give Dix a reduced writing load. Dix resorted to syndicated
writing. She was 55 years old and had worked for the Journal for
16 years.
1916, Dix signed a contract with the Wheeler Syndicate.
1917, Dix leaves the Hearst employment in New York City.
1917-1923, Dix writes for the Wheeler Syndicate and concentrates
her writing on the “Dorothy Dix Talks” columns.
1917, returns to New Orleans and writes “sermonettes” three days
per week and during the other three days she publishes actual
letters and the answers for Wheeler Syndicate publications. Her
secretaries are Ella Bentley Arthur and Mrs. Cyril Ryan, the
latter is referred to as “the other secretary,” who cared for
the mechanics of handling the columns.
1917, January 14, Dix and her husband George leave for their
journey to the Far East, a trip she had longed to take for
years. They visited Japan, China and Java.
1917, March 13, patent application and declaration for the
Dorothy Dix trade-mark is renewed.
1918, a distraught Dix took a trip around the world. Upon her
return she moved back to New Orleans where her father and
brother had taken up residences.
1920-1927, Dix served on the board of the Picayune. She was the
first woman to serve on the board.
1920, last time Dix saw her husband George before he went to
Florida to stay with relatives. He was later admitted to an
asylum by his family.
1920, April 22, Dix among honored women writers.*
1922, the book of Mirandy Exhorts was published.
1922, Holland’s Magazine, October issue, printed an article
about Dix titled “The Beloved Woman,” by Wynonah Breazeale
Johnson.
1922 December, The Times-Picayune selected Dix as a member of
their Board of Directors. She was their first female board
member.*
1923, Dix signs with the Philadelphia based Public Ledger
Syndicate which takes over the Dorothy Dix Talks column
writings. Dix’ writings are published in 273 papers. Her
estimated reading audience is about 60,000,000 in United States,
England, Australia, New Zealand, South America, China, Mexico,
Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada
(1923-1942).
1923 May 9, Dix addressed a meeting of the New Orleans Business
and Professional Women’s Club.*
1923, September, “Joy of being Fifty,” by Dix. Good Housekeeping
77:23, 1923.
1924-1925, Dix built her new house in New Orleans on 6334
Prytania Street and Exposition Boulevard with the Audubon Park
on the west side.
1924, publishes the book My Trip Around the World.
1924, December 7, Dix returns from Europe.*
1924, serves as first vice president of the Le Petit Salon next
to Grace King as president. Dix was a member of the first
officers of the club after it had been legally chartered on
December 31, 1924.
1925, Dix’ second volume of Mirandy writings was published
called Mirandy Exhorts.
1925, Dix addressed members of the New Orleans Advertising
Club.*
1925, October 28, Dix addressed pupils of the Sophie B. Wright
High School.*
1926, Dix returns to New Jersey to cover the nationally known
Hall-Mills murder trial as a special favor to her syndicate.
1926, the book Dorothy Dix, Her Book: Every-day Help for
Every-day People (based on her column) was published.
1926, March 14, Dix tells about this business of writing.*
1926, April 27, Dix addresses members of the Parent Teachers
Association at annual conference.*
1926, July 30 John Cook of Baltimore, will name new crimson rose
after Dorothy Dix.*
1926, August 20, new crimson rose named after Dorothy Dix at
florists’ convention.*
1926, September 13, Dix thanks Leonard K. Nicholson, president
of the Times-Picayune, for cable telling the florists had named
a rose after her.*
1926, Dix returns to New York to cover the (Frances) Halls-Mills
trial.
1926, October 7, Dix was boarded on the De Grasse French cruise
lines which developed trouble while hours out from the New York
harbor.
1926, December 12, Dix returns to New Orleans from New York
after the Halls-Mills trial.
1927, January, Mrs. Stanley Arthur (Ella) begins her work as
Dix’ secretary.
1927, January 1, Dix’ father died while visiting his daughter
Mary in Chicago. Mr. Meriwether was brought to Clarksville for
burial in the Greenwood Cemetery.
