The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-02
GONE TO HER FINAL REST,
THE EsTIMABLE MOTHER OF A GAL
LIANT SON PASSES AWAY.
Mrs. Eliza Whitsitt and Her Reverses OF
Fortune-Her Persistent Wish To Be
Inferred in Winchester Cemetery
Granted-Call for Contributions.

Old Winchester cemetery, as a burylng
ground, is q thing OF the past, having been
closed and condemned years ago. To make
this new order OF things more securely per.
manent, the city council passed an ordi-
nance prohibiting bwials in that cemetery,
and in case OF surreptitious violations,
making it incumbent upon the president
of the Taxing District and chief OF police
TO have the corpse removed. There has
never been violation OF this ordinance
or protest against the enactment On the
contrary public sentiment approved the
course most heartily. There is a wealth
of tender memories clustered around the
old city Of the dead, which additions at
this day would seem to disturb. Bones OF
pioneers rest there, sacred from every
rude touch, and head and foot stones,
bearing unprctentious inscriptions, mulely
tell of the periods when few struggling
souls laid the foundation for the present
city OF acknowledged greatness and man.
moth possibilities.
Among the foremost OF this noble band
Whtsitt. They were wealthy, refined
and cultivated. and ranked as the social
leaders. Shortly after their location on
the Chickasaw bluff, they purchased lot
in Winchester cemetery, built substan-
tial and commodious vault, and mutually
resolved To make its walls their protectors
in the final sleep. One by one family ties
were broken, and rs the links fell from
the chain. they were sorrowfully laid away
within the vault. At last they had all
fallen but the mother and one son. The
war broke out, the latter responded TO the
call upon the south's chivalrous manhood,
and in the sanguinary conflict at Belmont,
fell while leading n company in the One
hundred-and-iiity -fourth regiment, Ten
nessee volunteers, 10 the thickcst OF
the fray. His company carried a
flag which the loyal hands OF the cap
tain's mother had1nade, and after the bat
tie beautiful but melancholy departure
was resolved upon by the bereaved COM
mand. Wrapping the battle Scared flag
around the form OF the slain leader, they
sent both 10 the heartbrokcn mother, that
thus they might he deposited in the fam
ily vault. Doubly imbucd with the spirit
OF patriotism, now that her last pride
and support had been sacrificed "a
the struggle, the mother poured out hel
soul in tears over the remains, laid them
away, but without the flag. This she ~
turned 10 her deceased sons company, hui
again II came back, accompanied by tho
urgent request that she keep II rs cher
ished mcmento Of the times and their ten
derest devotion.
The afflicted but beloved woman's namt
was Mrs. Eliza Whitsitt. To her the wal
brought severe bercavcments and rcverses
rs IL did 10 hundreds and thousands o
others. Slowly but surely her snug for
tune began TO slip from her grasp. From
afllnence she gradually descended tn
scale Of worldly possessions until few
years ago she struggled against oppressive
poverty. Reduced to the dircst straits shl
was compelled To say farewell TO the lonl
cherished and, indeed, sacred relic OF tn
bloody battle OF Belmont Reminded q
her poverty, the Tag found its way TO tn
local Confederate Historical association
and NIrs Whitsitt realized SIS. Thissmal
sum was drawn upon as sparingly as til
poor old lady's necessities would permit
and after il had been exhausted she sui
sisted chiefly on Christian charity's gift
Being n member Of the Court Street Gun
berland Presbyterian church, that body {
religious people took IL upon themselves
supply every temporal want.
At last, and only few days ago, Mn
Whitsitt sickencd, and on account Of OK
IRENE old age knew her hours were nun
bered. During the last Illness her min
seemed 10 dwell continually upon Oh
family vault in Winchester cemetery, an
she impressed upon her faithful attendant
that there she must be deposited aftc
death. Years ago she exacted promis
from President MADDEN that the ordinanc
governing the cemetery should I've violate
10 this extent, and with this fact she n
auainted her friends. Yesterday the goo
soul passed away, satisfied with the prom
Uses given and also with her future estate
After her death two devoted ladies VIII
had taken charge Of her burial called upo
President MADDEN, informed him Of III
circumstance, and the following letter vi
written and given them: - 49,.
". C. Davis. Chief Of Police:
Dear Sir Many years ago the Whitsi
family built large vault Ia old Winche
fer cemetery for tho inicrmcnt OF then
selves. All save one Of this family are u
TERED In this vault. This one Mrs. Eli'
Mhitsitt, the wife and mother, died toda!
When first wcntinto office, six years ag'
Mr. whititt exacied a promise Of m
namely, that II she died during my teri
Of Office that I would permit her remain
10 be laid TO rest In this particular vault.
lshe then expected 20 die in a few weeks
/ am well aware Of the fact that the ord
nanccs make II your duty and mine
prevent any intermcnis In this closed an
condemned cemetery, and that We sha
r,nno,.c any bodies Hurried thenc since
was closed. None have been buried the
during my term Of Office. But IN this pa
iicular case YOU will LET the burial Of III
old and highly esteemed lady be not int
icsd with, and you and i will trus, 10 u
enlightened sentiment Of our good citizc
10 approve our action in executing prot
isc made years ago 90 one OF the motho
Of our city. Very truly,
DAVID r. UADDES, President
Such an inicrIncnt as that granted d
late Mrs. Whiisitt, In generous complain
with longing desire felt by her for yea
ran hardly I've realized In other than m
nllic burial case. She died, howey'
posscsscd of nothing wherewith this cosi
.a~e could be secured, aud Il doyolycs mp
f, charitable people 60 provide H. i
mount should not fall short Of 500, ri
his should be promptly contributed.
,Terinqs 20 this emincntly worthy cat
nay be left at the counting room Of i
AprgAL. where II will be thankfully
,eiyed and promptly applied TO thcpurpo
LOCAL PARAGRAPHS.
Dan Harris, fourteen year old 9
bfcd boy, was arrested Yesterday for ste