Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-09-27


Msnosisi 70 the Lais Iusts yossah H. Ks'
On Thursday, Sept. 20. at 2 p. nj.
the Circuit Court suspended routins
business to hear tributes 70 the memory
OF the late Hon. Joseph H. Key.
Mr.. William M. Loker, on the par
OF committee previously appointed
by the Court, read the following clio.
quent testimonial and moved that Il
be sDread upon the minutes Of the
Court and copy presented to the
family OF the deceased.
May It please the Court
AS the Committee of the Bar OF st.
Mary's County, appointed by your
Honors TO draw resolutions relative To
the death of Joseph Harris Key, d.
rect descendant OF the illustrious
Francis Scott Key, and former mem
Der OF this Bar, and because OF our ex-
allied opinion of him as man and
lawyer, to maze his sad demise mat
ter OF record here, IL Is our melancholy
duty TO offer TO your Hon0rs the fol-
lowing, and to move the reception OF
the same by this Honorable Court,
and humbly request the Court TO order
it spread upon its minutes as lasting
memorial, that the generations 10 come
may not only have the meager inf0r-
nation herein contained, but may
know that q man OF the exemplary
qualifications of the subject of this
memorial could not be called from
among US, his friends, and from his
earthly labors as a member OF our
great profession, without some record
being made by us In the annals Of the
Court
In rendering this tribute OF respect
and admiration, and moving its adop-
ton, the Bar OF this county, as with
one voice, testifies TO its appreciation
OF Mr.. Key as gentleman Of the old
school, lawyer Of integrity and pro-
bity. and we draw consolation from the
fact matthew's spared tor q long num-
Der OF years by the Great Redeemer Of
Mankind to prove his usefulness 10 all
our people and 70 dispense with lib
eral hand In q kind-hearted way bis
unbounded charity.
At this point we are we'll justified In
emphasizing his charity as tho pre-
dominant virtue OF his fife--charity in
its truest sense giving 20 those as In
diyiduals who most deserved help and
at o time when most 10 need. Mr.
Key was good man, of simple taste,
and possessed all the qualifications OF
q genial Southern gentleman, and 40
man ever doubted the sincerity and
integrity of his motives.
He was born IN this historic county
October 20, 1889, aud resided here,
with the exception OF a very few years
spent In Charles county, all his event
ful life, and Tudor Hall, his stately
and colonial home within the very
shadow of this temple of Justice, re-
mains as q monument 10 him and those
OF his noble ancestors who went before
him.
His magnificent estate almost sur
surrounding this town has ever been
the Fairgrounds for the children, nf-
fording them health In the exercise OBJ.
tanned thereon and happy hours spent
10 gathering fruits and berries; and
then later, as the same children neAred
their maturity, on his land we're spent
the ecstatlc hours la Lovers Grove
beneath the century old massive oak
standing as . sentinel Just 10 the south
OF us, and the famed initial beech, 70.
ireshed daily by the quiet water OF our
own Breton's Bay, all OF which Is
mentioned 20 give evidence OF his
generous heart, kind and indulRens
disposition and this he permitted un-
III tho day Of his death, on June Tth
last.
Ie attended Charlotte Hall Military
Academy, this county. and the UniTer-
sity OF Virginia, having graduated
from the latter Institution with dis
tinction, after which, apous the year
1862, be was admitted 70 this Bar, aud
while be never entirely gave up his
profession, he did not actively prac-
tice for . great length OF time. having
directed most OF his attention 10 his
farms, The management OF which he
loved best.
IL 1886 he represented our county 10
The LEGISLATURE with honor - himself
and pride 10 his people and Tor many
years Immediately prior to his death
he was Chief Judge of tho Orphans
Court Of ibis county, which position
he maintained with o great deal OF
dignity, pride and success. lie MSS
thrice married; his hrst wife was Miss
Fannie Baltzell: his second, Miss Cora
Beale, and his third Miss Matte
Maddox, who now survives him. OF
his four surviving children, Mr.. John
-. and DIR Soihoron Key arc children
OF his first, and Mr.. Frank Key and
Miss Cora BcalI Key, Of his second
marriage.
In token OF our regard and esteem
for Mr. Key, Il Is the privileges and
honor Of your committee 10 move that
this memorial be adopted by your
Honors, and ordered spread upon ulo
minutes Of this Court, that a copy Of
The same be sent by the Clerk 10 Mr..
Keys family with the assurance OF the
sympathy Of the Bench and Bar OF
81. Mary's County, and that as a
further tribute 10 his memory, the
Court nov adjourn.
Most respectfully submitted,