1927, March 9, Mrs. E. M. Gilmer advises “Y” girls how to be
charming and stunts rouse interest in adventures.*
1927, April 21, Dix gives talk at the Newcomb Book Fair on
“Authors I have Known.”*
1927, June 9, Dix was awarded honorary degree of Doctor of
Letters by Tulane University in recognition of her contributions
to the quality of life in the United States.*
1927, July 17, Dix awards the first annual Dorothy Dix
scholarship prize of $100 for an outstanding student pursuing a
degree in the Tulane University School of Journalism.*
1927, August 21, Dix was elected complimentary member of the
Orleans Club, New Orleans.*
1927, August 28, Dix addresses Newcomb students on “The Navy.”*
1927, November 14, Dix makes appeal for the Community Chest.*
1927, November 14, Dix speaks to Y.M.B.C. on “Tired Business
Man.”*
1928, January 11, judges select winner in Dix $100 competition
for best human interest story written by a Tulane journalism
student.*
1928, April, “Dorothy Dix: Matrimony and Horse Sense.” H: F.
Pringle. Outlook, 148:538-40, April, 1928.
1928, May 24, was designated as the “Dorothy Dix Day” in New
Orleans. The ordinary people of New Orleans honored Dix on this
day in the City Park with speeches and flowers. Reception
followed at the Delgado Museum. Dr. Brandt V. B. Dixon,
president emeritus of Newcomb College, said a reason for Dorothy
Dix’ phenomenal popularity was that “in her solutions of
problems she always appealed to the self-respect of her
questioner, reminding them that within themselves were the only
judges from whose decisions there could be no appeal.”*
1928, May 27, Dix were to meet admirers in City Park to bid her
farewell on trip abroad.”*
1928, May 31, Dix honored at the Y.M.B.C. as the World’s Best
Woman.*
1928, June 3, city will pay tribute to Dix today at 5:00pm with
reception in the Delgado Museum.*
1928, June 6, the public tribute to Dix scheduled for yesterday
is delayed by rain.*
1928, June 6, Dix is welcomed as Egypt’s guest this summer. The
Egyptian Consulate in New Orleans refuses fee for famous
traveler’s pass-port visa.*
1928, June 9 Katheryn Schell chosen to present gift to Dix.*
1928, June 10, Dorothy Dix journalism award is won by Samuel
Lang, Tulane University School of Journalism.
1928, June 11, (Sunday) thousands of New Orleanians from all
walks of life pay tribute to Dix in a farewell reception before
she leaves for a tour of Europe and Asia.*
1928, October 30, Dix returns to New Orleans from travels in
Europe and Asia.*
1928, November 19 Dix lists many claims of the Community Chest
to the consideration of New Orleans.*
1929, sociologists Robert S. and Helen Merrel Lynd’s study
Middletown, 1929 noted that Dorothy Dix was well known to the
people of Middletown (Muncie, Indiana) and wrote “perhaps she is
the most potent single agency of diffusion” from outside the
town. Dix clearly shaped the habits of thought of Middletown in
regard to marriage.
1929, January, Dix’ husband George O. Gilmer died in an asylum
in Florida. He is buried in the family plot in Metairie
cemetery, New Orleans.
1929, Dix writes about her Old World travels in a series titled
In the Footsteps of Famous Women published in The Times
Picayune*
1929, February 17, the first part of the series titled
“Specialist in love takes you to home of great vamp.” In the
Footsteps of Famous Women, The Times Picayune.*
1929, February 24, the second part of the series titled “Land of
Cleopatra looks upon her sex without sympathy.” In the Footsteps
of Famous Women, The Times Picayune.*
1929, March 3, Dix describes her travels around Palestine in the
third part of the series titled “Ruth with Naomi visioned in
field of old Palestine.” In the Footsteps of Famous Women, The
Times Picayune.*
1929, March 10, Dix writes about Jerusalem in the fourth part of
the series titled “Most fascinating of world’s cities is old
Jerusalem.” In the footsteps of Famous Women, The Times
Picayune.*
1929, March 17, Dix continues to depict her journey throughout
the Middle East in the fifth part of her travels in the Old
World. “Dainty ghosts line roads of holy land and haunt byways.”
