Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-09
RATES OF ADVERTISING IN WEEKLY:
Monday Evening. Dec. ., 1878.
rEE LATE w11I1AM WILLIS.

THE LATE WILLIAM WILLIS.
An elegant little brochure printed
at a Richmond office gives an account
of memorial services held at St.
Georges Episcopal Church, Breder-
icksburgh, Va, on Saturday, the 9th
of October, in memory Of William
Willis, late worshipful master of
fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons. Mr..
Willis was superintendent Of the
Southern Express Company in Mem
phis for several years, and although a
man cast in a superior mold he was so
quiet, unobtrusive and retiring in his
manners that outside of a small circle
of friends he was comparatively I'M
known to the great body of our people
until the great epidemic appeared and
he became one of the leaders in pre-
serving order, in organizing a tempo
rary government and distributing the
great charities of the world that
poured in from all quarters. Then
the true character of the man stood
out like a piece Of finished sculpture,
bold grand and beautiful. He fell at
his post. in the thickest Of the fight,
on the 18th of September. No truer
or drawer mar went down. None met
their fate with greater GOODNESS and
resignation. A great grief, too sacred
for the world to understand, had
rested upon him for years, and his last
words were characteristic Of the man.
To a friend who came to nurse him he
said: You can do nothing for me
beyond what IS being done, and you
throw your own life away in remain
ing and to another he said Don't
telegraph they will feel badly
enough when they hear that |
am gone, but would feel the anguish
twice, if they knew Of my sickness
and then of my death And to still
another who was with him at the last
he said Il am dying now write our
president to hal effect, for | cannot
live many hours, | would ike to live
longer, but my time has come | am
contented. My body must be buried
with my wife and child in Fredericks-
burg, as soon as they win let it pass,
l knew Iwould never leave here alive,
but as it was my duty to stay | did
So After hat he remained perfect
ly quiet, and died like he hyed-a
man. He was a martyr for the
good of Memphis, and were his
remains to rest in ElmwOOd.
a monument to his memory should BE-
erected by our people. Major Willis
was born in Carroll county, Nd, in
1887. His father was a physician and
his mother a member ola well-known
family in Baltimore. He was edu-
Gated in that city and afterwards be.
came a skillful and intelligent printer
In 1857 he showed hislove for human
ity and unselishness by carrying med
icines and provisions to the fever
stricken city Of Norfolk. During tn
war he was a member of tn
First Maryland Confederate Cav
airy, in which he distinguish
ed himself by his fidelity I
duty and undaunted bravery. II
was desperately wounded, but spare
for a high and noble purpose. Ate
the war he became an employee of tn
Adams Express Company, and wa
stationed several years at Frederick'
burg, from which position he ros
steadily, and from route agent becanl
assistant superintendent, and fnal
superintendent Of a division in tn
Southwest composed of six State
Like a true chieftain he never aske
his subordinates to go into any dangC
he would not risk himself. At on
time when a heavy robbery was con
mitted on the company, he disguise
himself and followed the robbers int
the wilds of Texas, penetrated thei
haunts, and by calling in the detec
tives and others effected the capture Z
the d~esperadoes. Few men possesse
such nerve and reserved force. Tn
he utilized for the best purposes, BIT
never for display or ostentation. II
avoided rather than sought publieit
But when the last great occasion
his life came, the superiority of ii
man could no longer be disguised. H
was one Of the leading spirits j
most that was done to save Memph.
from destruction, and in the all,
Walton Of human suffering, 1t ",