St Landry County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Prescott, Willis January 7, 1891
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Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com September 12, 2015, 9:13 pm

The Opelousas Courier (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, January 10, 1891, Image 1

The Late Hon. Willis Prescott.

Again is St. Landry called upon to lament the loss of one of its noble 
offsprings, and again does it become our painful duty, as journalist, to 
announce it. The Hon. Willis Prescott was the worthy son of distinguished and 
fondly remembered parents. No one can boast of purer, better blood than ran in 
his veins, and warmed his brave heart. He was a native of St. Landry whose 
father was the Hon. William Prescott - who oftener than once, held honorable 
and responsible positions in the State Senate; and whose mother was a sister of 
the venerated Hon. John Moore, the peer of any man living or dead in all that 
relates to purity of life and practical sound judgment. The deceased was named 
for his paternal Uncle Willis, who in his last will, provided for his education 
at the University of Virginia. After his return from that Institution he 
married Miss Offutt, one of the daughters of Col. William Offut of Washington, 
St. Landry. She left him at the summons of death several years ago, to join the 
angel band in a heavenly home, since which time he has lived companionless, 
devoting all his energies to the raising and education of two children she left 
behind her.

He engaged in planting, and like many others, whose minds are turned to 
letters, he did not succeed. Of a genial nature, he was always highly esteemed 
by all who knew him. He went to New Orleans during the seventies, and with the 
late Edwin L. Jewell, undertook the labor of writing up and illustrating the 
Crescent City. In due time the work was completed on the plan projected, but a 
little while before it was completed, the deceased withdrew from the enterprise 
and Jewell got the credit of it. It is still extant but has never passed 
through more than the first edition. He returned to his home in Washington and 
for a time was editor of the Washington News, a weekly paper published in that 
town. A joint-stock company was organized to put up a factory there, and he was 
selected as the Superintendent or President of it. This position he held until 
failing health forced him to resign it. At the election preceding the last 
General State Election he was strongly supported for Congress, but his friends 
brought his name forward too late in the campaign to secure him the nomination 
of the Democratic party. At the last General Election he was elected to the 
State Senate, and died in the service of the State in that position.

He was a man of quick perceptions, and active intelligence. Was distinguished 
as a warm hearted man, always ardent as a friend and fearless as an antagonist. 
His convictions were strong, and he never compromised his opinions when once 
formed. His whole soul became enlisted in the fight for a just cause, and he 
never surrendered as long as there was anything left to fight for. Devoted to 
the Democratic party, he believed the country's welfare depended on its 
ascendancy in the councils of the State, and withal, he loathed anything like 
charlatanry and demagoguism, in the name of Democracy. Recognized principles 
were everything to him, and he believed them sufficient for all emergencies, 
without the aid of bastard issues. Public zeal impelled him in all he undertook 
for the State, and he never stopped to count, or to reckon the consequences 
upon his own popularity.

There was much magnetism in him, and he had grown to be strong in the 
affections of the people. There was nothing of selfishness in him, no 
narrowness of mind. Whatever cause he espoused, the purpose bouyed his spirits 
up, whatever the opposition, and he moved on to the ultimatum like a ship 
tossed by storms but holding on its course. His health has been seriously 
impaired for several years and he has suffered long and heroically. "Life's 
fitful fever is now over" with this kind father, affectionate brother, ardent 
friend, true patriot and brave man, and "he sleeps well."

"So sleep the brave, who sink to rest,
By all their country's wishes blest."


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