Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1899-05-24

duu OOuucu VI Tue CO"u VI LCAlS WI
Virginia, held in the Council Chambe
thereof on Thursday, the 18th day
May, 1899, the following. minute wa
unanimously adopted, viz;
Captain Wills did not serve with tn
present Council. During recent year
however, he was for many years con
| sp cuous member Of this body; and it j
proper that his service to this communi
| ty should be recognized, and theil
memory perpetuated by the Council by
entering a fit memorial thereof upor
records.
One intimately acqu .inted with the
history of the town, and with the public
administration of its affairs in recent
years, cannot fail to be impressed with
fact that for more than decade there
has been more or less continuity in the
personnel of this body, and in the gen.
eral policies it has inaugurated and
carried to successful issue.
This is neither the time nor place to
enumerate the public improvements
which have been undertaken and conf
pleted; but during this period, second
alone to Lexington's prince Of Mayors,
John W. Haughawout, easily the lead
ing spirit of this epoch, may we not
say, and without disparagement to any
other, that out stands the stately folm
and solid service of Jayhugh Wills,
"higher than any of tie people from
his shoulders upward"
Captain Wills had peculiar qualifca-
tons for a good councilman. Always
pre- 1T, attentive, courteous, thought
full, firm and withal man of excellent
practical judgment. In connection
with public Improvements his almost
unerring judgment was largely defer
red to by his associates; and in the ex-
ecution OF work, his supervision and
services were valuable. HIS associates
and friends will readily recall the k en-
interest he manifested and felt, and the |
care be exhibited in many di-
'ections; for example, in connect on
With the enlargement of our water sup
ply in acquiring additional SPRING b.
'ond the Brushy Hills, and their broad
water sheds, including several hundr, d
!cres; and IN inaugurating and carry
nto effect thorough system Of sewage
# the town. Thus for many years of
lis life, already rich: n experience IN
'ublic works, he gave large part Of
lis time 70 this community. Others
AVE estimated that his good judgement
md faithful service saved many thous-
nd dollars to the town OF Lexington.
IS chairman of the Committee on
treets and Roads, his record is a pat
ern well worthy of imitation by those
tho may succeed him. He didn't be-
eve in doing things by halves. He
lways urged that what was was worth
Ding at all was worth doing right; and
his he carried with him into all details
cmmitted to his charge.
Captain Wills was a man of beautiful | s
haracter. Gentle, kind, thoughtful,
haratable, and public spirited, his life
as one of service to and for others.
lie loved Lexington and her people
18th passionate devotion. We learn
nat on the last, long, weary home
,urney he was uneasy lest the end c
Mould come before he reached Lex
gton. 1t seemed to us but meet that c
is yearning was grati6ed, "there to t
,turn and die at home at last" r
This was the noblest Roman Of them ALL q
= y His life was gentle, and the elements
} mixed in him that Nature might stand ~,
nd say to the world, This was Man."
The Clerk is directed to send a copy
this memorial to the family of Cap
in Wills. He will also furnish the
wn papers each copy for publica- u
op. s
A Copy Teste: v