Document:

<PAGE>

EX 10.49                                              Severance Agreement 2x.doc

                              SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

     AGREEMENT effective as of ___________, 1999, by and between Storage USA,
Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"), and _________________ (the
"Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the Company considers it essential to the best interest of its
stockholders to foster the continuous employment of key management personnel;

     WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held
corporations, the possibility of a Change of Control may exist and that such
possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among
management, may result in the departure or distraction of the Company's and its
affiliates' management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its
stockholders; and

     WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the
Company and its stockholders to enter into this Agreement in order to reinforce
and encourage the continued attention and dedication of Executive to his
assigned duties without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing
circumstances arising from the possibility of a Change of Control.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual obligations
hereinafter set forth the parties agree as follows:

1)   Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
     ------------
     the following definitions:

     a)   "1993 Omnibus Stock Plan" means the Company's 1993 Omnibus Stock Plan,
          as amended.

     b)   "1995 Employee Stock Purchase and Loan Plan" means the Company's 1995
          Employee Stock Purchase and Loan Plan, as amended.

     c)   "1996 Officers' Stock Option Loan Program" means the Company's 1996
          Officers' Stock Option Loan Program, as amended.

     d)   "Additional Amount" means the amount the Company shall pay to the
          Executive in order to indemnify the Executive against all claims,
          losses, damages, penalties, expenses, interest, and Excise Taxes
          (including additional taxes on such Additional Amount) incurred by
          Executive as a result of Executive receiving Change of Control
          Benefits as further described in Section 6 of this Agreement.
                                           ---------

     e)   "Arbitrators" means the arbitrators selected to conduct any
          arbitration proceeding in connection with any disputes arising out of
          or relating to this Agreement.
<PAGE>

     f)   "Award Period" means any period in which the Company's performance is
          measured in connection with its Shareholder Value Plan.

     g)   "Award Plans" mean each and every plan or program in which Executive
          receives compensation in the form of a cash bonus, shares of stock in
          the Company, Partnership Units, or Options, including, without
          limitation, compensation received pursuant to the Company's 1993
          Omnibus Stock Plan, 1995 Employee Stock Purchase and Loan Plan, 1996
          Officers' Stock Option Loan Program, Shareholder Value Plan, and any
          other stock option, incentive compensation, profit participation,
          bonus or extra compensation plan that is adopted by the Company and in
          which the Company's executive officers generally participate.

     h)   "Base Salary" means the annual salary paid to Executive by the
          Company.

     i)   "Benefit Plans" mean each and every health, life, medical, dental,
          disability, insurance and welfare plan maintained by the Company that
          are maintained from time to time by the Company for the benefit of
          Executive, the executives of the Company generally or for the
          Company's employees generally, provided that Executive is eligible to
          participate in such plan under the eligibility provisions thereof that
          are generally applicable to the participants thereof.

     j)   "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     k)   "Change of Control" means any of the following events which occur
          during the Term of this Agreement:

          i) any "person", as that term is used in Section 13(d) and Section
          14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
          "Exchange Act"), becomes, is discovered to be, or files a report on
          Schedule 13D or 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report)
          disclosing that such person is a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
          13d-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation),
          directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25%
          or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
          securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
          without the approval of the Board of the acquisition of such
          securities by the acquiring person;

          ii) any "person", as that term is used in Section 13(d) and Section
          14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
          "Exchange Act"), becomes, is discovered to be, or files a report on
          Schedule 13D or 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report)
          disclosing that such person is a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
          13d-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation),
          directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25%
          or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
          securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
          regardless of whether or not the Board shall have approved the
          acquisition of

                                       2
<PAGE>

          such securities by the acquiring person; if, at any time within three
          (3) years after the acquisition of such securities, those individuals
          who constituted the Board at the time of the acquisition of such
          securities cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
          the Board of Directors of the Company;

          iii) any "person", as that term is used in Section 13(d) and Section
          14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
          "Exchange Act"), becomes, is discovered to be, or files a report on
          Schedule 13D or 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report)
          disclosing that such person is a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
          13d-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation),
          directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
          49.9% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then
          outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
          directors, regardless of whether or not the Board shall have approved
          the acquisition of such securities by the acquiring person;

