Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1898-12-01
Joseph Wayne shelor-A Model Son
s, II ard Christian Boy. &

When the aged die and are buried
we are ready to say they have lived
their allotted ti,ae upon the earth,
they have finished their course !; but
when o bright and promising youth
is suddenly stricken down, one who
10 Just verging into young manhood,
and in whose life are centered SO
many fond anticipations of loving
friends, we are almost tempted to
question the goodness and wisdom
of God. :
Suoh was the sad and tragic death
of Joseph Wayne, the eldest son of
Mr.. and Mrs. J. w. Shelor, of Tu-
galoo, s. @. But'God's ways sre not
our ways, nor His thoughts as our
thoughts. The grief-strioken parents
and Borrowing friends who mourn
him now will ever remember that he
belonged unto God. In his earliest
infancy these Christian parents dedi-
Gated their boy to God. They said,
as did Hannah :i old, VIC nave lent
him to the Lord. AS long as he
lives no shall be lent to the Lord.
1t is not known at what time
Wayne's heart was first converted
unto God, but it is thought It was at
a very early age. When a mere
child he would quietly sit at his
mothers knees and listen with the
greatest attention as she told him the
beautiful stories of Jesus.
Wayne was born May oath, 1879,
and died july 29th, 1893, only 10
years, 2 months and 4 days old.
What q briof, young life But oh |!
what an example of love and obedi-
enco to parents, of tenderness and
affection for his companions has he
left behind. What lesson of re-
spcct for the aged and sympathy for
the poor he has bequeated to us all.
Truly he being dead yet spoakcth.
But Wayne is not dead, he only
sleopeth.
There is no death,
The stars 60 down to shine upon somo
fairer shore,
And bright in heavens jowolcd crown,
They shine forever more.
The dust wo tread beneath cur feot
Shall change through summers gontlo
| showers,
To golden grain or rainbow-tinted flow
During Wayne's childhood he was
a pale, sickly and delicate-looking
little boy, but as he grew older he
began to develop and expand, until
he became vigorous and handsome
young man. At the time of his
death he was possessed of physique
that any athlete might envy. At an
carly age he was sent to the South
Union school, near his home. Prof.
W. A. Dickson, now in Anderson
county, was for many years the prin-
cipal of this school. Prof. Dickson
always spoke in the highest terms of
Wayne, not only Of his high toned
character, but of his scholarship and
many manly ways.
| In 1894 he entered the Werner
Military Institute at Tuscaloosa,
Ala. While there he applied him
self 80 diligently to his studies that
the lowest mark he ever received
was 02. His general record averaged
from 96 to 984 and he often attained
to 100, the highest mark of perfec-
ton. In department it was always
100.
While at Tuscaloosa, in 1896, he
united with the Presbyterian church
in that city. He was aftcrward dis
missed by letter from the church at
Tuscaloosa to join Retreat Presbyte-
ilph NDuiCll Ill toOuUi SalOllllu. AL
the time of his death he was con-
sistent and exemplary member OF
Retreat church.
When not at school he was ALWAYS
engaged in assisting his father in his
business and on the farm. He often
had the entire control of the farm,
and thus relieved his father of much
responsibility. He was much be-
loved and was great favorito with
all the tenants and hands on the
farm.
Wayne was passionately fond OF
nature and of music. Hc seemed to
love the birds and animals, always
taking pleasure in relieving their
suffcrings and supplying their wants.
His dogs and favorito cat were
often his constant companions. His
sister, Miss Marye, says the last tune
hn over played upon his harp, and
only short time before his death,
was that sweet and beautiful air,
"HOme Sweet ITome0