San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-09-01
4 Texas Pioneer.

this work with much interest. We can
not undertake TO give un extended re
view Of tie book. but shall merely reie
TO some points Of interest in passing
Mr.. Morrell came to Texas il December
1895, from Tennessee, where he hs,
seen some eighteen years ministerial
service, and was known, as he says, a
"the oonebrake preacher" His healtl
was poor, hence his removal.
la the course Of his preaching ant
military services in Texas, ho visited ant
resided in nearly all Of the at prescn
we'll settled portions Of the State, endur
ing many pcrils aud hardships by fell
aud food, from savage beasts sud uort
savage Indians. He visited Houston
in 1887, which he says was then city Of
tcuts; only two or three log cabins
appeared" He had gone there from
his home at the falls of the Brazos wit!
a wagon and team Of eight oxen, with
his little son for driver, after ammuni
ton iu anticipation OF Indian attacks
aud other supplies, BY request he
preached the FIRST sermon ever preached
in Houston While residing at the
town OF Washington, he solcmnized fol
the irst time in Texas II marriage. The
couple had waited long while till the
Congress of Texas had pissed laws un.
der which marriage license could be
issued by authority Of the Republic, be
cause of their repuenanco to being mar
ried by Catholic priest. Prior to indie
pendeucc, marriage was illegal if perform
cd by any savea priest, and they exac.ed
twenty-five dollars Tor the service.
BY thefts and other misfortunes MIR.
Morrcl losing considerable money found
it expedent TO enter into mercantile
pursuits at Washington. lie mentions
that p. j. Willis, since noted mercha Mt
OF Galveston, was his clerk, and bought
out his stock when he quit the BUSINESS.
la describing one of bis excursions into
the Indian country in southwest
Texas, he states that the Indians were
This is new to us.
Elder Moircll was a member OF the
first board of managers Of the Baptist
Society at Houston, along with Gail
Borden aud other prominent citizens.
lie engaged in the enterprise against
Gen. VOL, at San Antonio, serving I'm
der Jack Hays as captain, and Henry
Il. hlcCulloch, as lieutenant. Hays he
describes as follows: Five feet
ten inches high, weighing one
hundred aud sixty pounds, his black
eyes flushing decisionot character from
beneath full forehead. crowned with
beautiful jet black hair, mounted on his
dark bay war horse" lie was at that
time not over twenty five years Of age,
We make further interesting extract
Captain Hays was by profession ssur-
vcyor. His great courage and dellbera
ton were first discovered while engaged
in his profession, Six men, with Hayr
AS their leader were out surveying when
i party OF Indians attacked them, Tue
determined young surveyor, with com
pass in one hand and gun in the other;
confined to take his observations, and
at the same time fire upon the Indians
every tlmo they drew near. The work
was not ceased till the line was finished,
This Incident had much to do in securing
his first promotion as captain.
Elder Mo,rell's sou was captured by
the Mexicans about this time and held
as prisoner over two years.
In 1868 on account of falling
health he went to British Hon
duras, aud spent two winters there
The chapter devoted to his observations
and experience thc,e is exceedingly in-
tcresting.
sUGGFsTEoN--A NEW
EDITION.
The history of this little work is inter
esting and suggestive, The first edition
being exhausted, a second and revised
one was prepared by aid Ct the authors
rends, but the plates we're destroyed
in the great fire at Boston. where the
printing was being done, in 1872. Still. IN
response to an urgent demand. new
plates were prepared and a second edition
i, sued, the preface bearing date JAN %
1873.
Nearly eight years have since elapsed,
and still the venerable author lingers on
the scene, being now a resident OF this
county. We wonder if most who are
familiar with his form, especially OF this
realize the part he has played
in Texas. That he was personal ac'
1uantance Of Sam Houston. Davy Crock
EFT and many of their cotemporarlc''
and an actor in the stirring scenes,
civil and military, of their day in Texas,
and during many subsequent years. As
such, and as a pioneer preacher and
moral reformey, surely, we think, he is en-
titled to universal honor and reverence.
But the point We have TO suggest is
this: The second edition of the book is
totally exhausted. aud yet there l., AID
must BE-, from the nature OF the
case. a large further demand. Its cir
culaiion would be Of great interest
and benefit to the present and future
generations. Last, but not least. its