The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-04-10
TRIBUTE.
CIRcuIT COURT AT HARRISON,
Mach Term. 1857

Mascn Term, 1891.
The members Of the Bar had meeting for
the purpose Of adopting such measures as they
might deem proper, expressive of their feel
ings in regard to the death of WIN F. KErrH.
Esq, who was q member OF the Bar at this
Court. Whereupon, d. VI. Key was called to
the Chair, and John e. Burch appointed Sec
Rotary. On motion, the Chairman appointed
A. @. Welcker. d. c. Trewhtt and J. II
Gaut committee to prepare such resolutions
as may be deemed appropriate to the occa-
sion. And the committee reported the fol.
lowing, which were unanimously adopted:
William +. Keith has been taken from our
midst. In the yigor of early manhood he
stood but yesterday among us full of life full
Of hope and Of promise, with as bright pros
poets as any Of us for long career Of distine
ton and usefulness before him. But how
weak, how frail is mani How soon are the
proudest hopes and brightest prospects for
ever crushed in the arms Of Death. And we
have melancholy evidence Of this in the death
Of our friend and associate. since the last
term OF our Court. OF his varied learning.
mental abilities and social accomplishments,
it is unnecessary to speak. As polished
gentleman, ripe scholar, and an able lawyer.
there we're few Of his age equal TO William
F. Keith, and those qualities were backed
and supported by an energy and industry
which knew no defeat. And in him the le-
gal profession loses one of its brightest
pledges Of promise, society rich ornament,
and the state faithful citizen. As associates,
as friends. as members of the legal profession,
we all profoundly deplore his untimely death;
but how much more sadly and crushingly
must the awful blow fall upon his aged father
and affectionate brothers and sisters whose
measure of sorrow was already overlooking
at previous fearful inroads upon the same
family by the hand of death. And yet how
much more keen and whitening must be the
grief of his amiable young widow who SO re.
Gently looked fondly to long life of happi.
ness in the society Of her husband, and whose
hopes are thus early and sadly blghted. 1t
is calamity that must be endured-not re-
paired-and teaches all Of us with its solemn
voice how uncertain are our aspirations. 1t
should teach us to be always prepared for the
fate that awaits man. But all our sorrows
should be chastened by the reflection that an
overruling Providence is the supreme dis
poser of events, and that it is our duty to
bow willingly to his mandates.
Resolved That we feel with deep sensibli-
ty the less which the profession and the
country have sustained in the death Of WILL
LIAM f. KEITH. a member of this bar.
RESOLVED, That we profoundly sympathise
with his afflicted widow and relatives in their
sad bereavement.
Resolved, That the Secretary Of this meet
ing forward a copy of these pross edings to
the widow of the deceased and to Hon.
Charles F. Keith, his venerable father, who
for so many years adorned our bench as the
just and upright Judge Of this Court.
Resolved, That the Clerk of this Court have
these proceedings published in the Gaatta-
nooga papers and Athens Post.
RESOLVED, That the Court be requested to
allow copy of these proceedings to be spread
upon the records of this Court, as a merited
testimony of respect for the memory of Will
liam F. Keith. d. NJ. KEY, Chairman.
JHo. G. BuRoH, Secretary.