The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-06

practfsed such virtues that he had
the confidence of all with whom he
dealt. Spurning the lust for gold,
power and ambition Of the world and
spurred ON only by . ever-dying
determination to lead the life of a
true and upright citizen he declined
to participate IN the greed for the ao-
cumulatfon of money but sought only
to horde away the greater, grander
wealth-the wealth of a good name
with the people among whom he lived
the riches of spotless reputation.
AS testimonial of his popularity
and the confidence reposed In him by
his fellow citizens he was twice elect
cd q member Of the Board Of Public
Safety Of the city Of Pensacola under
the aldermanic form OF government
and he served creditably in that ca
pacity until the Board Of Safety was
abolished by the commission govern
ment charter. His political career
began and ended with this office. His
qualities as a mixer would have been
an invaluable asset 10 an Office seeker
but his nodesty and retiring manners
forbade his becoming a politician.
These virtues that he exhibited to
his friends, though rare indeed, rank
second to those that shone by his fire.
side. Kind and loving to the woman
who made his short life a happy one,
patient and indulgent towards the
little ones who blessed this union,
Pat Williams the husband and father
was even a greater man than Pat
Williams the friend and comrade.
A nature composed of such char
acteristics offers an ideal worthy of
emulation. One or more Of these
qualities Is frequently found among
our associates, but they are usually
fractional parts of a composite mix
ture large portion of which is made
up Of faults that the effect is to pro-
duce only the average man. If Pat
Williams had any faults to detract
from the splendor of his noble virtues
he was so well versed in the art of
concealing them that his most init
mate friends never suspected their
existence. Never in word of act did
he intentionally wound anyone; never
did he take an unfair advantage of
friend Of foe; never in the course of
a lifetime did he fail to do unto
others as he would that they should
do unto him.
When these elements of that mag
unanimous nature are analysed, and if
any there are who would fain per-
petuate such faults as the crucible
test exposed, bid him write his words
on the shore and stand back aloof till
the flowing tide of his good deeds and
the white crested waves of his
staunch friendships will surge and
burst upon the beach and blot out
the words so that the passer-by could
not distinguish what was written. But
those virtues which the sculptor of
his fame will chisel on tablets of love
and memory, like unto the inscrip-
lions on the pyramids, will be cut so
deeply into stone so hard that they
will endure in the hearts Of his broth
ers long after the ephemeral noto-
riety of more ambitious, though less
sincere men has faded from recollec-
ton.
Death Is always a most unwelcome
visitor, This harbinger of grief and
sorrow, knowing neither station, rank
or distinction, invades the home of
the prince and pauper alike and
snuffs out the candle of life at its
will. When those who have spent
the best years of their lives on this
earth are it's victims it is sad enough
to feel the cold hand Of the reaper on
their shoulders, but it is doubly sor-
rowful when the man in the prime of
his life is taken away. Young and
vigorous in mind and body, on the
sunny side of life's Journey, it would
seem that the messenger Of death
in executing his orders had by mis-
take called on one who had not been
chosen.
Again we are reminded Of the un-
certainties Of life. But yesterday he
was with us-today he is no more.