Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1916-12-22
And may God bless us every one,
said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
CLARKE G. Fits.

1t is but natural to eulogize the dead,
of their qualities when our hearts are
touched with sorrow in the thought that
we shall see them and know them no
more, but, in speaking of Clarke c.
Fits, The Phoenix will try only to ex-
press what all who knew him intimately
felt, and what many of us have said re-
peatedly to mutual friends.
Brattleboro has lost her foremost citi
zen, who has gone from earth at the
comparatively early age of 46. The
leading lawyer of his state, the keenest
mind in all the galaxy of his profession
in Vermont the most ardent believer,
and advocate, and worker for his own
the height of his power and usefulness.
Clarke Fits might have been big
man of affairs in other commonwealth.
He knew this, but despite alluring Of
fers to form connection with famous
law firms in New York and elsewhere
he preferred to work out his destiny in
the state in which he was born and
which he loved with devotion and 10y
atty of true son.
"a country lawyer he might have
been called, but a country lawyer who
could turn down an offer of $4,000 a
year without n qualm when the big law
yers of his country S metropolis wanted
him.
Many persons believed that Mr.. Fits
would not be averse to political prefer
mcnt some day. A personal friend once
asked him directly whether he had any
ambitions in this direction, or would
have when he had accumulated a com
petence and felt that he could command
his time for public service. His reply
was that he had nothing of the kind in
mind; that he thought he was accom-
plishing as much for himself, for others,
for his town and for his state by con-
tinuing to devote his efforts along the
lines in which he was then working.
The varied activities in which Mr..
Fits took prominent and helpful part
are told in another column. The great
power station at Vernon never would
have been built but for his far-sighted
vision and tireless efforts. His work in
securing for Brattleboro the major por-
ton of the Thompson fund, which brings
to this community upwards of 5000
a year for benefcent work, was n mas
terly effort. Most of the industries
which have been established or enlarged
in Brattleboro were helped by Mr..
Fits. In fact, there has been no local
public enterprise in the past 20 years
that has not felt the impetus of his en-
thusiasm.
Mr. Fits was n faithful and loyal
friend. He stood by and was always
ready to give assistance to the men he
liked and in whom he had confidence.
He never forgot those who helped him
in the days of his early struggles and
privations and welcomed every oppor-
Ituhlty 10 repay TINS assistance. Gltted
with wonderfully retentive memory,
he could marshal facts, incidents and
anecdotes to marvellous effect in his pro.
fessional practice and public addresses
He was in great demand as public
speaker, though making no pretenee to
oratorical powers, and in recent years
had spoken in scores of towns in Yer
mont on political subjects and in adj
vocacy of water-power conservation.
Mr., Fits was one of the men blessed
alike in having found his work and hav'
ing joy in its performance. What would
be to many an irksome task would be
disposed of by him without apparent eff
fort. He combined the qualities of q
remarkable lawyer with those of a