          iv) individuals who, as of the effective date of this Agreement,
          constitute the Board of Directors of the Company cease for any reason
          to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the
          Company, unless any such change is approved by the vote of at least
          80% of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company in office
          immediately prior to such cessation;

          v) the Company is merged, consolidated or reorganized into or with
          another corporation or other legal person, or securities of the
          Company are exchanged for securities of another corporation or other
          legal person, and immediately after such merger, consolidation,
          reorganization or exchange less than 75% of the combined voting power
          of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person
          immediately after such transaction are held, directly or indirectly,
          in the aggregate by the holders of securities entitled to vote
          generally in the election of directors of the Company immediately
          prior to such transaction;

          vi) the Company in any transaction or series of related transactions,
          sells all or substantially all of its assets to any other corporation
          or other legal person and less than 75% of the combined voting power
          of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person
          immediately after such sale or sales are held, directly or indirectly,
          in the aggregate by the holders of securities entitled to vote
          generally in the election of directors of the Company immediately
          prior to such sale;

          vii) the Company and its affiliates shall sell or transfer (in a
          single transaction or series of related transactions) to a
          non-affiliate business operations or assets that generated at least
          two-thirds of the consolidated revenues (determined on the basis of
          the Company's four most recently completed fiscal quarters for which
          reports have been filed under the Exchange Act) of the Company and its
          subsidiaries immediately prior thereto;

                                       3
<PAGE>

          viii) the Company files a report or proxy statement with the
          Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act
          disclosing in response to Form 8-K (or any successor, form or report
          or item therein) that a change in control of the Company has occurred;

          ix) the shareholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for
          the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

          x) the Company ceases to be the general partner of the Partnership or
          in any transaction or a series of transactions sells or transfers
          Partnership Units owned by the Company to a third party constituting
          at least 49.9% of the limited partnership interests in the
          Partnership; or

          xi) any other transaction or series of related transactions occur that
          have substantially the effect of the transactions specified in any of
          the preceding clauses in this sentence.

     l)   "Change of Control Benefits" means the Executive's receipt of the
          Termination Payment or any other payment, benefit or compensation
          (except for the Additional Amount) which the Executive receives or has
          the right to receive from the Company or any of its affiliates as a
          result of a Change of Control Termination.

     m)   "Change of Control Termination" means (i) a Termination Without Cause
          of the Executive's employment by the Company, (a) within three (3)
          months prior to a Change of Control and in anticipation of such Change
          of Control; (b) on the date of the Change of Control; or (c) within
          two (2) years after a Change of Control or (ii) the Executive's
          resignation for Good Reason on or within two (2) years after a Change
          of Control.

     n)   "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     o)   "Company" means Storage USA, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, and any
          successor to its business and/or assets which assumes and agrees to
          perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

     p)   "Company Shares" means the shares of common stock of the Company or
          any securities of a successor company which shall have replaced such
          common stock.

     q)   "Excess Parachute Payments" has the meaning set forth in section 280G
          of the Code.

     r)   "Excise Tax" means a tax on Excess Parachute Payments imposed pursuant
          to Code section 4999.

     s)   "Executive" means the person identified in the preamble paragraph of
          this Agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     t)   "Fair Market Value" means, on any give date, the closing sale price of
          the common stock of the Company on the New York Stock Exchange on such
          date, or, if the New York Stock Exchange shall be closed on such date,
          the next preceding date on which the New York Stock Exchange shall
          have been open.

     u)   "Good Reason" means any of the following:

          i) a change in the Executive's status, position or responsibilities
          (including reporting relationships and responsibilities) which, in the
          Executive's reasonable judgment and without Executive's consent,
          represents a reduction in or demotion of the Executive's status,
          position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to a
          Change of Control; the assignment to the Executive of any duties or
          responsibilities which, in the Executive's reasonable judgment, are
          inconsistent with such status, position or responsibilities; or any
          removal of the Executive from or failure to reappoint or reelect the
          Executive to any of such positions;

          ii) the relocation of the Company's principal executive offices to a
          location outside a thirty-mile radius of Memphis, Tennessee or the
          Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any place other than
          a location within a thirty-mile radius of Memphis, Tennessee, except
          for reasonably required travel on the Company's business;

          iii) the failure by the Company to continue to provide the Executive
          with compensation and benefits provided to Executive prior to the
          Change of Control or benefits substantially similar to those provided
          to the Executive under any of the employee benefit plans in which the
          Executive is or becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by
          the Company which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any
          of such benefits or deprive the Executive of any material fringe
          benefit enjoyed by the Executive at the time of the Change of Control;

          iv) any material breach by the Company of any provision of this
          Agreement; or

          v) the failure of the Company to obtain an agreement reasonably
          satisfactory to Executive from any successor or assign of the Company
          to assume and agree to perform this Agreement.

