Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-01-24
Observation-Disclosures. .s.s.s..S..i..i..f.i...
10 A TRIBUTE. y.
Observation-Disclosures. .i..i..l..i..i..3..f.i..l.

should deal tenderly with the dead.
1t has also been said that if the flow
ers which decorate the graves Of our
dead had been strewn along their
pathway in life, and the kind words
III marble epitaphs had been spoken
to them while living, it might have
been better for the dead. Be that as
i may, ! come this morning with un-
covered head and lay this bouquet of
flowers on the new-made graves Of
John w. Davis and William C. Fos-
ter. May they be kept there by the
mighty powers Of gravitation; may
they be sprayed with the gentle dews
of heaven; may the warm sunshine
paint their little petals with all the
colors of the rainbow; may the hap
by vision that so charmed the sweet
singer Of Israel rest as benediction
upon the memory Of John w. Davis
and William c. Foster forever.
Death kissed down their eyelids in
the very bloom Of health and in the
bud and flower Of their manhood.
They were noble men-men who
stood for civil law and social purity,
men who were not afraid when duty
called them. AS county officers they
faithfully discharged their duty as
they saw it, "without fear, favor or
hone Of reward"
AS | have stated before. John w.
Davis was my ideal as sheriff. Oco-
nee county has lost two Of her best
officials. No better citizens live in
the county. They were men who
could be depended upon at all times,
and their places will be hard to fill.
had known Mr.. Davis and Mr..
Foster nearly ten years. They were
drawn to me from the first as with
silver cords; and beg to mingle my
sympathy with tho many relatives
and fond friends. Their lives were
lived on a high plane. both in action,
in word and in deed.
1t is the pain and sorrow OF the
aching hearts left behind that
touches our sympathy, especially the
patient and self-sacrificing parents.
"a mother is a mother still. the holi-
est thing alive'-and the most un-
selfish. The loss Of ones companion
is beyond measure; it is like tear
iis Oil all arm Oil which We loved to
lean, or the taking away Of one who
loved to lean on us. 1t vanisheS sun
shine from life, cheer from the heart.
balm from the spirit. But these
things go into the most secret place
OF the soul to dwell there while life
and being continue. But we can
shed tears with those who are loaded
down with grief. There is sadness
In tears, and a pleasure also-an aw-
full pleasure! They are messages OF
overwhelming grief, Of unspeakable
love. May Gods grace be sufficient
for each one left behind, and may
the young and tender feet of the dear
children be guided in the way Of eter-
nal life.
This tragedy was severe shock to
the whole county-more so than
anything that has occurred in her
history. Every home mourns and
every heart is sad. I hardly think
that there has ever been such con-
course of people at a burial in the
history of the county. But they
have fought their fight, their armor
has been laid aside, their warfare has
nnna6 tho uinfnr1- bo
their memory blessed. They ply
their tasks yonder under softer skies;
their development was arrested here
TO find richer fruition otherw ise
They still sit in the family circle, but
out of earthly sight.
Davis and Foster were lovely and
pleasant in their lives, and in death
they were not divided.
II cannot say, and will not say.
that they are dead: they are just
away! We will think OF them as
Just the same. | say. they are not
dead--they are just away"
lay these flowers on the new
made graves Of John w. Davis and
William C. Foster as my last tribute
to them.
Bright summers sun, shine gently
here;
Soft Southern winds. blow lightly
here;
Green sod, lie light, lie light:
Good night my friends. good night
good night.
j. Russell Wright.
Seneca S. G.