The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-08-11
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with s"ms "Reminiscences Of III
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WIN N0me "Reminiscences OF NJ
Nobi q ET"rss In Behsif Of Texas.
TO the editor Of the IIsRALD.
There is living 10 this county gentleman
who. In tho stirring limos of tho past, oc
cupied many prominent positions In thu
making of the history of this state, and wa
an important factor In the making up OF
lis most serious events. We refer to Hon
John Il. Crockett, ex-ieutenant governor OIL
the state, who's, retiring modesty has, In
these latter days, kept him too much in the
background. We append few incidents
of his life, thinking them appropriate At this
time, and trust you will publish them in
view Of the approaching great re- union of
Missouri ex-confederate soldiers in this city,
seeing that he 10 taking such great interest
10 the preparations for their entertainment
Governor Crockett was among the esrli-
est immigrants to this city and has been one
of the most consistent citjzsDs. A demo-
Graf and South Carolnian, he IVES thorough
ly disguised with the unfriendly and undig-
niHsd course of northern politicians toward
the south. and he was ripe for secession. He
is not of hasty temperament and took IN oil
the circumstances. He knew the wrongs
done the south we're unproyoked and that
ths insults were 600 gross to be borne. He
believed it was all intended as menace to
the form of government and the liberties Of
the people and should be repealed.
Ga the evening of the day that brought
the news of Mr. Lincoln's cleo ion he collect
ed few true sr' rusty innate friends
among whom wslo Capt. ". w. Peak and
NJ,
The material for q fine large Lone
Star ~ 10 place upon the court mouse THAI
night, TO surprise the citizens next morning
Having procured the material unobserved
he secured the friendly and most cheerful
assistance OF Mrs. Cockrell, Mrs. Wood and
Mrs. Crockett to make the beautiful emblem
while Mr.. Moore and Captain Peak should
procure staff and other material for hoist
ing it.
At about 10 o'clock at night, the flag be.
ing completed and all things ready, Colonel
Crockett, Captain Peak and Mr.. Moore
repaired to the court house roof and prepar.
ed place to fix the staff but there was in
the north west signal they did not like, IL
was lightning and storm might be brewing
and to have this Il g blown down would have
been defeat equal to disgrace and bad
omen. So Colonel Crockett proposed that
the other two gentlemen retire and he would
watch aud wake them in time in the m0rnit g
to hoist the fsg. THIS WAS agreed to and
DONE and the patriotic ciilzans of the village
were equally surprised in the morning aud
many hailed the single star with shouts OF
joy. :,
Colonel G t was not like come who
believed H., nment would blow over
and that moi :, srious would grow out OF
it. or that 40 hot blooded sOutherners
would put thousand yankees to fight. No,
he turned his attention immediately to rails
log "A company and in a few days had large
body Of the very best men upon the parade
ground. They elected him captain and he
devoted his time and attention to drilling
them, succeeding admirably until the state
democratic convention that WAS appointed to
be held at Dallas assembled and sug-
eested him as a suitable candidate for lieu
ter ant governor.
Believing it was his duty to do that which
was demanded of him, he csnvassed the
state and wss triumphan,ly elected.
He presided over the senate In 1861 z,
d,scharging his duties with much sstisfac..
ton and bting frequently called in council
with the governor and senate committee.
He unaffected such just ideas in regard to
critical condition of the country,
tina, his presence became to h, matter of
special importance on such occasions, and
when the session of the leg stature WAS grow
ing to a close, he was waited upon by large
number of senators and representatives tV
CT qure how he expected to dispose OF him.
ieit when the legislature should adj
He told them he expected to 60 to bic COM
pany in the army. They SAID they would
rather he would remain in tae state; and III at
they we're satisfied it was the wish of the
whole legislature and the people, that ht
should do 60. He told them he could mo-
think of sitting do Rn idly, and the commu-
nity, the government, the liberties OF IN,
people and the lives of the cit zsns al stake
But. notwithstanding. said they, there are
but you and Governor Lubbock, and in Gaze
of any accident to the Z, vern r. on might be
greatly needed, end besides you might get
killed in the army, and "a no time now to
elect ofii. ers. Well, sri h.. gentlemen, il
I can find anything in whic can be ofser-
vice, and ding something, can
remain in the state. They sugges-
ted MS getting up msnufactory
of arms, and he agreed to try 1t.
he came home, or snized q company, Sc
cured details for mechanics and proceeded TO
the erection of works at the village OF Lam
caster in this county. The ports OF the
country were bl cksded and it was i'm.
portant that all the material. tools and
machinery in the country suitable to the
purpose should be secured at the earliest
possible moment. With this view during
this year, 1862, with bis usual interchangeable
energy ana perseverance,. be trsversed the
sta,e, all east and to Shreveport, alone, Sc
curing ell the material, tools and machinery
that be could hsd, returning BY way OF
Houston and Galveston and picking up
ma erisl and tools at every placet be found
on the rosds
Arriving at home. be proceeded to San
Ahtonio, Brownsville and Mstainorss.
Having secured sll the material, tools and
machinery to be bsd, be settled down with
the expectation Of putting up large num-
Der Of f1e pistols, aad that winter on gviog
70 Austin. carried down . pair which
we're pronounced 10 be the finest and
bet ever seen. But that was not in
reality, the great mission TO which
be hsd been callei. A harvest time with
The farmers bad come and gone. aud great
dis'rep bad CONS upon the people on &C
count Of the failure OF farm mschirery and
mills. When tbs great iLflr Of goods stops
We are sple 70 nee what enormous quantities
are consumed. ant how quickly the present