The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-21
DR. VIM, A. PARKER DIES AT ASHEY|LLE Prominent Member of the
 University Staff TEACHERS IN INSTITUTE University Avenue Will Be Treated To Cement Sidewalks to City Limits.
 University May Extend
 the Improvement.

Tuscaloosa, August 20.-(Special.) )-News of the death of Dr. William A. Parker at Asheville. N. C.. was received here yesterday. Dr. Parker had gone to Ashe- vile in hopes of benefiting his health, but the trip was unsuccessful.
 In the death of Dr. Parker the state suffers the loss of one of the most bril- liant men it has ever had. He was grad uated from the University in 1855, and later travelled in Europe and did the work for the degree of doctor of phil osophy Upon his return he was profess sor in Howard college, then at Marion, until the Civil War, when he went as
 soldier of the Confederacy, making a
 brilliant record in this capacity. At the
 reorganization of the university pr. Par
 ker was elected professor of Greek, which
 position he held until 1874, when he was made professor of modern languages. In 1898 French and German were made sep arate chairs and Dr. Parker remained professor of German until his retirement in 1904. Last commencement he was elected emeritus professor on partial pay. Perhaps no member of the faculty at the university ever made more friends among the student body than Dr. Par ker His interest in the boys, his bril- liance of conversation, his wit and his bold and independent spirit naturally at tracted all Former pupils of his will learn of his death with deep regret Few men have been endowed with such an intellect as he possessed and the won derful breadth of his information was
 amazing to all with whom he ever con-
 versed. His mind was unimpaired up to
 the time of his last sickness, and though always modest, he was never on the streets for any length of time but that his presence attracted eager companions. He will be missed as few men would in this city, which has been his home for so long a time.
 1 He leaves his wife, five sons and three | daughters, as follows: William C., and | John Parker of New York; Lieut.. Graham ] Parker, U, s, A., Thornton Parker of ! this place. Allen Parker of Louisiana; | Misses Elizabeth, Nellie and Mary Par
 ker of this city. The funeral will occur | here some time tomorrow
 1 The Sixth district teachers institute Is
 in session in this city and will continue
 on through this month Prof. J. H.
 Foster and Prof. G. w. Brock, the lat
 ter of Livingston, are in charge of the
 programmes to be carried out during its
 session here. Today was devoted to dis cussions by the teachers present on i schoolroom work and the methods of adopting the new text books most ad- 1 vantageously. Tomorrow addresses will
 be delivered by T. c. McCorvey and Dr. i J. Y. Graham of the university faculty. | The board of mayor and aldermen of i the city recently passed the first ordi- 1 nance necessary for the laying of ce-
 ment sidewalks by the property owners { on University avenue, to the city limits.
 It is now thought that when this work , is done the university authorities vii,
 put down similar walks abutting its prop i erty, which will make good walks from l the city to the university.
 MT. and Mrs James F. Aston en- ! tertained at an enjoyable dinner yester- l day evening in honor of Mrs. Aston s
 sister, Miss Allene Nabors of Montgom- 1 cry. Covers were laid for 12 guests, and
 a beautiful and elaborate dinner was
 served, after which music was rendered 1 in the drawing room.
 Judge and Mrs. J. J. Mayfield returned 1 a few days ago from Asheville, where ] they went for Judge Mayfeld's health. 1 The judge seems to have entirely re- | covered, though he has not yet gained l back all his strength.