Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-11-24


and as tall and stately for her sex as
houston himself. With her he
took up rs his wife and removed To
the west OF the Grand river, oppo-
site Fort Gibson, where he made n
clearing, which still remains. and
erected q log cabin, which was burnt
during the war. He maintained him.
self by Keeping small trading store
and, as usual, after the Indian fashion
by little slatternly farming and care,
less stock raising. He was moi more
ambitious or industrious than his In
dian associates, and at this period his
habits reached their lowest point of
self-indulgence. Ii was not 10 he ann
posed that his better instincts ond
capabilities could always remain con-
tent with the narrow interests aud
DEGRADING HABITS or sAvAoFs.
however strong the barbaric elemen,s
IN his nature, or however severe the
dow mat had rendered civilized life
for " time intolerable TO him. The
thoughts OF the possibilities of his
abandoned career must have obtruded
themselves upon Linn with more and
more persistent regret, and the degra-
dalton and failure of his life been felt
with keener polgnancy rs the years
went by.
To the unhappiness and degradation
OF this life there came q hope of relief
and REDEMPTION In the news of the
stirring of national lie in Texas. and
the combined eagerness for the iorma-
ton of n new empire and of resistance
TO degrading domination among
its American settlers. All tile
adventurous spirits of the border were
attracted by the scent of warfare and
the hope of fortune, and small party
was formed of the daring rovers in the
Indian Territory. Houston Joined this
and naturally became the leader, al
though he was so poor thathe had to
take his departure on small pony UNI
fit to carry his weight, which was
finally exchanged by the good will of
one OF one of his associates for a more
presentable horse. He did not ut once
conquer his feelings of depreciation
and helplessness, but remained for
some time with small settlement of
Cherokees upon the Red river before
going forward TO Texas. Perhaps de-
prived of the opportunity for indul-
gence, his manly qualities strength
ened themselves, or the news of the
imminence of the struggle with Mex
leo still further fired his spirit, and he
finished his journey with such results
| as are familiar TO history.
That he sincerely loved his Indian
wife is made evident by the fact that
when he had established himself aud
won fame and honor in Texas, he sent
for her to join him, but she riiused to
leave her people aud familiar life. and
| died in few years in the home which
he had made. He left
NO INDIAN CHILDREN,
but the family of his wife was Il large
and notable one. and his nephews and
nieces are numerous in the tribe, some
of them distinguished 10y their inllu-
ence and intelligence. 70 lis credit
Houston never forgot his friendship
with theCherokees or ignored his life
among them. After his election to the
/ United States senate he was ferveut in
advocating their interests and in de-
! Tending them from injustice. Not
only as the special champion of
this tribe but in an intelligent un-
Outstanding of the Indian qups-
ton. and the wisdom rs well rs
. WIG ltNAi't WI llhll'A anu ''AeiNfiaANAFlif
he was far beyond the majority OF the
public mei of his time, and particular
~ of the spirit of border, greed and
prejudice, which is by no means yet
| extinct. Like some OF the army olli-
GERS who had shared their tears and
learned TO admire his bravery and
faithfulness, he was the friend of the
Indians from rightness and honor, and
respected their barbaric virtues rs hc
understood the elements of their char
acter. His rooms were always open
to the Cherokee delegations when they
arrived in Washington, and he was
their friendly companion as well rs
! the sharer of their counsels and their
advocate ut the Indian bureau and ON
the floor of congress. His reg ards
were paid with lasting reverence. He
| has Il peculiar place in the remem-
! brance and tradition of the Cherokee
/ people as their faithful and powerful
friend, and his name is perpetuated rs
an honorable pQtrouymic in the young
err generation, like that of William
1 pann