Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-10-22
In Memnriam.
BEN PRICE.

munity, quietly and peacefully
sank into his final slumber. II
him, Mississippi loses one of hel
worthiest sons, and strongest men
Born March Sth, 1850, the
| youngest son of Washington
Price, and Frances B. Price,
(nee Harris), he spent his early
boyhood at his birth place,
the Price homestead. on Yocona,
Lafayette county. He acquired
there the love of nature and agri-
cultural pursuits, which he never
host amid the many business cares
which filled his middle life, and in
his last years, he again turned to
the country, for pleasure and
recreation, giving to his county
a fine illustration of the benefit
and profit of diversifying the
crops and raising high grade
cattle.
On the death of his mother, in
1858, he was sent to North Caro-
lima to live with an uncle, and re-
manned there until after the close
of the Civil War, when he return
ed to Lafayette county, Missis-
sippi. Too young to take part in
the defense Of his country, by the
side of his brothers, in later years
he did her yeoman's service in
the paths of peace, by assisting
to re-estabiish the shattered bus
siness system of his section, and
develop and exploit its resources.
In common with most southern
boys of that period, he was de-
prived of the opportunity of a
collegiate education, but he made
such good use of the opportuni-
ties he had, and was possessed of
such a catholic intellect, combin-
ed with a spirit of thoroughness
of investigation, the requisites of
scholarship, that he by his own
reading and study, in large meas
ure made up for this deprivation.
Few men, not specialists had a
keener or deeper appreciation Of
the writings of Shakespeare, or a
higher general literary taste. In
conversation, he was easy and
fluent with rare powers of de-
scription and narration. That
clearness and penetration of
which We're the basis
eff his business success charac-
terized all his discussions, and
his views on the topics of the day.
In 1878, he became a member
of the mercantile firm Of Harris,
Barringer & Price. In 1879, he
attended the business college at
Poughkeepsie, New Yorb, and
graduated in six months. He
continued in the mercantile bust
ness until 1881, when he entered
the banking business for which he
was peculiarly fitted, by his
clerkly accomplishments and
sonnd judgment. His success in
this line was phenomenal, and
his operations were not confined
to Oxford, but he was instrument
tai in the establishment and prop
CT management Of many banks
IL other sections.
At the time of his death, he
was President OF the Bonk of
Oxford OF which he was for many
years, cashier, and a director Of
the Bank of Commerce in Mem
phis, and several Banks in Mis-
sis5ippi. He had all the qualifi-
cations of a great captain Of in
dustry, and had his talents had a
broarder field OF activity, he
would have been one of the ma
tons greatest financiers.
He was for some years, secre-
tary and treasurer of the Univer-
sity of Mississippi, and rendered
most valuable service in that po-
sition.
Himself, a man of the highest
personal integrity, and business
probity, exact and methodical in
his transactions, he demanded
the same in others. He did no
one an intentional injustice, but
he was decided and outspoken in
condemnation OF whatever seem
cd to him questionable or wrong.
rs is usua! OF r4en OF great force
of character, he was strong in
his prejuaices, in lis likes and
Gislike8. He was a loyal friend
and an uncor2promising foe. He
twas strong wiiled and determin-
ed, usually carrying to the end.
that which he undertook but his
mate sense Of justice caused him
i to yield when convinced that he
Twas in error.
He was known to those who
really knew him, to be q man Of
tenderness, sympathy and chart
ty. He was g friend to the wild
owed and helpless, and there are
many such who hold him in ten
derest esteem and deeply mourn
the loss of such a friend.
He was especially helpful te
young men, and q number OF The
most promising and successful
men who have grown up in Ok.
ford, owe their inspiration ane
instruction to him.
Strong in mind and strong il
body, he has fallen before Times
sickle, like the sturdy oak before
the woodman's ak, and many
there be, who shall miss the pro
tecting shade of his counsel ant
support of his honest hand. Time
only will tell just how great a los
Oxford and Lafayette Count.
has suffered in his death, and +;
fall anpraniatiop of his wisdom