Grayson County, TXGenWeb

Calvin S. Dale
9 May 1829 - 3 November 1899

The Dallas Morning News
November 6, 1899

A TRUE SOUTHERN DEAD
Sherman, Texas, November 5 - The mortal clay of Calvin S. Dale, aged 73, a pioneer Confederate veteran and hermit, was laid away in the Akers church yard to-day. He died, as he had lived for years, alone, but friends of the old days came and tenderly attended to the last duties of the dead.
His place of residence was the old Dale homstead almost in the center of a goodly plantation on the clear fork of Choctaw bayou, to which he held original letters of patent from the state. It was once a happy, hospitable home, but the shadow of sorrow fell over it years ago. An only son went to New York, became a well-known portrait painter, but the northern climate undermined his constitution and he came home, dying shortly afterward, and by his sepulcher to-day there is a new made grave.
Since then Calvin Dale lived alone.
A year ago he was stricken with paralysis incidental to an old trouble of his kidneys, and for days he was mentally a wreck, but recovered and has been able to come into the city at intervals to supply his simple and frugal wants.
Yesterday late in the afternoon some of his neighbors saw his stock running loose in the residence lot, and nothing having been seen of the old man for two or three days, it was concluded to go over and see if anything was wrong, and the young man who opened the door in the twilight saw a protrate form on the floor. He called, but there was no response. He shook the body and still there was no sign of life. Then a light was procured and under its glare Calvin Dale lay asleep in death with his hands placed across his breast and a calm smile on his peaceful face.
There was not a mark of violence on the body, not an evidence but that the old man had lain down and quietly composed himself for the sleep from which he would awaken in the great beyond, and who knows but the smile was one of recognition of some dear one on the other side of that narrow sea upon which he was about to launch his bark?
Capt. John H. Tolbert, member of the legislature from Grayson county, said to The News reporter when he heard of the death of Calvin Dale:
"Calvin Dale enlisted in Capt. Jim Tuttle's company, 16th Texas calvary, Confederate Army, at the beginning of the war. I was in that regiment, and I can truthfully say that no man ever wore the gray more loyally, the South never had a truer, braver son than the man who has been called to his last reward. He was a good citizen, a true man."

The Bonham News
Friday, November 24, 1899
pg. 3

Old Choc's Letter
The Sherman Courier announced the death of Mr. Calvin S. Dale, which occurred at his home near that city on the 10th inst. I know but little of his history except as a soldier. He enlisted in Company G, 16th Texas Cavalry in 1862, served through the war. I was his captain and can testify to his patriotism, chivalry, and courage. He married, but the union was an unhappy one, and just before the war commenced it was dissolved, never to be reformed. When the war cloud disappeared, and gentle peace spread her wings over our Southland, he returned to his lonely home, where he lived alone, tilling the soil until his death. He was preparing his supper and drop dead attended by no one save his faithful dog. Where he was found the following morning, he was lying as if in a sweet slumber and that noble animal was lying near him, with his head resting on his pulseless heart....