The Press., 1892-08-25
A RECORD WORTH PRESERVING,

The Stamford Record gives considera- ble space to an obituary of Mrs. Patty Hobbie, who died in that town on the 3d inst, aged 87 years. Her husband was soldier in the war of 1919, and every one of her six sons fought in Connecticut regiments in the war of the rebellion. | Robbie Post, G. A. R., named from this | family of patriotic note, turned out and escorted the remains, four past command CTS acting as bearers. The following from the funeral sermon, preached by Rev. Dr. Vail, voiced the feelings of the vast congregation which assembled at the funeral:
 "This death and this burial are alto gether out of the ordinary course of hu- man events; and the service in which we are now engaged is lifted far above the usual routine of assemblies for the dead. It is the woman herself who makes the difference. And yet she was plain wo- man, most unobtrusive in her ways, and living life of retirement and quietude.
 The flag that flies over the village green is at half mast to-day. Many a time has it been thus displayed in token of respect for some distinguished parsonage in the nation, or for some honored citizen of our town. So it hung when Lincoln was shot and when Garfield died; and when the great funeral procession moved along the streets to the music of muff1ed drums, fol- lowing the mortal remains of Grant and of Sherman to their final resting place; and when various other men of high off cial rank and national renown have pass ed away. And every year with the com ing of memorial day it is similarly dis played from the rising of the sun to it's going down, in memory of the great army of the dead who years ago laid down their lives in patriotic devotion to their coun- try's cause. It is most proper and beautiful custom, and justly symbolizes the respect which we entertain. You have often seen it hanging thus, half way up the lofty pole. But never until to-day, if am not mistaken, have you seen it so displayed for one of the gentler sex. Hitherto it has always been for some dis tinguished man, or body of men, but to- day, and for the first. time, it is at half mast for a woman. And never was the tribute moro appropriately or more grace fully given. It is the just symbol of the esteem and regard in which she was held by the entire body of our citizens, wheth- CT she was personally known by them or not. We all salute the flag at half-mast to-day in honor of Mrs. Hobbie. She was worthy of the unique tribute thus ac- corded her.
 am sure, good friends, that every one of us must feel that we are debtors to this good woman for whose funeral service we are now gathered. Nay, not we only, but ! all the people of our town and our state are beholdened to her for the offering which she made and the service which she rendered in the dark days of the republic. She stands as conspicuous representa- tive of womanly loyalty and devotion, and of the noble part which American women took in the great struggle for the over throw of the rebellion. You know the story so we'll that I need not rehearse ii over. A woman of limited means, she was chiefly dependent upon her sons fol her daily support. Yet when the wal broke out, and the call came for volun. teers, she gave her six all she had who were able to bear arms-to the coun try's cause. She gave them her mothers blessing g-the blessing of christian moth er-and sent them forth to the war, fol lowing them with her love and prayers It was sublime instance of most heroic patriotism, and of devotion to sense o patriotic duty rising high above materna love, and controlling it.
 | It was as grand an example of complete mOtherly sacrifice as was to be found il all the land at the time, and the land was full of them. It is as fine a record of wo manly love of country as any that history affords. She gave all that she had to give 1.-the mother of the Gracchi did no more When Post No. 8 of the c. A. R., chose the name by which it is commonly called it was to put honor upon the patriotic mother as well as the six brave sons The name was we'll chosen; no other nam' would have done so well. And now Hob bic Post perpetuates the memory of tn, woman who pro patria gave all she had
 In after years, aye in all the future O Stamford and of Connecticut, the stor, will be told again and again; and poster ity will reverence this brave and devoted heart which has now ceased to beat il death.
 For many years Mrs. Hobbie has beer a faithful christian woman, who has quiet ly lived in Gods fear and with firm faitf in her Saviour. She is among the oldes and most highly esteemed members O this church. She has led life of retire
 ment for the most part, delighting chief,
 in the home circle. Her patriotic ardo
 was undiminished by advancing age, ant
 her interest in all that pertains to thu
 land of her love was manifested to thu
 end. Although somewhat feeble in body
 her place was seldom vacant in any pub
 lie gathering of the post, and not an ey'
 beheld her and knew her, but blessed her
 We shall all miss her in the days to come
 for her impressive presence will be nt
 longer with us. But while we see her no
 on earthly ground, we think of her a
 mingling in the mighty assemblies in tn
 world of light, of meeting her loved one
 there, and of herself as receiving 8 vic
 tors crown from the hand of the Maste
 and Lord.''
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