In the Footsteps of Famous Women, The Times Picayune.*
1929, March 24, Dix writes “Finds harem party with shingled hair
and Parisian gowns.” The sixth episode in the series about
travels in the Old World, In the Footsteps of Famous Women, The
Times Picayune.*
1929, March 31, Dix describes in the seventh episode about her
travels in the Old World. “Finds Eve did well by being driven
out of Garden of Eden.” In the Footsteps of Famous Women, The
Times Picayune.*
1929, April 7, Dix writes in her eighth part of the series.
“Persians so lovely shah issues orders that veils must go.” In
the Footsteps of Famous Women, The Times Picayune.*
1929, April 14, Dix’ ninth episode which concludes the series In
the Footsteps of Famous Women, The Times Picayune. “”Memories of
Helen cling about shores along Grecian seas.”*
1929, May 3, Dix addressed members of the Association of
Commerce at a luncheon.*
1929, May 21, Dix visited inmates of the United States Veterans
Hospital and answered their questions of love.*
1929, May 25, Dix took her first airplane ride in a cabin
monoplane to Mexico.
1929, June 9, Dix’ annual journalism prize is awarded to the
Tulane student Harnett T. Kane. He later wrote a biography of
Dix, the only one written.*
1929, November 5, the mother of Gloria Rouzer, alias Ione Orde,
is paying the price for her daughter’s escapades, says Dix after
interviewing Mrs. Rouzer on her arrival to New Orleans.*
1929, October 20, Dix pleas to the people of New Orleans to
support their Le Petit Theatre.*
1929, October 28, Dix in an address before the Arts and Craft
Club of her experience as “confessor” to millions.*
1929, November 13, Dix welcomes steel men as the American
Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., open their convention at
Edgewater Park, Mississippi.*
1930, Dix’ father died at the age of 93. His body was brought by
train to the Clarksville train station from Chicago where his
daughter Mary Patch lived. Family members accompanied the
deceased on the train from Chicago to Clarksville. He was born
January 1, 1837. The funeral was held in Greenwood Cemetery,
Clarksville, Tennessee.
1930th, her estimated income was $80,000 a year. Average income
in the U.S. at that time was less than $1,500 a year.
1930th late, Dix receives around a thousand letters per week
from readers, men and women alike and of all social levels. The
volume of mail necessitated a system for handling the
correspondence. Secretaries were hired to help her sort and
respond to mail.
1930, February 22, Dix is guest at Hollins Institute‘s alumnae
luncheon. Dix displays medal won in early days for composition.
1930, June 8, the third annual Dorothy Dix award for the best
human interest story is won by Mrs. Helen Hill of the Tulane
School of Journalism.*
1931, Dix visits Tahiti (Kane p. 253).
1931, February 25, Dix lauds Miss Jean Gordon, civic worker
whose death yesterday is regretted.*
1931, April 23, Dix is guest of honor at New York tea attended
by Gotham writers.*
1931, April 26, Dix will be awarded an honorary degree of doctor
of letters by Oglethorpe university early in May.*
1931, Dix will deliver address before Newcomb college seniors
and Tulane university senior co-eds at a reception to be given
by the New Orleans branch of the American Association of
University Women.*
1931, May 5, in an address before Newcomb College seniors, Dix
declares that “women make better news-gatherers than men.”*
1931, May 21, Dix is made honorary member of Theta Nu, Tulane
Journalism fraternity.*
1931, May 24, William A. Bell, Jr., is awarded the Dorothy Dix
award at the Tulane school of journalism.*
1931, May 25, Dix is granted an honorary doctor of letters
degree from Oglethorp University, Atlanta, Georgia.*
1931, May 28, Dix leaves New Orleans for California on tour
which is expected to take her to the Far East and which will
last until November.*
1931, August 8, Dix was greeted by large crowd on her arrival at
Manila.*
1931, October 4, Dix returns home following a four month trip to
the Far East.*
1931, November 16, Dix tells why she is sold on the Community
Chest idea.*
1931, November 23, Dix delivers today’s luncheon of Community
Chest workers.*
1932, Dix leaves New Orleans for the East by plane.
