The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1914-04-09

when there would always De poa'n
cta,bler for dinner. and the children
had TO play out under the chinaberry
trees and walt for the second table.
which accounts for some OF the early
resolutions heretofore set forth.
Ambition 10 be a Lawyer
The year his mother died Tom Ball
started TO a private school in Hunts
Willie When he was 10 or ~ years
old. he began to spend his spare time
going 10 the court house and public
speakings and listening TO the argu-
ments and other oratIons Of the law
yers. Huntsville had brilliant bar
during that period men whose names
are outstanding in the pages OF Tex
as history. And II was then that
Tom Ball determined that he would
be a lawyer.
lie never deviated from that goal,
although circumstances directed him
away from us realization for a long
time. His Uncle Sidney placed him
In Austin College. where he finished
when ne was about rs, and announc'
ed TO his uncle that he intended TO
commence making his own living.
and 10 support himself from that
time on He could find no employ
ment In town and went to work as
farm nand al wage OF si2.5o per
month. He worked on the farm az
that salary for two years. continuing
10 study al night One year the crops
he was working couldn't pay the W.
50 even. but Ball stayed on the job
and got his money later on.
Finally he was offered place In
the store OF Byrd Eastman. IN Hunts
VILE. lie accepted this and studied
four nights a week under his old pro
lessor At Austin COLLEGE. reviewing
his Latin and Greek. and reading ele-
7 mentary law. A kins4nan. Richard G.
Moncure. a Chief Justice OF the Court
OF Appeals In Virginia. TO whom tbs
youth wrote for advice, suggested
himself for three years before he at
tempted to practice law Young Bal
decided To take his advice, and just
a, this time was offered a JOB
through his old Huntsville friend
with Leon a H. Bium. OF Galveston
Texas. q large wholesale arm.
Becomes a travelling Salesman
He started out as a travelling sales
man for this company when he wa
n years o. age Re built mp splen
DID trade. working upon siraigh
salary and commission. His success
in this line was pronounced from III
beginning. and during the FIRST ~
months that he was upon the roa'
Ne made s. 200 for himself. lie r.
mained with the compans four years
establishing record as travelling
salesman that UP to that time ha'
B never been approached in that sec
tiou. He travelled over Central am
East Texas. selling boots. shoes an
dry goods. and allied guaranty o
ye5o. 900 worth Of business in the las
? year Of his work. this not lncludin
= orders sent In from his territory. bn
; of business secured directly by hin
: self upon his memorandum books.
In the meantime. he had bought a
, interest IN a mercantile Arm az Hunt
. VILE. He ran this business for thre
! wears. reading law al spare moments
. and IN 1855 sold out his share o. N
= business and went TO the Universtt
Of Virginia TO attend law Lectures
The same year he was admitted
the bar and returned to Huntsvill
q and formed a partnership with Ho'
. Ben Campbell. then District Attorne
q at Huntsville and now mayor Of n
q City OF Houston. In 1899. Mr.. Cam
q bell withdrew from the arm and mo-
ed To Houston. but Col Hail conti
incu 10 practice at huntsville.
. In 1891. Gov. Hoeg offered him
y district judseship. but he declined
y prcferrinE practice to the bench v
10 served as mayor Of Huntsville for D
8 years and ~ president Of the loo
school board an equal time. Dnrtz
his administrstios the first bond last
N for school building in that sectis
" was ordered. All these yeAn Col Ia
q was a member Of the local board
a the Sam Houston Normal. his acti'
10 ties always having an inclinstis
10 along educational lines.
m Sent TO cossrsss
1t In 1896 ne was nominated and eies
N ed to congress from the old First ID
Of triet. succeeding Captain J. &. Hute
snsoa. then and now 81 Houston.
~ took HIS seat In the lover house
ae March. 1897. and enjoyed the unusu