The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1904-09-22
NUMBER 26.
Resolutions.

The spirit of Judge W. F. Stevens
has passed over the river and enter.
ed the realms of eternity. His manly
form now rests cold and pulseless
in the narrow chamber Of death. He
sleeps in the soil Of his native country
that he loved 80 well. From his liv-
ing companions he has been transfer
red to the silent companionship Of the
mighty spirits of those who have gone
before him. As he was loved and
honored in this life, so he will be
missed and mourned in death.
Judge Stevens was a graduate of
the literary and law departments of
the University of Mississippi. While
at that institution he took high rank
as a student and early gave promise
Of the brilliant and successful future
that awaited him. Upon his admis-
sion to the bar he located in Carroll
ton. Here he practiced his profess
sion with marked success. Endowed
as he was with ability Of a high order
his friends persuaded him to enter
politics and elected him to the legis-
lature. His talents soon won him
recognition there and he was appoint
ed chairman of the Judiciary Commit
tee. This position he filled with
great credit to himself and satisfac-
tion to his frien Is. During the sit
ting of that Legislature he was ap-
pointed Circuit Judge Of the 5th Dis
trict, a position for which his learn
ing and ability pre-eminently qualified
him. So generally were his worth
and ability recognized that he held
this position under three successive
administrations.
As q Judge he was able, conscien-
tious, impartial and fearless. He was
quick to comprehend the issues sub
mitted, prompt in rulings and accur-
ate in applying principles Of law. He
was uniformly courteous to the men,
bers of the Bar, officers of the Court,
and litigants. Of a cordial and at
tractive personality, he easily made
friends, and when q friend was once
made, he bound him to himself with
hooks of steel. Pure in his own life,
and conscious of the rectitude Of his
own conduct, he was slow to impugn
the conduct and the motives Of 9th
ers. There was nothing little about
him. His ideals were high. He was
frank and candid. He lived in the
open. He kept his conscience clean
and his escutchion pure and unsullied.
He measured up to the highest stand
ard of an ideal citizen. He feared
God, and endeavored to keep His
commandments. He was never a
traitor to a friend, but he held his
oath of Office superior to his ties Of
friendship.
He never compromised with crime.
He fought evil because he hated it.
He loved truth and he lived it. He
hated vice and immortality. He de-
apised fraud and hypocracy. He
loved his State and honored it's insti-
tutions. As a private citizen he up
held the law. As a Judge he endeav-
ored to punish those who violated it.
As husband he was gentle and
tender, loving and true. To him home
was a hallowed spot because there
reigned the queen Of his affections,
and there were gathered his infant
children. His children treated him
as their companion, friend and trust
ed associate. He was never too tired
and worn to share with them their
joys and pleasures, and he was happi-
est when they clustered about his
knee. In all things, at all times, and
under oil circumstances, Judge Stew
ems was a manly man.
Therefore, be it Resolved that we
deeply and tenderly sympathize with
his grief-stricken widow and children
in their great sorrow. May they find
consolation in the thought, that al
though they will miss him as the
years 60 by, yet has he left them a
priceless legacy in the noble example
he has left to them and to posterity;
Resolved further that we also
tender to his aged parents our great
sympathy for them in this dark hour
Of their affection.
Be it further resolved, that copy
Of these resolutions be mailed to his
widow, another to his father and
mother, and another to Hon. ]. Mon
roe Stevens, his brother, who was
formerly member Of this Bar, and
that these resolutions be published,
and that q committee be appointed on
behalf Of this Bar to present these
resolutions to the Court at its ap-
preaching term, with . request that
they be spread upon the minutes Of
our Court, upon q page specially ret
apart for this purpose, az q per
petual record Of the high esteem in
which Judge Stevens was held BY the
members Of this Bar.
Respectfully submitted:
W. P. NcKETT,
r. G. McBEE, COMMITTEES.
h. II. ELM0RE,
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