The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-08
THELATE DIR. WILLETT, SIR.
WORDS OF EULoGY AND SYMPATHY
FROM THE LOCAL PROFESSION.
Largely Attended Meeting OF Physi-
clans Yesterday to Take Suitable
Action on His Sad Demise - Tele-
grams From the O. X. OF A. officials.


temple, TO take action upon the death Of
Dr. i. Miles Willett. Never in the history
OF Memphis did alareer or more representa-
tive meeting OF medical men take place.
The meeting being called to order on mo-
ton OF DR.. r. B. Nall, DR.. Heber Jones
was made chairman and DIR. Julius Wise
secretary. DIR. d. d. Saunders being called
upon paid an eloquent tribute to the de-
ceased. He said In effect: In 1859. when
| came as young man to Memphis, also
found DIR. Willett beginner in this city.
L received from him hearty welcome
characterized by that kindness, courtesy
and cordiality which stamped the man. To
be otherwise than gentleman was impos-
sible to him. To be gentle, kind and cour-
teous was ingrained in his nature. Pro-
fessionally he was gentleman in the
name alone, but in act, deed, learning,
training and nature. lie was proud in the
highest sense OF pride. He was as Dean
Swift has said, too proud TO do mean
thing" He was no Sunday gentleman,
but an every day man whom all could rely
upon and honor such light rs good men
life. He was man whose memory the
medical profession should delight TO honor.
His life is characterized by uprightness
OF conduct, professional morality and all
that Is the standard of the ideal physician.
"He died as / would prefer to die-in har-
ness"
most eloquent and beautiful metaphorical
trfl 4.
an imperfect report.
Dr. Thornton states that he felt in
capable OF paying q fitting tribute to the
memory OF the deceased, but could not let
the opportunity pass of attesting his high
sense OF the worth and grief at the loss OF
DIR. Willett. He had met DR.. Willett as
early as 1870, and in lS56hc hadstudied I'M
derhim. He wasthen quiz master at the old
Memphis Medical college. From the be-
ginning TO the end OF theiS active inter-
course he had never found DR.. Willett as
other than the highest type of manhood
Ibis ideal OF a physician and gentle
man. lie was no case doctor, but prac-
ticed medicine from a strictly scientific
standpoint. DIR. Willett was an unob-
trusive man, but still rapidly won we'll
deserved recognition. With his high pro-
lNHolbitl iit
business abilities, for which he was sought,
not only by his professional brethren, but
also by the laity. Though generous 10 q
high degree, he, after giving his children
every advantage that money could pro-
cure, lett them competency; but, far
above that, lie leaves them name which
should be their prondest heritage. DIR.
Thornton said that II was often playfully
remarked that DIR. Willeit had adopted
Prot. Meigs, OF Philadelphia, as his model,
man whose great ability, gentle manners
and pucness Of life was proverbial. There
can be no doubt that DIR. Willett's unfail-
ing courtesy, kindness and high moral
sense attracted the profession and laity TO
him as no other physician in this city has
ever succeeded in doing.
Dr. IIeber Jones stated that he had
known DIR. willett for the past fifteen
years, and that their friendship had grown
warmer with each succeeding year. As n
father, friend, citizen and physician he
bad never known truer man In the
fifteen years OF their intercourse he had
never known DIR. Willett TO do an unpro-
fessional act In all their frequent con-
situations DIR. Jones never knew Of DIR.
Willetts making remark that could he
construed as a reflection upon the attend
ing physician. There was no other ply
stefan in the city who 10 thoroughly pos
sessed the confidence OF the profession.
lie once remarked 20 DIR. Jones that he
saw no necessity for a code rs far rs gen.
tlemen were concerned. 1.-THE instincts
OF a gentleman will be a sufficient guide,
and II man docs not possess those in
stincis no written code will make him an
ethical physician"
DR.. +. l.. Sim said he most heartily
Endorsed all that had been said. lie dc.
sired, however, 10 talk OF DR.. Willett, rs
he had known him in the character OF a
medical teacher. For five years DIR.
Willett had been professor OF gynecology
in the Memphis Medical college, and for
the past three years professor OF diseases
OF tho chest and clinical medicine. His
popularity as lecturer was very great. He
was universally beloved by the students.
His lectures were characterized by elegance
OF style and practical usefulness. The love
OF his students was unbOundcd. Dr. Sim
also desired 10 call attention 10 the fact
that DR.. Willett was the tint physician In
this section, II not In the south, TO perform
the important operation Of "gastrotomy."
The operation was successful, and was
performed whilst lac was stlll quite young.
Dr. Sim also called attention 10 the fact
that DIR. Willctt was one OF the Original
editors Of tho Memphis Medical R0Doyfer,
published In this city before the war. His
contributions were OF n high order OF
mort. DR.. Sim concluded his remarks
with an eulogy Of DIR. willett's character
as iather, citizen and physician.
Dir. Alexander Enskine began with a
glowing tributcto the character OF the de-
ceased. lilo dweltcspccially upon the innate
refinement Of Dr. Willctts character. aud
related an incidentof lady who had been
shocked by the coarse conduct Of physi-
cians In the lying-in chamber On asking
her whom she considered her ideal, she
promptly replied: II consider DR.. Willett
the embodiment OF ability, delicacy and
refinement" That remark. Dr ErSkine
said, was the key Of DR.. willctts charac-
ter. DR.. Erskine concluded with glowing
eulogy upon DIR. Willett's record in Che
various yellow fever epidemics, and as a
lecturer. lie also related that one OF the
students at the Medical college had In.
formed him that the lecture DR. Willett
had delivered Just before death was
one Of the best heard for along time. and
that he, like DR.. Bcemls, Of New Orleans,
who died under similar circumstances,
had preached his own funeral address.
DR.. II. q. IIcnning who was intimately
associated with DIR. Willett for some years
rs an olicc-companion, spoke In n very
feeling manner. After paying n tribute 10
| his personal worth he smoke az tha ia.