Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-08
PRESERVATION.
A Beautiful and Appropriate Testimonial
to Mr.. IL Duffy.

During the late yellow fever cpl
demic Mr.. j. J. Duffy, of the firm of
Duffy 4 Cary, was conspicuous in his
efforts to aid and relieve the refugees
from Memphis and citizens of Raleigh
and neighbOrhood, where he tenn
porarily resided, The papers at
the time made daily mention of his
noble conduct, in procuring provisions,
medicines, nurses and doctors for the
needy. The people Of Raleigh, appre-
chatting his noble services, determined
to present him with a suitable testi-
monial. This was done this morning
at Gaston's, through Colonel j. NJ.
Coleman. A number of gentlemen
were present by invitation, among the
number Judge John r. Flippin, Chief
of Police Phil R. Athy, General w.
j. Smith, vice-president of the How
ard Association s. Barinds, agent
Associated Press Mr., Calvin, late of
the Chicago Times, and several other
gentlemen, including representatives
of nearly all the city papers. When
all were seated in the parlor of the
hotel, Colonel Coleman arose aud
made the following neat speech
A beautiful custom was that Of the
Romans, to bestow the laurels upon
those who had deserved well of the
State, and simple as the gift was, the
wearer of it esteemed it beyond all
price, emblemizing as it did the graft
tude of his countrymen.
We, Mr.. Duffy, your neighbors and
friends, actuated by the same feeling
which prompted those of the Eternal
City when they bound wreaths upon
the brows of their heroes, have met to
bestow upon you some token of our
gratitude. During the late epidemic
that invaded our country and desola-
ted our homes, when the bravest were
appalled, at the carnival of death,
you, unconscious Of self and for
getful of the dangers that environed
yon, went from house to house carry
ing food to the hungry, medicine to
the sick and consolation 10 the dying
all classes, the rich and the poor,
the white and the black, found in you
a constant friend and an untiring COM
forter. 1t has been said that Peace
has its victories as we'll as war and
yours, sir, was one of the brightest
acheivers on the late battlefield of the
plague.
Accept. this medal, a votive offering
of those you lately served so well, who
earnestly pray that your life may be
long and undimmed by sorrow; that
your end may be serene, and your life
beyond the grave may be that of the
just man made perfect.
Mr.. Duffy replied in a feeling talk
of some length, in which he alluded
to the part he took with the modesty
becoming a true and a brave man.
After this Mr. Calvin called upon
Mr.. Mathes who made a few remarks
in response. After this Judge Flip
pin and General W. j. Smith followed
in some touching and beautiful re-
marks which were heartily applauded.
After the champagne, which might
have inspired further eloquence, a
motion to adjourn carried unani-
mously.
The medal depends by two chains
from a gold eagle clasping a silver
branch, and is urn-shaped and set with
diamonds. In the center there is a
a beautiful enamel and gOldmonogram
embracing the letters -. J. d.
Below this, on a basso-relievo, appears
the figures 1878" On the converse
surface, which is plain, there is the
following inscription; John j. Duffy.
From friends and admirers, as a SOU
venir of the epidemic fists. During
those dark days hat tried the souls of
men, you knew no fear but under the
broad mantle of Christian charity
relieved the distress of the sick,
smoothed the pillow of the dying, and
cared for the widows and orphans"
The design is exceedingly chaste and
beautiful, and is the work Of a Mem
phis artist. The entire medal is about
three inches in length. 1t was de-
signed and manufactured by the firm
Of c. i. Byrd & Co., at 275 Main
street, and lisa model of good taste
and exquisite workmanship.