"On the southwest corner of Vine and Second North Streets, opposite the Bell Tavern, was an imposing two-story brick building, erected for W. P. Dunham (the father of Mrs. H. V. Weedon and Miss Willie Dunham), another wealthy merchant of Cahaba in its early history. In the fifties this was the handsome establishment of E. M. Perine, who later on became one of the firm of Perine & Hunter. In the center of the block across the street was another dry goods firm of note--Warford & Blackwell.Opposite page 31 of her book, Ms. Frye also shows this photograph revealing a "view of Vine Street" and Perine's store. This photo was obviously taken in the winter and evidently after the town had all but died, due to the boarded up doors and windows. Perhaps the picture was taken for or by Ms. Frye herself about the time of the book's writing.
All of these houses carried elegant stocks of goods, and their immense sales amounted to princely incomes. There were many other smaller stores and shops which also did a good business, for at this time Cahaba was still the largest shipping point on the Alabama River. Thousands of bales of cotton were handled there during the season, money was plentiful and always in circulation; the people spent lavishly and enjoyed all that life could give."