1932, January, “And So You are in Love, by Dix. Ladies Home
Journal 49:6+ January 1932.
1932, January 24, Dix becomes president of the Le Petit Salon
succeeding the late Miss Grace King.*
1932, March 9, Dix is among group of prominent Louisianans and
New Yorkers who sailed yesterday with Frans Blom for a visit of
Mayan ruins in Yucatan.*
1932, April 16, Dix talks at the first annual Mother, Dad and
Son dinner of the Y.M.C.A., defends the youth of today.*
1932, May 13, Dix addresses the members of the Le Petit Salon
members mourning the death of the late Miss Grace King.*
1932, May 18, Dix in an address before members of the Orleans
Club defends the right of married women to hold positions in the
business world.*
1932, May 22, John W. Burke, student at Tulane school of
journalism, wins the Dorothy Dix award of $100 for the best
human interest story written by a student during the past year.*
1932, May 29, Dix delivers address at banquet closing the fifth
annual convention of the Louisiana Press Association in New
Orleans.*
1932, August 6, Dix leaves New Orleans for the East by plane.*
1932, November 7, Dix says that it should not be necessary to
ask contributions to the Community Chest this year.*
1933, Dix signs on to the Bell Syndicate.
1933, January 17, Dix addresses press and publicity luncheon of
the New Orleans Women’s Club. She says that “the art of ballyhoo
is a great and noble one.”*
1933, January 30, Dix’ paper giving hints on marriage was read
by Mrs. Arthur Nolte in the 3rd of a series of lectures in a
forum sponsored by the Y.M.C.A.*
1933, February 16, Dix delivers address before the February
program of the New Orleans Assembly of Delphians.*
1933, March 8, Dix delivers talk before members of the Orleans
Club, New Orleans.
1933, March 9, Dix receives numerous letters showing that
America comes up smiling even in banking crises.*
1933, March 27, Dix delivers a talk before the Alumni
Association of the New Orleans University.*
1933, May 21, Mr. Edmond Lebreton wins the Dorothy Dix award of
the Tulane university school of journalism.*
1933, September 20, Dix returns from a 3-month trip through
South and Central America, tells of “grand-time” she had during
the trip.*
1933, November 5, Dix delivers address as honor guest at the
annual fall luncheon of the Delphians.*
1934, January 16, Dix tells how she originated plan of advice
column.*
1934, May 20 Dix speaks at church benefit in Pass Christian.*
1934, June, Dix visited Clarksville for family reunion and
Dunbar cave.
1934, July, “Columnists as They See Themselves,” by Dix.
Literary Digest 118:10 July 21, 1934.
1934, August 19, Dix journeys to Canada to explore Acadian
country.*
1934, November 1, Dix talks to the Bluebird Society on “Charms
of Mexico.”*
1935, February 21 Dix was honored by the Georgia Newspaper
Group.
1936, Time Magazine tells about the 40th anniversary of the Dix
writings. “There were three big parties held for Dix by the
Times-Picayune, the Tulane University School of Journalism and
her friends.”*
1936, February 14, Dix addresses L.S.U. students.*
1936, February 14, “Woman Reporter Advised Not to use Man’s
Style,” by Margaret Dixon. Matrix table talk by Dix.*
1936, April 5, Dix celebrates 40 years in newspaper work.
Described on its anniversary (feature by Frost).*
1936, April 6, Dix featured on her 40th year in the newspaper
work, by Margaret Dixon.*
1936, April, “Decades of Dix.” Time 27: 67-8 April 20, 1936.
1936, July 27, Dix lectures in garden of “The Shadows,” per
invitation from her good friend Pattie (Harriet) Weeks.
(Harriett Weeks, born January 24, 1864, daughter of William F.
and Mary Weeks of The Shadows Plantation - Weeks Sugar
Plantation in New Iberia, Louisiana).*
1936, October 6, Dix is portrayed in a new book about women of
the press.*
1937, May 30, Mr. Earl Culon receives the Dix journalism award
at Tulane School of Journalism.
