DEATH OF SUPT. F. W. PHILLIPS.
On January 17, 1888, after a painful illness, Dr. F. W. Phillips passed to his reward. There was a special session of the Board of Trustees, called for January 19, to take appropriate action concerning the death of the Superintendent. Mr. W. S. Phillips was elected Secretary of the Board and the following tribute proposed and offered for adoption by Hon. N. W. Branson was spread upon the records:
"The Board of Trustees convened in special session immediately after the sad but sacred duties pertaining to the final interment of the late Superintendent of this institution, feeling acutely the magnitude of our loss would pay our heart-felt tribute to the memory of the deceased."
“Whatever honors can be paid to the memory of Dr. F. W. Phillips will be worthily bestowed. No tribute which affection may dictate can be worded in language too strong. The late superintendent fully appreciated the responsibility resting upon him in ministering to the mental, moral, and physical welfare of the pupils under his charge; and he gave to the discharge of his duties his best energies. His heart was filled with sympathy for those whose misfortunes made them the worthy recipients of this noble public charity. With love for this special work and with a mind fully equipped by nature for the discharge of high public trusts, he gave himself up, with entire singleness of purpose, to the performance of duty."
"In the management of pupils, he was quick to foresee and prompt to provide for their wants. Courteous, kind, and affectionate, in his intercourse with them, he yet could be firm as the occasion might demand, and was always just. His relations with all who were in any way associated with him were of the most kindly character."
"As an executive officer he displayed rare ability. The institution grew and expanded under his wise and prudent administration, and attained the measure of usefulness which its founders and prompters had in view. The public funds were applied exclusively to their proper uses as contemplated by the law and were expended with economy, with sagacity, and with unquestionable integrity. Under his thoughtful and efficient management, the entire institution in all its branches and departments worked like a perfect piece of mechanism without jar or friction."
"Our Superintendent was a man of principle and of purity ; stainless in character and spotless in reputation ; remarkable for the great variety and extent of his attainments; and he exemplified in himself the highest attributes of domestic life."
"Although his life was lengthened out to three-score years yet the death of an upright and useful man, however long deferred, comes always too soon, but we are not without consolation in the recollection of his many virtues and in the reflection that it was our happy privilege to have been so intimately associated with him in his labor of love; and we, the members of this Board, counting ourselves as not the least affectionate among the many friends of our departed brother, will cherish with unfailing tenderness and love, his precious memory and the priceless inheritance of his virtues."
(Signed) A. C. WADSWORTH,
B. F. FUNK,
N. W. BRANSON.
At the time of Dr. Phillips' death blind persons to the number of nine hundred and three had availed themselves of the privileges of the institution and one hundred and sixty-four were present.
Source: Brief History of the Illinois Institution, For the Education of the Blind, Located at Jacksonville, ILL., 1849-1893; Pgs. 34-35
