The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-11-17
BLUE EARTH COUNTY BAR
ASSOCIATION.
Tribute to w. C. Durkee, Deceased

In the death of VIM. c. Durkee, the
Bar Association of Blue Earth county
lost valued and highly respected
member, and at meeting of the
members on the Both ult., steps were
taken to express their regrets in a
most appropriate manner. Judge
Severance and Mr.. T.. A. Foster were
appointed committee to draft suit
able resolutions, and at a meeting the
following day, Judge Severance read
the following resolutions
On Friday of last week our friend, William
q. Durkee, Esq. =, an old resident of the city of
Mankato, and for many years the Clerk of
the District Court for the County of Blue
Earth, as well az member of the legal pro-
fessiOn, died i'm the State Of Kansas where he
had gone in the vain hope of prolonging his
life, and now his mortal remains lie ut his
home in this city, awaiting the last solemn
rites we can pay to the dead.
Not custom alone but q sincere admiration
for the character and virtues of the deceased
call upon the Bar Association of Blue Earth
county to express in fitting terms its regard
for the memory and worth of our departed
friend, whose life is over and whose labor is
done.
THEREFORE,, be it resolved, That the de-
ceased wrought well and truly in life, and
erected the fabric of his char acter on the
sure foundation of sensitive and exalted
manhood ever recognizing the fact that he
was but one In the great brotherhood of man, |
Il cO-wOrker bound TO the same duties and |
having only equal rights with others
That the tender consideration ever mani |
Tested by our departed friend toward others |
struggling against the.ills of life is worthy of
all imitation by US, for he who scatters kind |
ness and good will, plants the only flowers on |
Earth that can outlive the tempest and the
storm.
That the deceased in his religious life was
neither Martineau or bgot.
To profess with him was nothing, to do was |
everything. And he never estimated his /
fellow-man by any rule of ideal perfection, |
but he knew the infirmites Of his race, strOve
with tireless hand against his own, and |
cause his way was different from his own.
But he was willing to credit every one with |
all the good he did no matter how or i'm what |
name he did IL.
Patient to the last, always radiant with
hope, and never complaining i'm the public
ear, he descended to the tomb and crossed
the river without ever halting to tremble at
the uncomfortable sOlmnity beyond.
That, as public officer he was competent
and faithful, and knowing that he was the
servant of the people, without that demeanor
OF pride and nstentation that marks the in
feriOr mind, he discharged his duties with
that cordial and easy manner that won the
sure and lasting friendship of all.
That, as a citizen, without petulance or
cavil he Joined his hand with the rest i'm the
performance of every work and duty, whether
OF benevolence or public progress and devel-
opInent, that would relieve individual distress
or promote the public veal, and with so little
and friction has he moved
through his duties as citizen, that he has not
left single scar on the community to taIint
the memory of his life.
That, to the wife and children of the de-
ceased, stricken and wounded by this last
blow of death, we offer the sympathy due to
blighted affections and broken hearts, aud we
they cherish as sacred, but in place
Of the bOundless gentleness and love that
made the perpetual summer of their home.
we have nothing to tender but an unvarying
esteem for the lost idol of their hopes, that
moved so nOiselessly among us, and then
went back. a single spark. to the great invi-
'ible flame that lead 1t to them and to us.
That the high esteem in which this COM
nunity now holds the memory OF the de-
leased. every one going with saddened step
% yield a tribute to the dead, ought TO teach
IS, that In his life there was something of
priceless value that commended itself to all
he people and won upon the social and popu-
ar heart
And now when the chivalry and gallantry
hat the living bestow upon the dead bring I
mt the virtues of our friend beyond the
lemishes of his life, Jet us discover hat those
irtues were, find and initiate them to the
nd that our sunset, like his, may be radiant
nth the love of the living"
Mr., p. A. Foster then read the following re-
olutions:
ITO the memory of our brother In the pro-
ession Of the law, William c. Durkee, de- q
eased."
Our brother William G. Durkee.' having in
fe's journey, passed MS by, and entered be-
ore US through the yelled portal Of death .
ITO that world to which we go, It is fitting
ravel on, memorial to testify to those who
ONE after Us, to our regard for the virtues