1937, July 10, Dix life is topic of article titled “Dorothy Dix
Talks,” by New Orleans writer Herman Bacher Deutsch. Saturday
Evening Post 210: 16-17+ July 10, 1937.
1937, December 2, “Dorothy Dix,” Woman’s Day.
1938, Editor and Publisher made an authoritative survey showing
that Dorothy’s column not only took first place as the oldest
feature in the newspaper field, but also as the longest
continuing feature. Its creator is still in service (Kane p.
264, 1952).
1939, it is estimated that Dix received about 100,000 letters
per year.
1939, Dix’ book How to Win and Hold a Husband is a collection of
essays advising the lovelorn, published by Doubleday.
1939, Time Magazine reviewed her book How to Win and Hold a
Husband.
1939, June 7, Dix thanks mayor for alley paving.*
1939, September 20, Dix’ editorial in the Times-Picayune on
“woman’s place in war.”
1940, Dix’ writings were printed in 273 newspapers and read by
approximately 60 million people in the United States, England,
Australia, New Zealand, South America, China, Mexico, Hawaii,
the Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada.
1940, April, “Lovelorns’ no. 1 Advisor Lives in New Orleans.”
Life 8: 104-7, April 22, 1940.
1940, May 19, Miss Aedath Markel is awarded the Dorothy Dix
journalism award for the best human interest story of the year,
from the Tulane School of Journalism.
1941, May 18, another Dorothy Dix journalism prize was awarded.
1941, October 26, picture spread: “First Lady of the South.”*
1941, December 24, “Meet the Confidante,” by Albert H. Morehead.
Bell Syndicate (from Red Book Magazine).*
1942, Biography of Famous Journalists , John E. Dreivery, ed.
Random House, New York, 1942.
1942, March “Dear Dorothy Dix.” Newsweek 19:61 March 23, 1942.
1942, May 17, Dorothy Dix Journalism prize awarded.
1942, Dix signs with the Bell Syndicate.
1943, January 10, Dix talks on patriotism and nurses, New
Orleans.*
1943, January 24, Dix recalls builder of paper (The Times
Picayune) to grand daughter, New Orleans.*
1943, December 4, Dix sponsored launching of SS Opie Read, 89th
ship built by Delta Shipbuilding Co. Inc.
1944, Dix’ sister Mary and Mary’s husband, George Patch, died
within a short period of time of each other (Kane p. 303). They
are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, TN.
1944, Dix was hit by a bus while crossing a street in Asheville,
NC (Kane p. 303)
1946 Time Magazine calls Dix’ advice “sympathetic,” but not
“syrupy.”
1946, May 5, Times-Picayune celebrates the golden anniversary of
Dix’ column.*
1946, May 15, Associated Press creates a biographical services
sketch of Dix.*
1946, May 19, Quentin L. Ault, army veteran wins the Dorothy Dix
journalism award for his story of an A-bomb flight.*
1946, May 30, Dix honored by members of the Le Petit Salon and
receives gift.*
1946, June 26, Dix to be honored at dinner meeting of the QUOTA
Club.*
1947, April 20, Dix is one of six women honored by the
Federation of Women’s Clubs, New Orleans.*
1948, Dix’ longtime friend Helen Pitkin Schertz died and Dix
expressed that the same thing might happen to her before long
(Kane p. 304).
1948, May 30, Mrs. Elizabeth Gilmer elected as an honorary
member of the Newcomb Alumnae Association.*
1948, November, “Heart Specialist.” Coronet 25: 28 November,
1948.
1949, April, Dix no longer answers her readers’ letters
according to her secretary Ella Bentley Arthur.*
1949, May 14, Mrs. Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer is reelected
president of Le Petit Salon.*
1949, Dix made her 21s and final trip to Ashville, N.C.
1950, Dix suffers a stroke.*
1951, December 16, Dorothy Dix died at Turo Infirmary in New
Orleans.*
1951, December 17, obituary: “Dorothy Dix Dies; Wrote Advice to
Lovelorn Over Half-Century.” New York Herald Tribune.
1951, December 18, editorial: “Dorothy Dix.” New York Herald
Tribune..
1951, December 17, Times-Picayune editorial about Dix.*
1951, December 17, “Dorothy Dix Dies; Advice to Troubled.”
