The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-02-13
Funeral Exercises.

Funeral exercises over the remain OF our
fellow townsman, John A. Harris. occurred
last Friday at noon in the Methodist church.
the pastor, Rev. j. G. Roper, reading the ser
Vice.
Every seat and all the standing room in the
building was occupied. while many Of those
who came to pay honor or tribute to the
memory of the deceased were unable to find
a place inside the walls. They stood before
the door. Among all classes and conditions
OF men In this community there was q feel
Ing Of sorrow at the death Of their ~neighbor,
who had been cut down at the threshold
where his influence was more apparent, and
when, in the nature OF things he had the
promise of long years OF a life, in which bis
own greatest pleasure was realized In doing
good and in giving pleasure to others.
By years OF strict economy and self-denial
In his young manhood, he had accumulated a
comfortable estate, and at the time of his
death, bis hand did not withhold the gifts Of
q generous heart. Even while suffering the
pains which were In fact a premonition Of
the approaching dissolution he was not for
gettul of a needy neighbor.
Mr.. Harris was of a cheerful disposition
and made friends Of those who had occasion
TO deal with him, and through years OF suf-
fering he presented q cheerful face to all. No
man ever bound men by stronger ties OF
friendship.
The friendship and the affection OF thoee
who were In his employ furnished a testimo-
NAL to the world of the gentleness Of the
heart that prompted the cheering word and
the sustaining hand. Encouraging the faint
hearted, by kindly acts and CHEERING words,
he drew children and men to him. One OF
the 10 ost touching incidents at his funeral
was the arrivsl In the church OF q great COM
pany OF little boys from the cotton mill. who
cam e in their best looks and In their
apparel. Their presence, their conduct and
their looks made a touching tribute.
A stranger, without business training, With
but a limited education, and penniless, Mr..
Harris came TO Abbeville in his early map
hood. He was employed In a store at a small
salary, and as he becs me more competent,
his salary was increased. His last work In q
store, before he was elected ~bookkeeper In
the cotton mill in 1895, was for Capt. L. w.
White.
The story OF the success OF John Harris
wo uld make him one of the notable men OF
the town, and the recital Of the difficulties
with which he had to contend In early life
should be I'D Incentive and an inspiration for
other boys who would rise TO higher and TO
greater things than obscurity and poverty.
Denying himself Indulgence In extravsg ani
methods, and restraining himself from the
vices and the expensive habits into which so
many worthy young men fall, he won his
way to position In business circles and be-
came a prominent factor in the activities Of
the community In which be lived.
From an unknown country boy in a store
at a small salary Mr.. Harris rose to be presi-
dent Of the greatest industrial enterprise In
the city Of bis adoption. His sagacity, bis
good judgment and his excellent business
tact brought 10 that institution q phenomenal
success-a success which, we believe, was DO,
exceeded by the success OF ary cotton mill in
the State.
So to speak. Mr.. Harris rose from the lowest
round in the ladder to a heighth that has not
been surpassed by an man in Abbeville.
He rose from poverty to be one Of the rich
men OF the city. From an unknown boy he
became a factor In bringing success to his
neighbors and In developing the growth OF
the city itself.
The cotton mill, the schools, and all the bus
iness houses in own were closed during the
funeral service.
The mill people formed in line by twos and
preceded the corpse from the dwelling TO the
church.
ACTIVE PAIL
w. P. Greene, f. B. Speed,
n. q. Hill. G. D. Brown,
w. D. Wilson, A. B. Schroeder,
LII Hill, T. G. White.
HONORARY PALL BEARERS.