Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-09-30

from the fact that the Legislature passed
acts to open land offices for the settlement
Of West Tennessee in 1919, the oonntry
having been coded by the Chickasaw In
disns on the 18th OF October, 1878. And
now, after a lapse Of hfty-one years, we
have a population of more than $4,000 on
the Chickasaw Bluff alone-a great and
prosperous city, connected by steam and
electric telegraph with the whole civilized
portion of the Globe, with an annually in
creasing trade and population, and sur
rounded by the finest diversity of soil and
the best climate in the temperate zone,
after passing through the desolations of
war, TOO, vi motto being "Resurgam"-
~ will rise again"
But we may not dwell too long upon
prospects so cheering. Mournful recollec-
lions crowd upon the mind, and we are re-
minded that the duty of recurring TO
those we have lost within the past year
devolves upon us.
OF the members of the Old Folks at
Home who have died during that brief
period, the record Is unusually crowded.
/ regret that time will not permit an en-
largement upon their useful lives, for 1
must be brief. Mrs. Catherine Whittier,
who died at her residence in the city on
the 2Ist Of April last, was born in Ken
lucky in 1876. She was therefore seventy
four years Did. She came to Shelby
ty in 1911, her husband settling six miles
above the city, on the place known in the
annals ofthe late wal as Fort Harris. She
fifteen years old when her father,
with his family, launched out on the
then uncertain waters of the Mississippi
on a fst-boat. There were no burning
steamers or exploding boilers at that time
to make the passengers on those rude
crafts uneasy. Yet Mrs. Whittier wit
messed one of the most terrible and dan
gerous scenes known to river navigation
-one thai she often related and never
forgot. The earthquakes at New
Madrid bend were hourly oc-
curing, and when opposite that
locality, from the deck of the primitive
boat, she saw the rapid current of the
Mississippi suddenly change its course
and run with lightning speed up streams,
accompanied by a sound like the most
terrific thunder, and divers flied by oc-
casional mslstroms, as Though the bottom
of the river had sunk in places to an IN
depth. The scene was terribly
grand, and yet the frail craft weathered
the peril and landed the girl OF fifteen
our shores, to live a useful, long and
honorable life, leaving a son in the county
and some grandchildren.
Another of our female members who
have died within the year, is Mrs. Margaret
Prescott, at the age of "A. She was born
ACoA O01LgAa L11oo% ALoOtN1g w. L@oA
ried to a Nj. Custer and removed to Gin
Ohio, over so years ago She
married Levi Prescott in lS4S, and since
that time has resided in Memphis. She
a son and daughter n some
twenty grand children, besides great
grand children to mourn her loss and
her virtues.
Mrs. Agnes Hawthorn is another of
the victims of the destroyer, since our
last annual festivity. She died at
the ripe age of ninety-three. Mrs. Haw-
purchased the residence prop
erty where she died, in 1886, from John c.
MeLemore, but how long she had been in
the county 1 have not been able to learn.
Her reputation as a kind and useful
neighbor, fond mother INT devoted Chris
tian, 1 have often heard mentioned as
above reproach. Her son, John W. Hsw-
thorne, also soon followed her to the
tomb. He was one of u most useful
and reliable citizens, having honorably
occupied the position of Constable for
many years, in the city. John w. Taylor,
who was a colleague of Mr.. Hawthorne,
also passed away very soon after the
death Of the latter. He was kind-hearted,
genial, charitable and true, and as an
officer, above criticism, so far as 1 AVE
heard. The historians Ofthe Associa-
ton, 1 trust, will collect more minute
facts with reference to these two useful
than l I'm possessed OF. Michael
Cody, too, has gone He was identified
with the early settlement of Memphis.
Warm-hearted, generous and true, some
who knew him familiarity should
DO greater Justice TO his memory
these brief illusions have done.
John W. Fowler, one OF the most promi-
nent aud useful citizens of Memphis for
orty years, was born in Wake county, 1
North Carolina, March 20, 1905; removed
70 Memphis July 3, 1880; entered into rest,
Memphis, January II, 1870. 1 avail my
'elf literally of q memorandum furnished
by his venerable and worthy cotem-
parry, our distinguished President, to
,peak his Just and measured eulogy, as
well as hat of another prominent citizen,
Colonel Frazer Titus, whose venerable
orm was so lately seen daily in III
and whose sudden death was so
generally lsmented, and of whom it may
,ruthfully be said:
"a wits a feather and a chiefs a rod,
An honest mans the noblest work Of God"
John W. Fowler was appointed deputy
by John K. Balch, sheriff of Shelby
in 1888 or IS34-did most of the
business of that office until Mr.. Balch's
ERIN expired, when he was elected sheriff
tax-collector, in which capacity he
acted for six years. to the entire Sat1sfac-
ion OF the people. And no man has before
Or since filled the office better, or with
more scrupulous honesty, and at the
same time with more kindness to all
classes. Many years before his death
be attached himself to the Episcopal
Church of this city, and up TO his demise
known as one of its most consistent
liberal members-and died, leaving
hose who knew him best to lament him
BE was intensely Southern in his
feelings, and many Southern soldiers
cause to bless his memory.
Colonel Titus came to Memphis about
he same time with Colonel Fowler, and
himself as q commission
merchant with the late Stith NJ. Nelson,
lnder the style of Nelson q Titus. Mem
1his was then a small town. He grew in
wealth and influence with the town, and
or many years occupied a place in our
mercantile circles. At b breaking u
VI the war between the States Colonel
Titus took an active part in favor OF the
south, and after the surrender he began
o fail in health, and for some years de-
active business.
Thus have passed away a whole COM
of our best and worthiest Old Folks.
They have gone to that "Home" in the
kies, where the trials of frontier life and
he temptations of cities are alike distant;
nd We must all join them before many
more years. Let us hope that we shall
as good q record with b Old Folks,
'oung folks, and all.
And now LET us give a few hours to this
reunion and innocent festivity,
be sure to cherish those kindly feel
1Rs and social amenities which distin-
uish our organization. Let the Old
'olks shoulder their cruteh and tell
fields were won" But let the young
olks and the young Old Folks, many of
1hom ave been on fields both lost and
ron, let them-Well,
On with the dance; let joy be unconhnedI"
Upon the conclusion of the address,
Thich was received with every mark Of
ppreeiation, dancing was begun and con-
Inued with little intermissiOn until sun
Taken altogether, this snniver-
airy of the Old Folks at Home was a
rand success.