The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-02-05
J. n. MoRPu1s.

Bastrop is pleasant little village nearly
hallway between Austin and LAGRANGE, on
the Colorado river, containing about 1000
or 1900 inhabitants.
It was first called Nina, but was after
wards renamed Bastrop, in honor of Baron
de Bastrop, who gave to the corporation
four leagues of land.
The valley of the Colorado above and
below Bastrop is exceedingly rich and pro-
ductive The old stage route from Austin
to LAGRANGE crosses the river four times,
and after travelling it and beholding-the
-beunties of nature spread out-5efore me, l
have esteemed it as beautiful and as attrac-
tive as any other portion of Texas, aboun-
t,Ss111s, aazvtng yTttft
milk and honey.
In Bastrop resides the ancient friend and
companion of the celebrated Jones Rivers,
the renowned Phil Claiborne, who, as land
lord and lawyer, as we'll as the beloved asso-
ciate of Col. Rivers, commands historic at
tention.
Many interesting stories arc told Of them,
two of which are as follows:
One morning. while at Georgetown at
tending court, they, with others, met in the
hotel parlor, when Phil asked his friend /:
" How are you this morning, Jones2"
Col. Rivers, putting on solemn 'counte-
nance, answered.: .gt
''vcry we'll, THANK you, Phil; but had
very strange dream last night. / dreamed
that was dead and in Heaven, and, to nv
astonishmeht, I saw you enter the Heavenly
Kingdom"
Phil exhibited great astonishment at this
information, and earnestly requested his
friend to tell him how he acted on the oc-
casion.
swell, SIR" answered Rivers, ''you came
in just about as you did into this parlor a
moment ago. stepped up TO Dir. Clay, and
shaking him warmly by the hand, you said !:
Why, Henry Clay, how do you dor
'sThen you shook Mr.. Webster by the
hand, saying: sWhY, Daniel Webster, how
do you dor
'sThen with equal familiarity, you shook
hands with John c.. Calhoun, Gen. jackson,
George Washington, and finally pushing
Gems. Houston and Rusk out Of the way,
saying, Samk Toni let me pass you
stepped up to the Saviour of the world, and
slapping him on the shoulder, exclaimed I:
why Jesus Christ, ole fel, how do you dot
heard of you when was boyFp
A loud peal of his inimitable laughter
was Pills only answer to this story Of Col.
Rivers.
Phil Claiborne never received a classical
education, and it is said Col. Rivers used to
amuse himself and the crowd by relating
such stories IS the following "a party Of
us, including Henry Clay, Madam LeVert,
Mark Antony and his wife Susan B., left
New Orleans by steamer for St. Louis.
Everything went on very pleasantly laugh
ing talking and playing whist untilye got
to Vicksburg, when julius Caesar, Cleopatra
and old Tom Benton got on board, soon
after which, old Tom, Mark Antony, julius
Cesar and myself went to playing seven up
for the whisky and cigars.
eve were playing the fourth game when
Mark Antony, looking toward the ladies'
cabin, exclaimed, pointing his finger in that
direction, Great Jove look JuliusP
Cesar and all Of Us looked and beheld
Henry Clay with his arm around Cleopatra
Waiting about the cabin IN fine style; and
Phil. it would have done you good to sec
the fire fash in old Casar's eyes, for he was
jealous and powerful fond Of Cleopatra
'In jumping to his feet, he overturned the
table and made FOR Mr.. Clay furiously, but
as he entered the ladies' cabin, Madam lie
Vert, with one Of her irresistible smiles,
motioned Cesar to take seat by her side.
He did so; and Phil, never saw the superi-
ority CT our American women over the
ladies Of Rome moro fully displayed than
on this occasioni Actually, sir, Madam Le
Vert fascinated the whole party, and even
caused Henry Clay to divide his attention
between her and Clcopatra, which made the
WHY Egyptian bite her lips in modification
and chagrin-
Sat Memphis, Daniel Webster and Mrs
Hcmans came aboard, and ! tell you what
Phil, their was more hugging and kissing
and fun and frolic on the whole trip than
ever saw before.
Here PHI interrupted his friend and
wanted to know il Hrs. Hemans, the poet
ess. either kissod or Rugged any one on the
TIM. and being informed that she vas seen
frccucntlY 10 kiss and fall lovingly into
TIE arms az Dir. Webster, &c remarked
earnestly:
iiWca Jones ] have q copy az 1Irs he
ussns's poems &c home, and my wife and
childr.n h1ro bern residing 4, bat IS eoo1
a. Get back, son uiay bet Yorr bottom dol
lar shah burn i up.
Thus Wo1id Col. Rivers minele ancient
ana modern historical celebrities 81 his
stories Tor the anusainent Of bis lels erudile
fricnd.
csL ciaibomeis irus belisfsrin sAs b.