Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-26
SAD RITES
In MemOroy of the Late James
Kirkland.

noon, being escorted by the Chickasaw
Guards under Lieutenant Clapp, and
a number of the Masonic fraternity
including the DeSOto Lodge, Of
which the deceased was a member
Previous to the departure of the
remains for Elmwood. impressive and
solemn funeral services we're held at
Calvary Episcopal church, the choir
of which had been under his success
full leadership for SO many years. The
church was crowded to its capacity.
The venerable rector, DR.. George
White, made only few remarks rela-
ting to the deceased, saying that
the sudden and unexpected demise of
his friend had SO shocked him that he
must leave the task Of paying trib-
ute to his memory to some other &C.
casion. 1t is understood that the
remains Of Mr.. Kirkland will, at the
request of his sister, residing at Gov
ington, KY, be shortly removed to
that city, and laid by the side Of his
departed mother and other kindred
Mr.. Kirkland is great loss to this
community, where he has lived for so
many years. His talent, enterprise,
managing skill and musical culture
enabled him to do what no other per-
son has yet been able to accomplish in
this city, viz: collect from the large
crowd of amateur vocalists and instru-
mental performers in our midst,
| join the different sets and castles to-
gether, and work them up smoothly
and pleasantly into trained and well
disciplined band perfectly obedient to
his will. His fine executive ability,
excellent judgment, intuitive knowl-
edge of music and constructive mind
enabled him to accomplish more in
this line than any regular professor Of
music, no matter what his skill and
standing, has ever yet been able TO do
Mr.. Kirklaud's first great success in
this line was in giving the cantata Of
ESTHER" in 1872. Out ola bevy Of
raw vocalists Of widely diverse notions
; and moving in many spheres, he Sc
lected force, which when trained to
suit his idea, astonished the prOfes
sional people. So successful was the
performance, that Mr.. Charles Fech.
ter, the eminent English actor, who
was in the city at the time
seated in the auditorium at the
was heard to say to a friend a
his side: why, my dear sir, you
do not pretend to tell me these people
are all your own citizens, and moi
, regular professionally" YES" was
the reply, "they all live right here
and none were ever before the public
except to recite or sing a selection a
. some local concert" WELL" sale
Fechter," would never have believed
it possible"
The result Of the entertainment al
, luded to was a profit of nearly foul
thousand dollars, and enough to pay
for the grand organ, the music
, of which appeared to send fortf
its notes in such mournful swells yes
terday. The enthusiasm aroused
! caused benefit to be given to Mr.
! Kirkland at the time, which netted
him nearly thousand dollars, and he
expended every cent of it in objects
connected with music.
Previous to this Mr.. Kirkland haC
. shown his ability as the President o
the Mendelssohn Musical Club. Later
on he managed other entertainments
: including several operas, all performed
by amateurs, in the most successful
manner, and all yielding profits fol
, various charitable or religious objects
Our local amateurs are more indebted
to Mr.. Kirkland for the advanced
musical culture and tastes existing
/ here, than to all other combined in
. fuences.
Mr.. Kirkland was born in Scotland
and emigrated to this country whel
young. He was a soldier under tn,
: national flag when: war ragged, ant
!. came to this city eighteen or NOR
i years ago, where he served as sales
man in various dry goods houses unit
he embarked in business on his owl
n account. Less than year ago he wa
! forced to make an assignment for tn
s benefit of his creditors, but all ar
rangement was made whereby he con
: tinued. The unfavOrable turn in hi
business affairs, it was noticed by hi
friends, had visible influence upo
his mind.
Recently Mr.. Kirkland undertoo
. the management of Estival Park, wit
% a view Of making it pleasant an
Is popular summer resort. He ha
i every prospect of being successful. a
the several entertainments alread
X given under his supervision had bee
: both delightful to the audiences an
' nrnALnhla 20 tho rnnnaranank Rn