Obituary L. J. Willcox Contributed by Pam Vincent   Arkadelphia Southern Standard, January 6, 1883 [Arkadelphia, Arkansas] Death of L. J. Willcox DIED – At his home near Ennis, in Ellis county, Texas, December 8, 1882, L. J. Willcox, aged 46 years, 5 months and 16 days. The deceased was born in Maury county, Tennessee, June 12, 1836, was the son of Mrs. Jane D. Willcox of Dallas County, this state, and the brother of Mrs. Dr. R. S. Wallis, of this city. The subject of this notice, although not a resident of this vicinity at the time of his death, was nevertheless not only well and intimately known to very many of the old citizens of this and Dallas counties, but by all who knew him was greatly loved and respected. When in 1861, the threatened war cloud suddenly burst forth, which, with its first blast swept from our hearths and homes, the flower and chivalry of the "Sunny South," L. J. Willcox. "Jimmy," as he was often called, was among the very first to exchange at his country's call, the luxuries of home and the companionship of loved ones for the hunger, hardships and dangers of "the tented field;" and enrolling his name as a volunteer in Co A, 1st Arkansas Reg., his noble heart and dauntless, valliant spirit bore him proudly and grandly throughout that long baptism of smoke, fire and havoc, from the rattle of the first murderous musketry to the echo of the last crashing, booming cannon that preceded the Confederacy's dissolution at Appomatox, which constituted that terrible and desolating war! and among all the gallant soldiers whose blood coursed within the gray, ready to be poured out upon the altar of their country, not one was more truly brave, daring and valiant than he, as all who remember his most honorable career as a soldier will attest. The deceased was not only a noble and brave man, but was withal a generous, unselfish and sympathetic one, and for a number of years preceding his death was a devoted christian, and died a member of the Baptist church. How often are we reminded of that strangely sad sentiment of the poet Wordsworth, that: "The good die first, but they whose hearts are dry as summers' dust, Burn to the socket." A FRIEND Arkadelphia Southern Standard - February 7, 1883 [Arkadelphia, Arkansas] It was at my country home, with profound sorrow, I read your announcement of the death of L. J. Willcox at his residence in Texas. It recalled the memories of other days - days that have passed away to return no more. The grand state of Texas, with boundaries wide enough to embrace an empire, serves to be the proper burial place for a man whose nobility of nature enrolls him among the admirable of his age and country. His gallantry as a soldier won the esteem of his comrates in the corps and was recognized as the sincere wish to do all that duty required, simply because it was his duty. While the war raged it was thought that his greatest happiness was enjoyed on the battlefield. It was reserved for those who knew him in time of peace form a just estimate of his character. The stern soldier was from early childhood a dutiful ad most affectionate son, the support and pride of his mother. The strong hand that upheld the rifle with a grip that tired not was always ready to smooth the pillow of the sick bed while brother, sister or comrate was suffering. All hail Texas, the lone star state! Among all the heroes whose names shall grace historic pages, there was not one who had a braver heart or more tenderness, more fevor of friendship that were grouped together in the bosom of Littlebury J. Willcox. It was my fortune to be his instructor - or rather his guide - in the fields of literature. This gave opportunity to know him well amd it was an easy transition from pupil to life long friend. In 30 years, the only grief he inflicted on man was when he died and thus sadly contracted the sympathetic cords of his living friends. Hawes H. Coleman   Copyright © 2005-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:21:21 MDT