The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-01-08
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COLUMBIA HERALD Co.
The Late DR.. Seth r. KittreII.

Editor HerdLd:
Because of misrepresentation, lead
ing to an erroneous publication as to
the cause of DR.. Seth r. Kittrel's death,
at Mt. Pleasant, on the 30th of NOVem-
Der last, and confident that he deserved
much more than laconic obituary
notice, the writer seeks the correction
of error and to pay just tribute as
well.
DR.. Kittrell, for several days before
his death, had been suffering from an
abnormal nervous condition, superin-
duced by business anxiety and excess
sive smoking. For month or more he
had been giving close attention to the
mining of phosphate on his land, and
this subjected him to exposure and
excitement, to which he was not ac-
customed. The result was a severe cold
which aggravated, if it was not the
basis of, his disease. To alleviate his
nervousness, bromdia was prescribed
by his attending physician, and being
under the effects of the drug without
experiencing relief, he took Il large
dose, much more than sufficient, which,
added to the effect of what he had
previously taken, caused heart failure
and his death.
Such is a true statement of the case,
and the published account that his
death was attributable to alcoholic
poison is a gross injustice to his mem
DRY and in utter disregard of the sacred
ness of his home circle SO grievously
bereaved.
DR.. Kittrell was no ordinary young
man. His was an unusually bright and
comprehensive mind. He was well
read in his profession, and his general
reading was varied and extensive. He
-
or OstentatiOn. No man was truer in
his Observance Of truth, loving it, and
despising falsity and hypOcracy. OF
rare courage, physical and moral, he
brooked no insult and was careful not
to provoke or wound. Conscious OF
what IL right, if in the wrong, he would
promptly remedy it. He resorted to nc
reservation or concealment as to his
opinion or his conduct. AS he stood, he
was known to stand, and there he could
always be found by friend or foe. OF q
sensitive, appreciative, generous, faith
full nature, he was beautiful example
of devotion as son, nephew and
brother and friendly companion.
The writer knows nothing of DR.. Kit
trell's religious life or belief, but he i.
creditably informed that he had un
swerving faith in God and the Re-
deemer, and was man of secret
prayer. He was known often to com
mune with himself, holding himself tC
a rigidly Just accountability. In this
respect he was undemonstrative; hi.
profession was in himself, to himself
and to his God. Alas! the churcf
knows less of the christianity in the
world than the world knows of the un
| christianity in the church.
With all of his manliness, DR.. Kittrel
/ had his weakness. Who, man or wo
man, in some form or other, is withou
| it? In the broad, strong fabric of hi,
| character, so white beside, this Sigh
/ tinge or tiny spot was seen. It was
weakness that displayed itself at Ions
Intervals periodicity of social ex
! hilaration, when he was pOwerless {,
/ restrain his friendly greeting and in
tercourse. While it was weakness, i
was inseparable from cOmmendabl)
| trait his warm, loving, human nature
/ All, not alone was DR.. Kittfell in tn,
| exhibition of this weakness. Men O
| the highest rearing, of the noblest ma
| lures, the most commanding intellect
/ men whose lives adorn history anC
elevate it to the highest plane of splen
/ did eXample-men in all departments
| of grandest achievement, discoverer,
! inventors, warriors, statesmen, his
torians, poets and orators were unde