The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-09-22

was q man among men, genlal In dis
position, generous to a fault, fair tc
his foes and loyal to to his friends;
clear-headed, big-hearted, strong and
. true-a man in many things more q
model than type.
Second-As an officer he was ell
cient, capable, eternally vigilant
without fear or favor he did his duty
and served the court, the county and
the state with unsurpassed ability.
His like will not soon be found again.
Be it therefore entered of record on
the minutes of this court that in him
society has lost useful member and
protector, the law an able executive
officer, his companions true, trusted
and devoted friend, his family a kind
and indulgent father and husband,
and to those who sorrow most is ex-
tended the sincerest consolation and
sympathy.
And it is further ordered that a
copy hereof be made and fully trans
mitted 10 the family of deceased and
published in the papers.
| Signed r. l.. PENN,
j. w. HODGES,
| ROBT. A. JOHN.
| Upon the presentment of the above
resolutions Robt. A. John, Esq, made
the following remarks:
"May it please the court: do not
| desire to trespass upon your time or
patience, but think it a duty We owe
| to one OF our members that we should
pause to pay a remark OF respect to
his memory.
1.-The minutes Of this term begin
with marking John L. Olive present,
but when sealed with your honOr's
signature he must be marked absent
forever How long will he dwell in
our memory? Are not after all the
dead too soon forgotten? And yet the
strength of John Olives personality
ought to abide with us at least until
the grass grows green over his grave.
~ therefore do not trespass when |
ask to be permitted to say a few
words about this man. He was born
in neighboring state; came to Texas
when young man, but became so at
tached to the land of his adoption
that, as he once told the speaker upon
going back to his native home with
an intention to remain, Texas with
her broad prairies, her romantic his
tory, her brave and hospitable people,
haunted him until he returned and
made it his permanent abiding place.
He was man of strong and incisive
intellect and indomitable will, and al
though he began as penniless
stranger in an alien land, he died in
easy circumstances and with friends
as countless as the stars, and when we
appreciate his integrity and almost
prodigal liberality, the native ability
of the unlettered boy shines in con-
trast to we'll balanced, we'll informed
but self-made man.
He was elected sheriff in 1884,
served two terms and voluntarily re-
ired In 1888, was reelected in 1890,
and was the nominee and unquestion-
ably would have been again reelected
| in 1892.
He died at the hands of an assass n
in the forty-second year of his age,
loved, honOred and respected, his
name familiar and his tame known
from one end of this state to the other.
He died, as thought by many, and
as he on his deathbed believed, that
he lost his life because he did his
duty. Acting as brave and fearless
officer, his devotion to duty excited
the wrath of those who resisted its
mandates, and his death resulted
from their desperate violence.
No mater who it was that watched
with vengeful eye and trailed with
muified footsteps in his path; no
matter who it was that
crouched like beast when he ap-
preached and with bated breath
bided the fatal moment; no matter
who it was that when standing erect
his stalwart frame stood at the point
of vantage, where the aim could be
sure and the target certain, the
wretch who slew this manly man was
an inhuman aud cowardly fiend.
Somewhere in Texas today the MUIR
derer turks gloating over the deed he
has done, and 1 hope, without one
pang of remorse, because conscience
would make human and akin to him
that's dead. l would rather deny him
even that touch of manhood.
But as John Olive said, I'VE all
have our time to die, and if this is
mine can 60" May we add as he
did when the shadows gathered, "It's
all right; am ready to CO."
do not care to add anything fur.
Their, because the language of sincere
sorrow is simple and direct. l only
know that to me in life he seemed o
tower of strength, while lends to him
a double dignity. The grave has
clothed him in certain grandeur.
There at least he is beyond the reach
OF the shafts OF enmity, hatred and re.
venge.
Whether the sun shines brightly oe
the clouds droop, whether the gentlrr
breezes touch lightly or the storm
king rides upon the whirlwind the