The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-02-27

Mr.. EDIT0R:-lloW sad these simple and
touching lines, fresh from the bleeding heart
OF u noble and disconsolate woman; and they
will carry sorrow 10 the hearts of thousands
in Texas, who knew and loved the gallant
soldier, the patriot citizen, the pure and
gifted Statesman, the Christian gentleman,
the inspired poet, Colon-lA A. NJ Hrbby.
For more than twenty years, In pence and
war, he was thu companion and alw Va the
trusted friend Of him who writes this feeble
tribute to the memoryol ~ brave, ~ gallant,
MS chiyalric, as noble II spirit MS ever brealhed
the free ar Of rexan liberty.
Born aud raised 10 Florida he emf rated
to Texas before the late war, and in 1861 was
CHOSEN the representative of Oornus Christi
enl contiguous counties TO the ninth legisla.
ture of Texas, where this writer, then the
youngest mJmber Of that body had the
pleasure Of sitting by his side for many
months In the fall Of that year no resigned
his seat, raised regiment of confederate
infantry, of which he became the idolizad
commander, and did noble service until the
close of the war. Hisgallant and successful
defence of Corpus Christi and adjacent
coasts against an arrogant and overwhelming
federal force, sent for its subsection, is still
held in grateful remembrance by thousand,
whole homes were then saved from desob'
ton and pllage. lie was for sometime in
command of the Confederate forces IN the
city and on the island of Galveston, Where
no displayed not only signal gailantrJ, but
CONSPICUOUS executive ability.
AT the close of tho war, impoverished IN
fortune, but opulent in the weslu of alice
ton and conadence born him bya grateful
people whom he had gallantly offended for
four years, he engaged in coDnercial pur
suits in Galveston and Now Orleans, ut once
taking leading position "a both cities and
amassing a handsome competence. During
the financial cyclone of 1878, which swept
away the foundations bf so many colossal
estates, his fortunes began 10 wane, and ono
disaster after another followed in quick sue
cession until his prineey fortune had disap.
peared, and 10 1879 Ae sought with his young
family the wIds o. New Mexico in hope OF
regaining his lost fortune and shattered
health. Although IT. the territory sea CO
long enough II become qualified voter, his
merits were appreciated and he was elected
one Of the judges of bona Anna county;
and il is moi doubted that had his useful hir
been spared 10 his country no would have
Dttu thlNh lENlll TtllTtultHl w lUO UlU0bsl
official position in the government.
Although peculiar qualified to be be-
come political chioftain by personal mag
neIsm, strong native intellect, remarkable
ygor OF character phenominal auency OF
language and suayity of manners, which
readily won the hearts of all with whom he
came in contact, Colonel Hobby had no
aspirations for political preferment, and
with the single exception of partial term
In the legislature il is not known that he ever
accepted any civil Office. He WAS for many
years president of the chamber of commerce
Of Galveston, director in banks. cotton
presses, insurance and railroad companies,
was repeatedly rendered the position OF
mayor of the city, representative and senator
In the legislature, and eveA prominently
mentioned by the press Of the state for
governor and U. s. senator, but his s,ten.
ton 10 his large commercial interests and
his devotion TO the arts and science, and Ia
the higher branches of literature disinclined
him 10 accept any preferment whatever.
As an essayist and popular public speaker
Colonel Hobby had few rivals in Texas and
asa poet none. His address on the life and
character Of the lamented David q. Burnet
first president of Texas, extensively pub.
lished throughout the country was confess
edly one of the finest literary productions q
the period, and scarcely less so his address
on the life of the late Thompson H. Nc
Mahon, an eminent banker OF Galveston
delivered by request of the chamber Of com
merce and other commercial bodies of th
city. His contributions 10 the current liter
ature of the day ana TO the practical science
were frequent and marked him as one
The profcurdest thinkers aud happiest writer
Of the period.
hs occasional efforts in the realm