Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-11-22
Death of Gen. Sam. Houston.

The death Of the old hero Of San Jacnto
is confirmed by way of Galveston. He bowed
to the conqueror Of all on the 9Th of October.
General Houston was one of the remarkable
men of this country. He maintained its flag
in the United States Senate and on many
well-fought field, and stood by itin Texas
until treason literally forced him to surrcn-
der the helm of State and submit to Rebel
rtle. In his last days he became identified
with the Confederate cause, which has i'm
paired the good name and fame which he
achieved under the Union. -.
Gen. Houston's contemporaries are near
ly all gone from the sccne-,Iaclison, Taylor,
Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Marcy, Clayton,
Benton, etc. Van Buren,, Buchanan, Crit
tendcn, Dallas, Cass and Scott have retired
frora public life. a new generation Of Gen
erals and statesmen is now active on the
stage. We append brief sketch of the
eventiul life of the deceased.
Gen. Houston was born near Lexington,
Rockbridge county, Virginia, March %, 1893
thus making him over IS years OF age at the
time of his death. He is said to be de-
scendant of the Scottish Coysnantcrs, who
euigrated to Pennsylvania early in the eigh-
teenth century. His father was a Revolu-
tionary officer, and at his demise, the widow,
a tall strong, athletic woman, plunged into
the wilderness of Tennessee, with her six
sons and three daughters. Sam was sent to
the academy, which had just been opened
there, and in short time became athorough
master of Pope's translation of the Illiad.'
Upon being refused the study of Latin, on
application, by the teacher, Sam resolved
never to study any other books He was put
into a store, against his will, and he soon
eyinced disrelish for this mode of life, and
absconded,s taking up his residence among
the Indians, by whom he was well received,
and among whom he remained for twelve
years. Though but eighteen years of age,
he was six feet tall, and an expert and active
hunter, hence his great esteem among The
tribe. He was adopted by the chief, and
soon afterwards, in an action with the Brit
ish and Indians, in 1912, he received two ri
file and an arrow wound. His brave and de-
tcrmincd manner soon attracted the notice
of General Jackson, and he was promoted to
a Lleutenancy.
In a subsequent action he received severe
wound in the shoulder which laid him up,
and during his illness charges were made
against him of too much zeal in preventing
the lawful importation of negroes into Flori-
da.' The charges were unioundcd, but new
crtheless he resigned his command, and COM
mcnced the study Of law. He was prof
Gent scholar, and soon showed his abilities
in his elevation as District Attorney, and as
a member of the House OF Representatives
He was reelected to the latter 10y an almost
unanimous vote. He always took great IN
tercst in the welfare of the Indians, and was
indignant at their treatment received at the
hands of the whites. These troubles involved
him in a series Of painful and embarrassing
law suits, in one of which he was fincl five
hundred dollars, which was removed by Gen.
jackson.
From this time his progress was rapid. In
one of his battles his loss was only killed
and 25 wounded, while that of the enemy
was $50 killed, 2OS wounrlcd, and T30 taken
prisoners. This serves as a fair sample OF
his fighting prowcss. lie afterwards became
President and Governor of Texas, and he
was one of the first Senators from Texas af-
ter she became State, where Che remained
until 1859 He became attached to the Ma
tive American or Know Nothing party, and
was strongly urged as "A nominee for the
Presidency by that political organization
In 1853 he was defeated for United States
Senator by j. w. Hcmphill, but on his re-
turn to Texas he was elected Governor