The Doctor is In

Master Nathan Blunt Kennedy did indeed follow in older brothers John and Sidney's footsteps, and has returned home following graduation from the Universities of Virginia and Mississippi, the proud recipient of a degree in medicine. Dr. Kennedy studied medicine with brothers John and Sidney at the latter's clinic at Lauderdale Station in Lauderdale, Mississippi prior to returning to Sumter County. Parents John and Harriett Kennedy are very proud of their trio of physician-sons, but are more concerned with what they believe is the inevitable conflict looming ahead. If war breaks out, surgeons will be a very valuable commodity. And what of the rest of the family, and their beloved home, and their beloved Alabama...In the meantime, Nathan B. Kennedy, M.D., Physician and Surgeon, sets up his own practice in Sumterville. 

The despair of the Confederacy is becoming evident. Rations, uniforms, boots, guns, bullets- all are lacking. A terrible shortage of medicine and those trained in its administration leads to even more suffering and death. Petersburg, Virginia is under siege and in but a few short weeks, Atlanta will fall to General Sherman. Our own brave Sumter County lads continue to fight, though most have not been paid in months. The Provisional Army of the Confederate States is in tatters, as the end of all we know seems perilously near.

Our own Dr. N. B. Kennedy of Hillsboro, formerly of Sumter County, Alabama, is a very busy gentleman. Highly regarded as a most-skilled surgeon, Dr. Kennedy can usually be found in his office at the Windsor Hotel, unless he is riding his rounds to visit ill or injured Hill County citizens. When not tending to his patients, he is a passionate author, with numerous contributions to scholarly medical journals to his credit. He is also an accomplished scientist, having recently discovered the use of the injection of carbolic acid for the removal of hemorrhoids and carbuncles. Hill County is fortunate indeed to have a gentleman of his skill and talents living in our midst!

(Hillsboro Mirror, Volume XVIII No 8 Pg 1 Wednesday August 11, 1897)

"DIED SUDDENLY THIS MORNING OF HEART DISEASE

He Was an Old Citizen, a Prominent Physician and a More Than Ordinary Man

From Tuesday's Daily.

When the news flashed over the city this morning that Dr. N. B. Kennedy was dead, it could hardly be credited for everyone remembered seeing him on the streets yesterday apparently hale and hearty. He appeared to be in his usual health and spirits and there was not a suspicion of any kind that that his hours were numbered and fast running to the end.

He ate supper last night as heartily as ever and at nine o'clock took his customary bath, and did not complain of any pains until about ten o'clock, when he had an attack of colic and was troubled with it for several hours. He took a dose of morphine but being sick at the stomach he threw it up.

At 11 o'clock he got up and went downstairs and staid (sic) awhile, going back to bed near one. At one o'clock he called his daughter, Mrs. Hattie Carrico, and had her to give him an injection of morphine, and she gave it as directed. He immediately fell over on the bed and died instantly.

Dr. B. H. Vaughn was hastily summoned, but he found that life had been extinct several minutes before he arrived.

Dr. Kennedy's death is supposed to be do to heart disease. For years he has had what the physicians call weak heart, but there was no real heart disease detectable. The morphine that he took last night they say was eminently right and proper.

He will be buried in the city cemetery at 10:30 tomorrow morning by the Knights of Pytheus, of which he was an honored and useful member. He was 59 years, 8 months and 15 days old.

SKETCH OF HIS LIFE

Dr. Kennedy was more than an ordinary man, and in many respects a remarkable one. He was for years one of the leading physicians of this county, and was the life of the Hill County Medical and Surgical Association.

He was born in Sumner county, Alabama, Dec. 24, 1837, and was a son of John and Harriet A. Kennedy. His parents were both descendants of ancient and honorable families, his mother being a daughter of Major John Isler, a gallant revolutionary soldier.

Dr. Kennedy was given the benefits of a splendid education and graduated at the University of Virginia in 1860, with the degree of Master of Arts.

He studied medicine under Dr. S. P. Kennedy of Lauderdale Springs, Miss., both at the University of Mississippi and of Virginia, and was a graduate M.D. from both institutions.

He undertook the practice of medicine at Sumterville, Ala., but in March 1861, he joined the confederate army, enlisting in the 27th Alabama regiment, where he received the appointment of assistant surgeon. He was in field service for some time, but was later put in hospital service at Lauderdale Springs, Miss., and at Uniontown, Ala.

He remained in the service until the war closed in 1865. He then located in Gaston, Ala., and remained there until 1867. He then moved to Meridian, Miss., and remained there until 1869, when he removed to New Orleans, La. In 1871 he came to Hillsboro, where he resided until the time of his death.

He identified himself with all the medical societies in his reach, and was a frequent contributor to medical journals. He assisted in organizing the Hill County Medical and Surgical association, and was several times president of it. He was a member of the State Medical association, and was an honorary member of the Society of Science, Letters and Arts of London.

He also found time to turn from his medical studies to belies lettres (sic), and wrote a number of short poems, some of real poetic merit. Altogether he was one of the most accomplished men in the county.

He was married to Miss Susan W. L. Martin in 1862. Four children were born to them, two of whom are dead, and two, Chester M. Kennedy and Mrs. Hattie Carrico, living.

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The remains of Dr. N. B. Kennedy were laid to rest in the city cemetery this morning. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. T. Booth, of Fort Worth, a close personal friend of the family. His remains were taken in charge by Hillsboro Lodge No. 48, Knights of Pytheus, of which he was an honored and useful member, and gently laid to rest. The burial service of the Knights at the grave, was very impressive. The following were the pallbearers: Knights J. L. Slatten, J. B. Scofield, J. B. Coble, R. W. Hunt, J. O. Turner, C. H. Miller, J. C. Kirksey and L. M. Morehead.

A large crowd of friends assembled at the hotel and followed his remains to the cemetery to pay the last respects to him. 

The final resting place for Dr. Nathan Blunt Kennedy, Physician & Surgeon, 1836-1897.