A. J. HALL
Paint Rock, April 28, 1885
Editor Standard- Our little town was quite busy last week and
a number of strangers were with us...
The only thing happening during the day to mar the pleasure
of any one was the death of one of our old townsmen, Mr. A. J. Hall, who died
early on the morning of the 24th. Mr. Hall was a native of Missouri, but has
been a citizen of Texas for quite a number of years. He lived for several years
at Brownwood and was in the employ of McMin Bros. He was engaged in the
mercantile business at the Trap, a little place near the mouth of the Concho;
and from there came to Paint Rock upon the location of the county seat in 1879.
He was the first Treasurer of Concho county, and was afterwards elected
Assessor, which position he held at the time of his death. He has also been
postmaster at this place for several years. Concho county has lost one of her
best citizens, and Paint Rock will long remember this good and useful man. He
was confined to his bed for some months and has suffered for a long time with
that dreaded disease with which he died-consumption. He leaves a wife and two
little children; Nellie, a bright little girl about 4 years old, and "A.
J." a beautiful boy a year and a half old. Never was a man more devoted to
his children that he was, and it troubled him in his last days to think that the
would have to leave them so young. Mr. Hall was not an educated man but it can
be truthfully said of him that Concho county never has had a citizen who was so
universally liked by all; the rich and the poor; all respected this man, and
admired his good qualities. Nothing better can be said of him to show how
universally popular he was, than that in his race for office he had no opponent.
Not because the office was not sought after, but for the reason that on one in
the county could be elected over him. We have lost a good and true man-one of
"nature's noblemen"- and the sympathies of the entire county are
extended to his good wife and two sweet children.
He was buried on the evening of the 24th in the Paint Rock
burying ground, and his remains were followed to their last resting place by the
largest crowd ever seen at a funeral in our county...
(See Standard News for the omitted paragraphs regarding the Odd Fellows Barbeque
and Ball.)
San Angelo Standard
May 2, 1885, page 3
Submitted by Carolyn Moody