The Saint Paul globe., 1897-04-25
WILLIAM r. DICKENSON WAS
YOUNG, BUT HAD EARNED
A PLACE
IN THE ESTEEM OF FELLOWS.
MEMORIAL Is PRESENTED IN
COURT BY HIS LATE BRETK-
REN IN LAW.
MINNESOTA
L SAVINGS
Petition for the Removal of the
Trustees Reset for Next Satur-
day-COuPt News.

AT the opening of the district court
yesterday forenoon all Of the judges
save Judge Brill, who is out of the
city, were present in Court Room No.
B. when the committee of the bar as
sociatiOn presented a memorial for the
late William F. Dickinson. Thomas D.
OBrien, the chairman of the commit
tee, offered the following memorial,
which was spread on the minutes of the
court:
Death having taken from our midst Will
lam Ford Dickinson, while upon the threshold
OF most promising career in the practice of
MS chosen profession, the members Of the
Ramsey county bar desire to express their
sense Of the loss sustained by this community
In his early decease.
Although one Of the Junior members of the
bar OF this county he had shown himself pos
sessed of sterling qualities Of mind and char
1t was his fortune to make friends of all with
Whom he came in contact. His gentlemanly
bearing and frank. open disposition, combined
with excellent legal talent. caused him to
leave lasting impression of his personality
On those who were within the circle of his ac-
qGalntance Knowing that the honorable
judges Of this court share with US the seni-
ments we have expressed, we ask that this
memorial be spread upon the minutes Of the
bereaved family Of the deceased.
Following the reading of the memoir
ial, Thomas D. O'Brien said that, while
Mr.. Dickinson died before he had ar
rived at age where it was possible for
him to achieve marked distinction in
his profession, yet his life, attainments
and method Of doing business gave
promise of his future. "While we are
inclined to regard death in youth as
being particularly lamentable," con-
cluded Mr.. O'Brien, "it often seems to
me that, as men grow older, they lose
hoo IQIT1 AsD-
they possess. They become more self
ish, suspicious and Indifferent. The
memory that the friends of Mr.. Dick
insOn will have of him will be that Of
a high-minded, pure young man, un
sullied by contact with the world, of
high intelligence and beautiful charac-
ter"
T. R. Palmer delivered the following trlb-
ute to his late partner: This q Re Of those oc-
casions when the good qualities Of the de-
parted may be spoken of without any mental
reservation and it seems fitting that one,
who, for twenty-five years has been
quaintance and intimate friend, and for ten
years business associate, should testify
cerning that part of our deceased friends
life of which, perhaps, most of you know
little or nothing.
MIR. Dickinson was but four years Of age
when first saw his face, but from that time
until he was twelve we were daily compan-
ions, although ! was many years his senior.
| always loved the little fellow and was deep
ly interested in him. His parents were
among the most highly respected and es-
teemed citizens of his native place. They
were leaders in society and in the church;
and while devoted to their children and made
great sacrifices for them, they were ever
watchful of their daily lives and their spirit
ual moral and physical growth. Young
Dickinson was happy, bright, active and
attractive little fellow, and a great favorite
among young and old. ..t.
In 1886 learning that he had been studying
stenography and had taken a course in
business college preparatory to accepting
position IN an oftcG and remembering and
knowing him to possess the health, ambition,
learning and moral character to make val
liable assistant In my Office, his father was
requested to permit him to come West and
take position with me. His consent was
obtained, and in September, 1886, the young
man, then eighteen years of age presented
himself ready for work This being his first
separation from parents and home, 1t de-
cided that for the first few months he should
make my home his. After he had been in
the city about six months he concluded to
go down town to live and for seven or eight
years thereafter he took his meals at restau-
rants and had rooms in different places about
town.
Thus young and inexperienced he was sur
rounded by all kinds of temptations to do
wrong and placed where it is so easy to be
led astray, thousands are each year; but
not so with our young friend. He sought
among the cleanest and very best of the
young men and women Of the city for his as
sOciates, and clung to the church and older
members thereof for guidance and advice un-
til he grew into matured manhood, where
and when his habits and principles were un-
Rlterably fixed With all his good qualities
his pure and moral life his professed attach
ment to the church, no ever knew him
to assert his goodness or to make himself Of
fensive by criticisng the lives of others or
In attempting to give so-called fathery ad-
vice; but his daily life example which
would injure no man, young or old, to fol-
low. Scores of poor boys, gathered from the
streets of st. Paul, can testify to many kind
words and acts which no one but the recip-
lent and the benefactor knows Of unless ac-
fol1r srNfnr n
given to boasting. His good work not
confined to poor boys Many unfortunate
men and women have shared his earnings
without the worlds knowing it. For ten
years he has been closely Identified with me
my family and my office. He has grown up
with my business: The office is filed with
evidences of his fidelity, energy, learning and
ability. Open any book, record or file in the
office, and there you will find his work |
have never seen him angry, have neveF
heard him utter cross word to any person
at any time. AS for blasphemy or obscenity
he could not give utterance to it. He had no
bad habit. He always courteous and
obliging. He attended the law department
OF the state university evenings for three
years, and graduated with honors in June
1888 at which time the firm became Palmer
q Dickinson. Dickinson was not cut out for
trial lawyer, but his office work in draw
ing pleadings. DEGREES, contracts and in his
briefing, would equal that of many much
older lawyer. In 1896 he was married to an
estimable lady and at the time of his death
had most happy home.
Judge Kelly, speaking for the bench
In the absence Of Judge Brill, reiterat-
ed the words of commendation ex-
pressed by the attorneys. He did his
duty, his whole duty, we'll before the
bar of the earthly Judge" said Judge
Kelly, and we feel assured that when
his soul stood before the bar of the
Judge of all judges, 1t received that
consolation which was pronounced by
the Master when on this earth: Blessed
are the pure in heart, for they shall
zee God"
EulogIstic addresses were also deliv-