The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-01-27
old home in Kenosha, and erected the ell

occupied az LADIES scnool. The ground
about the residence, containing ten acre
of land, were tastefully laid out and dec
grated with eyergreens and numerous or
namental trees md shrubs-the value O
the improvements upon the property be
ing between $4,000 and $4,000. Mr.
Durkee's health at this time became some
what impaired, and he was advised BY
physicians to try the effect of residence
in drier and warmer climate. He there
upon donated his elegant residence and
grounds to the trustees of an association
formed for the purpose of establishing a
school for young ladies, the trustees pay
ing him an annuity equivalent to a mod
crate annual rental of the property, one
half for the period of his own life, and
the balance for the life of his wife. No
finer location or grounds for the purpose
thus sought are to be found in the west,
than the property thus set apart for the
education of the coming guardians of our
race.
In 1865 Mr.. Durkee was appointed by
the President the Governor of Utah Ter
ritory, which position he held until the
time of his death. Upon his accession to
this position, considerable i'll feeling ex-
listed between the mormons and the "gen-
tiles" as the non-mormon residents are
usually designated, and strong prejudices
existed on the part Of the mormons against
the federal officers ov.Durkee's course
was always independent and honorable !;
SO far as practicable, the OBJ
jectionable features of the mormon sys-
tenn, yet acting upon the policy of the
rather to conciliate and radically reform
the people than to terrify and 1ntimidate
into an appearance of submission without
real change.
He won the respect of the people of the
territory, and did much to create feel
ing of kindness and good will on the part
of the mormons towards the General Gov
eminent. In December last, his health
becoming seriously impaired, he decided
to return to Kenosha, but was taken sick
while on the road, and stopping at Oma-
ha for the purpose of resting for day or
two, became rapidly worse under an at.
tack Of pneumonia, which terminated his
life on the 18th of the present month.
His wife, his brother Harvey Durkee, and
F. H. HEAD, of our city, were with him at
Omaha during his last illness.
One of the most frequent expressions
upon his tongue during the last few days
of his life, was the earnest desire that he
might so far recover as. to be able once
more to reach his home in Kenosha, and
to die, if he must die, upon the scene of
his life long labors, and mong his nu-
merous and valued neighbors and friends
whose countless deeds of kindness to him
and to his family for more than thirty
years, he never for moment ceased to
remember and appreciate.
Thus has passed from among us one of
our most loved and worthy fellow citi-
zens; one whom the people of Kenosha,
in common with all the citizens of the
state, have ever delighted to honor, and
a man whom, after long career as pub
lie officer, no one has ever been found to
whisper was other than that most noble
work of God-an honest man; man
whose perfect integrity was above suspi-
cion and beyond reproach.
One of the most striking peculiarities
of Mr.. Durkee's character, was his abound
ing charity toward all earnest and sin
cere thinkers. Many men Of strong con
victions, whose views have been formed
by long study and thought, will scarcely
give to those differing with them credit
for honesty of purpose but Mr., Durkee
while one of the most earnest and persist
ent of men in the advocacy of his cher
ished theories, possessed no bitterness OF
spirit toward those opposing his views
He strove to convince them of their er
rors as he viewed them, but gave to al
sincere men of whatever party or sect
the cheering assurance of personal re
gard. For this reason, while one of thu
most radical members of the Senate, some
of his most sincere friends during lite
and who will most fondly cherish bis
memory, were men of southern birth an6
principles.
| In private life Mr.. Durkee was too vel