Huntsville gazette., 1883-06-09
Death Of Hon. Jas. T. Rapier.
Outline Of his Public Career. Trfb-
utes to his Memory.


James 7. Rapier was born in Flor
ence, Ala, November 18th, 1881, ane
died in Montgomery May 3lst 1885,
aged 45 years, 6 months and 10 days.
John and Susan Rapier were his par
ents, sent him to Canada before the
war, where he was educated. After
the war he was appointed to aposl-
tion in the Revenue service and re-
moved to Montgomery. In 1917 ne
was elected to represent the Mont
gomery District in Congress. BY ap-
pointment of the President OF the
United States he visited the last
Worlds Fair at Paris as one OF the
Commissioners from this country.
At the expiration of his term in Con-
press he was appointed by President
Hayes Collector Of Internal Revenue
for the End Alabama District. which
position he held at the time OF his
death, having, rs in all other posi-
tions Of trust held by him, filed 1t
with rare ability and credit to himself
and race. His remains were taken to
St Louis, Mo-, for interment by an
uncle and other relatives resident
there.
Thus in the prime Of a successful
career. the deceased was visited by
the Grim Messenger of Death, leaving
his people the priceless inheritance OF
his spotIess reputation for honor and
integrity of character. alike in public
and private life. 1t is with pleasure
that we note that the press Of the
State, irrespective of political persua-
sion has brought offerings Of homage
and respect to his memory.
Scrupulous and honorable in all his
dealings, public and private, Of mark
ed ability, warm and constant in
friendship, his memory must long live
az an inspiration to our youth, the
pride of his friends and the envy OF
foes, while his loss is a source of re-
gret, not only among his race, but
by the people at large.
A Coincidence Meeting.
ATHENS, ALA, June 4th '03.
A meeting was held at the Court
House on Monday night in respect to
the memory Of the late Hon. James
It. Rapier. The meeting was called
to order byJ. H. Thomason. Rev
H. s. Williams was called to the
chair and offered up prayer; afte'
which, the object Of the meeting was
stated, and w. A. Harris was choser
Sect'y. On motion of J. II. Thomas
on committee Of three was appoint
ed on Resolutions. The committee
consisted of Messrs. j. H. Thomason
I'd Higgins and Mika Williams
While the committee had retired to
prepare their report, Mr.. j. d. Cren.
shaw paid fine tribute to the hon
ored dead. The committee reported
the following resolutions; which, af-
ter feeling addresses were made by
j. Fl. Thomason, Rev. H. s. Will
liams and 7. a. Crenshaw, were
adopted, and the meeting adjourned:
We, the citizens of Limestone county,
assembled to express our appreciation OF
the Hon. James T. Rapier who departed
this life on May 31st 1883, do resolve
LIST. That we received the announcement
of the death of Hon. James T. Rapier, for
merly member of Congress and Collector
of Internal Revenue of the End District OF
Alabama, with feelings of profound sorrow
and regret
| End. That in the late Hon. James T.
Rapier we recognized man of enlarged
and liberal views, public servant without
venality, faithful and conscientious in the
discharge of every duty, a man of pure and
unsullied honor, and a stainless patriot. He
was ever ready to succor the needy, and
his charity was broad. his friendship steady
and firm, his counsel wise, his DISPOSE
ton kind, gentle, an peaceful
3rd, That by the death of Hon. james
T. Rapier, the State of Alabama has lost a
faithful and upright citizen, the United
States an officer of ability and incompara.
BILE honor, and the colored people of Ala
bama one of their best representatives.
n. S. WILLIAMS, Chm.
| w. A. HARRIS, Sec'ty.
NEWS and SENTIMENT.
From Colored Exchanges)