The Opelousas courier., 1891-01-10
The Late EIon. Willis Prescott.

painful duty, as journalist, TO announce
it. The Hon. Willis Prescott was the
worthy son of distinguished and fondly
remembered parents. No one can
boast of purer, better blood than ran III
his veins, and warmed his brave heart.
He was native of St. Landry whose
father was the Hon. William Prescott
who oftener than once, held honorable
and responsible positions in the State
Senate and whose mother was sister
of the venerated Hon. John Moore, the
peer of any man living or dead in all
that relates to purity of life and prac-
tical sound Judgment. The deceased
was named for bis paterDal Uncle Will
lis, who in his last will, provided for
his education at the University of Vir-
ginia. After his return from that In
stitution he married Miss Offutt, one
Of the daughters of Col. William Offut
of Washington, st. Landry. She left
him at the summons of death several
years ago, to join the angel band in o
heavenly home, since which time he
has lived c0mpanionless, devotiDg all
his energies to the raising and education
of two children she left behind her.
He engaged in planting, and like
many others, whose minds are turned
to letters, he did not succeed. Of a
genial nature, he was always highly es-
teemed by all who knew him. He
went to New Orleans during the seven
ties, and with the late Edwin L. Jewell,
undertook the labor of writing up and
illustrating the Crescent City. Ia due
time the work was completed on the
plan projected, but a little while before
it was completed, the deceased with
drew from the enterprise and Jewell
got the credit of it. 1t Is still extant
but has never passed through more than
the first edition. He returned to his
home in Washington and for {. time was
editor of the Washington News. week
ly paper published in that town. A
joint-stock company was organized to
put up a factory there, and he was Sc
lected as the Superintendent Or PIesi-
dent Of it. This position he held until
failing health forced him to resign it.
At the election preceding the last Gen
eral State Election he was strongly sup
ported for Congress, but his friends
brought his name forward too late in
the campaign. to secure him the nomI-
nation of the Democratic party. At the
last General Election he was elected to
the State Senate, and died in the ser
vice of the State in that position.
He was man of quick perceptions,
and active intelligence. Was distin-
guished as warm hearted man, always
ardent as a friend and fearless as an
antagonist. His convictions were strong,
and he never compromised his opinions
when once formed. His whole soul be-
came enlisted in the fight for a just
cause, and he never surrendered as long
as there was anything left to fight for.
Devoted to the Democratic party, he
believed the country's welfare depend
ed on it's ascendancy in the councils
of the State, and withal, he loathed
anything like charlatanry and dema-
goguism, iu the. name of Democracy
Recognized principles were everything
to him, and he believed them sufficient
for all emergencies, without the aid OF
bastard issues. Public zeal impelled
him in all he undertook for the State,
and he never stopped to count, or to
reckon the Consequences upon his own
popularity. .
There was much magnetism in BIN,
and he had grownn TO be strong in the
affections of the people. There was
nothing of selfisbness in him, no mar
rowness of mind. Whatever cause he
espoused, the purpose bouyed his spirits
up, whatever the opposition, aud he
,navad nm to the uiIImafIIin iika a shin
tossed by storms but holding on its
course. His health has been seriously
impaired for several years and he has
suffered long and heroicalIy. Life's
fitfal fever is now over with this kind
father affectionate brother, ardent
friend, true patriot and braveman, and
che sleeps well.n
$50 sleep the brave, who sink TO rest,
By all their country's wishes blest.a
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