Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-06-14
TUELATE ROBERrsOS TOPP

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The entire community was startled
ye terdsy morning by the announce
ment that Colonel Robertson Topp was
dead The sai intelligence came upon
tire city Ike the shadow OF great
cloud It wEs known 10 the public that
CJiorel Topp's health was precarious,
bat it T" - not prepared for the sad news
which spresd over the city at an early
hour yesterday morning. No death,
among the many whose NAMES are intI-
InEte.y linked with the social aud ma
tersi history and progress OF this
community, could occasion more pro.
fouEd s,rfCw than that OF this talented
AMI prominent o,d citizen. Colonel
Robertson Topp was born in the county
Of Davidson, Tennessee, on the twenti-
eth Of April, 1907 lie was the twin
brother 10 Dixon TOpp, of
Mississippi, who survives him,
ani tbs brothers were so
much alike in personal appearance that
g.. was difficult 10 distinguish them. Col
onel Topp, after completing his educa-
tion, commenced the study of law,
aud, after procuring q license, en-
gagged in the practice st Columbia He
removed to Memphis in 1888. where he
hiss always been prominent citizen.
II served the people Of Shelby in the
Tennessee legislature, aud has been
prominent ia every thing having for It's
object ths property OF Memphis. Pre-
vlous TO the war, Colonel Topp had
amssssl a fortune estimated at million
dollsrs, but accumulated misfortunes
greatly embarrassed his estate. He was
wisely Indifferent to political advance
ment, and only accepted public positions
when they afforded new opportunities
for usefulness. In all the multiplied du-
ties OF good citizenship he was ever con-
sp,cuOus, aud in his intelli-
gent and tireless efforts for
BJcisi advancement, and for
morsLand intellectual progress in all its
counilsss channels, he was truly great
among his fellows. He was certainly
plblic spirited citizen, and untiring In
his efforts TO advance the general inter
esls OF the community in which he lived.
a his death Memphis has lost 8 valued
sud esteemed citizen, aud the State 8
sol whose PlsCs will not be readily filled.
Colonel Topp .was a giant in intellect.
He lowered up among us like the sturdy
OAK OF the forest. Endowed with the
highest order Of natural gifts, his mind
was richly y.stoTed with learning, and his
conversational powers were equal 10 any
person we ever knew. He wss not a
popular leader with the masses, because
he would not pRnder TO their prejudices.
lie could net resort to the demsgOg ueTy
Of asceTtaiuing public opinion, and then
accommodating himself to it. He formed
Nis own opinions, and acted on his own
o,, Victious. He never stultified him.
81, - latch the tickle murmars Of pop
pIsr anr,le. 1ss. He never deceived the
nsorls nv lsl $oriDg them. Ga the con-
tr,ry On all ooc,' 'sions he aseailed their
n-siniicss. warred upon all their bigo-
tries. Had Colonel VoPp baen po'
Iiticsl trimmer be could nave
been elected TO any posit'on ana, as
United : .ates senator or membT oi the
house, he would have made nsuohsI
fame; for there Is no man in the pres snt
cO1gtess his superior in intellectus'
greatness. His speeches were marvel
ous for their great ability and profound
logic. His legal arguments were always
luminous and exhaustive. The energy
OF his nature wss irrepressib!e. Into
every cause he espoused ne threw his
whole soul, and cared nothing fo- the
consequences. His sarguine tempera-
nent made him invariably hopeful. De-
Cliniug heslth, and the dark shadows oI
adveTsity that gathered around his head,
would sometimes overcast the hoTlzon
OF his soul; but they were quickly dis
pslled by the fright sunshine OF his
habitual hopefulness. BE gave his con-
fl ience and friendship to only few, but
70 those few his attachments were ardent
aud sincere In fine, Colonel Robert
son Topp was one Of the Oldest,
ablest and mCst useful citi-
zsus Of Memphis. Let us ever
keep in fresh remembrance his VIRTUES
aud excellencies. Tha death Of Colonel
Topp will occasion much sadness among
tle Old citizens Of Memphis. AS they
gather around his grave to pay last
tibute to his memory, they will be sd-
monished how few Of them are left and
how soon they too must journey to "lhat
bourne from whence no traveller re-
turps.U Who is to follow next? One
by one; the old citizens who have seen
Memphis emerge from a village to q
CITY have faded from the earth, until
few are left, aud they too must soon fol-
low, for the scroll OF life, no matter how
dotted with the bIilliancy OF achieve
n1ynts, rolls up and withers with the
touch OF time. The bsTeaved family has
the sincere coincidence and heartfelt
syn patLIts o; the entire community
rz-4zs-zasss1slsg
"a is said thst Judge Lea can more
.ss,lv ns,r thirty thousand dollars tax
.-urFs Osu nay their taxes,