The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-25
n GOOD MAN GONE,
Short Sketch or tho LirO OF Mr.. Silas john
stone, Who Died on tho 2Ist Inst.


Silas JohnstOnc was born in 1922 an,.
was in his 18th year when ho died,
July 2lst, 1899. He WAS II lifelong
member Of the Prcsby terian Church,
having been baptized in his infancy by
Rev. Joseph Y. Alexander of that
church. He was II son Of Chancellor
job Johnstonc, the greater part Of
whose life was passed in the town of
Ncwberry, s. G., in the Academy Of
which town Silas received his cduca-
tion and training preparatory to en-
trance into the South Carolina College
from which institution he graduated in
due course. After graduation he read
law, and for some years he pructiccu in
partnership with James Nj. Baxter un-
til he was elected Commissioner in
Equity in 1886 TO succeed james II.
four years until th , oIlicc was abolished
| in lSGS. In 1878 when the Office of
Master was created Mr.. Johnstonc was
chosen to ill that Office and was re-
chosen every fou" years thereafter un-
til 1890 which was the last time. After
the expiration OF that term he lived II
retired home life, with the exception,
however, of having held for Il time the
office Of United States Commissioners
IN tho performance Of the duties of
| these offices he gave entire satisfaction
His mind and the bent of his genius
peculiarly adapted him to the doing Of
Office work. He asprcd to no political
position and never sought distinction
| in political strife. We see from this
brief record that he held the offices Of
Commissioner in Equity and Master
for the period Of - years or more, and
no man in the County of Ncwbrrry
could have been found better adapted
to perform the duties OF these Offices.
n few years ago MIR. Johnstonc had
Il stroke 'of paralysis, from which he
never entirely, hut SO far. recovered as
to be able to enjoy the society Of his
| friends he was OF very social and
happy disposition-a and was able at
times to walk down street TO the post
office and NEE. and talk awhile with
his friends. on "Wednesday, July 10, The
rode in q buggy to Il social barbecue at
Spcarman's MiAcral Spring, enjoyed
the ride and tho day very much and ON
his return hOnr' expressed himself as
feeling more bouyant and cheerful than
he had felt fora long time. That cv-
cning about h'yL-pHst nine o'clock he
was stricken again and fell forward up.
on his face and was picked up inscusi-
bic and 80 remained until he brcathcd
his last about fOIr o'clock Friday after
} noon.
II is wife was Miss Randall, who died
Il few years ago, lcaving him widowed
in heart but with several sons and
) daughters, amiablc and gentle in char
actcr, to cheer and care for him in hi.
: declining years.
His mortal remains, after appropri
ate services at the prcsbytcria.
Church, were committed to the toni
at the Johnstonc family burying ground
cast and near the town of Ncwbcrry or
Sunday, July 23d, 1899.
|
stone gave some attention to litcratur,
and wrote some humorous skctchr:
which were published in Portcr's Now
York Spirit of the Times. They wcr,
well received and would have done hon
= or to the pen Of his kinsman, Malcolm
JOhnstonc Of Georgia. He also com
piled an equity digest, Il book very use
ful to the profession of which he was
, member.
OF the man this writer can only su,
that he knew him we'll for many year,
aud found him social and generous il
all his life at all times, and he love,
him. a good man has left us, and tt
many OF his old friends and associates
the world is darker than it was. II i
better of; he has laid aside Il frail bod,
: which for some years has been hcav,
and wcarisomc and painful load to car
, ry. He has laid it aside and now fire,
from pain, free from every care, be
meath the waving branches Of the Trc,
of Life he can rest.