Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-01-08
MEETING OF RESPECT.

AT meeting of the citizens Of
GAINESVILLE. held at the Court House,
on Thursday, December Both, 1875,
the Hon. D. N. Kennedy was called
to the chair and B. w. Macrae was
chosen Secretary
Upon taking the chair. Mr. Kenne-
dy spoke substantially, as follows:
Your are all aware of the object for
which this meeting has been called.
It is to pay tribute of respect to one
of our fellow citizens, b. q. KEEsEE,
who died this morning.
| have known him longer, perhaps,
than any other person present. FROM
the time when he came here, a poor
boy, to enter one of the business
houses of the city till his death, I
knew him and observed his character
and progress from a position of com
parative poverty and obscurity to one
of wealth and influence in the comlnu :
nifty. These he attained by habits of
industry, energy and self-reliance, of
which the latter was probably the chief
cause of his success.
He was kind and charitable and took
an interest In all the public enterprises
of the community. / do not know of
any such enterprise since he has had
the means to do so that he has not aid
ed, and probably to the extent his
means justified. He has rendered val
liable assistance to many who were
struggling against adversely, and The
poor will greatly miss him.
In the exhibition of these virtues
the young, and we who are older,
would do we'll to follow his example.
On motion, the Hon. q. q. Smith,
Henry Frech. B. +. Coulter, s. T..
Beaumont and I'll. e. Merritt were APP
pointed committee to draft suitable
resolutions to be presented to the
meeting, and after consultation, offered
the following preamble and resolu-
tions, which were read and adopted,
viz:
Whereas, we have heard of the
death of our much respected fellow
citizen, B. 0. KEEsEE, which occur
red at his residence, In this city, at one
o'clock, a. m, this day, we have deem
ed it appropriate to assemble ourselves
in public meeting to give an expression
to the feelings OF the people of Clarks-
Vile occasioned by his death.
Mr.. KEESEE was, for long term OF
years, engaged in active business in
our midst From an humble situation
as clerk In the business houses of some
of the then merchants of the city, by
industry and energy he rapidly worked
himself into business of his own,
which took wide and wider range
until he became one of our foremost
citizens in every enterprise which had
for its object the prosperity of Clarks.
vile and of the county Of his nativity
He had accumulated a considerable
estate and made a commendable use
of his means by his charities to the
poor, and by aiding those who tried te
help themselves. Therefore,
Resolved, That in the death of B
, .. KEEsEE, the city of GAINESVILLE
has lost one of its best and most char.
: liable citizens
Resolved, That the needy, striving
t for support and for a position in the
world, by honest labor and habits o.
! economy, have lost in him valuable
friend.
: Resolved, That we commend his life
of sobriety. integrity of character, anC
/ habits of industry and economy to thu
. young men of this community as al
example worthy of their imitation
! and by which they may be profited.
D Resolved, That we tender to his be
e reaved wife and relatives our sincere
n sympathy in this, their great affection
Resolved, That the business house
of the city will close tomorrow during
e the hours of his funeral, from to
Y O'Clock, p. m.
Resolved. That the city papers b
> requested to publish these proceeding
and that the Secretary, be requestet
o to furnish copy of the same to tn
G widow Of the deceased.
Judge Smith then addressed tn,
meeting substantially, as follows:
S am not prepared to make any ex
e tended remarks on this sad occasion
? The resolutions which have been rea,
and adopted embody my sentiment
u and feelings towards the deceased
I, have known him we'll for about TWEEN
n ty years, during which time, by hi
g persistent industry, economy and hi
integrity of character, he advanced i
prosperity and influence to the positio
g of great usefulness which he occupie
1t when he died As he progressed i
= wealth and influence he also progress
ed morally. He became a better ma
as he advanced in other respects. HI
was liberal, and always bore his pal
" in advancing the interests of the con
- munity. He was my friend and
,o deeply regret his DEATH
lie The meeting then adjourned.
d D. n. KENNEDY, Chm.
C. B. w. MAoRAE, Sec'y.