     v)   "Option(s)" means any options issued pursuant to the Company's 1993
          Omnibus Stock Plan, or any other stock option plan adopted by the
          Company, any option granted with respect to Partnership Units, or any
          option granted under the plan of any successor company that replaces
          or assumes the Company's or the Partnership's options.

     w)   "Partnership" means SUSA Partnership, L.P.

     x)   "Partnership Unit(s)" means limited partnership interests of the
          Partnership. The holder has the option of requiring the Company to
          redeem such interests. The Company may

                                       5
<PAGE>

          elect to effectuate such redemption by either paying cash or
          exchanging Company Shares for such interests.

     y)   "Permanent Disability" means a complete physical or mental inability,
          confirmed by a licensed physician, to perform the Executive's duties
          that continues for a period of six (6) consecutive months.

     z)   "Plan Loan(s)" means any loan extended by the Company to Executive
          pursuant to the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase and Loan Plan, the 1996
          Officers' Stock Option Loan Program, or any other similar plan or
          program adopted by the Company during the Term of this Agreement.

     aa)  "Restricted Stock" means any restricted stock issued pursuant to the
          Company's 1993 Omnibus Stock Plan, or any other Award Plan adopted by
          the Company, or any restricted stock issued under the plan of any
          successor company that replaces or assumes the Company's grants of
          restricted stock.

     bb)  "Self Storage Business" means the business of acquiring, developing,
          constructing, franchising, owning or operating self-storage
          facilities.

     cc)  "Self Storage Property" means any real estate upon which the
          Self-Storage Business is being conducted.

     dd)  "Shareholder Value Plan" means the Company's Shareholder Value Plan,
          as amended.

     ee)  "SVU Grant" means the total number of shareholder value units granted
          to the Executive pursuant to the Company's Shareholder Value Plan.

     ff)  "SVU Value" means the value of each shareholder value unit based upon
          certain performance measures as set forth in the Company's Shareholder
          Value Plan.

     gg)  "Term" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2 of this Agreement.
                                                   ---------

     hh)  "Termination Date" means the date employment of Executive is
          terminated, which date shall be the date specified as the Termination
          Date in the Termination Notice, which date shall not be less than
          thirty nor more than sixty days from the date the Termination Notice
          is given.

     ii)  "Termination Notice" means a written notice of termination of
          employment by Executive or the Company.

     jj)  "Termination Payment" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) of
                                                             ------------
          this Agreement.

                                       6
<PAGE>

     kk)  "Termination With Cause" means the termination of the Executive's
          employment by the Company for any of the following reasons:

          i)   the Executive's conviction for a felony;

          ii)  the Executive's theft, embezzlement, misappropriation of or
               intentional infliction of material damage to the Company's
               property or business opportunity; or

          iii) the Executive's ongoing willful neglect of or failure to perform
               his duties hereunder or his ongoing willful failure or refusal to
               follow any reasonable, unambiguous duly adopted written direction
               of the Company that is not inconsistent with the Executive's
               duties, if such willful neglect, failure or refusal is materially
               damaging or materially detrimental to the business and operations
               of the Company; provided that Executive shall have received
               written notice of such failure and shall have continued to engage
               in such failure after 30 days following receipt of such notice
               from the Company, which notice specifically identifies the manner
               in which the Company believes that Executive has engaged in such
               failure.

