The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-04-24

STEPHEN Ill. Burton was summoned
from his home in Avondale, Ohio,
suburb of CincinnaiD to the death
bed OF his brother Frank, at Albany,
New York. He started at once, but
just before reaching his destination
stroke of paralysis oVercame him, and
ne was borne to his brothers house,
where he died early in the morning,
April IL. His brother also died after
, his arrival.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
Stephen ii. Burton was born at
Albany, June %, 1916, and was con-
sequen,ly in his sixty-eighth year
Hi5 education was commenced in a
private school in that city, but at the
age Of twelve he was withdrawn
from school, placed in business, and
ever afterwards had the benefit OF
school instruction. The substantial
knowledge he afterwards acquired was
solely through his own efforts at self
teaching. He became an enthusiastic
student and great reader, reading
however with excellent discrimina-
ton. At the age of fourteen he left
home to seek his fortune, and when
nineteen came to Texas, where he
engaged under Houston in the deliver
ance of this state from Mexican do
minion. Upon returning from Texas
he went to Troy, n. Y, where he
lived seven years, and then moved, in
1874, to Cincinnati, engaging iii man.
ufacturing. He was very successful
in business, earning prosperity by
perseVering energy and enterprise,
and in 1869 retired from active life to
enjoy the fortune that he had amaSSed.
For years he resided in Avondale. In
1872 he was elected on the republican
ticket member of the state senate of
Ohio. He has also been mayor and
member Of the village council OF
Avondale. For his services in Texas
he was, thirty-eight years after they
were rendered. recompensed in the
sum of $1,000 (Texas bonds) by
special act of the legislature. He
was married in 1889, in Troy, N, Y, to
Martha Whipple, who, with two sons,
survives him.
His remains were taken to Cincin-
natl for interment. Mr.. BurtOn's eS-
tate is valued half a million dollars.
Mr.. Burton was once before visited by
the malady which finally claimed him
as its victim. 1t was at his
residence in Avondale a few
years ago. He rallied after
all hope had been abandoned, even by
his physician.
TIE TRIALS OF '36
Mr.. Burton was with Major Miller's
command of Michiganders, when they
surrendered near Copano. March 23,
1886, to General Vara. He was also
prisoner at Goliad when the massacre
of Palm Sunday, March q,
occurred. He saw three hundred and
lifty-nine brave men led out to execu-
ton.
No one suspected the real object of
marching them out until they kneeled
down, and young Fenner jumped to
his feet and exclaimed "Boys, they
are going to kill us die with your
faces to them, like men !"
At the same time two other
Young men flourished their caps over
their heads and shouted at the top of
their ojces, "hurrah for Texas"
Twenty-seven made good their es-
cape. Others that tried were cut
down by the cavalry. One that eS-
capped had very Indifferent shoes, and
his feet were filled with the thorns of
the wild cactus, and he was IN the
hospital at New Orleans for several
months until the thorns came out
AAiOQSA bilC ORRCl VI LILO 1OCOs
His name was either Morer or Stoner.
AN ANGEL OF MERCY.
Mr.. Burton and others were saved
from this savage massacre by that
angel of mercy, Lady Pacheta Ala
vesco, the christian wife of Capt.
Alavesco.
This lady and her husband were I'M
firing in their efforts to save the lives,
and make as comfortable as they could
the unfortunate boy prisoners, and
especially Mr.. Burton and Major
Miller.
DR.. Shackelford bears similar testi-
mony to this lady. He says: al con-
slider il not inappropriate hereto men
tion one female, Pacheta Alavesco,
the wife of Captain Alayesco. She
was indeed an angel of mercy-a sec
ond Pocahontas. All that she could
do to administer to our comfort was
done. She had also been to Major
Miller and his men ministering an
gal"
This lady and her husband after
wards gave Burton and Miller an out
fit of Mexican uniform, a calvery
mount and the countersign for the
night, and babe them make their es-
cape. This was in June, after the
Mexican army, by order of Santa An
No, had retired to the Rio Grande.
airs. Alavesco actually placed a
Mexican sash around Mr.. Burton,
which he still preserved as a pleasant
memento of the kind hearted Mexican
lady, whose praise was in every ones
mouth.
The Mexican cavalry followed in
hot pursuit the next day, and actually
passed near where they Burton and
Miller) were concealed. The refugees
travel d only at night till they neared
San Antonio. They arrived in Gen.
Houston's camp the very day Mr..
Burton was twenty years of age-June
20, 1885. Gen. Houston had gone to
New Orleans to have his wound, re-
ceived at the battle OF San Jacinto,
treated, and the escaped prisoners
found Gen. Thomas j. Rusk in con-
mand. A few days later Mr.. Burton
was appointed private secretary to the
commander. As they were marching
from Copano to Goliad, Miller asked
Burton what became of the money in
the trunk? And when he learned that
Burton had saved every dollar, $500.
and had it concealed on his person, he
was delighted, and afterwards divided
it with him.
The above fats have never before
appeared in print.
THE 'TwIN SISTERS"
Gin cinnati is famous for its aid to
Texas in 1885 and 1886, during her
struggle for independence.
Here is where the two brass cannon |
were made called the "Twin Sisters"
which did such excellent service at |
San Jacinto, and which ended the war
in favor of Texas.
The two cannonS were manufacture
ed by Chase Il Seymour. at their foun-
dry on the north side of Fifth street,
between Elm and Plum. The spot is
now covered by retail stores. Miles
Greenwood, who made the balls
about three hundred pounds-for
these cannon, is still living and is one
of the trustees of the great Cincin-
natl Southern railroad. His foundry
was then Gin 1880 where it is now, at
the north side of the canal corner of
Clay street. Mr.. Greenwood does
not remember who cast the cannon.
This was learned from other parties.
These cannon were made for the
Ohio state arsenal, but Robert T.
Lyle and David T. Disney shipped
them to the Texas agent at New Or
leans.
Some tall gentleman living north of
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