Smyrna times., 1883-03-28

erals, but in recent explorations on the
Rio Grande River, magnetic iron ore
has been found, and it may be that un-
der the trailing arbutHs, the prairie
rose, and the mountain cactus, rich
mineral deposits may be found.
GEN. SAM HOUSTON.
l am not aware that a monument
has ever been erected to any of Texas
public men; if there had been, Gen
Sam. Houston would get it, for military |
greatness takes precedence of every |
other form to the mind of the average |
Texan. The hero Of San JacintO,
April 18th, 1886, which was the decis-
i've battle between the Mexicans and
the allied Texans and American fill
busters, gave the Republic of Texas
her freedom and afterward the policy
of annexation took shape in the con-
tending political parties, and its oppOsi-
ton by the Wing party resulted in the
defeat of Henry Clay and the election
of James K. Polk to the presidency.
read an incident in the life of Gen.
Houston and do not recall where saw
it, but it had much to do in shaping the
course of his life. In his early man
hood the wars with Indian tribes in
the mountains of Tennessee, Alabama
and Mississippi called for men of
gallantry and bravery of which young
Houston had an ample supply and was
soon promoted to captaincy and when
the Indians were exterminated the
gallant young man found he had pass
ed his majority and had no skill or
reputation but the sword, decided that
for life's peaceful pursuits he would
study and practice the law. In the
city of Memphis, Tenn, he entered the
Office of prominent member of the
bar, and during the lapse of time re-
; quired to secure his admittance as a
member of the profession, he sought
the hand of a beautiful young lady OF
, opulence and accomplishments, the
daughter of one Of the finest families in
: the city. Of course he found rival
r suitors, but success crowned his efforts
e and the nuptials were performed with
a the state and ceremony suitable to theil
t high standing. The General had ap
Y prehensions that although he had OBJ
d tanned the lady's hand that he had no
: got her heart: Immediately after the
S festivities had passed the General be
Y ing a man of a sincere miRd and al
d honest heart, made up his mind tha
n the fact must be known and the ques
c tion settled; he pressed the interogator,
n on his young and beautiful bride Will
IS yet the chaplet of orange blossom
e was on his brow. She eYaded tn
,r question, and expressed her surprise il
l. such an hour to meet so grave a reali
E. ty, but the General said the time ha
J. past for evasions and witty reparte
it when she replied in such manner a
gave the General to understand tha
his apprehensions were not withou
foundation, and he told her he woul
~ see her tomorrow and give her his d.
W Sision. The morrow came and he tol
" her he had decided to leave Memph
Immediately and for ever; and go
:" knew not where, and desired her aev,
- to cherish, and if possible, not to thin
y of his name any more. With the!
- few words he bid her an informal far
y well and before sun down he was
- his saddle over on the Arkansas side
~ the great river, vending his Wa
g %' through the then trackless forest ar
- had made up his mind to join Il
'e fllibusters in Texas and give the
" cause his future life, caring but lit
:. what his fate might be.
10 He arrived at his destination after
80 % number of weeks of weary travel al
'n' was received into full membership al
=" promoted eventually to Commander
III Chief and became the hero of nNmh
E of battles against General Santa Az
." That circumstance was the turni
point in his life, and made him t
" man ofhistory that he was, and possit
'' without it, he would have ended
-. days in Memphis a mere pettifogg
~ He was repeatedly elected Govern
"i and L. S. Senator and never left (
"N State of his choice except as her hon
~ ed representative in the halls of c.
N gress. After the lapse of a number
-, years, he was married again to a la,
'N0 worthy of his candor, and his love, q
his devotion to his wife and his fam
:. of children who survive him was
'"e markable.
~, He opposed secession as the Cub
material incumbent in 1861, and
On State Secession Convention depo
"0 him, and Lieutenant Governor-el
"P" Clark succeeded him in Office. He
said to have been an ardent admirer
President Lincoln, and the old Fl
Us -. whose honor he loved and whose fC
e were his winding sheet; he was pres
= 0' back to his untimely death by the ?
'ne ular sentiment of that day, includ
his sons who enlisted in the Confe,
os ate cause, but the old man died be-
= :. they returned.
;" - RAdBLEl
lO"' Wv Dallas, Texas, March Is, 1883.
sole,
1 be - sA'i'"' Os.oicf lI"'e cuS'oln'
That goose bought here last W
was as tough as leather Judgment,