For purposes of this subsection, no act, or failure to act, shall be deemed
"willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by Executive not in good faith,
and without reasonable belief that such action or omission was in the best
interest of the Company.

     ll)  "Termination Without Cause" means the termination of the Executive's
          employment by the Company for any reason other than Termination With
          Cause, or termination by the Company due to Executive's death or
          Permanent Disability.

     mm)  "Uniform Arbitration Act" means the Uniform Arbitration Act, Tennessee
          Code Annotated (S) 29-5-391 et seq., as amended.
                                      -- ---

2)   Term; Termination.
     ------------------

     a)   The term of this Agreement hereunder shall commence on ________1, 1999
          and shall be extended automatically, for so long as the Executive
          remains employed by the Company hereunder, on January 1 of each year
          beginning January 1, 2000 for an additional one year period (such
          period, as it may be extended from time to time, being herein referred
          to as the "Term"), unless, not later than September 30 of the
          preceding year, the Company shall have given notice that it does not
          wish to extend this Agreement; provided, further, if a Change of
          Control of the Company shall have occurred during the original or
          extended term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall automatically
          continue in effect for a period of twenty-four months beyond the month
          in which such Change of Control occurred. This Agreement shall
          automatically terminate upon the termination of Executive's employment
          other than by reason of a Change in Control Termination.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     b)   Any purported termination of employment by Executive or the Company
          (i) within three (3) months prior to a Change of Control; , (ii) on
          the date of the Change of Control; or (iii) within two (2) years after
          a Change of Control shall be communicated by a Termination Notice. The
          Termination Notice shall indicate the specific termination provision
          in this Agreement relied upon and set forth the facts and
          circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination. If the party
          receiving the Termination Notice notifies the other party prior to the
          Termination Date that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the
          Termination Date shall be extended until the dispute is finally
          determined, either by mutual written agreement of the parties, by a
          binding arbitration award, or by a final judgment, order or decree of
          a court of competent jurisdiction. The Termination Date shall be
          extended by a notice of dispute only if such notice is given in good
          faith and the party giving such notice pursues the resolution of such
          dispute with reasonable diligence. Notwithstanding the pendency of any
          such dispute, the Company will continue to pay Executive his full
          compensation in effect when the notice giving rise to the dispute was
          given and Executive shall continue as a participant in all Award Plans
          and Benefit Plans in which Executive participated when the Termination
          Notice giving rise to the dispute was given, until the dispute is
          finally resolved in accordance with this subsection. Amounts paid
          under this subsection are in addition to all other amounts due under
          this Agreement and shall not be offset against or reduce any other
          amounts due under this Agreement.

3)   Severance Benefit in Connection with a Change of Control Termination.
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------

     a)   In the event of a Change of Control Termination, the Company shall, on
          the Termination Date, pay the Executive in addition to any Base Salary
          earned but not paid through the Termination Date and any amounts due
          pursuant to Award Plans and Benefit Plans including, without
          limitation, the pro rata amount of Executive's anticipated bonus for
          the fiscal year in which Executive is terminated, the compensation and
          benefits set forth in this Section 3.
                                     ---------

     b)   The Company shall pay Executive a Termination Payment which is equal
          to the sum of two (2) times the Executive's annual Base Salary in
          effect on the Termination Date plus two (2) times the amount of the
          highest annual cash bonus paid to the Executive for the previous five
          fiscal years (but not including compensation under the Company's
          Shareholder Value Plan) ("Termination Payment"). The Termination
          Payment shall be calculated and paid immediately prior to the closing
          of the transactions constituting a Change of Control if the Executive
          receives notice prior to the Change of Control that his employment
          will be terminated on or after the Change of Control.

     c)   Executive shall be permitted to participate in, and have all rights
          and benefits provided by, all Benefit Plans which Executive was
          eligible to participate in immediately prior to the Termination Date
          (to the extent such participation is possible under the laws then
          pertaining to such Benefit Plans), for two years following the
          Termination Date. If Executive is no longer eligible to participate in
          one or more of the Benefit Plans because

                                       8
<PAGE>

          of such termination, Executive shall be entitled to, and the Company
          shall provide to Executive at the Company's sole expense, benefits
          substantially equivalent to those Benefit Plans to which Executive was
          entitled immediately prior to such termination for two (2) years after
          the Termination Date.

