The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-13

AT his residence on Black River, Pen
der county. N. c.. DR.. John r. Hawes
departed this life on the 18th OF octo-
Der 1900, at 1880 p. m. Aged 81 years
Surrounded by loving kindred ana
friends, this noble Christian gentleman
entered the dark valley with unciouoed
faith and trust, leaning on n unseen
arm of mis- Saviour, n sank 10 rest
as peacefully as IN infant sleeps upon
its breast. 1t was a beautiIui
and happy ending OF the weL-spent NE
of this good man. who always reared
the Lord, and trusted IN his Hsrcy.
1t was plainly observable to n more
intimate friends of this man. that
when he was past the middle age and
going down on the sunset SIDE OF me-
he drew nearer to the Lord n thai the
Lord drew nearer TO him. And this II
was, surely, that made his virtues ana
aimable traits shine out more brightly
and made him grows dearer to his fam
lily and friends as he grew older.
At 3 o'clock p. m, October 18th, n
of the most delightful lays of the IN
dian Summer in the grove where now
and then a ripe leaf fiuttered to its rest,
the deceased was lovingly and gently
laid to rest in the family cemetery.
The pail bearers were Captain John
Moore, Mr.. A. NJ. Colvin, Captain r. p.
Paddison, Messrs. w. b. Henry, Daniel
p. Bland and H. A. Colvin-
The funeral services were conducted
by Rev. j. N. Cole, pastor Of Grace M
E. church, Wilmington, according to
the impressive service of the Episcopal
Church. The tender prayers and ap-
propriate words of this servant of God
were soothing and grateful to the
hearts of his hearers.
The large concourse of people at the
funeral-the largest ever seen in the
county on a similar occaSion-Showed
the high esteem in which the deceased
was held by the people of Fender and
adjoining counties.
DR.. Halves was born and raised here
on Black River where the generations
of his ancestors lived and passed away
before him.. In early life he married
Miss Martha A. Black a beautiful wo-
a of great refinement, intelligence
and piety. She had in her nature a
plenty of fortitude, and the gentleness
and amiability Of a true She
was a lovely character indeed, and
made a charming companion for her
husband, whom she preceded, by a few
years, to the Heavenly land. They
had one son, Mr.. E. A. Halves, of Mill
Creek, who, with a large family, still
survive to bless the m of the de-
ceased. They were both worthy MEM
bers of the Episcopal church.
The deceased had a good estate which
he carefully looked after, because he
wanted to be independent, but chiefly
because it enabled him to do the wise
and beneficent deeds to which his gen.
erous nature prompted him.
The orphans he raised and started
on honorable careers in life, sufficiently
attest his kindness of heart, the noble
and generous impulses of his nature.
In him the DOOR and needy and dis
tressed always found a real friend.
Two of his sisters, Mrs. A. E. Moore,
of Pender, and Mrs. Bradley Simpson,
of Clarkton, a county, still sur,
vive him.
In the early days of 1861. DR.. Halves
raised a full company for service in
the c. S. army. His comrades elected
him for their captain. This company
came to be known as company E. 18th
regiment, N c. T., G. s. A. Some of
his comrades survive him and attend
ed his funeral to pay the last respects
to their Did friend and beloved COM
mander..
Kindly regards for his friends, and
his sacred n tender love for his fam
lily, marked a prominent trait of his
character.
A FRIEND.