The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-21
ABRAHAM 9. LAnArr.
Some "Reminiscences Of the Diatir
Ruisheh SOutherner.

.
Some "Reminiscences Of the Distin.
guishcd SOuthcrner.
New Orleans Picayinc.
There are not many residents Of New
Orleans who can give personal reminis-
cences of men and events OF nfty and
sixty years ago. Therefore, when re-
porter OF the Pcayune went In quest OF
some old gentleman who might remem-
Der Alexander Cohen Labatt and the times
In which he was In the prime OF life In
this city, from 1880 10 lS4s, only one such
veteran was found, The hale and hearty
Joseph Marks. brother OF Edwin Marks.
and OF the late Isaac N Marks, was mot
last evening. Il
He remembered Alexander Labatt, the
remarkably long lived gentleman, who
passed away at Galveston. Texas. on the
IL h instant, at the patriarchal age Of 9S
The newspapers throughout. the country
had eulogistic notices OF the venerable
Mr.. Labatt, who in his long career had
visited and dwelt in many cities of the
United States, and who had left the i'm
print OF his character wherever he had
sojourned.
Il first met Mr., Labatt in New Orleans
In the thirties.' said Mr.. Marks. He was
In business as wholesale dry goods mer,
chant on Charities street. and the name oil
the firm was Hart & Labatt. He resided IN
Greenville, suburb of New Orleans, now
the upper portion of the sixth district.
Mr.. Labatt was the RECONCILIATION OF
the high-born Southcrner. He received
large number of guests and entertained
IN princely manner. You can not say any
thing too much in praise of MIR. Labatt,
either as a business man or as social
favorto. After 1919 lost sight of MIR.
Labatt and ! understood that he was IN
California for several years, aud that at
the breaking out OF the civil war he was
In this city and enlisted In the Coufed-
federacy.
ut is great many years since last met
him. continued Mr.. Marks. I'm 1865 /
removed TO New York city and returned
to New Orleans In 1850. am very sorry
to hear that Mr.. Labatt 10 dead His de-
mise removes from the Sunny South one
of its most venerable figures"
Mr.. Labstt WAS native of Cheraw, s.
G. In his early manhood he removed to
Jacksonville, n. c., which owes its name
10 him. In honor of President Andrew
Jackson, Mr.. Labatt having been appoiatei
postmaster by the president Mr.. Labat;
married at Charleston, $. G.. Miss Caro-
line Hyams. daughter of Samuel Hyams,
and sister OF Hon Champ Hyams. who
was lieutenant governor OF Louis ana.
Mr.. and Mrs. Labatt came to New Orleans
overland in 1880 From that date until
lSa0 they resided in this city Mr.. Labatt
was the pioneer dry goods merchant In
the second municipality.
Mr.. Labatt leaves many relatives in
New Orleans Messrs. l.. l.. Labatt and
William Labatt. sons of the late ID. e.
Labatt, distinguished attorney. are
grnndsons Of Alexander C. Labatt Mrs
Miriam Smith. widow of General John
Blair Smith. is sister OF Mr.. A. C. La
bait She is AT present soiournlng at
Pass Christian. General Smith was a
citizen of East Felicnna parish, proml-
nent lawyer. an officer in the Mexican
war and a general In the civil war, be-
sides having represented the parish in the
State Legislature Mr.. Ambrose Smith,
attorney-at-l residing in this city is
a son of General Smith. Mr.. A. c. Phelps.
well known here, married a daughter Of
o. c. Labat
The descendants of the venerable Mr.
Labatt are numerous, and they arc living
in this city In Galveston and in Fort
Worth. There are sixteen grandchildren.
eighteen great grandchildren and six
great great grandchildren.