     d)   All restrictions upon any Restricted Stock which may have been awarded
          to Executive shall expire and be removed and such Restricted Stock
          shall be fully vested at the Termination Date (unless otherwise
          previously expired and removed and vested pursuant to the terms of any
          Restricted Stock award pursuant to the 1993 Omnibus Stock Plan or any
          other Award Plan), and such Stock shall be delivered to Executive. All
          Options granted to Executive shall become fully vested at the
          Termination Date (unless otherwise previously vested pursuant to the
          1993 Omnibus Stock Plan or any other Award Plan). In lieu of Company
          Shares issuable upon exercise of any outstanding and unexercised
          Options granted to Executive, Executive may, at Executive's option,
          receive an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the excess of
          the higher of the Fair Market Value of Company Shares on the
          Termination Date, or the highest per share price for Company Shares
          actually paid in connection with any Change of Control of the Company,
          over the per share exercise price of each Option held by Executive,
          times (ii) the number of Company Shares covered by each such Option.
          In the event Executive does not elect to receive a cash payment for
          any outstanding and unexercised Options granted to Executive,
          Executive shall have the right to otherwise exercise such Options in
          accordance with the terms and conditions of the 1993 Omnibus Stock
          Plan or any other applicable Award Plan. This Agreement shall not
          prevent Restricted Stock or Options from vesting pursuant to the terms
          of the 1993.

     e)   Omnibus Stock Plan or any other Award Plan or otherwise, at a time
          prior to that provided for herein.

     f)   If Executive has any Plan Loans outstanding to the Company immediately
          prior to the effective date of a Change of Control Termination, the
          Company shall, prior to the effective date of such Change of Control
          Termination discharge and cancel the amount of principal and interest
          due with respect to such Plan Loans which exceeds the Fair Market
          Value of Company Shares securing the Plan Loans. The Executive shall
          pay the Plan Loans in full (less the amount discharged) within ninety
          (90) days following the Termination Date, and shall have the option of
          repaying all amounts due with respect to the Plan Loans by the
          transfer of the Company Shares securing the Plan Loans, or by the
          payment, in cash, of the amounts due with respect to the Plan Loans.
          Except as otherwise set forth herein, Executive shall remain subject
          to all terms and conditions set forth in the Loan Agreements and
          Promissory Notes until the Plan Loans are paid in full.

     g)   With respect to Executive's participation in the Company's Shareholder
          Value Plan, the Award Periods in connection with all of Executive's
          outstanding SVU Grants shall be accelerated such that each Award
          Period is deemed to have ended upon the effective date of a Change of
          Control Termination. At such time, the Company shall pay Executive an

                                       9
<PAGE>

          amount equal to the SVU Value multiplied by the number of Executive's
          outstanding SVU Grants. The SVU Value shall be reduced by 66% for all
          SVU Grants which were granted less than twelve months prior to the
          effective date of a Change of Control Termination and the SVU Value
          shall be reduced by 33% for all SVU Grants which were granted less
          than twenty-four months but more than twelve months prior to the
          effective date of a Change of Control Termination. No adjustments
          shall be made to the SVU Value for SVU Grants which were granted more
          than twenty-four months prior to the effective date of the Change of
          Control Termination. All payments made to Executive after a Change in
          Control Termination in connection with outstanding SVU Grants shall be
          made solely in cash.

     h)   The Company shall also pay to Executive all legal fees and expenses
          incurred by Executive as a result of a Change of Control Termination
          (including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting
          or disputing any such termination or in seeking to obtain or enforce
          any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or in connection with
          any tax audit or proceeding to the extent attributable to the
          application of Section 4999 of the Code to any payment or benefit
          provided hereunder).

4)   Certain Transactions. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 1(k)(i),
     ---------------------                                   -----------------
     (ii), (iii) or (viii), unless otherwise determined in a specific case by
     ---------------------
     majority vote of the Board, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to have
     occurred for purposes of this Agreement solely because (i) an entity in
     which the Company directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of
     the voting securities or (ii) any Company-sponsored employee stock
     ownership plan, or any other employee benefit plan of the Company, either
     files or becomes obligated to file a report or a proxy statement under or
     in response to Schedule 13D, Schedule 14D-l, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or
     any successor schedule, form or report or item thereon) under the Exchange
     Act, disclosing beneficial ownership by it of shares of stock of the
     Company, or because the Company reports that a Change of Control of the
     Company has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the future by
     reason of such beneficial ownership.

