The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-14
A GOOD OLD MAN GONE.
Col. VIM. l.. Vance. tho Last, But One OF
the Landmarks OF Memphis.

Col VIM. l.. Vance, the Last, But One OF
the Landmarks OF Memphis.
One by one the old landmarks Of Mem
phis and Shelby County are taking their
departure from this earth.
Col. William l.. Vance is the last one,
he having died at II o'clock last night, OF
apoplexy, at his home, No, 5l5 Shelby
street.
Ii there was one man in Memphis,
greater than all Others in the matter OF
an interesting life history, that man
was Col. William L. Vance. Born at
Clarksylle, Tenn, November 20, 1915,
and educated at Nashville, he landed
in Memphis, February 8, 1885, more
by accident than design. lie was en- route
homo from New Orleans by steamer,
among tho passengers ON board being
three agreeable gentlemen. merchants in
the then new town Of Memphis. They
prevailed upon him to stop here and ae-
cept business engagement, and was
promptly installed as clerk in store on
Winchester street. between Main and
Front row. In The fall Of that year he
was one Of party Of Nashville gen
tlemen forming horseback eSpe-
dition 10 the then Mexican Territory
OF Texas. There he found an OPP
portunity for magnificent investment
In lands, and did so, q few years later sell
ing ut an advance that formed a nucleus
for his future handsome fortune. While
in that State he was present at the meet
ing called 10 declare lis Independence OF
Mexico, and was also amazed beyond
measure by his appointment TO the sccre-
taryship Of the legition 10 the United
States, headed by his brothcr-in-law, Geo.
4. Childrcsa, hinistcr. Con. Jackson was
President at the time, thoroughly ac-
quainted with all the members OF tho To-
CATION and extended most
cordial welcome. From Washington
Minister Childrcss and yolng Vance
made a tour Of ihs principal cluos Of tho
country, aud AT philadelphia, wilde wit
Messing a theatrical performance, they iirst
learned of the victory OF the Texas troops
over the Mexicans, which sc,tod forever
the question OF IL Independence. About
one year later, in ISIS, he was again in
Memphis, and began the acquiring oi
landed and other bus ncs interests which
HNhN NNHiAfINn nlm lNAlNN NlNnt INAA AtlA llllhNu
with the history Of THIS city.
lie was the pioneer who took q promi-
nent part in the erection Of many land.
marks Of the city, some Oi which still stand
and are ornaments. The most prominent
Of these Is tho Gayoso Hotel. which was
the result 81 bis enterprise aud that OF his
brother-in.law, li05orlsDn Topp. In 1874.
Col. Vance was married. 10 Miss Letitia
.last..l.f.s A
son, Of Kentucky. This union was long
/ grow a large family o. s1ns aud daughters
When the war broac out Col Vance,
who was then engaged ia farming In Ken.
tncky. Deposited upward of Sl01OO1 win
/ tho Earrings. Of London. and anxionsly
awaited tbs cessation II hus,iliics. though
/ he took no active part in them, being be.
yond the age for military service. On the
evening Of April II, 1855, he was IN wash.
ington, aud attended Ford's Thcaicr. The
event that occurred on that memorable
evening the assassination II President
l.incoln-and Of which the subject Of thil
was o witness, needs no elaboration. Col.
Vance u was who hrst reached Millard's
| Hotel with the nowA aud started the
tame 81 excitement which swept over that
t'HH't INV eiJ thae N"Ahfl WIN kfcal
fury,
In 1867 he went with commission from
GOV. Bramlclte, of Kentucky, 20 tho
Worlds Exposition a. Paris, Francs, ac-
companlcd by his dauchicn. Misses Ret
tlc and Sue. From that gay capital the
party OF three ptocccded 10 Florence,
Naples, Venice, Vienna, Bcrlin aud other
capitals. returning by way Of Lon.
don once moro 10 American soil.
In 1893 he sold his Kentucky
property and returned 10 Memphis,
where he has resided ever since Tho bio
graphical sketch of Col Vance, ~ pub
llsh.d in Keating's History ~ the City Of
Mornphia aud Shelby County. Tenn,
lSyfacuso, N. Y.sD. 'Niascn &Co. - los,,s
with the following "Among tho older
and better men 81 fifty years ago,
who most hclpci TO no Nom.
phs on ia Inst beginnings, were
/ those flno charsctcrs Marcus Winches-
ter. Robertson Top. Nat. Anderson, John
UlaybrUok, J. G. McLemor', Charlie Nc
/ Claim and ]. T. TreEnyant Oi these, J. r..
Ifcxcvant and tho snbiec, Of this memoir
are alone left enjoying the confidence aud
rcspcc. Of all who are proud Of the present
/ prosperity OF our city,"
The funeral 81 this truly good old man.
now gone 10 his rownrd. will occur at !
O'Clock this afternoon from bis lato resi-.
dencc.
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