The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-01
JAMES HARRIS FITS DIES IN TUSCALOOSA Prominent Banker Suc-
 cumbed Yesterday INTERESTING CAREER After Graduating From University of Alabama Began Practice of Law.
 Actively Identified With the University
INTERESTING CAREER

Tuscaloosa, May 31.-(Special)- )- James Harris Fitts, who died at Tus- caloosa this morning, was born in Tuscaloosa county so years ago. He was a grand nephew of Oliver Fitts, the first judge of Alabama territory. His father came from Warren county, North Carolina, with the judge and set tied or plantation on the warrior river.
 MT. Fitts received early education at the hands of his mother and in pri- vatc schools, entering the university when about 16 years of age. His love of the university was ever afterward one of the dominant factors in his life.
 On leaving the university he became associated with the distinguished teach CT, who afterward became Bishop Har- grove. in the conduct of private cshool for boys. Two years thereafter he was admitted to the bar and the partnership of Whitfield X Fitts was formed at Tuscaloosa. continuing until 1859, when dissolved In order that the subject of this sketch might associate himself with Philip A. Fitts, who had then come to the bar
 MT. Pitts was opposed to the dis solution of the union and did all he could to defeat the Yancey movement, supporting Bell and Averett in 1880.
 Prominent Banker
 The law firm of which he was then the head was dissolved when the Junior member joined Lumsden's battery. Then 1t was that MT. Fitts turned his at tentfon to banking, in which business he became an authority and nestor. The bank started in the simplest way and the growth was gradual. From the time he began until today, the busi- ness conducted, first under the name Of J. H. Fitts, then as J. H. Fitts & Co.,, and finally as the City National bank never for a minute suspended payment or asked an indulgence. From the be- ginning and at all times the personal credit and responsibility of Mir. Fitts was advertised as being behind every transaction of his bank. z The university was completely de- stroyed In April, 1865. The radical legislature of that fall refused to make any appropriation to rebuild. MT. Fitts, with his personal funds, built the long. homely four-story brick, which was so long the university--now called Woods hall. He said that he could safely trust the state to repay him with interest. and it did so four years thereafter While from this course he never lost, but probably made, even from worldly standpoint. the fine spirit behind 1t gave him place in connection with the university and its history which is his alone.
 As the souths oldest continuous banker, he has been criticised as over conservative. Among other dogmas, he stuck out to the last to the propo- sition that paying interest on deposits was not banking, but borrowing money.
 He was among the most active work CTS in this state in the Episcopal church and his zeal In that direction was extreme.
 In appearance he was tall, straight and much like an Indian chief. He had many kind and generous qualities. and while they never caused him to deyiate from business methods. they went largely into his life's makeup and he did much good in many ways during d long and useful life.
 The funeral services will be held from Christ Episcopal church tomorrow afternoon at o'clock.