The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-11-08
In MelnOrian.


friend VIRGINIUs BLOCK, Esq, who died at
Groesbeck Texas, at one o'clock A. NJ. on
the 18th of October last:
Mr. Block was born at Opelousas La, on
the lst day of Mas 1927. being at the time
of his death in the forty-ffth year of his age.
Shortly after his birth. his father, the late
Captain Abraham Block, removed to this
place, where Virginus was raised and con-
tinued to reside till the year 1868 when he
removed to the State Of Texas.
Few there are in our communily who did
not know him, and knowing did not esteem
and love him. For many years the house
to A. Block g. Son, and afterwards of d. d
! V. Block was one Of the most extensive
commercial establishments in the State. BY
industry energy and honesty, they built up
a business and name which will be re-
rhembercd for long years to come While
the town of Washington and Hampstead
county retain their cooperate capacities
will tradition point back to the nsrre and
family of the Blocks of which the deceased
was a prominent end worthy member. They
were distinguished for their generous lib
eralty snd were ever the kind friends of
the poor and unfortunate By the results
of the war, the princely fortune which
years Of toll had accumulated, was swept
away and like all WHO took part with
the South, he was left poor aud embarrassed
with debt But with that will aud deter
miuatiou that knew no such wCfl as "tail,"
and which was the most valued inheritance
from his amented father, he girled himself
anew for the lattle of life. With singular
sagscity as to the immediate future of his
almost native land, he seleSed as a place OF
business, the terminus of the Texas Cen
tral railroad, then at Bryan City, where
with very limited capital he began busi>
ness anew. His ancient vigor was upon
him. Day by day and week BY week he
worked with increasing energy. As the
line of railroad advanced. he moved to its
terminus, until at the time of his DEATH
he intended in few days to have removed
expected to make permanent home. By
his integrity, fair dealing, promptness, and
that courtesy ard sweetness Of temper
which SO fittingly and naturally adorned
Lis character, he had made wide spread
acquaintance and hosts of friends in the
state of his adoption; another golden harvest
for which he had wrought so hard was rap
IDLY riprning, when 10 the sad summons
came, Dust thou art and unto dust shalt
thou return"
With what sadness do we reflect upon
The death of very dear hiend, who though
separated from us by rivers and lakes and
mountains aud plains is ever present in
memory, and to know that no more on this
side of the River" we shall take him by
and speech. rirgfrius was my childhood's
friend. Away back in the dim distance,
when Washington was little else than a pine
forest we truaged our way to the clog cabin
schoo.-house " to gether, when we gamboll
ed and played in the mellow Autumn sun.
As years rollel by .nd when the "logcabin"
had gwen way to the more rretentious
Academy" still side by side we walked.
The same elasses and studies were ours,
and a gehergvs emulation as to who should
stand he ad" urged us to diligence. Our
school days ended, we entered upon
the duties of life. Our paths diverged,
he to one profession, to another. The
rivalry If such it might be called, was en-
deo and the loves of our childhood and
boyhood became the friendship of men
"a friendship which had no rusied links in
its chain, but was bright, golden, strong,
until snapped by that reSistless power, be-
fore which all things earthly yield. Sad I!
sadl! is my heart when memory brings up
he past when the golden sunshine of our
boyhood's houTs sends its long rays down
through the cracks of time, and isthink If
he were present with me to catch ard enjoy
their shadows we could be happy in their
recollection, but he dead, | coptemp ate
item in mourntulness ofheart.
Tears, ldle tears, Know not what they mean,
Tears from the depths of some divine despair
Rise in the heart and gather to the eyes,
In looking on the happy Autumn fields,
And thinking OF the days that are no more +"
But the comforting reflection in sorrow al
his loss, is found in the perfect resignation
with which he met the Angel of peath;'.
for the sake Of his Loving wife and little
children. but without dread or apprehension
for the future.
Many and sad are the hearts which this
bereavement: has made, but to the grief.
stricken widow, the crushing weight can
OILY be appreciated by those who have
been likewise called to "tsste the bitter