The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-11-06
For the TIMFs.
A Worthy Tribute toa Noble IAN.
JoHx RANDOLPH JlTEu.

There is one occ,sicn in the proceedings of
our lives when no sound Of tunult come Ii
TO mar its decorum or disturb its solemn
stillnsss That Is the obituary service we
arc accustomc to perform when one Of oar
friends and neighbors has yielded to the
ultimate appointment Of our ra-e and gone
.'the way Of ali the earth Reverence
for the psitH dsad nha 5rsea hSls
tion ofour own mortality move usto pessS
farm these sad duties. s.r s
Our attention is arrested, clamor oeas.s,
the prophetic, Of dignifed silence are o.
served, and we cannot escape serious audi
profound reflection. The occasion is once
m ire uron us, and obey the impulse Of my
heart when, participating in these cerspo-
MES, offer my humble contribution to the
work of this sad occasion, and attempt to
bear testimony 10 tho worthy life aud excel
Lent character Of q departed f lend and
brother-in-arms. 1t seems very appropriate
that l should dn so, for knew him as but
few men knew him-I knew him from my
boyhood. We were b,rn and reared in the
same community. Little would it have been
imagined years ago that should be called
upon in this presence to perform the sid
duty which 1 now contemplate. Life is
strange personal history is mysterious tho
transitions, the separations and reunions,
the changes Of the times aud our changes in
them, the inuumerable strange things that
came to PAS, along the journey Of life, aud
the fallings by the way side, tho scenes aud
circumstances which attend the "inevitable
| hour" the periods and methods at and by
which we are taken off, tho inscruteble pur-
pose involvei, all carry with them their
often sad and alSays inst: uc'ive lessons,
and serve TO impress upon The minds of
IL, rl,. f,.l 80 tk.t
| philosophy which te ,ches that; "There's q
divinity that shapes our eadI, rough-hew
| them as we will.'
Whether caa now speak of him rs
would desirs or a, become, the occasion, my
tribute is ut least SINCERE and heartfelt. "In
this dark world Of ours there is no richer
gem than sorrows disdem-a te,r." can,
indeed, give to his mem Try that .test Of nf-
/ fection," and sly of n truth tha. / deplore
his loss and grieve that he is no more. His
death was not unexpecte to me, for l OBJ
served with constsbt solcituie and increas-
ing apprehensions the fearful inroads which
dreadful and fatal malady was rapidly
making upon his strength aud constitution
A few days before his death, when bid him
goodbye, felt and fc,red it was the last
time should see him in the flesh.
JOHN RANDOLPH JErER was born
December At, 1886 and died October 10Th,
1891. He joined the Confederate army as
private and served throughout the war.
His army life meant actual service. Expo
sed to danger, he always had "a place in the
picture near the fl ,shing of the guns" M
man made better record as a soliier. Ills
course has been uniformity commendab' Q,
mauly, aud puriotic. lie possessed in an
unusual degree the esteem aul ,nfidence of
those W tn whom he has been associated.
without regard to race or color. Exemplary
conduct, daily walk aud conversation excep.
tionally pure, habits discreet and hon
orahle, o correct and stainless private life
is universally affirmed of HIM. lie wa
quiet, observent and thoughtful, acoustic me
to ctreful and considerate analysis of the
right and wrong Of measure. He was not
afflicted with any undue or Indecent eager.
ness for mere public utterapce, but spoke
only when actuated by sense of duty and
the nece ssiiy OF the case, and then earnest.
ly and honestly. lie was siugularly fret
from any disposition FIR mere empty dis,
plsy or artificial appearance. lie disdain-
ed disguise AMI de,pised dissimulation. He
was thoroughly earnest man. He was
safe, accurate, sound aud practical; he wa.
| positive. reliable. and usafui always tru t.
cd, never doubted. In him, whenever
true man was wanted true mau was found
He was devoted husband. q kind and affec
tionate father. Ere long and the timo vii
come when each of us shall also "sleep will
our fathers" May we profit by his exam
pc; live life Of equal rec,ituie. We truly
sympathise with his bereaved family
May the God Of tho widow and orphar
guide and protect them, in their great los.
and distress, is the humble prayer of .
friend. A. Z. FAINT.