St Landry County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Digges, Dr. William J. September 21, 1853
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Mary K Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com March 8, 2014, 5:39 pm

The Opelousas Courier (Opelousas, LA) Sept. 24, 1853, pg. 2
Died.- In Opelousas, on Wednesday last, 21st instant, Dr. William J. Digges, 
late from Port Tobacco (Maryland,) aged 34 years.

One of those deplorable events which, from time to time, indicate all the 
perils which surround the medical man in the exercise of his daily avocations, 
has suddenly carried off an estimable physician in the outset of a career full 
of usefulness and honour. Dr. Digges attended on his brother in law Dr. Heard, 
then sick with yellow fever, and since dead, and but a few days afterwards he 
himself shared the like fate.

Though the purpose of this notice is in no respect to enter into Dr. Digges 
private character it would be injust to his memory if it was not stated, that 
high moral and religious principle, an affectionate disposition, an instinctive 
sentiment of delicacy, propriety, and consideration of the feelings of others, 
and a retiring modesty and simplicity of deportment, as much distinguished and 
endeared him in the domestic and social relations of life, as his scientific 
attainments elevated him in public estimation. He furnished, indeed, a bright 
example of the scholar, the gentleman and the Christian.

It is not alone to pay a tribute of justice to a departed member of the medical 
body that this is penned; the lives of such men belong to all time, and should 
kindle feelings of pride with those of the medical profession, and in our 
common humanity.

We must ever feel somewhat of a romantic interest in contemplating the 
struggles of a sturdy and persevering nature, with the difficulties which the 
complicated machinery of society cast around us, more especially when it stand 
buffeting, unaided and alone. That this noble man should be thus untimely 
overpowered....that his wife and children should be left isolated...."must give 
us pause."

*Maryland papers, please copy.

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