The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-09-13
MEMORY OFJAMEs SHIELDS.

Mr.. James Shields was born Nov. 9Th,
1897, and died July 9TH, 1882, having
lived to the good old age of s5 years and
8 months, lacking only one day. For
So years of this time he lived at Mar
shall's Ferry, Hamblen county, for
merly Grainger) and State of Tennessee.
A large concourse of his neighbors and
friends gathered at the old Bethesda
church, near Cheeks Cross Roads, on
Sunday, July 9th, to witness his inter
ments; but they were not the citizens
of Marshal.'s Ferry fifty years ago.
Those who were his neighbors and
friends then had nearly all passed away
and the comparatively young men of
this day witnessed the last of this ex-
cellent citizen. lie was much esteemed
by all who knew him for his many good
traits of character. He loved the peace
and order of our common country,
which a good government, wisely ad
ministered is designed to secure and
therefore no one was more pronounced,
than he, against any and all violations
of the laws of the State And, just as
every mans influence, who is for law
and order, is benedictiOn. So was his
in this particular, al the days of his
life. He f0as an honest man, to be which
constitutes one in this respect, the
'nOJlest cork Of GOd." Having high
sense of honor himself, he sought to i'm
part an elevated tone in his own family,
and in the community. He filled his
place as husband and father with affec-
tion, kindness, equity, and dignity. and
as result his children all loved, rev.
crend and respected their father He
was kind and an obliging neighbor,
and would even sacrifice personal in
terests for the accommodation of others.
He literally suffered with those who
were in distress, and sympathized very
much with the poor. Intellectually he
was very highly indowed, and had a
most tenacious memory. He was as
familiar with many of the facts of the
history of fifty or sky years ago as
though they had just transpircd. His
conversational powers were unsurpassed
so that he was a most charming socialist,
combining the freshness and richhess of
a vigorous intellect, with the power to
call up accurately the facts and Incl
dents of the past, and clothe all in
simple, yet elegant diction, greatly to
the entertainment and pleasure of all
who listened. 1t is said, he was the
milford Bard of Fields Scrap Book
who can read those graphic and elo-
quent descriptions of the "Ruins Of
Time and Christ on Cdtcery," without
confessing that a master mind and
ready writer was there. For these he
deserves to, and by them shall continue
to live in the world of letters He was
also the author of several poems, some
of which fallen under the observation
OF the writer of this sketch, which he
pronounced very fine. He never made
an open profession of religion. but his
friends have hope in his death. That he
had no faults we Will not say. But now
he is dead, and it is not the time to call
them up. IL he had faults we would
cover them with the mantle of our
charity for the sake of the living who
weep. To his virtues and noble traits
and endowments we have referred from
the deep feelings of respect which we
cherish for his memory. In his death,
a noble, high minded, and cultivated
gentleman is goae-gone into eternity.
That spirit is goRe to the God who gave
1.-THE God VINO is infinitely mercifuI
and has provided for the salvation of
all who will come unto him by Jesus
Christ our Lord. With much sympa-
thy for the bereaved family we sincerely
and affectionatelp offer this imperfect
tribute OF respect.
@. T. CARROLL,
Aug. "a, 1882.