Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-03-12
An L Citizen GONE.
nshih or 1seselnes 6als& o. lhk
Cotton ~ExChanEe.

dence on Walker avenue, near the
southern environs Of the city. A
meeting Of the members Of the cotton
exchange was held at noon to-day to
take action concerning the demise Of
its competent, in health always active
executive officer. 1t has been one
week to-day since Mr.. Gates left the
exchange to go to his home, never to
come forth again in life. He had been
a sufferer for several weeks past, but
indomitable energy and strong will
kept him on his feet until last Satur-
day, when he was compelled to sue
cumb and retire to his residence. II
was known by habitues of the ex-
change that Mr.. Gates was lying quite
i'll, But few had an idea that he was
dangerously so. 1t proved different,
however. He became unconscious
shortly after dark last evening, and
never rallied. Indeed, the last hours
appeared unusually severe and pain
full to the sufferer. His only daughter,
Mrs. Withers, a resident of Benton
county, Miss, failing to receive a tel
egram with dispatch, did not reach
here until about nine O'Clock last
night, He was unable to recognize
his child, and died without knowing
she was at his. bedside. Mr.. Gates
was f~fty-eight years and six months of
age at his demise. He came south
from Marietta, Ohio, his native place,
at an early period Of his career. He
resided in one Of the northern coun-
ties of Mississippi for a period, and
served as register of the county for
eight years. He came here nearly
an ordinary century ago, and entered
mercantile life, being especially sue
cessful as a cotton merchant, until
after the interstate war of 1861 broke
up his business. After peace again
reigned Mr.. Gates resumed business,
and enjOyeda liberal patronage from
eastern cotton consumers. Later
on his patronage fell off, and finally
be retired from the list of competi-
tors in the trade, to take place as SUI
p~erintendent and secretary Of the
cotton exchange. He succeeded Mr..
John s. Troof in the position in No
vember, 1878, and from the start it
was conceded by all that no better Sc
lection could have been made. The
arduous and delicate duties of the
position were effectively and satisfac-
tOrily performed throughout, and the
exchange mourns the loss of a most
excellent officer. Mr.. Gates lost his
wife, a son and daughter during the
summer of 1878, and a son and daugh-
ter alone survive him. For some
time past be has lived alone in pleas
ant flower. empowered cottage on
Walker avenue, an old colored woman
being his housekeeper. Early trav-
elers over the fernando car route
have noticed the genial old man on his
way to his work, generally about Z
am. and carrying a basket Of freshly
culled roses and evergreens to adorn
the fountain in the center of the K
change. He was fond Of these
beauties of nature, and cultivated
them literally each spring and sum
mer, drawing freely from his labor to
beautify the exchange, as before re-
lated. During his last illness Mr..
Gates received the unremitting care
of Mr.. Hotter, his worthy assistant,
The young gentleman, except when
imperative duty compelled his pres
ence at the exchange, attended the
bedside of the sufferer.
The meeting at the cotton exchange
TO take action regarding the late Mr..
S M. Gates was well attended. A
committee was appointed to give ex-
preston to the sentiment Of the ex-
change, the same to be prepared and
published tomorrow. Messrs. Toof,
Hadden, Latham, Farnsworth and
Proud6t are the committee. Mr..
Hadden spoke feelingly Of the value
Of Mr.. Gates as a citizen Of his hav-
ing contributed much toward building
up our city, the growth of which he
watched from its infancy ofhis ability
as a statistician, and the excellence Of
the monthly crop reports for years
past prepared by him, and also of his
probity and honorable dealing with all
men. Mr.. Hadden closed by saying
the exchange has received a sad blow.
A resolution was passed to the effect
thstthe members Of the cotton ex-
changs will attend his funeral in a
body, from his late residence on Wal
ker avenue, next to Captain Joseph
Lenow's 8, and near Elmwood cemetery.
The fernando line Of ears pass the
house, and the members are to meet
there. The funeral will occur at three
o'clock to morrow AFTERNOON.
INDIA Null,
35 cents, worth 70 cents.