The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-11-03

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let me say loved by all. has retired
to the quiet country life Of New Jer-
;sey. 1t is very proha':!" thai he Will
stay there, but he is on leave Of alb
Sence. so it is also barely possible
that we may see him again.
Our dearly beloved Professor Well:
died Wednesday. August 26. In
Elements of deep sorrow sympathy
is a consolation. but how to express it
is often very difficult. | sometimes
think that those who sympathize in
silence can do 50 very deeply, perhaps
the sympathetic mood Is most eff
cient: | am sure thai words will not
aid us much in expressing our sor-
row and our deepest feelings in re-
gard to Dr. Wells It seems We can
not realize that he has ceased to be
active. nor believe that we shall rot
have his physical presence any more !;
such is our attitude. our tenacity
with which we cling to life, so is SILL
preme friendship manifested, and this
indicates continuation. in some way,
Of the higher attainments. We know
he rests peacefully somewhere in
that great unknown, in that more per-
feet spiritual existence. Yet he lives
here, among us. through his works
and idealism. But in rendering to
Professor Wells, ON behalf of the
faculty. the honors which are due
him, I will say nothing further of my
grief and theirs. Those who leave
great names should not be celebrated
by lamentations. but by manly praise
and a sincere picturing Of his life and
work.
Professor Wells was born Feb. l3,
1871 in Newberry. S. c.. where he liv-
ed the earlier and greater part Of his
life. He was educated there and re-
ceived his Bachelors degree from
Newberry college in 1892, pursuing
the regular collegiate course. He was
fond Of the greek and latin classics,
and pursued his studies in the human
tiles. obtaining his second degree in
letters in 1894. Part Of this time and
until 1896 he taught in one of the
secondary schools. With this extra
ordinary equipment added to his
mechanical genius, he turned towards
a technical calling and decided upon
dentistry. Few men have entered the
dental profession with such wonder
full preliminary preparation in
science, culture, mechanics and even
in pedagogics. It was ideal, and sue
cess awaited him. He graduated with
honors in 1899, was Immediately ap-
pointed as a teacher in his alma mat
er. He was made professor Of Crown
and Bridge work in 1902, this chair
he held until his death. He had a
clear and definite idea Of what uni
versity work meant and conducted
his course accordingly. He did not
stop with good teaching only, he in
vestigated and added to the world s
knowledge. He impressed US with
his we'll defined scheme of life, his
idealism and results. He loved per-
fection and lived to perfect things for
future state. He was an indefati-
gable worker not only in the univer-
sity, but in his office as we'll. It is
difficult to measure the value Of such
lives; he did things so quietly, yet
his influence was felt in many di-
rections. DR.. J. O. Wells soon proved
that he was in the right place and
master Of the situation at all times.
He was courageous and never waited
for others to take the initiative, he
never postponed when vigorous action
was necessary. He was T. man of
cool judgment and conservative when
it was wise to be so. He was prom
inent in Dental Association affairs
and few meetings were ever held
without his active presence; he was
president Of the Minnesota Dental
Association in 1905. He was with us
so recently, it seems I cannot say all
I want to say now, but those Of us
who worked with him know we'll his
real worth and remarkable power.
By his death dentistry has sustain
ed most severe less. not easily re-
placed, the university one Of her abl-
est sons, and best equipped teachers.
We shall all mourn him for his noble
attributes; we shall miss his loyal
friendship and wise counsel. Our on