San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-06-01
NO.. 80.

paper dropped on the pavement before
them. Col. Smith then returned to.
his quarters. walking down the square,
the same route by which he approach.
ed the place of meeting. The crowd
rushed into the hall Of the Inn where
Gen. Houston was standing, greatly
relieved that there was no fight be-
tween McGregor and Smith. Gen..
VIM. White, a brave and chivalric
gentleman. remarked that he did not
think the proper courtesy had been
extended to Col, Smith" Houston
heard the remark, and said to him:
"If you, sir, have any grievances, /
will give you any satisfaction you may
demand" Gen. White replied. II
have nothing to do with your difficult
ty, but I presume to know what is due
from one gentleman toanother." This
ended their conversation. The next
dayit was rumored on the streets that
Gen. Houston had backed down"
Gen. White. When it reached the
ears of the gallant White, through
some evil.minded person, he resented
the imputation by sending a challenge,
to Gen. Houston, who, readily accept.
cd. Robert G. Foster, a prominent
citizen of Davidson county, and pre-
server Of the peace, came to town and
heard the rumor. He expected the
fight, and Immediately had a war rant
issued for the arrest of both parties,
which was placed in the hands of Jo-
seph W. Horton, the Sheriff of this
county at that time. Mr.. Horton re-
quested me to accompany him next
morning to the residence Of Gen..
White to make the arrest. White was
then living four or five miles north of
Cumberland river. Declining the re-
quest of Mr.. Horton, ! Immediately
went to Houston's room and found
that he had heard, late in the evening,
of the warrant for the arrest Of both
himself and Gen. White. That even
ing he lalt the city, and passed by the
Hermitage on his way to the bone of
Jimmy Dry Sanders, in Sumner coun-
ty. The next day he sent messenger
to know what had been done with
White, and to notify himtbat he would
be in Kentucky on certain day to of.
fer him any redress be might desire.
White met him according to promise,
and they fought a duel by sunrise,
White was thought to be mortally
wounded, but he recovered. On the
evening Of the fight large crowd as
sembled at the inn to hear the news
of the duel, among them Gen. jack
son. While waiting in general ex-
pectation, personal friend of Gen.
Houston, and noted character, John
G.. Anderson, who had gone up to
witness the fight, was seen coming in
full speed over the bridge, and soon
announced that Houston was safe, and
White mortally wounded. har
After Houston's term in Congress
expired, he was elected Governor Of
Tennessee, successor to Gen. William
Carroll. During his Governorship be
married Miss Allen, who was mem
Der of large and influential family in
Sumner county. Gen. Carroll. after
being out of Office two years, was a.
gam eligible, and declared himself a
candidate in opposition to Houston.
The first meeting of Houston and Car
roll in the canvass occurred at Cock
rell's Spring, in the month of April, at
a battalion muster. | was at time Sheriff
of the county and colonel OF the militia
and, at the request OF Houston, drilled
the regiment on that day He desired.
me to fully acquaiDt myself with the
popular sentiment, and communicate
it to him, after the speaking which L
did. afording him much qualification.
He left the muster ground Saturday
afternoon for the city, and | accom-
panied him as far as the residence OF
Mr. John Boyd, in sight Of the Oily,
and then returned to my own home.
leaving him 10 high spirits l went in
to the city on Monday morning early,
and while registering my name at the
Nashville inn, the late Daniel Carter,
who was at that time clerk u the ho-
- - A.. -. stTT..-o .-o-, tr.rI Tho