Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-21
DEATA OF PRiL,P n. ArnY,
stricken with Apoplexy last
Night and RFeRthed mis-
Last This Morning.

has fallen so unexpectedly.
Mr.. Athy was In attendance a.
Sheriff ofShelby county at the court
house yesterday, in his apparent
robust health, and he rode toward
home on Poplar street car late in the
evening in very cheerful mood. He
sat with his family at the evening meal
and during the early hours ofthe night
occupied himself in a playful way
with his children.
About nine o'clock, while sitting
on a chair in his bedroom. he was
suddenly attacked by an apoplectic
fit. When Mrs. Athy entered the
room a few minutes after, she found
him lying on the floor in an insensible
state. His case was critical from the
start, and DR.. B. G. Henning, his
physician, had little hope Of his being
able to survive the shock. About
midnight Mrs. Athy solicited the aid Of
her neighbors, and Father Kelly, Of
the st, Peters Catholic Church, was
sent for. Then the worthy divine
reaching the bedside of the sufferer
and asking if he was recognized, the
dying man pointed to his forehead, as
if the seat of pain was there, but was
unable to speak and indeed, he uttered
no word from the''moment he was first
taken. He breathed his last sur
rounded by his grief stricken family
and several of his neighbOrs, as before
remarked, about four o'clock this
morning, aged AZ years.
The brother Of the deceased, a
prominent citizen Of Worcester, Mass,
was telegraphed to this forenoon,
and the funeral of the lamented Sher-
if will perhaps be delayed until be
reaches the city. Mr.. Athy was
very worthy member of Chickasaw
Lodge, |. o. 0. f., and also Of the
Knights of Honor, Unity Lodge;
Bluff City Lodge, A. 0. U. W., and the
Royal Arcanum, and his funeral
ceremonies will doubtless be con-
Quoted by his brethren OF those socie-
ties. Besides the sum of $1,000 paid
by the X Of II. to families of deceased
members, $4,000 by the A. o. U.
W., and $4,000 by the Arcanum,
Mr.. Athy left lite insurance
policies of sll 900, and he was also
the owner of the family residence on
Manassas, near Robson street. His
wife and children are therefore left in
fair financial circumstances.
Philip R. Athy has been resident
of this city for many years,
and no man in it enjoyed the conf
denee Of the people among whom he
lived to q higher degree. Before he
came to Memphis be had followed the
of a river pilot, and for several
years had charge Of aatboats, floating
out of the Ohio to New 0rleaps In
this service ho was held In high favor
by his employees, never failing to do
faithful work and make profitable re-
turns to those who placed their prop
erty 10 his charge. During time Of
political strife, some fourteen or IF
teen years ago, when official in.
tegrity was not abundant, Mr. Athy
received an appointment as Captain on
the police force, with 0'Donnell as
Chief. The position was a very trying
one, aud required courage, sagacity
and constant vigilance to Gll, as the
city was a sort Of headquarters for
the mast dangerous thieves ald
burglars in the country owing to a
certain shielding influence they en-
joyed from officers Of equal and supe.
riOr rank to Captain Athy. His un-
swerving fidelity and prudence car
ried him safely through the ordeal,
sua gave him a high place among
tive people. At the same time 1t Sc;
cured his promotion to the place Of
Chief Of Police, and ip this position
the worthy officer made a national
reputation, as evil d0eFs si large salibOr
Stunned the place or made their stay
very briei 10 their passage FROM city
10 city,
During the sickly summer Of 1878
Mr.. Athy increased his reputation by
faithIulness, and he narrowly escaped
falling a victim to disease. After
passing the ordeal his name was prom
inently mentioned for the position Of
Sheriff in place Of Mr.. ApdeTson,VbO
had died after holding the Office Q few
weeks. lie was subsequently chosen
to the Office and he iulalled the duties
incumbent upon him so we'll that at the
expiration Of the term he was re-elect
ed by a very large majority. Few public
men have clearer record aud none
have ever held a stronger place in the
hearts Of mis- fellow citizens of Shelby
county than the brave, a:gnided and
universally respected Phil r. Athy.
The early portion of his official life