Hiram W Mays Obit
Appeared in the LandMark of Statesville, NC March 27 1900.

The Late Ex-Sheriff Mays.

A Remarkable Man and a Man of Most Admirable Traits.

Correspondence of The LandMark

In the death of exSheriff H. W. Mays Alexander lost one of her most remarkable citizens. He was born in Iredell county in the year 1820, but moved to Alexander county in the year 1845, where he continued to reside until his death.

His education was limited, being confined to the "old fields" schools of that time. In 1866 he was elected high sheriff of Alexander county, which office he held continously for 16 years. At the end of that time he retired from office and refused to allow his name to be used for that office another term.

After that time he was on his farm at York Institute until his death, March 13, 1900.

There was probably no other man in Alexander or adjoining counties who was personally acquainted with so many people as he. His greatest enjoyment was to meet and converse with his friends. Whatever gathering he happened to be in everyone was sure to see him, for he would come as near speaking to and having a word for everybody as anyone I ever saw.

Though he never made a political sppech nor asked a man for his vote in his life, such was his winsome way that he never offered himself for a political office in his life but he got it.

As Sheriff he had too great a heart to ever force a tax collection from a deserving poor man, but instead would settle out of his own money, often to his financial hurt.

His power of remembering faces was phenomenal. At one time he was personally acquainted with every taxpayer in Alexander county.

Like all human beings he had his faults. But he never was known to do an undermining deed in his life. Whatever he did was open to the world. If he would speak of a fault in a friend he preferred to speak of it to his face. Neither would he withhold commendation of a virtue seen in anyone.

He loved his county and he loved his fellow citizens who had honored him so much. A few years ago he entertained the idea of moving to Statesville, but he gave that up, saying he could not think of leaving his adopted county.

His loyalty to his county was eclipsed only by hi conservation to the Church. He joined the M. E. Church, South, when he was 13 years of age, and lived a consecrated member ever since.

He took great interest in Sunday school work. In all his public and private career, he never was known to sacrifice principle or convictions for public favor or his own financial benefit, but preferred honesty in all things. Being a favorite with all classes, his strong conviction of his moral duty caused him to use his great influence for the future welfare of those with whom he came in contact.

Surely such a life was not spent in vain. His funeral was conducted by Revs. W. S. Cherry, L. P. and J. P. Gwaltney. The pall bearers were Sheriff Williams, exSheriff Sharpe, J. P. Matheson and L. M. Davis.

The widow who was Miss Eliza Scroggs, of Iredell county, together with five daughters is left to mourn their loss. Ex-Sheriff Mays lost one son in the war, and one died in infancy.

York Institute, NC Mar 21 '00.

Hiram's Obit