5)   Escrow Arrangement. If within thirty (30) days after the effective date of
     -------------------
     a Change of Control, Executive's employment has not been terminated, the
     Company shall, at the request of Executive, deposit with an escrow agent,
     pursuant to an escrow agreement between the Company and such escrow agent,
     a sum of money, or other property permitted by such escrow agreement, which
     is substantially sufficient in the opinion of the Company's management to
     fund the amounts due to Executive set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.
                                                    ---------
     The escrow agreement shall provide that such agreement may not be
     terminated until the earlier of (i) Executive's employment has terminated
     and all amounts due to Executive as set forth in this Agreement have been
     paid to Executive or (ii) two (2) years after the effective date of the
     Change of Control.

6)   Tax Matters. If the Excise Tax on Excess Parachute Payments will be imposed
     ------------
     on the Executive under Code section 4999 as a result of the Executive's
     receipt of the Change of Control Benefits, the Company shall indemnify the
     Executive and hold him harmless against

                                      10
<PAGE>

     all claims, losses, damages, penalties, expenses, interest, and Excise
     Taxes. To effect this indemnification, the Company shall pay to the
     Executive the Additional Amount which is sufficient to indemnify and hold
     the Executive harmless from the application of Code sections 280G and 4999,
     including the amount of (i) the Excise Tax that will be imposed on the
     Executive under section 4999 of the Code with respect to the Change of
     Control Benefits; (ii) the additional (A) Excise Tax under section 4999 of
     the Code, (B) hospital insurance tax under section 3111(b) of the Code and
     (C) federal, state and local income taxes for which the Executive is or
     will be liable on account of the payment of the amount described in subitem
     (i); and (iii) the further excise, hospital insurance and income taxes for
     which the Executive is or will be liable on account of the payment of the
     amount described in subitem (ii) and this subitem (iii) and any other
     indemnification payment under this Section 6. The Additional Amount shall
                                        ---------
     be calculated and paid to the Executive at the time that the Termination
     Payment is paid to the Executive. In calculating the Additional Amount, the
     highest marginal rates of federal and applicable state and local income
     taxes applicable to individuals and in effect for the year in which the
     Change of Control occurs shall be used. Nothing in this paragraph shall
     give the Executive the right to receive indemnification from the Company
     for federal, state or local income taxes or hospital insurance taxes
     payable solely as a result of the Executive's receipt of (a) the Change in
     Control Benefits, or (b) any additional payment, benefit or compensation
     other than the Additional Amount. As specified in items (ii) and (iii),
     above, all income, hospital insurance and additional Excise Taxes resulting
     from additional compensation in the form of the Excise Tax payment
     specified in item (i), above, shall be paid to the Executive.

     The provisions of this Section 6 are illustrated by the following example:
                            ---------

     Assume that the Termination Payment and all other Change of Control
Benefits result in a total federal, state and local income tax and hospital
insurance tax liability of $180,000; and an Excise Tax liability under Code
section 4999 of $70,000. Under such circumstances, the Executive is solely
responsible for the $180,000 income and hospital insurance tax liability; and
the Company must pay to the Executive $70,000, plus an amount necessary to
indemnify the Executive for all federal, state and local income taxes, hospital
insurance taxes, and Excise Taxes that will result from the $70,000 payment to
the Executive and from all further indemnification to the Executive of taxes
attributable to the initial $70,000 payment.

7)   Employment Status. The parties acknowledge and agree that Executive is an
     ------------------
     employee of the Company or of one of its affiliates, not an independent
     contractor. Any payments made to Executive by the Company pursuant to this
     Agreement shall be treated for federal and state payroll tax purposes as
     payments made to a Company employee, irrespective whether such payments are
     made subsequent to the Termination Date.

8)   Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation. For a period of two (2) years after
     --------------------------------
     Executive receives Change of Control Benefits pursuant to the terms of this
     Agreement, Executive shall not solicit any employee of the Company to leave
     the service of the Company or own any interest in any Self-Storage Property
     (other than any permissible interest acquired while Executive was employed
     by the Company) as partner, shareholder or otherwise; or directly or

                                      11
<PAGE>

     indirectly, for his own account or for the account of others, either as an
     officer, director, promoter, employee, consultant, advisor, agent, manager,
     or in any other capacity, engage in the Self-Storage Business.

