The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1921-11-14
FUNERAL OF
SHERIFF ]. HAY FAINT

The burial service for Sheriff J. Hay
FAINT was held Saturday afternoon in
Rosemont cemetery, and there his
body was laid to rest. A vast con-
course of people gathered to pay tri-
butte to the dead officer and friend.
Not in the history of Union has there
been such demonstration, and never
before such a profusion of beautiful
flowers. The services at the grave
were simple and brief. Rev. -. -.
Cogburn. pastor Of Bethel Methodist
church, read the scripture. Rev. Ed
ward S. Reaves offered prayer, a Sc
lected choir sang. Then followed a
prayer by Rev. l.. p. McGee, then
another hymn by the choir. A brief
tribute by Rev. Lewis M. Rice was as
follows:
Friends and Brethren:
1--WE are met here under the open
vault of heaven to pay last tribute
to the memory of j. Hay Fant and to
drop tear upon his bier. Mere words
are inadequate to express our emo
tions; indeed, they are not necessary,
for the profusion of lovely garlands
of flowers, and this immense throng
gathered about his open grave, attest
the high esteem in which he was held.
owe come to bury all that is NOR
tai the man who held the highest
position of trust in the gift of the
people of Union county. Three times
you elected him to that position of
high trust. That he did not betray
the trust is proven by your presence
here today.
IA faithful man has met his un.
timely end. He was kind to friend and
merciful,S even in the execution of
the law; indeed, it was his merciful
attitude towards his prisoner that in
cidentally caused his death. He could
haze shot, ard shot to kill. He had
that right. But he did not, for he was
attempting to spare thev resisting
prisoners life; that led him to strike
the hand of the prisoner with the
butt of his gun, and thus was dis
charged the fatal shot.
"Great crime waves are rolling over
our land and the lands beyond the sea;
strong men tremble and brave ones
falter in The face of the tidal wave of
crime worldwide, appalling. But I
think you will bear me out in the
statement that Union county has been
singularly free from the more pro-
nounced crimes; and the reason is to
be attributed largely to the fact that
you had good sheriff. Men, women
and children felt safer because they
knew that J. Hay Fant, sheriff, trav-
elled up and down the roals of Union
county, day or night, no matter what
the weather conditions.
eve do not, as a people, appreciate
the OBLIGATION we owe to these faith
full representatives of the law. Dke
small money consideration paid ITEM
is not sufficient to settle the debty We
should renew our vows to obey the
law: we should give encouragement
and all moral suppor' 20 them, for f-taas-
law in our potector both in the pos
SESSION Of our property and in the
preservation Of our lives. The law
frrctions properly My when your
officer is faithful and you are con-
siderate and sympathetic.
"Around this open grave let us re-
dedicate ourselves to the cause Of good
citizenship. Let us swear to Almighty
God that we will obey the law and en-
force obedience to it upon the part
of others.
"When j. Hay Fant met his mortal
wound he died for you; he died for me.
He died for us as truly as ever sacri-
flee was made in any just cause.
81. Hay FAINT was brave. He did
not know what fear was. He was
. generous friend, loyal husband and
a loving father. His untimely death
has dimmed many eyes with tears,
and all feel personal loss.
"When j. Hay Fanc received call,
his response was prompt and thor
ough. By his faithfp,ness and the de-
termination that characterized him
the lawless were restrained and GRIM
inals brought to justice. One notable
example: Several years ago crime,
hideous, revolving, was committed a
few miles above Jonesville. The roads
were axle deep in mud, the weather
stormy and it was night Word was
phoned to Sheriff FAINT. His record
trip to the scene of the murder that
night, in spite of obstacles, resulted in
the arrest and conviction of the guilty
man. This is but one of many such
cases. When Sheriff FAINT was called
he went himself; he did not send his
deputy.
"To die is mt so bad, if one be pre-
pared to meet his God. j. Hay FAINT
testified that he was ready, and our
hearts gladly cherish the hope. But
the anguish wrought in the hearts
left bleeding and torn-that is the