Knoxville [Tennessee} Journal.
1951, December 17, “Dorothy Dix Dies at 90; Sob Sister of
Lovelorn.” New York World-Telegram and Sun.
1951, December 17, “Dorothy Did Dead: Counselor on Love.” New
York Times.
1951, December 17, “Columnist Dorothy Dix Dies; Millions Sought
Her Advice.” Memphis Commercial Appeal.
1951, December 17, “Dorothy Dix Expires at 90; Rites Tuesday.”
New Orleans Times-Picayune.
1951, December 17, obituary: “Dorothy Dix, Columnist, Dies in
New Orleans.” Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.
1951, December 17, “Dorothy Dix’ Burial in New Orleans Tuesday;”
“2 Generations Mourn Dorothy Dix.” Atlanta Journal.
1951, December 19, “Dorothy Dix Buried After Private Rites.”
Ashville Citizen.
1951, December 24, obituary notice Time Magazine.
1951, December, obituary notice. Newsweek Magazine.
1951, December, “Dorothy Dix Dies, Leaving Memory of Her Own
Tragedy in Real Life.” Greenville [South Carolina] Piedmont.
1951, Dix was buried in the Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans
1951, December 28, Dix memorial rites held at Le Petit Salon
with George Healy as speaker.*
1952, Muriel Nissen, Dix’ advisor and assistant answered Dix’
final mail.
1952, January 4, Dix will probated.*
1952, February 5, Dix estate valued at $2,316,398.*
1952, February, obituary. Wilson Library Bulletin 26:428
February, 1952.
1991, September 27 a Dorothy Dix Symposium was held at Woodstock
Plantation, Trenton Kentucky in memory of Elizabeth Meriwether
Gilmer. The Symposium was supported by the Austin Peat State
University and the Felix G. Woodward Library. Ms. Elnor McMahan
Corgan and children, owner of Woodstock, hosted the symposium.
*denotes article available in the Times-Picayune
MAJOR POSITIONS HELD
Reporter and columnist, New Orleans Picayune (1894-1901)
New York Journal (1901-1916)
Wheeler Syndicate (1916-1923)
Ledger Syndicate (1923-1942)
Bell Syndicate (1942-1949)
BOOKS
Fables of the Elite, Dorothy Dix (New York: Fenno, 1902)
Mirandy, Dorothy Dix (New York: Hearst’s International Library,
1914; London: Low, 1914)
Hearts a La Mode, Dorothy Dix (New York: Hearst’s International
Library, 1915)
My Joy-Ride Round the World, Dorothy Dix (London: Mills & Boon,
1922); republished as My Trip Round the World
(Philadelphia: Penn, 1924)
Mirandy Exhorts, Dorothy Dix (Philadelphia: Penn, 1925)
Dorothy Dix-Her Book: Every-Day Help for Every-Day People,
Dorothy Dix (New York & London: Funk & Wagnalls, 1926)
Mexico, Dorothy Dix (Gulfport, Miss: C. Rand, 1934)
How to Win and Hold a Husband, Dorothy Dix (New York:
Doubleday, Doran, 1939)
PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS
“Mother Confessor to Millions,” Dorothy Dix. Times-Picayune New Orleans
States Magazine, 5 May 1946, pp. 6-7
MISCELLANEOUS
William Douglas Meriwether
Business Chronology
1860-1870s, William Douglas organized Turnley, Ely, & Co. Tobacco, and
General Commission Merchants Tobacco and Plows, Clarksville, Tennessee.
1873, William Douglas bought a house for $6,000 for the family on 400
block of Commerce Street, Clarksville, Tennessee.
1874, William Douglas built a large brick home on Madison Street on a
lot adjoining the currently located Baptist Church, Clarksville,
Tennessee.
1923, American Tobacco Company bought the Meriwether Tobacco Company for
$3,000,000, Clarksville, Tennessee.
