Published in the Athens Review May 22, 1941
Judge B.C. Hall, probably the most widely known citizen of Henderson county, passed away at the family home here Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. Judge Hall had been ill for the past year and had been confined to his home at periodic times but as late as Saturday was able to come to town for a short time.
He was reading at home when he suffered a sudden attack and the end came within a few minutes.
The death of Judge Hall closed the books on the life of one of the most popular men in the history of Henderson county. He had served his county officially as Justice of the Peace at Old New York many years ago, later as representative in the legislature and in the latter years of his life as Justice of the Peace at Athens.
Funeral services for the deceased Justice were held at the Methodist Church Monday morning at 10:00 o'clock. As evidence of the esteem in which he was held, the edifice, including the Sunday school room, was crowded to overflowing. Dr. W.G. Fletcher delivered a brief eulogy and was assisted in the service by Rev. M.L. Fuller, longtime friend of the deceased. Burial followed at New York, early home of Mr. Hall. The Masonic Lodge had charge of the services at the grave and burial rites were under the direction of Carroll-Lehr.
Judge Hall was born November 1, 1869 at Jamestown in Smith county, the son of the late Dr. Thomas hall and Mrs. Mollie E. Hall. His father was local Elder of the Methodist Church at the time and his grandfather, Rev. James R. Hall was a member of the old East Texas Conference.
His mother having died when he was a babe, his father moved to the New York community in this county in 1879. Mr. Hall grew to manhood and received his meager schooling in the rural community of New York.
He was married to Miss Lena Dean at New York on April 14, 1891, and they only recently observed their fiftieth anniversary, though no celebration was arranged because of the ill health of the Judge. Eight children were born to the couple, all at New York, and with his widow, all survive. Mr. Hall's death was the first break in the immediate family.
For many years he was postmaster at New York and conducted a general merchandise store there and also served as Justice of the Peace. In 1910 he was elected representative and served in the 32nd Legislature. It was during his term that women were granted suffrage and Mr. Hall actively supported their cause in the Legislature.
In 1911 he moved with his family to Chandler and engaged in the mercantile business there. In1922 he moved to Athens to conduct a business. He was first elected Justice of the Peace here in 1928 and has served continuously in the office until his death. A man of deep religious convictions, Judge Hall tempered justice with mercy in the exercise of the duties of his office. It was a rare thing that a young boy was convicted in his court. More often he was dismissed with a fatherly lecture and frequently the Judge would take up a collection for youthful offenders, rather than fine them.
Like his father before him, Mr. Hall was active for a lifetime in the Methodist Church. In the communities where he had lived he had served as a member of the Board of Stewards, superintendent of the Sunday School and in other capacities. Up until he became ill it was a rare thing for him to miss Church services. As a layman he had filled the pulpit himself on several occasions. Judge Hall was a man who lived his religion. Throughout his career he greeted his friends daily with his familiar handshake, regardless of how often he met them. He was ever cheerful and even in his late illness He exhibited the same cheerful disposition that had marked his career in life.
Judge Hall was held in esteem by the older people of the city and his office was a gathering place for the old-timers. He saw to it that they were provided a place where they could gather and sing the old Sacred Harp hymns and reminisce on better days.
With the inception of the Fiddler's Contest here, Judge Hall was named president of the organization and served continuously in that office up to his death.
Besides his wife, Mr. Hall is survived by eight children, Bolling, John, Willie, Chandler; Holt, Terrell; Alpheus, Fort Worth; Bryan Hall, Fort sill, Oklahoma and two daughters, Mrs. Robert Lowe, Kerens and Miss Jennie Mae Hall, Athens.
The following half brothers and sisters also survive: Tom Hall, Weslaco; M.D. Hall, Dallas; Mrs. Alvis Blanke, Fort Worth; Mrs. Katie Lou McRoberts, San Francisco; Mrs. Eugenia Palmer, Tyler; Mrs. Mary Larry, Houston; Mrs. Mattie Morrow, New York; Clint Hall, Brownsboro; Lovick Hall, New York and his step-mother, Mrs. Ella Hall, Fort Worth.
Eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive/