San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-10-06

ihouse, Hofheinz hotel, Malone's store. etc.
some Of which might serve well as illustra
tons Of the early history of our town. IL
}. read books on drawing and painting, prac
!ticed persistently, and his Inter efforts SHOW
\ manifest signs CT progress
As will BIO seen by his Diary. he learned Il
ret type, and this with facility and perfec
accuracy, scarcely n letter OF point amiss
Ho also folded and carried tho papers
interested himself in all parts of the bust
Sness, nnd was favorte with all our print
era Meantime he read those boys favor
ties, Robinson Crusoe, the Arabian Nights,
Paul and Virginia. etc., and also The Nurse.
Try, st. Nicholas and similar periodicals.
He next became deeply interested in
chemistry and chemical experiments, de-
voting himself to reading and experiment
ling ON the subject enthusiastically and in.
defatigably. He was especially interested
Iiu photography, and made some pictures
with the aid of en- apparatus of his own con-
{struction. He made friends and confidants
of the druggists and transient photograph
lers Of the town, and spent much time at
their rooms. His favorite reading was now
found in the pages of the Young Scientist,
THE Scientific American, Fowne's Chemist
Try, Chemical Forces and similar works.
Meantime he was full of the subject in con-
[versatiop, showing both extensive research
and originality Of thought. He wrote AMI
inquiry to the Scientific American, as ap-|
pears by the following notice and answer of
the editor from that paper Of Sept. goth
|ls79:
G. r.. J. asks: "Will black lead do for a,
substitute for gas coke in batteries?" Ans
Yes; Professor Silliman. jr., used it in the|
Grove form of battery, as substitute for
platinum, in 1872.
We give this merely as illustrating the|
subjects which engaged the mind of this
little boy of twelve years, and who was no.
larger, and never became larger than an,
average boy of eight.
He next became interested in scroll saw
ing, procured fine instrument and turned
out some elegant work, bringing his ar ist.c,
mechanical and scientific knowledge to hear
to good purpose. He sawed among Other,
things u lot of ornamental brackets which,
may be seenin position in Capt. j F. Ellison's,
fine new dwelling.
On the completion of the railroad last fal'
he enlarged his Look and news business.
" CHI he had paid some attention to fer a.
year or two previous, and gave as close ut
tention to ii as his health would permit, in|
Ibis usual careful, methodical manner. And
last spring he conceived the idea of prepar-
ling piece of ground for garden. He said
Inc knew it was too late for this season, but
lhe went to work to prepare 1t for another.
He read up books on gardening, sent for cat
|alogues'of plants and seeds, gathered mate
Trial for munures, &C., and talked constantly
lon the subject He was engrossed with this
plan up to the beginning of his last sickness.
In all his little enterprises he was distin-
Igushed for method, thoroughness and per-
|severance. He read and worked them up
livery much Us lawyer does I'M
preparing his cases, and not without constant,
reference to pecuniary pcoHt, though hel
held that secondary to his ideals.
Of his writings, some of which appearl
in this paper and others will be inserted in!
Jour next we should have said before that
they We're entirely spontaneous with him,
land some of them were unknown to any!
lone but himself till since his death.
The pressure upon cur space compels usi
Ito defer what further we have 10 say;
It'll our next issue.