The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-07
SUCCESSFUL LIFE ENDED.
DIR. e. MILES wILLETT. sR,. MEETS
A MELANCHOLY DEATH.
Attacked by Disease Of the Brain
While Being Driven Home nom the
Memphis Hospital Medical College
Meeting OF Physicians Called.

DR.. II. Mics Nluett, sri one Oh inc iore-
most physicians in Memphis and the
southwest died suddenly at $3.50 O'Clock
yesterday afternoon at his residence, No.
lO4 Adams street. His demise was pecu-
Iarly melancholy and unexpected and
iherciore doubly shocking to his inter-
esting family, the local profession and a
circle Of friends and admirers including
the entire city. The deceased was lecturer
on clinical medicine and diseases OF
the chest at the Memphis Hospital
Medical college, his attendance days
being Monday and Friday. He
had entertained and instructed the
class from . to 3 O'Clock pm, entered his
coupe and was being driven home
TO dinner Just after crossing
the Charleston railroad, on Union
avenue, he opened the door Of the vehicle
and requested the driver to urge the
horses as much as possible, as he was suf-
fering intensely from pain in the head.
The distance was rapidly covered, and
when the driver ahghted and opened the
door for his employer TO alight, he found
the doctor in q deathly pallor and almost
unable 10 move. He made the effort,
however, but would have fallen had 1t not
been for the assistance rendered by the
faithful driver Loving hands carried the
ailng gentleman up stairs, where he was at
once tcnderly cared for, and telephone
message sent TO his son, DIR. Il. Miles Will
= lett, jr., who was in attendance upon pa
tents ut the city hospital The latter hur-
iied home 1T once, but within ten minutes
after bis arrival his father was dead. His
a. II as4. n.
brain, supernduoed by unremitting men,
tai exertion. DIR. Willett leaves five chill
dren. three sons and two daughters, and a
legion Of friends TO lament his melancholy
taking oil. He was iifty-iive years OF age
on Wednesday last.
There will he a meeting OF the physicians
held today at II o'clock noon at the office
OF Drs. III. and X. Jones to take suitable
action upon the death OF DIR. Willett. All
physicians requested TO be present
As "A member OF tho local medical pro-
fession, Dr. Willett stood in the first rank.
The biographical sketch which appears in
Goodgpced's history of Tennessee is faith
full and thoroughly accurate, and is here
reproduced rs a deserved tribute TO one
who has labored so long and with marked
distinction in this city:
"Dr. i. Miles Willctt, ST., well known
as ono Of the leading physicians in Mem
phis, Tenn, il native OF Kentucky; he
was graduated in the classical department
of ST. Josephs college, Bardstown, Ky, in
1851, and two years later received the de-
gree OF master Of arts in the same institu-
ton. Having decided TO adopt the pro-
iession of medicine he repaired TO Phila-
delphia, where he remained more than
four years, attending the lectures OF the
eminent professors OF that day, in the col
leges and hospitals Of that city, then the
most famous scat OF medical instruction in
this country. lie graduated in Jefferson
Medical college in the class OF 1865, and
then had the good fortune TO be elected
one OF the resident physicians Of Phila-
delphia hospital, where he served a term
Of one year. This hospital, better known
81 as Blnckloy almshouse, had q population
OF ZOO and go children, besides 1000
i beds Tor the INDECENT sick. who were Attic
ted with all the ills that human flesh IL
heir to. As resident physician he was not
a mere locker on, but IL was his duty 10
treat disease In f,ll its countless maniies-
tations, the medical department being I'M
der the management OF one chief resi-
dent and eight resident physicians In
the deadhousc opportunities were offered
every day to study the ravages OF disease.
His term Of Office having expired, he
decided in tho spring OF 1857 10
make Memphis, Tenn, his future home,
not on account Of personal friendships, for
he did not know any one in that city, but
simply on account Of what no supposed "a
be the advantages OF the location. As he
was quite youthful IN appearance, he did
not jump az once into practice; his success
was gradual but permanent. Since ls6t
lac has enjoyed a large and lucrative prac
tice. During the four terrible epidemici
OF yellow fever which visited this ill-fatec
city. he might have always been seen II
the front rank Of that noble band OF physi
clans, who by day and through the lionel!
hours OF the night, regardless OF persona
danger, were In constant attendance upoi
The victims OF this terrible scourge. II
his praise be Il said, he was equally promp
and conscientious in the discharge OF hi
professional duty 10 the poor as, 10 In
rich. lie has always maintained grca
devotion to his profession, and with th
exception of an extensive tour OF Europ
and an occasional visit to the northern
cities, he has rarely taken a trip 70
pleasure, but Is always engaged In IN
active duties Of bis calling visiting III
sick, or he may be found In his librar
reading M in connection with his cases
or, Il may be-, studying kindred branche
OF science as an ornamental part OF educs
ton. lie was one Of the original member
of the faculty Of the Memphis Hospitf
- Medical college, and M such lecturcd o
the diseases of women and clinical medicin
for five years AZ present he Is protcssc
Of clinical medicine, physical diagnosis an
diseases Of the chest. lie has always bee
regarded with great favor by the variot
classes of medical students a. n iluei
and pleasant lecturer and imprcssiS
teacher. lie has always been bel
In high esteem by his proie
siona brethren because OF his unifou
courtesy and great sincerity. lie was OF
Of the medical directors OF tho Southcr
Life Insurance company for tel year
the term OF is existence, and he ha
the honor Of being elected the first suprcn
medical examiner Of the Cathol
Knights Of America, which place ]
has held for six years. These Ollie
were not simply positions OF emp
honor, but there was attached TO the OF
ns there was 10 the other, great deal
work and n substantial salary. The organ
zaiion Of Catholic Knights oil America 4
mutual benevolent society, composed
between 400 and 500 branches and 90
members scattered through the Stat
and Territories Of this country. Whs
YOU are told that all Of the medical exam