From the April 23, 1919 edition of The Maryville Times of Blount County, Tennessee:

ESQ. WITT SHIELDS

Esq. Witt Shields, aged about [illegible] years, died Saturday at his home in Cades Cove. Esq. Shields was a member of the county court at the time of his death, and had served many years in that body. He was one of the county's best known and most substantial citizens. "Uncle Witt," as he was called, was a friend to every body, and all who knew him were glad to call him friend.

From the April 30, 1919 edition of The Maryville Times of Blount County, Tennessee:

ESQUIRE A. W. SHIELDS

The following was prepared and read by Mr. Geo. D. Roberts at the funeral of Esq. A. W. Shields of Cades Cove, last week:

The deceased whom we all love, and whose life has been a life of exceptionally usefulness and unquestionable, honest, integrity and energy; and a pattern it would be well for us all to try to imitate was born March 6th 1850 and departed this life April 20th 1919. Hence he spent more than 69 years here during which time he was known far and wide as a friend of every good cause, and no doubt will be missed as no one else of us would.

In his home life he was always looking out for the comfort, pleasure and best interest of each member of his family. "Uncle Witt" was very devoted to his family and friends. He was first married to Annie C. Walker, January 10, 1878. To this union eight children were born, six of whom are living, and two of whom have gone on before and were awaiting him at the portals on the right hand of God and on the 21st day of August 1896 his first wife gave up the walks of this life and went on before to meet her departed children and to await other members of the family.

On October 19, 1898 the deceased was again married, this time to Mary Lawson. He and "Aunt Mary" lived happily together until yesterday morning when God said to him, "Well done my good and faithful servant--Come up higher." So his soul took its flight to the God who gave it and now his spirit rests in the arms of Jesus while his dear wife, six children, twenty grand-children and a host of relatives and friends remain here to mourn their loss.

In his public life he was a leader of men and we all knew him as a true, conscientious citizen ever looking to the interest of the public good. He was at the time of his departure a member of the county court which office he had held for a number of years during his life. He was also Postmaster for ten years [from December 15, 1904 to March 30, 1914].

Last but greatest of all, he was firm and fixed in his faith in God, and was unshakable in his religious convictions having professed saving faith in Christ and joining the Cades Cove Primitive Baptist church more than 30 years ago. To which church he lived and died a loyal member, having been a leader and a deacon of his church for a number of years. His pocket-book was always open to the needs of his pastor, his church or to any cause of charity or public need. He died as he had lived, happy in his faith in his Heavenly Father. Furthermore he died in the right mind as we have all heard him pray that he might. Greatest of all his last words were songs of praise and his actions were clasps of the hands in praise and thanksgiving to his Heavenly Father for his many goodnesses.

"He is not dead; but He is risen." On the glad Easter Day which we keep as a token of the rising from the earthly grave of our Heavenly Father the spirit of our dear departed brother and friend took its flight to the God who ruled his life and is now inviting us to come up higher and to live as God would have us live and to meet him in Heaven where all is love, peace and happiness.

The above does not begin to do justice to the deceased but the deeds of goodness he performed will remain an example to all who knew Uncle Witt. And we will cherish in our memories his useful life and realize now as never before that he was a friend and helper of every good and deserving cause.