     The nonsolicitation provision shall apply to any Company employee during
the period of such Company employee's employment with the Company and for a
period of 30 days after such employee's termination of employment with the
Company. The Executive agrees that damages at law for violation of the
restrictive covenant contained herein would not be an adequate or proper remedy
to the Company, and that should the Executive violate or threaten to violate any
of the provisions of such covenant, the Company, its successors or assigns,
shall be entitled to obtain a temporary or permanent injunction, as appropriate,
against the Executive in any court having jurisdiction over the person and the
subject matter, prohibiting any further violation of any such covenants. The
injunctive relief provided herein shall be in addition to any award of damages,
compensatory, exemplary or otherwise, payable by reason of such violation.

     Furthermore, the Executive acknowledges that this Agreement has been
negotiated at arms' length by the parties, neither being under any compulsion to
enter into this Agreement, and that the foregoing restrictive covenant does not
in any respect inhibit his ability to earn a livelihood in his chosen profession
without violating the restrictive covenant contained herein. The Company by this
Agreement has attempted to limit the Executive's right to compete only to the
extent necessary to protect the Company from unfair competition. The Company
recognizes, however, that reasonable people may differ in making such a
determination. Consequently, the Company agrees that if the scope or
enforceability of the restricted covenant contained herein is in any way
disputed at any time, a court or other trier of fact may modify and enforce the
covenant to the extent that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances
existing at the time.

9)   Notices. All notices or deliveries authorized or required pursuant to this
     --------
     Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when in writing and personally
     delivered or when deposited in the U.S. mail, certified, return receipt
     requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the parties at the following
     addresses or to such other addresses as either may designate in writing to
     the other party:

                  To the Company:                    165 Madison
                                                     Suite 1300
                                                     Memphis, TN 38103
                                                     Attn: General Counsel

                  To the Executive:
                                                     -------------------------
                                                     -------------------------
                                                     -------------------------

10)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding between
     -----------------
     the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall not
     be modified in any manner except by instrument in writing signed, by or on
     behalf of, the parties hereto. This Agreement

                                      12
<PAGE>

     shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors and
     assigns of the parties hereto.

11)  Arbitration. Any controversy concerning or claim arising out of or relating
     ------------
     to this Agreement shall be settled by final and binding arbitration in
     Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee at a location specified by the party
     seeking such arbitration.

     a)   The Arbitrators. Any arbitration proceeding shall be conducted by
          three (3) Arbitrators and the decision of the Arbitrators shall be
          binding on all parties. Each Arbitrator shall have substantial
          experience and expert competence in the matters being arbitrated. The
          party desiring to submit any matter relating to this

          Agreement to arbitration shall do so by written notice to the other
          party, which notice shall set forth the items to be arbitrated, such
          party's choice of Arbitrator, and such party's substantive position in
          the arbitration. The party receiving such notice shall, within fifteen
          (15) days after receipt of such notice, appoint an Arbitrator and
          notify the other party of its appointment and of its substantive
          position. The Arbitrators appointed by the parties to the Arbitration
          shall select an additional Arbitrator meeting the aforedescribed
          criteria. The Arbitrators shall be required to render a decision in
          accordance with the procedures set forth in Subparagraph (b) below
          within thirty (30) days after being notified of their selection. The
          fees of the Arbitrators shall be equally divided amongst the parties
          to the arbitration.

     b)   Arbitration Procedures. Arbitration shall be conducted in accordance
          with the Uniform Arbitration Act, except to the extent the provisions
          of such Act are modified by this Agreement or the subsequent mutual
          agreement of the parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by the
          Arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
          Any party hereto may bring an action, including a summary or expedited
          proceeding, to compel arbitration of any controversy or claim to which
          this provision applies in any court having jurisdiction over such
          action in Shelby County, Tennessee, and the parties agree that
          jurisdiction and venue in Shelby County, Tennessee are appropriate and
          approved by such parties.

12)  Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
     ---------------
     accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee.

13)  Assignment. The Executive acknowledges that his services are unique and
     -----------
     personal. Accordingly, the Executive may not assign his rights or delegate
     his duties or obligations under this Agreement.

14)  Headings. Headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not
     ---------
     be used to interpret or construe its provisions.

15)  Successors; Binding Agreement. The Company will require any successor to
     ------------------------------
     all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to
     expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and
     to the same extent that the Company

                                      13
<PAGE>

     would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
     Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the
     effectiveness of any such succession shall be a beach of this Agreement and
     shall entitle Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount
     and on the same terms as Executive would be entitled to hereunder if
     Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason on or within three (3)
     years after a Change of Control. The Company's rights and obligations under
     this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the
     Company's successors and assigns.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as
of the date first above written.

