The Daily Texarkanian., 1897-03-05
DEATH OF GENERAL SHELBY.
Written for the Gazette by the Hon.
H. l.. Grigsby, Who was
Personal Friend of
Gen. Shelby.

no uOliI III n uulldu, mlSbOull Tue
soul Of General Shelby swept
through the gates of time, passed
beyond the Jordan to rest In the
wonderful beyond, He was a very
great man. From his youth he was
actively engaged in business Of
much Importance. He was the
most noted hemp dealer in the
state of Missouri. AT Berlin, La
fayette county, Missouri, during
the years from 1857 to 1860 he was
as well and as favorably known as
any man in the state His iudg-
ment was regarded by business men
Of Missouri of much value and i'm
portance, When the civil war came
cast his all with the people with
whom he had lVed and associated.
He enlisted a company of youths
from Lafayette county Missouri,
and rushed to the field of battle to
defend that which he believed to be
right, His judgment and valor un-
der heavy fire attracted the atten-
tlon Of those in authority, He rose
rapidly and finally was promoted to
Major General IN the army Of the
Confederate states When the bait
tie was the most deadly his judg-
ment was quicker and less erring
than at any other time and place.
He never committed blunder nor
lost a battle when In sole command,
Like Hannibal he was never whipped,
He possessed the dash Of Murat,
the foresight Of Alexander the
Great, the wisdom and courage Of
Julius Caesar and the patience and
cunning of Pyrus When danger
stalked abroad at will on the field Of
battle General Shelby was always
in front encouraging his soldiers to
follow, He loved his soldiers and
always done all in his power for
their comfort and happiness, Ma
poleon was never more beloved by
his old guard than was General
Shelby by his soldiers Of Missouri
Wherever he led they confidently
followed, neyerquestioning the dau.
gerj their watchword was "Shelby
Is In command and victory Is eer-
tain" After the civil storm was
hushed to sleep and peace breath
ed love aud good will over our own
beloved America, and one Dag float
ed over our nation General Shelby
returned to Lafayette county, Mis-
sourI amid the people he loved 80
well aud who loved him, and engage
ed In the raising Of wheat on a
large scale, He introduced the
Grst steam thresher In the state,
TO undertake to chronicle all Of
the good and great deeds Of this
wonderful man would require many
volumes of books He was q faith.
ful friend and alleetlonate husband,
a loving kind and indulgent father
He wore his heart on the outside Of
his coat sleeve, His home was the
home of his friends, welcome ale
ways greeted them at his gate and
bid them enter, He ever lent a
helping hand to the poor and the
distressed, and never turned any
from hls door empty At the time
of his death he was United States
Marshal for the Western District of
Missouri,
llis body was laid to rest at For.
est Hill, Jackson county, Missouri
where many Of his soldiers who
heard him for the last time above
the din Of battle give the command
to charge, When deaths summons
came, like a brave soldier he march
ed to It's command He had lived
honest, He had ever spurhed that
which was evil General Shelby
has passed from among men but as
long aa Missouri lives, as long az
the arehieyea OF this great govern
ment exists, as long AZ history Is
read by the children OF men, as
long as Missourlans live the deeds
and domgs aud the name of Major
General j, O, Shelby will live, Ills
body is buried Ills name and
deeds cannot be buried, SO long as
ono Of the soldiers Of General Shell
by survives they will meet with
their families At eyeutIde with tear
stained faces and tell their children
of the wonderful deeds Of their ideal
hero and born general
General Shelby was a lion In war
and a lamb In time OF peace, oh,
what a tender hearted man, one
utteranee from him on a certain
occasion will make me love him as
long as / live, lie said TO a group
of soldiers 'Boys you must not
raise your hand aud avail against a
woman II makes no difference what