Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-08-09
Death Of Mr.. Jamison.

Death Of Mr.. Jamison.
The not unexpected demise of James
Jamison Esq, occurred last Friday eve
ming, at about half -past 10 o'clock. Mr.
Jamison has been SO long a resident
Of this city, he has been SO promi-
nently connected with its history
from its infancy, and he was withal, a
man of such marked intellectual power
and personal characteristics, that his
death could not but create profound
impression in the community. This in
terest was, if anything, enhanced by
the manner of his death. He was an
other sad victim of that cursed appe-
tite, that day by day is bringing prema-
turely to the grave thousands of the
best men in the land, and obscuring
mental powers and qualities of heart,
capable, with proper direction, of the
most beneficial influences upon the well
being of the race. Mr.. Jamison, with
this one fault, was a man of many
admirable traits of character. He had
generous impulses that the degrading
influences of dissipation could not Who'll
ly obscure. He was benevolent and
kind hearted, a friend of the poor, whom
he was wont to befriend without osten-
tation. and wholly from the promptings
Of benevolent nature. He was most
considerate and kindly to the members
of his own profession, the younger
members of the bar especially. These
approached him, without hesitation, for
advice and counsel in the untried duties
upon which they were entering,
and in no instance did he fail, kindly
and patiently, to unfold to them the
stores of his ripe knowledge and expert
ence. These generous qualities made
him many friends, who stood by him
most Loyalty. These friends, knowing
the good that was in him, strove to save
him, but in vain. He had other, pre-
tended friends, who, taking advantage
of his open-hearted nature, and prompt
cd alone by devilish greed of money, en-
couraged his weaknesses, and ministered
to his appetites. We envy not the feel
ings of these men as they stood by the
grave of Jas. Jamison. 1t may seem
inappropriate to allude thus plainly to
the weaknesses Of the dead, but there
is lesson for the living, and especially
for young men, in a career so full Of
bright and useful possibilities as was
that of Mr.. Jamison, thus cut short,
when it otherwise would have been the
maturity of its usefulness.
Mr.. Jamison was native of Pennsyl-
vania, where he received an academical
education, and was admitted to the bar
in 1853, at the age of rs. He came to
Iowa the same year, and located in In
dependence. He is described, by those
who knew him at that time, as a young
man of quiet, retiring disposition, and
most exemplary habits. He was reg.
ular attendant at church, and strictly
observed all the prophecies of life. He
entered at once upon the practice Of
the law, and by industry and native tai
ent, soon attained the leading position
at our bar, which he retained until his in
temperate habits untitled him for prac-
tice. In a few years he accumulated a
fortune, and had he held on as he start
ed, it is altogether probable that he
would have attained a seat on the
bench, for which his superior legal abil-
ity well fitted him. But the bane Of
drink not only blunted his moral nature
and obscured his intellect, but it dissi-
pated his ample fortune, leaving scarce
ly enough to meet the demands against
his estate. His age was so years and 6
months. His only near relative is his
aged mother, who is tottering on the
brink of the grave. His love and ten
derness for his mother was a conspicu-
Gus trait in Mr.. Jamison's character
and he often expressed the desire to
live so that he might care for her in the
passage of the dark valley, but it was
not to be.
I Qa,v