Since our last annual meeting death has removed one of the most
honored members of our association.
We not only owe his memory a page in our minutes but the younger and
especially the future members, those who shall preserve this valued
organization, would name us recalcitrant to the true interests of
our society if we failed to pay tribute to this advanced thinker,
practical scientist, friend of humanity, evinced by his lifelong
devotion to horticulture, and advocate of all rural betterments.
Thus from the mountains to the sea in our State his name will
ever be recorded in nature's annals; sung by her fountains and
embroidered by her flowers, and men shall remember and repeat his
name with thanks when they lift the crystal goblet to their lips,
or breathe the perfume of earth's sweetest benefaction,--an apple
orchard.
From hidden and unknown depths the divining rod of his vision
found and brought the sparkling water to refresh the low lands of
Georgia. In common clay, unseen and unknown to others, he found the
lusciousness of fruit, the bloom and fragrance of orchards to crown
the peaks of Mount Airy.
The mountain elevation of his north Georgia farm, its granite
foundation, its copious rainfall he truly foresaw must become the
home of the apple industry.
The pioneer makes possible the success of the economist who later
benefits from the foresight of the prophet.
Every member of this society appreciated the act of the State
University in conferring on him the degree of "Doctor of Science."
It was a deserved tribute, fully earned.
His life's work is done, and this tribute can only be an inspiration
to the living.
May it be assigned a page to be set apart in our records, as a
memorial to his memory.
A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL, ALBANY, GEORGIA, FEBRUARY 13,
1917
WHEREAS this City Council has heard with profound sorrow of the
death of Col. John P. Fort, for many years a resident of this City,
which occurred on Tuesday, February 12th, in the City of Tampa,
Florida, and,
WHEREAS the said Col. John P. Fort was honored and loved by everyone
with whom he came in contact, a man of a lovable character, a friend
to everybody, a loving husband and father, a man of the strictest
honor and integrity, a man of great public spirit, who loved this
section and its people, a man who has proven a public benefactor of
this section and State by his introduction of artesian wells, and
bringing the same into universal use,