The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-10-16
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Hing G. Robertson IL No More.
SALApo. Bell Co. Texas, Oct. Q.

SALADo, Bell Co., Iexas, Ost. y.
Editors Democratic Statesman: SV1.
Our community was never so shocked
as by the announcement this morning
that Col. Z Sterling G. Robertson had
died at 9 z NJ last night. Though his
condition had been known to be uOubt-
full for come weeks, yet his friends
hoped for his recovery, or at least that
he might last for some time yet We
were Informed by his eldest son, Ster-
ling. Jr., that he had passed over his
usual evening paroxIsm and seemed
disposed to sleep, when they discOv-
cred his pulse failing and his breath
shortening, from which he never re-
Covered, but, as stated to his family q
few days before that he would do, his
light of life, like lighted candle,
gradually grew dim, and without q
struggle he ceased to breathe. His
burial, with Masonic honors, at his
family GENE terry, in his own beautiful
garden, was arranged for 4 p. N. to-
day. At 2:30 people began to assemble,
and by $3.50 q large number of
sympathizing friends and brethren had
gathered in and around the family resi-
dence. Religious services we're con-
Quoted by your correspondent in the
family room, beginning at 3 :35 o'clock.
We have witnessed many affecting
scenes, but this, we feel safe in saying,
far surpassed anything we had ever be-
fore observed. This grief-stricken
widow, with her six stalwart sons and
her five tender young daughters,
bowed around the lifeless body of that
once so thoughtful and devoted hus-
band and father, did not, we think,
fall very far short of the mourning
made for jacob of old by his twelve
sons. And all the more sad were they
because the sixth and oldest daughter,
Mrs. u Il. Fillmore of Austin, was I'M
able to be present.
Religious services closed we waited
some thlty minutes for the arrival of
q. I. Fillmore, E'q from Austin, by
stage. The body WAS then placed in
the coffin and conveniently arranged
80 thst all might file through the hall
and take last look at the familiar
face which had so often greeted them
as brother, n5ighbor and friend.
To say the multitude wept is but a
faint expression of the scene, though
nothing very remarkable occurred for
some time among the corners and
goers until at length l saw an old gray
haired veteran approach with trem-
blirg step and quiYering lips, who
stopped and began saying something.
l could not hear distinctly what, until
10 % he hi a. n tnh
unfolds to every Texas veteran just
what he meant. 1t was Uncle Bob
Childress, who had known Colonel
Robertson in the days of Texas which
tried mems sjuls, of what sort they
were. We can explain this 20 none
bat the old Texan, and to him it ex-
plains itself.
At 4 As the Masonic fraternity of
Bolton and Sslado lodges took charge
of the remains and conducted them to
the grave, and with their unusual cere-
monies laid another Texas veteran unto
his fathers. Colonel Robertson lived
for a number of years In Austin, from
which place he moved to the place of
the present t, W l, Salado, about TWEEN
ty-six or twenty-seven years ago.
He founded SaladO College and laid
out the town of Salado in the year
1860, the cornerstone of the college
being laid by the Masonic order on the
Fourth Of July of the same year. Your
correspondent was present on that Oc-
casion, and though but q boy, re-
members well the interest taken by
Col. Robertson in this great work,
and many men and women all over
this country who have shared the
benefits of his earnest efforts rise up
to-day and call him blessed. OF his
public record we shall have but little
to say here, but all who knew him
know that whatever position of pub
lie trust was given him he filed with
credit to himself aud satisfaction to
his constituency. Those who met him
az Bell county's man in the constitu-
tionsl convention will bear testimony
to his talent and integrity. 10 char
scter he was strictly positive and yet
mild in his expression, did what he
believed to be right and allowed other
men the same liberty, attending strictly
to his own affairs and just as strictly
letting other mems sffairs alone. He
had been for a number of years a mem.
Der of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South and gave his family and friends
abundant evidence that he was ready
for the MASTERS Call"
WILLIS J. KING.