Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-03-04
EDWARD r. MILLS.
A Beautiful Tribute to a Man Who Was
Worthy Of 1t.

EDWARD R. MILLS.
A Beautiful Tribute to a Man Who Was
Worthy Of 1t.
Correspondence of The Yorkville Enquirer.
Captain E. R. Mills was born in
Chester county about 70 years ago,
and died at his home in Rock Hill
about daylight on last Sabbath morning,
February 26. He was educated in the
schools of his neighborhood and at
Davidson College, where he graduated.
Before the war he was planter, living
in the section in which he was born.
He entered the army and was one of
the foremost and truest soldiers of the
Army of Northern Virginia. Since
the war he has lived the most useful of
all lives; a private citizen earning a
support for himself and family. He
was twice married. First to Miss
Crawford then to Miss Mary Moore,
who, after married life of more than
40 years, survives him. Captain Mills
was one of the county commissioners
of York county for short time.
Notwithstanding the fact that he was
in public life but little, it is doubtful
whether any man in York and Chester
counties was more generally known.
From his youth he was known to be of
a bold, resolute, honest character. He
was ordained as an elder in the Pres
byterian church when less than 81
wears old. In that church, and spe-
cially so in that day, there is only one
dignity of higher consequence than the
eldership. This act, therefore, shows
that those who knew him best believed
him worthy of highest honor.
In all his life there was no equivoca-
ton. His own mind was clear. What
he knew at all he knew exactly. His
conscience was trained and enlighten-
ed his intellect able to grasp the ques.
tions which have confronted men OF
his day and country. The result was
that when all facts bearing on a case
were presented TO him he could and
would form an opinion, and that opIn-
ion was bound to be one that command.
ed respect, even though another pre-
vailed.
Once his mind was made up he was
firm. If the occasion demanded ag-
g-essive action he was ready for instant
attacks. If stubborn resistance were
needed, he might be relied upon to die
in the position he had chosen. These
qualities made him prominent as a
soldier and as man. They regulated
his life in all its lines. In peace. and
in war he fought hard and asked no
mercy. He took no stand until he was
sure he was right. His true courage
was shown perhaps in no particular
more than in his tenderness to others.
Firm indeed in the performance OF
duty, we know of no. instance of un-
kindness on his part. "Love US free
ly" was his constant prayer.
Though connected with three church
es during his life, he served nearly SO
years as an elder. This record is rare
ly equalled. His work in this capacity
is we'll known. He was regular in the
performance of his duties and he was
punctual. An appointment by the
session was to him a command and he
obeyed. His influence has been and
will be for a long time felt by those
with whom he has labored.
Captain Mills worthily represented
stock of people of whom any country
may be proud. He was one of the
yeomanry of upper Carolina. His life
was spent almost entirely in the coun-
try. From that life he drew the
strength, the boldness and the inde-
pendence that ever comes from
fresh communication with. nature and
its forces, and which seems to wither
in municipalities. That strength was
increased by the fact that bis wants
were few, his tastes were simple, his
energy great. He could, therefore, al
ways be independent, and he was. 1t
maLtered little to him who or how
many opposed him, he saw bis way
clearly and walked therein.
Sometimes it seems that Providence
defers to the wishes of these servants
who have grown strong in life of USE
fulness when they come to die. His
end was, it seems, as he would have
chosen it. The last night of his life he
spent with his childrens' children
around him. While in his usual health
he shared their innocent joys. Then
be went to his own home, made that
preparation for the next day which he
thought his duty, and then lay down
in peace to walt that coming day Of
holy rest. But with the dawn his final
call came. There was no suffering,
there was no delay. A few moments,
just long enough to say few tender
words to her who for forty years had
been his companion, and the bold, res
olute spirit left the dim grey dawn Of
earth for the glory of the eternal morn
ing, to meet judgment of which there
was no fear and to enter a future OF
which there was only the brightest
hope. T.
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