Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1914-04-21

ihs MS Tesluence IN TINS county he
was married to Miss Louisiana Bruce
and was also made a Mason, Joining
Burkville Lodge No. Sc, Burkyille
Texas. For eight years he was en-
gagged in teaching school and at the
same time studying law. After he
had read law for number Of years
he was elected county Judge OF New.
ton County, under the Johnston re-
construction law, and served the PEG.
pie of the county with great fidelity
and honor until the joint resolution
law was passed by the Legislature,
requiring him to take the test oath"
known as the iron clad oath" He
was not qualified to take the oath at
that time and resigned. In 1870 he
moved to Madison County. where he
followed the practice of law for thirty
five years. He served the people of
Madison County as their first county
Judge under the present constitution.
He also served one term in Madison
County as county attorney.
In the year 1897 he lost his wife.
but remained in Madison on the old
home place until 1905. At that time
he broke up housekeeping and during
the remainder of his declining years
lived with his several children in diff.
ferent parts OF the State.
Judge Gibbs was always a staunch
and answering Democrat and voted
the Democratic ticket straight all his
life. When the war between the
States came on he raised company
and served as its captain, being at
tached TO Spate's Battalion, which was
later increased to a large regiment.
He was one OF the heroes of the battle
of Sabine Pass. commanding one of
the vessels in that memorable fight
commanded by the peerless Dick
Bowling. throughout the war he
served with great distinction and was
honored by his fellow citizens for
bravery on the field. He was in COM
mand of his regiment at Bolivar Point
when the surrender came. and there
laid down his arms, with as deep re-
greet as any soldier among the thou.
sands who wore the Confederate grew.
Judge Gibbs and General II. B.
Stoddard were lifelong friends. They
served together during a part of the
war and ever afterward kept in close
touch with each other During the
last years of his life Judge Gibbs was
almost totally blind. and since he |
came to the home of his son in this |
city several months ago, General Stod-
dard visited him every day. missing
but three days. when he was out of
the city. In addition to their long .
talks of war days" and other subjects
IF common interest to them. General
Stoddard read TO him from the Con-
'ederate Veteran and other publica.
ions and books of interest. These
lists of General Stoddard were
lmong his greatest pleasures. lifting
lis burdens and bringing light into
he darkness that surrounded him.
General Stoddard's tribute to his I
riend is as follows:
There is no death,
What seems so is transition. e
his life is but a suburb of the life
eternal,
whose portals we call DEATH"
But 7
is true that life. is a count of losses,
Every year. Il
90 true: Lies shores are shifting
Every year.
nd we are seaward drifting,
Every year.
ut the truer life draws higher
Every year,
nd its morning star climbs higher
Every year. .
arth's hold on us grows slighter,
nd the heavy burden lighter,
nd the dawn immortal brighter, =
Every year. "
As soldier Judge Gibbs was with la
1t fear and without reproach. As
tizen he was noted for his charity ci
Id hospitality. 1t can be truthfully b.
id of him that he was a gentleman ST
the old school. d.
Alas! that We have not more of his W
nd" bl
Judge Gibbs is survived by seven al
ildren, as follows: Mrs. NJ. E. Mat te
ews, Kirbyville, Texas: John A.
IBIS, jacksonville, Texas; w. F. III
IBIS, Bryan, Texas: ]. B. Gibbs, 70
rbyville, Texas; R. P. Gibbs, Silshee, la
xas; w. E. Gibbs, Seattle, Wash; ce
d Carr Gibbs, Silsbee, Texas. The
ildren, grandchildren and other rel. Sc