Dix’ “Finer Points”
“Love means caring for somebody more than yourself. It is putting
somebody else’s pleasure and happiness and well-being above your own. It
is sacrificing yourself for another and enjoying doing it. It is the
world being all right when someone is with you and all wrong when he or
she is absent. It is knowing someone’s every fault and blemish and not
caring. No one can define it; it just is,” Dorothy Dix.
“Dorothy Dix Talks columns were my first writings for the gender about
the relationships of men and women,” Dix says in her “My Autobiography,”
written for the Ledger Syndicate.
Due to Dix’ investigation in the Ruth Wheeler murder incident Albert
Walter was tried, convicted and executed for the murder (not Ruth).
“Holy Thursday(s) were club meeting days at the Le Petit Salon,” Dorothy
Dix.
Dix wrote a group of columns entitled “Jollies That We Know.” They dealt
with the power of flattery.
New Orleans Item was the name of the Picayune rival paper. While writing
for the paper, Dix developed a friendship with journalist Stanley Clisby
Arthur whose wife Ella became Dix’ chief secretary upon Dix’ return to
New Orleans from New York.
Irvin S. Cobb, journalist for the World newspaper, and Dix became close
friends over the years while covering many of the same trials. According
to Harnett T. Kane, Cobb said “I’d hate to have that little demon of a
reporter poking her eyes over me.”
Nell Brinkley, the famous creator of the “Fluffy-Ruffles Girls,” was
introduced to the press sections of courts by Dix. Nell’s first visit
was at the Thaw trial which Dix covered. The artist’s floating sketches
of the defender Evelyn Nesbit depicted her more beautiful than the one
in real life. The “feathery and demure type, with long lashes, rosebud
mouths, silken hair, and with dimpled cupids floating in the sky above
them.” Arthur Brisbane, the Journal editor, assigned Brinkley only to
cases involving women of such looks (Harnett T. Kane).
FAMILY RELATIONS, FRIENDS AND STAFF
“Morality is an affair of geography and of point of view,” Dorothy Dix.
Elizabeth Meriwether was born at Woodstock plantation located on the
state line between Tennessee and Kentucky. She also lived in Olmstead,
Kentucky, where the family had property, before her father built a house
in Clarksville where Elizabeth spent her later adolescent years before
moving to the Gulf coast.
The Meriwether family was kin to Meriwether Lewis, the famous American
explorer, with roots in England, Scotland and Wales. In 1680 three
Meriwether sons moved from Wales to the “freer air of the Old Dominion
across the sea. Their father had an extensive land-grant in Albemarle
and New Kent counties in Virginia.” Some of the family members continued
farther out west (Kane, p. 17).
George Oglethorpe Gilmer, Dix’ husband, was Dix’ stepmother’s brother
and her father’s cousin. The Gilmer family lived in Quincy, Illinois.
George Oglethorpe Gilmer set up a small plant at 820 Perdido Street in
the industrial district of New Orleans for his distillation of
turpentine products (Kane p. 75).
Dix and her husband were married for 47 years until his death in 1929.
While living in New York City the Gilmers (Dix and her husband George)
had contact with Warren Gilmer, George’s nephew, who remembers Dix
taking him to “memorable Broadway first nights,” of which Dix wrote
critical reviews for the Journal (Dear Dorothy Dix: The Story of a
Compassionate Woman by Harnett T. Kane with Ella Bentley Arthur.
Doubleday & Company, Inc. Garden City, New York).
New York City address for Mr. and Mrs. George Gilmer was: 440 Riverside
Drive, New York City, New York.
William Douglas Meriwether left Woodstock, due to financial problems,
and moved his family to Olmstead, Kentucky where he had relatives. He
later moved to Clarksville, Tennessee. While in Clarksville Elizabeth
(Dix) attended and graduated from the Female Academy of Clarksville.
William Douglas Meriwether owned a plow manufacturing business, among
other businesses, while in Clarksville, Tennessee
Dix’ father, William Douglas Meriwether, lived at 1225 General Pershing
Street, New Orleans, Louisiana after he left Clarksville, Tennessee.
William Douglas Meriwether, Dix’ father, spent the months of June, July
and August of his later years at the Diamond Springs resort in the cool
hills of Kentucky. Here his daughters Dorothy and Mary and many of his
relatives joined him regularly (Kane p.228).
