The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-05-05
TRIBUTES TO j. w. BLYTHE.

TRIBUTES TO J. w. BLYTHE.
At meeting of the Des MONIES
County Bar Association in Burlington
on Monday morning tributes of love
and respect were paid to the memory
of the late Joseph W. Blythe, SO long
an honored member of the regal pro-
fession. The men who had been asso-
ciated with Mr.. Blythe for many years
spoke feelingly OF his beautiful traits
of character, and Of the nobility of his
/ life.
Resolutions that were drawn up by
a committee consisting OF Judge
James D. Smyth, Thos. Hedge and A..
NJ. Antrobus were adopted. These re-
cite Mr.. Blythes thirty-year honorable
connection with the local bar and his
advancement in his profession by reas-
on of his ability and fidelity. They
further declare that while he was al
ways faithful to the great corporate
interest which was his employer, he
did not disregard his duties and re-
sponsibilities as citizen and mem
Der of society and of the legal pro-
fession. He was a close student and
an earnest advocate of those theories
of government which he believed most
advantageous for all the people. He
was naturally leader of men and his
earnestness and forcefulness of pur-
pose. his high standard of integrity,
his honorable and courteous dealing
with all commanded the devotion of
his friends and the respect of those
who differed with him in policy. Fin
ally, this is said:
'.As citizen of Burlington he man.
ifested deep interest in all that con-
cerned the welfare and advancement
of her people, and was always ready
to assist in every public enterprise and
charity. AS friend and neighbor he
was the soul of genuine kindness and
generous hospitality. In the practice
of the law his accurate discernment of
human character and motive. his
knowledge Of legal rules and of the
great principles which underlie those
rules, his keen sense of professional
honor, his frankness and geniality of
manner all mark his career as worthy
| of admiration and emulation.
1T is the sense Of the bar of Des
Moines county that, in the death of
Mr.. Blythe at the age of f1fty-nine
years. while in the prime of his useful
ness as citizen and lawyer, there
has fallen upon us a grevious and un-
expected loss, which we cannot cease
to deplore and which leaves vacancy
in our circle that cannot be filed"
| In submitting the resolutions Judge
Smyth stated that an effort was made
4 to avoid fulsome eulogy in drawing
them UP and that sincerity was the
keynote of the words. He paid q
dignified tribute to Mr.. Blythe as q
lawyer and as man. Remarks were
also made by Hon. c. L. Poor, w. E.
Blake, j. j. Seerley and A. M. Antro
bus, who spoke of his many fine quail
ties including his great intellectual
ability. his large heart, broad views
and lovable character.
One of the finest tributes that could
be paid Mr.. Blythe was that Of Hon
Thos. Hedge, for many years associat
ed as law partner with Mr.. Blythe
Mr.. Hedge said:
4 HE is rare man, gifted with
the powers of intellect, the faculties Of
mind, the trueness of heart, the BRAY
cry and gentleness of spirit needed tt
make up great character and a noble
soul.
.'In his person and his manner we
saw the outward and visible signs o.
these high qualities. In his presence
. we found always health and grace ant
welcome. / shall not linger on the
pleasant conditions of his life or or
the facts of his career. He was for
tunate in his birth and training, hi
father was learned and faithful
Presbyterian minister and as his sol
described him "a resolute old man.
His mother was Of family which
numbered among its members man!
great and famous lawyers, of whose
, example and instruction he had thu
, benefit after a broken course a
Princeton college. He was himself en-
gagged in teaching year or two a
. Lawrenceville academy and ther'
strengthened his habit of learning
: things fully and accurately, that HI
might instruct others honestly. / hav'
: never known any other who knew 81
, many and so various things SO per
fectly. His memory held whatever hi
understanding had laid hold on. /
was inevitable that he should grow t
be a great lawyer. 1t happened tina
his experience before juries was com
: Iparatively slight and that he rarel
: appeared before the court as an advo
: cate. for he was strangely averse t
. public speaking. / say strangely, TO
when forced to speak in public h
presented his matter with clearness
! force, and elegance not often equalled
: AS he saw clearly, he stated clearly
He never suffered from confusion O
9 mind or from moral cowardice.
For many years, and to the day o
} his death. he was the chief counselo
t and the legal guide OF the Chicago
/ Burlington and Quincy Railroad CON
J pany, place of responsibility to b
.. taken and to be held only by one be
, lieved to be and proved to be fit TO
great affairs.
e His great success in meeting thi
S responsibility gives striking evidenc
a of the remarkable discernment an
0 Judgment that Charles Elliott Perkins
, chief of the railroad men of his time
exercised in the selection of his as