by Randy Reynolds
"Miss Ellen Cutter, of Bainbridge, reached the city
Wednesday and is the admired guest of Miss Georgia Gaston. Miss Cutter is one
of the most attractive young ladies that has visited Gainesville , and her charming presence is the
occasion for many delightful social events." The Georgia Cracker, 11-13-1897
Attractive was an understatement. We have no photos of Ellen
Cutter from those days, but Ellen's eldest daughter Ruby would say of her
little sister and their mom, “Miriam was a miniature version of her mother
[Ellen]: petite, with curly, platinum blonde hair, blue eyes, and a
peaches-and-cream complexion." ~Miriam
Hopkins: Life and Films of a Hollywood Rebel, Allen R. Ellenberger
The "bicycle tea" given by Miss Carolyn Gaston
daughter of Judge J.B. Gaston, on Monday evening of this week, was an
entertainment of most complete and delightful pleasure. After a brilliant
"spin" on the wheel, the party repaired to the hospitable home of our
mayor, where an elegant luncheon was awaiting them.
Miss Gaston and her friend, Miss Cutter, who is at present
visiting her assisted the gracious hostess in entertaining Gainesville 's swell younger set. Those
present were: Miss Carolyn Gaston, Fannie Dunlap, Ethel Matthews, Bertha
Shelly, Etta May Hynds, Hattie Mitchell, Louise Murphy, Mary Gaston. Messrs, J.
Howard Hynds, Joe Landers, Joe Cary Murphy, Warren Brown, Gus Woodliff, George
Hynds, Louie Tisinger, Henry Jarrell, Raiford Walker, Edwin Smith, Bentley
Gaston, Raife Banks, Arthur Mitchell, and Jim Randolph. The Georgia
Cracker, 11-20-1897
The reception given Tuesday evening by Miss Georgia Gaston
in honor of her guest, Miss Cutter of Bainbridge, was one of the most charming
social events in Gainesville
in quite awhile. A large number of guests were present and most charmingly did
the splendid hostess entertain them. From the moment of arrival until the hour
of departure there was one continuous round of jollity, and the affair was one
long to be remembered as one of the happiest events of Gainesville society. The
palatial home was handsomely decorated and presented a scene of exquisite
loveliness. Delightful refreshments were served, and everything passed off in
the happiest manner.
Miss Cutter of Bainbridege, the guest of Miss Gaston, is
receiving charming attention. She is a true blonde, with clear, blue eyes and a
wealth of sunny hair. Added to her beautiful face, her delightful personality
is winning her numbers of admirers and friends. She is a graduate of the New
England Conservatory in Boston ,
and possesses a rare, sweet voice. The Georgia Cracker, 11-27-1897
Miss Cutter leaves next week, after visiting Miss Gaston, as
whose guest she has received marked social distinction, and her winsome face
and charming manner have added scores of admirers to her already lengthy
list. The Georgia Cracker,12-04-1897
Among the many compliments to Miss Cutter, Miss Gaston's
much admired guest, was an elegant six o'clock dinner given by Mr. and Mrs.
J.G. Hynds Thursday at their home on Aspen Hill. Mrs. Hynds is a hostess of
tact and ease, and when she throws open the doors of her hospitable home right
merry are the bidden. An elaborate dinner of seven courses was served in a
dainty and tempting style, and wit and mirth held high carnival. Miss Cutter
and Miss Gaston added the charm of their singing to the happy gathering. Miss Cutter's
voice has been carefully trained and beyond this there is a sincerity and
richness in her tones that is dear to the heart of a music loving listener. Gainesville is ever ready
to be attentive when Miss Gaston sings, and on this ocasion she was eminently herself.
Those present were: Misses Cutter, Gaston, Sims and Sanders. Messrs. Hardy,
Sims, Ham, Webb, and Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Webb. The Georgia Cracker, 12-04-1897
Miss Ellen Cutter returned to Bainbridge Tuesday afternoon
after a very delightful visit to Miss Georgia Gaston. She is one of the most
atractive young ladies that has visited Gainesville
in some time and she was shown many charming social attentions. The
Georgia Cracker, 12-04-1897
Epilogue: Ellen Cutter married an insurance salesman,
Homer Ayers Hopkins, son of a former Union soldier. They divorced seven years
later and from then on Ellen claimed to be a "widow." Ellen and
her two daughters were supported for many years by wealthy family members,
including at various times her twin brother John, her mother, and an uncle.
Ellen's movie-star daughter eventually took over her support but refused to
live in the same city with her because Ellen had long been a domineering
"stage mother" who gave too much advice and often lectured Miriam's
employers (including Adolph Zukor, the head of Paramount) about Miriam's
aristocratic southern heritage because she thought that would increase her
daughter's standing with them.
Ellen was active in the United Daughters of the Confederacy
chapters in Georgia and New York , the Dixie
Club, and the Society of Virginia Women.
Five years after Ellen's visit, her good friend Georgia
Gaston, the mayor's daughter, married a man from a famous South
Georgia political family--Ellen's Uncle Gardner Dickinson.
Ellen's daughter Miriam Hopkins was the first
person to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame--one for movies and one
for television.
