Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-10
DEATH OF HON. JOHN W. HEAD.

ternoon, to take action relative to the
death of the Hon. John w. Head, Con-
gresham elect from the Fourth District,
Gen. w. b. Bate was called to- the chair
and George b. Guild appointed secretary.
On taking the chair, Gen. Bate briefly
explained the object of the meeting and
paid a touching tribute to the deceased.
They had been rearedtogether, and through
life he had found in him steadfast friend,
a man of unblemished character, with
nothing mean or vicious in his nature.
On motion, Baxter Smith, J. b. Malone,
w. K McAllister, e. B. McClanahan, and
]. w. McKinny, were appointed a commit
tee to draft suitable resolutions. The COM
mittee retired and during its absence,
JUDGE NATHANIEL BAXTER
took the floor, and said he had always
cherished peculiar regard for Col. Head.
The first court he ever held was at Gala
tin, and at that time the deceased was the
youngest lawyer attending court. He was
fascinated with him and admired his genius,
industry and energy. He was esteemed as
a man, a lawyer and a citizen, and he
had a more controlling influence over
juries than any man he had ever seen.
Generous in all his contests, he never took
an unfair advantage or committed an act
unbecoming the most venerable dignitary
in the profession. He never did a mean
thing in his life, he was incapable of it.
BE had frequently partaken of his hospital
ity, and had never met a more amiable OF
elegant gentleman. They had lost man
like whom they had but few, at time
when his services were much needed and
promised to be useful.
The committee on resolutions here 10
turned and presented the following, which
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, We have just learned Of the
death of the Hon. John w. Head, at his
residence in Sumner county, and being de-
sirous of giving expression to the sense OF
profound sorrow which this intelligence
has produced; therefore, be it
Resolved, first, That in the death of Col.
Head, tine Commonwealth of Ten
nessee and the country at large
have sustained serious loss, because,
as citizen, he was worthy, as
lawyer, accomplished, as a jurist, clear
and comprehensive, and as member elect
of the Forty fourth Congress gave the coun.
try by his honored career in the other de-
partments of public life in which had been
called to act, assurance that as a Federal
Representative, he would, by his zeal, in
tegrity, and rare ability, nationalize his
reputation and do much to restore order
and prosperity to our long disturbed coun-
try. .-.---.-
'Resolved, second, That to his bereayed
family we tender our sincerest coincidence
The chairman of the committee, Baxter
Smith, said he thought it unnecessary &c
enlarge upon what had already been said
by those present, but on this occasion he
felt the most profound sorrow. No mar
had brighter future before him than be
who had been stricken down in his useful
ness.
Judge East moved that the resolutions b
spread upon the minutes, published in the
Nashville and Gallatin papers, and copy
Of them sent to the family of the deceased
The motion prevailed, and
EX-Gov. NELL S. BROWN
proceeded to speak in eulogistic terms o.
Col. Head. He had known him for Z
quarter Of ascentury, and he was lawyer
OF the first grade. Without any disparaee
ment to his colleagues he would say thai
he was surpassed by none. He had known
him in troubled times and political strife
and had never heard him utter an unkinC
word. TWAS just tribute to him to say
that his only fear was to fall short of hi:
duty. To discharge his duly was hi.
highest aim IS far as mortal eyes could
see he had died at the wrong time. II
would be hard to supply his place.
E. B. MCLANAHAN
spoke in fitting terms of his association
with Col. Head, alluded to his high posi-.
ton as a jurist, and said he had never
heard any man say aught against him. He
had sunk down at time when his country
called most loudly for his services. lie
was just man and would leave behind
him many sweet memories of what he had
said and done.
Judge J. o. Shacklefod said he had
known Col. Head since 1858, and had al
ways been struck with the clearness with
which he argued his cause. He was fine
advocate and thoroughly learned in bis
profession. He had the unbOunded CONT
dence of all who knew him. The people
had sustained great loss in his death.
He knew that when he was in Congress he
would stand up for the right, regardless Of
party. His place could not be filed.
W. h. MALLIsTER
said he could not let the occasion pass with
out giving some expression to his sorrow.
He had the good fortune to enjoy an init
mate social and professional acquaintance
with Col. Head, and it gave him melan-
chOly pleasure 10 bear testimony to his high
moral excellence. His spirit had passed to
another realm, TO enjoy that peace which
the world could neither giyeY nor take
away. he loved him, and he deplored his
loss.
JAMES M'HENRY
aid Col. Head had sought to govern men
BY kindness and love; to his worst enemy
be threw down the olive branch, and sooner
Dr. later that man became his friend. In
his cases, he was kind and pleas
INT, but those who attempted fraud felt the
Jlistering of his denunciation. Such a
nan was blessing to his people and coun-
ry. His whole character was based upon
moral integrity-he fought and stood upon
'rinciple. Take him all in all, they would
lot see his like again soon. Peace to his
memory, and coincidence TO his afflicted |
amily, who weep over his grave.
John Reid moved that member of the |
'ar be appointed to have the resolutions |
pread upon the minutes of the Supreme |
;ourt. The motion was adopted.
). w. ChildreSs moved that the resOlu |
ions be spread upon the minutes of the |
ariOus courts Of the county. The motion
7as carried, and the following named gen
lemen appointed for such purpose: T. L.
)odd, Criminal Court; S. w. Childress,
Jaw Court; E. H. East, Circuit Court;
-bram DemOss, Chancery Court; John
,eid, Supreme Court; Thomas T. Smiley,
ederal Court.
The following gentlemen were appointed
attend the funeral in body as delegates
ON the Nashville bar: Jackson B. White,
gorge b. Guild, Z. B. McClannahan. j.
!. Malone, w. X. McAllister, j. w. Nc
Ienry, John NJ. Gaut, r. L. Caruthers,
r, j. w. Cartwright, Eli Morris, III. ID.
mith, NJ. I. Bryan and j. w. Bonner.
On motion of John NJ. Gaut, the chair
ian Of the meeting was added to the list.
The meeting then adjourned.
The Late Mai. w. p. A. CamnbelI.