William Douglas Meriwether, Dix’ father, also entertained family and
friends at the Clarksville, Tennessee, Dunbar Cave resort during his
later years. This was the Meriwether-Barker-Ferguson Family Reunion
which he worked on for months with his son Ed. Several thousand
invitations were sent to clan members and friends including pipe smoking
black Mammies of Civil War days (Kane p.229).
Dix’ sister Mary was married to George Patch. His brother’s
grandchildren are Alvin Patch and Margaret Patch Kimbrough of
Clarksville, TN.
Mrs. Elizabeth J. Nicholson (Pearl Rivers) was the owner and publisher
of the New Orleans Picayune. She was the first woman publisher of a
major American newspaper. She bought the Picayune after the death of her
husband-publisher.
Pearl Rivers; see above statement.
Dix’ first official secretary was Beulah Gold, a cousin of Dix’
sister-in-law, Daisy Meriwether who married Dix’ brother Edward. Edward
and his family lived on the first level of the two story house Dix built
on 6334 Prytania Street. By 1928 Miss Gold married and moved to
California.
Clare, who became Mrs. Cyril Ryan, served as Dix’ “other” secretary. She
was Beulah Gold’s sister.
Mrs. Stanley Arthur (Ella), a close friend of Dix, served as Dix’
secretary from January 1927 until Dix died in 1951.
Mr. Stanley Clisby Arthur, Ella’s husband, was one of Dix’ friends while
a reporter on the New Orleans Item. He later landed a job on the New
York Evening Journal due to Dix’ influence. Dix and the Arthur family,
which included their two children, became very good friends. Stanley
later wrote a weekly feature named “Young-Man-Afraid-of-His-Wife” which
dealt with domestic difficulties of newly married couples. Dix wrote a
few articles about how to bring up baby boys based on her interaction
with the Arthur babies who accompanied their parents to many of Dix’
parties where they slept on Dorothy’s bed.
Sonny Boy’s Day at the Zoo, by Ella Bentley and Stanley Clisby Arthur.
The Century Co., 1913. Preface by Dorothy Dix. A book of verse tells the
story about a young boy’s visit to the zoo and how he learns about the
animals there. The book is illustrated with Arthur’s black and white
photographs taken at the Theological Park (64 pages, 8”x10”; copy in the
APSU Dix Collection).
Dix’ secretary Muriel Nissen continued to answer letters for a year or
two after Dix’ passed away.
Milly (surname unknown) was the name of the cook who Dix brought with
her to New York in 1901. Milly’s son became a well known physician in
New York (Kane p. 183).
Nellie, was Mrs. Arthur Nolte. She was a very dear friend to Dix who
often was invited to travel with Dix on her exotic trips to far away
places.
.
George Gilmer’s (Dix’ husband) turpentine distillation company was
located on Perdido Street, New Orleans.
Daisy Meriwether Van Deburgh’s and Bill Meriwether Jr.’s grandfather, Ed
Meriwether, was Dix’ brother.
Ms. Johnny Givens, Head Librarian of the Austin Peay State College
Library, initiated a search for literary materials unique to the area in
the early 1960s. Via this search the Dorothy Dix papers landed at the
college library and later became the Dorothy Dix Collection.
Mrs. P. (Paul) A. Meriwether of Clarksville suggested to Dean Felix G.
Woodward and Head Librarian Ms. Johnny Givens, Austin Peay State
University, that A. Huntington Patch, nephew of Dorothy Dix, Ashville,
North Carolina, may have Dix material for the creation of a specialized
Dorothy Dix Collection for the University Library (1969).
A. Huntington Patch’s wife’s name was Mary Ruth, referred to as Bee.
Mrs. Joanne Waggoner, niece of A. Huntington Patch.
Warren Gilmer lived in New Orleans and was a nephew of George Gilmer,
Dix’ husband (Kane, p. 157).
The Gilmer family came from Quincy, Illinois. Dix’ stepmother was Martha
Gilmer Chase Meriwether (widowed). She was a cousin to Dix’ father (who
married her).
*denotes article available in Times-Picayune
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