Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-10-10
A Good COlored Man Dies.

William Wells, one of Shepherds
towns best known and most highly re-
parded colored men, died last sunday
at his home in this place, aged oo years.
He had been in failing health tor the
past several years, but kept gong and
attended 10 MS work as best he could
until tie very last. On Friday evening"
though he was feeling weak and Ill, he
TOOK MS horse TO water as usual at the
Town run, and he fell from the ANNA
Il Cnaphne'S alley, sustaining severe
shock He was taken home and careo
,or, but he never seemed to recover, and
ae oied Sunday. William deserves
more tnan passing notice because. II
Ior nothing else, of his love for little
children. For many years he had
uorSe and wagon with which he did
hauling for folks about town, and he
seldom made a trip in which he did no
ave some little boy in his wagon. He
lad interesting stories and entlclng
condolences for the children, who while
they looked upon him as most wonder
ful person, at the same time were en-
couraged 10 be very intimate with him
and to regard him as partner. he
hauled them about town and lie took
them with him on marvellous trips to
the country, but he was always so care
full of them, and so gentle and tender
that parents had no anxiety when they
knew that their children were with Will
liam. He loved the little folks really
and truly, and they adored him. In his
younger days William was protege OF
the late Henry Shepherd and served as
his coachman and general utility man.
Mr.. Shepherd regarded him very highly
and William gave him faithful service.
He was a fine looking man, of such
bright complexion that a stranger would
scarcely know that he was colored, and
when he arrayed himself in his best
clothes, as he loved to do, with frock
coat and high hat and sporting a natty
cane, he looked every inch the gentle
man. He was always polite and court
eouS without being obSequiouS, and he
had the respect of all who knew him.
He never forgot his manners, and his
last words to the writer were a gaSping
expression of courtesy. He was an in
telligent man, we'll read, and he had a
wisdom that showed him to have been
a close observer. For many years he
lived on New street, surrounded by
white neighbors who trusted him i'm
plicitly and depended upon him as q
kind and helpful friend, for he was the
soul of integrity and just naturally kind
and useful. For thirty four years he
had been a near neighbor 10 the editor
of the Register, back lots adjoining. and
We can record only good of him. He was
real neighbor and his favorS were
continuous, for he took almost as mucl
interest in our welfare as he did in hi
own. We shall miss him greatly, bu'
with the children of the neighborhood
many of whom have grown to be men
| and women, We shall long cherish the
| memory of this kind and gentle man
He is survived BY son, Lester Wells
of Luray, Va, and daughter, Mrs. Nj.
V. Livingston, matron of the MARYLAND
Home, near Ellicott City. He was
buried on Tuesday, the funeral service
being conducted in the colored GENE
tery by Rev. J. W. Ware, of Trinity
Episcopal Church, Rev. ]. 7. Jeffrey, of
the colored Episcopal Church, and Rev.
J. N. Yearwood, of Asbury M. E.
Church. Appropriate remarks of re-
spect were made to the memory of the
deceased by friends and neighbors who
had gathered to pay him the last earth
| " tribute.