Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-09-23
IN MEMoRIAm.
A Trlbu.e 81 Love 10 John, Our srolher.

Il i. q
John Reid Keith, fifth son and seventh
child of tho late Col. and Mrs. William
Calhoun Keith, was born September
14th, 1878, at Walhalla, s. c., died June
Sd, 1902, at Camp Wears. Mindanao,
Philippine Islands.
Until the age of fifteen years he was
a student of the Walhalla High School,
the Principal, Prof. ii. G. Reid, saying
he had not a peer for brilliancy of mind
and intellect in the whole school.
| After this time he went to Ghappeils,
s.. O., where he engaged in business
several years.
In the fall of 1899, imbued with the
spirit of adventure, he left his homo in
South Carolina for the Northwest, and
from Denver, Colorado, on January 22d,
1901, he enlisted In Company A, 10Th
Cavalry, u. s. A., and sailed March 18th
of the same year from San Francisco on
the transport Meade for the Philippines.
Several interesting letters we're re-
ceived from him after he landed at Ma
of the natives, their dress, the country
generally and of his. disappointment at
not having been in battle.
On April goth, 1902, no was taken sick,
and though urged by his comrades to 60
in hospital he refused, desiring above all
things to be with his troop and to do his
duty. After several days marching he
was compelled to give up, and though
discharged from the hospital three weeks
later, relapse, brought on by cold,
caused his death.
The chaplain of the troop, in writing
to those near to him, stated that John
was "a good soldier who did his duty.
He died like soldier, we'll liked by all,
and his loss has been felt by the entire
command"
The sergeant of the troop wrote "there
was not man in the troop thought more
of than John; not only liked by his COM
rades, but by the officers as we'll, and all
mourned his loss" o
The first Lieutenant wrote that "his
death was a distinct loss to the COM
mand and he was good soldier, brave
and true"
AS our minds revert to the Sd day of
June and to the reinterment of the NOR
tai remains of John r. Keith in the
cemetery at Walhalla, s. O., on Thursday,
September 18th, 1908, we recall an Incl
dent that brings much sadness to our
hearts. Casting backward over a few
years we recall the little form into which
the All-Father had breathed a spark Of
Infinity, given into the keeping of his
earthly parents. We recall the days of
childhood and how the boy developed
into sturdy manhood with a strong
mind, a keen wit, a cheerful and loving
disposition, and above all perfect sense
of justice and honor.
A life like this appeals strongly to us
and when taken from our midst brings
a sharp sting to the hearts of those who
were closest to him and knew him best
and when taken from our midst leaves q
void that time alone can FILL
To the mind of the writer there is
something more than sad in the views of
people concerning the death of charao-
| ter like this.
Although so far as we know he never
accepted the dogmas of any sect of any
religion, yet we do know that God is
love and that Jesus Christ is the express
sion of His love for us, and as firm be-
lever in His goodness and mercy, we
| assert that our brother had Gods relig-
ion, although he accepted no mans creed
or religion.
Happily for him and for all of us God
is better than mans religionl Love
passeth all understanding. If we would
not see our loved ones suffer we may be
sure God is not worse than we are. This
God of love is to judge us according to
the deeds done in the body. How fortu-
nate that we are not to be judged accord
ing to the creeds of man!
A thousand consultations of shining
worlds, moving in constant harmony in
the heavens above, tell us of Gods faith
fulness to all His creation; that peace
and harmony are always the law of God
throughout every spot of His universe;
the birds of the air warble "God is good -
every ray of light, falling upon the dew
drops as they distil, flash back "God is
beneficent to ali His creation;" the
golden grain and ripened fruit from
every field whispers "Behold the good
ness and mercy of God" So our lovod
brother tried to practice the lessons he
had learned from his God and knew not
fear, for where there is perfect love and
confidence there is no room for fear.
When God breathed into man the
breath of life He bequesthed to the hu-
man race His own nature. We are told
that love is the uppermost element of
Gods nature; 80 also is it the chief ele-
ment of mans being.
Love makes the family and the home
possible. 1t links heart to heart and
soul to soul. 1t brings happiness and all
the blissfui experiences of this life.
Out of love springs the desire for immor-
tality, the hope that all the gentle and
affectionate experiences of this life NAV
be renewed In life which reaches be-.
yond the ordeal of physical disinte egra-
tion.
AS we think of our loved one to. day
we hear his cheerful laugh, feel his ten
der, loving touch, and yearn for one
brief moment with the young life which
was 80 early taken from us.
But with those who knew him best he
| h,US hos' ooauIi'uiiy to-uay. ana ne
will live In our hearts till we are reunited
In the great unknown world. BY the
strength of character and all the endear-
| ing qualities which made him loyable
here we shall know and love bim there.
Since we remember him as an honora-
BILE citizen, bravo soldier, a loving son
and brother, we cherish his momory and
sing with the poet:
There's not an hour but from some spark
| ling beach,
Go joyful men, in fragile ships, to sail,
by unknown seas to unknown lands.
They hail
The freshening winds with eager hope
| and speech,
OF wondrous countries which they soon
will reach. fl