                                           STORAGE USA, INC.

                                           By:
                                              -------------------------
                                           Name:  Dean Jernigan
                                           Title: Chairman of the Board
                                                  And Chief Executive Officer

                                           EXECUTIVE:

                                           ----------------------------
                                           Name:
                                                -----------------------

                                      14Exhibit 10.2

            form of letter Amending the 1997 stock compensation plan

                                                              ________ __ , 1999

[Optionee]
[Address]

                           Option Agreement Amendment

Dear  ______________:

             CFW Communications Company (the Company) recognizes that, as is the
case  with many  publicly  held  corporations,  the  possibility  of a change in
control of the Company  exists.  The  possibility of a change in control and the
uncertainty it may cause among  management  employees,  may distract  management
personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders.

             The Company's  Board of Directors has determined  that  appropriate
steps should be taken to encourage  the  continued  dedication  of the company's
senior  management,   including  yourself,  to  their  assigned  duties  without
distraction in the face of a possible change in control of the company.

             Accordingly,  effective  January 1, 2000,  this  letter  amends the
option agreement or agreements by and between the Company and you dated prior to
the date hereof (the  Agreement)  to provide  that the option will become  fully
exercisable  on  (i)  the  date  the  Company  enters  into  an  Agreement,  the
consummation  of which would result in a "Change in  Control";  or (ii) the date
any person (including the Company) publicly announces an intention to take or to
consider  taking  actions  which if  consummated  would  constitute a "Change in
Control".  Notwithstanding  the  preceding  sentence,  no  acceleration  of  the
option's   exercisability  shall  occur  if  the  Company  determines  that  the
acceleration  will have an  adverse  effect on the  availability  of  pooling of
interest  accounting.  The remaining terms of your Agreement are not affected by
this letter and they remain unchanged.

             For purposes of the  Agreement,  a "Change in Control"  will result
from any of the following events:

             (a) any "person," as such term is used in Sections  13(d) and 14(d)
of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act") (other
than the Company,  any trustee or other fiduciary  holding  securities  under an
employee  benefit  plan  of the  Company,  or any  Company  owned,  directly  or
indirectly,  by the  stockholders  of the  Company  in  substantially  the  same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the owner
or  "beneficial  owner"  (as  defined  in Rule 13d-3  under the  Exchange  Act),
directly or indirectly,  of Company securities representing more than 30% of the
combined voting power of the then outstanding securities;

             (b) during any period of two  consecutive  years (not including any
period  prior  to the  execution  of  this  Agreement),  individuals  who at the
beginning  of such period  constitute  the  Company's  board of  directors  (the
Board),  and any new director (other than a director  designated by a person who
has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described
in clause (a), (c) or (d) hereof) whose  election by the Board or nomination for
election by the Company's  stockholders  was approved by a vote of a majority of
the  directors  then  still in  office  who  either  (l) were  directors  at the
beginning of such period or (2) were so elected or nominated with such approval,
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;

<PAGE>
CFW COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY                                            FORM 10-K

             (c)  the   stockholders   of  the  Company   approve  a  merger  or
consolidation  of the  Company  with  any  other  Company  and  such  merger  or
consolidation  is consummated,  other than (l) a merger or  consolidation  which
would result in the voting  securities  of the Company  outstanding  immediately
prior thereto  continuing to represent  (either by remaining  outstanding  or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of
the  combined  voting  power of the  voting  securities  of the  Company or such
surviving entity  outstanding  immediately after such merger or consolidation or
(2) a merger or consolidation  effected to implement a  recapitalization  of the
Company (or similar  transaction) in which no "person" (as hereinabove  defined)
acquires  more  than 30% of the  combined  voting  power of the  Company's  then
outstanding securities; or

             (d) the  stockholders  of the  Company  approve a plan of  complete
liquidation  of the Company or an agreement for the sale or  disposition  by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets and such liquidation
or sale of assets is consummated.

             If  you  have  any   questions   in  this   regard,   please   call
______________ at _______________.

Sincerely,

James S. Quarforth
President

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00005-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00005-of-00352.parquet"}]]