The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1918-09-13
JAMES c. woorEN, II.

. 40 Soui Va @uotnci ACAo1e NSA1
81 boy has winged its. way across
thss svast enpanse which separates
earth and heaven. leaving behind an
hssitase that win ever be glorious
memory to the parents not only, but
also ITO the community. Another
courageous young life has been sacri-
fiesd, not uselessly we believe. for
@ascaaae OF human freedom In the
grsst struggle overseas.
Those who knew James Wooten
and are informed as TO the manner
II veterans; know that when his time
came to make his last flight In the
terrestrial strata OF air, he went
sbopt the performance OF his duty
Without buster and without qualm.
mounting ) the currents overhead as
. skilled sailor masters the rough
sea, meeting the enemy. with intrepid
bravery and the confidence that lies
In the heart of one who Is not afraid
to do his duty In the face Of death.
We do not like to think of these
young ayiators as dying or being kill
ed In the most hazardous Of human
adyentnres. but rather as having
tkSir souls translated from their
bodies into spiritual forms mounted
o. the invisible planes Of the life be-
syond to take their flight into eternity.
, ssen ~ their bodies descend with
the crumpled. fragile machine on
which they assembled as far as man
Kind has been permitted to leave the
earth.
!, II 10 not for US to say that it was
not sacrifice, but we believe that to
him 1t was less so than to that moth
er, who today mourns the passing of
an only son. To him it was a price
J that he gladly paid. Strong of body,
brilliant of. intellect, firm Of purpose,
= .. - D.. f
James Wooten entered the service Of
-Aiss country long before he would nave
ben required to put on uniform.
There was no faltering when duty
called to- him. Quickly he put aside
m the prospects Of a life more than
ordinarily brought with opportunities.
Soon elevated to the position of a
commissioned officer. he heard still
Snother and higher call to duty.
with the mental equipment that
qualified him as an aerial observer
fof the artillery. he placed that tai
'ellt u the service of his country and
entered the most hazardous branch of
che service, in which for months he
distinguished himself and played q
most. important part in guiding the
forces of his countrymen to victory.
Msny were the adventures in which
he had participated and twice, it IS
known, he was recommended for spec.
III recognition. How many other
tines- he and his brave companion out
Of sight Of human beings met and
routed the enemy will never be
known.
But it Is not surprising that James
Wooten was a hero. He could not
have been the son OF his mother with.
ont inheriting some OF the nobility
of,character and courage Of spirit that
has distinguished her back here amid
the besceful surroundings of civilian
liza Other women with sons over
there are bearing the possibility of
sacrifice with % much fortitude as
che. Ali Of them are the real hero
ines OF this war. But no other has
been so active in the humanitarian
side OF war activities as has Mrs.
John T. Wooten- Without thought Of
self or personal glory. this woman,
whose sweet smile and Cheerful. spirit
have been benedictions to this city.
made her example OF ceaseless labor
for. the Red Cross and allied causes
an inspiration to all who would
do service for their country at home
She has truly kept the home fires
Burning. There is no word that we
OF anyone else might say to assuage
the grief Of o mothers heart. That
u q thing beyond the sphere of any
one save the Master to speak. But we
know that above that mothers grief
there fs q halo OF glorious patriotism
that win hide her inward emotions
and continue to light her face as
leader who is willing to make this
sacrifice, to right the wrongs that
hAvs befallen the helpless women
and children of France and Belgium.
While sympathetic hearts turn first
n the mother In crisis like this, the
father. too, has made sacrifice per.
haps as great. for he has realized the
bitterness of losing son upon whom
be had layished all the pride and
lore and ambition for future attain
ments. But, the father Of Lieut..
Wooten Is a patriot, and since II vas