Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-20
THE CLARKSYILLE BAR.
Resolutions Drafted On the
Death of Jno. j. West.
His Former Comrades Pay Tribute TO His
Worth in Short But Earnest
Speeches.

Bar and number of private citizens
met in the Chancery court room this
morning to take action on the death
of Jno. j. West.
On motion of I'll. G. Merritt, w. M.
Daniel was called to the chair. MIR.
Daniel briefly stated the object OF the
gathering, and on motion appointed
a copnaitree Of three, consisting OF
Judge Tyler, Gen. Quarles and Nj.
Savage, to draft resolutions. The
committee retired and reported as
follows:
We, the citizens Of GAINESVILLE and
members OF the Clarksville bar, ex-
press our profound sorrow at the loss
of our valued friend, John j. West,
who died at his residence in this city
at half past twelve O'Clock yesterday
morning. His death was not I'M
looked for by us. He and we had
been expecting the summons for
some weeks before it came, but now
that he is gone and his earthly career
closed forever we feel that there
should be some public expression OF
the esteem in which he was held
while he dWelt among us and that
one in whose life there was much to
be commended and much that was
worthy of imitation, should not be
allowed to pass un-noticed from the
midst of his comrades and his friends.
John j. West was born Decent Der
30, 1868, in Todd county, Kentucky,
and spent his early childhood there.
He was the Oldest son of the Rev.
Joseph b. West, who was honored
and loved by the people of this com.
munity through all the years Of a
longilif and whose useful ministry
on earth ended but a few months
since. He, John j. West, was edu-
Gated principally at Stewart College,
GAINESVILLE, and graduated from that
institution in 1872. Before he reach
ed his 21st year he was given Ii
cense TO practice law and from that
time until his he It'll failed him, about
year since, he devoted himself with
energy aud assiduity to the study
and practice of his profession. He
never sought political Office of any
kind nor accepted any position which
was not strictly in keeping with the
duties of his chosen profession. He
was city attorney here for twelve
years and for about the same length OF
lime held the place of public admin
istrator for the county. He was an
excellent and correct business man, a
man of unusually clear judgment, a
pains taking and accurate lawyer.
He expressed himself in argument
clearly and forcibly without effort at
oratory, and gave to every cause com
mitted to him an amount of honest
labor and investigation that made
him successful as an attorney. His
kindly disposition, his genial nature
we all remember. No man ever had
more Of the milk of human kindness
In his composition, and through life,
in bOyhOod and manhood, he was
instinctively honest. In the course
of his business he handled trust funds
often, and he not only always &C.
counted for them as required by law,
but he never in any instance, as his
best friends know, made use of such
a fund in a way that was intended
directly or indirectly to benefit him
self. A life like this, whether long or
short, is useful and honorable life,
and its lesson and example are wor
thy to be remembered by those in
whose midst such a life was spent.
There was another element in the
character of John j. West, for the ex-
istence of which those who were
closest to him in life can now truth
fully vouch. He was an earnest,
humble and cheerful christian, the
lamp of whose faith never grew dim
but burned brighter as weak ened in
body, but in full possession of all his
faculties he approached the shore OF
eternity. He was not one who was
prone to make open professions, or
who was inclined to lay bare
the struggles of his spirit, OF
the inner working of his con-
science before his fellowman
Simple minded and direct in all
his methods, he took his frailties,
his temptations and his penitence,
to Him alone who could rightly judge
him and plead his own case at the
bar of his maker. His calm and
cheerful demeanor as he neared the
grave. showed that the attorney had
won his last suit, and the peace OF
God that passeth all understanding
was with him at the end. >lAs@sassssssS
Resolved, That we tender ito the
immediate family of the deceased
our sincere coincidence and sympathy
in this, the hour of their bereave-
ment, and EXPRESS TO them the hope
that hereafter they will derive com.
fort from the reflection that the hus-
band and father gone before has not
only gained for himself a higher and
better life, but that he has left to his
widow and children who remain be-
hind him, the rich heritage ofan I'M
sullied reputation and an honored
name. EEs.AS - .---.
Resolved, That copy of these pro-
ceedings be furnished the Clarksville
papers for publication.
G. w. TYLER, Chm'D,
W. A. QUARLEs,
M. SAVAGE,
Messrs. II. G. Merritt, II. N.
Leech, w. M. Daniel, aud Judge
Muniori spoke feelingly of the de-
ceased. They all pronounced him
one of the brightest members Of the