The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 92, July 1988 - April, 1989 Page: 72

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

In Dr. Joe B. Frantz's beautifully written tribute, "An Honest Post-
script to Dr. Webb," which was published in the Daily Texan at the Uni-
versity of Texas the weekend Dr. Webb was killed, he said: "In one re-
spect I always disagreed with Walter P. Webb. In his gruff way he liked
to say that one day the flags of The University of Texas would fly at
half-mast for him, and after that this big educational complex that he
had helped nurture from adolescence would go on its way, swallowing
his memory as wholly as if he was merely one more statistic. I don't be-
lieve that for a moment."'
A few years ago, after my annual March 8 visit to the State Cemetery
in Austin, I went to the Dobie Room in the Academic Center at the Uni-
versity and asked for directions to the Dr. Walter Prescott Webb papers.
The young man in attendance there said, "Dr. who?" And I choked...
and slowly walked away.
5Darly Texan (Austin), Mar io, 1963.
Walter Prescott Webb
WILLIAM P. HOBBY*
You asked me to contribute a reminiscence on Walter Prescott Webb
for a special issue of the Southwestern Historical Quarterly. I am pleased to
do so, although it is brief.
A number of years ago-so many that the Headliners' Club was still
located in the Driskill Hotel-I had come to Austin and was passing
some free time by looking over the books in the club library.
Webb came into this very comfortable room, introduced himself, and
struck up a conversation.
He told me that he had insisted that the club have a library and read-
ing room for the convenience of members and his wish had been
granted. But since the club, then as now, was more a place for socializ-
ing than for introspection, the library had not proved very popular.
"In fact," he told me, "you are the very first person to take advantage
of this room."

*William P. Hobby is the lieutenant governor of Texas.