The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-05
THE OLDEST TEXAS EDITOR.
His First Meeting With Gen. Sam Houston
Wine Declined.


Galyeston Letter to the st. Louis Globe-Demo-
craft
AT seventy-eight Hamilton Stuart is
probably the oldest editorial worker on
daily paper in the country. Certainly
he is the Texas Mes tor. If he lives six
years he will celebrate his semi-centen
NAL as an editor in this State. He came
to Texas years before Texas had become
one of the United States. Texas's indie
pendence of Mexico had been declared
only two years. The Lone Star republic
was in its infancy. Young and hopeful
Mr.. Stuart arrived in Texas simultane
ously with an event which aroused the
livliest emotions at the capital, then es-
tablished in Houston. The event was
the reception of hogshead OF ice,
brought BY ship from New Orleans. The
ice had been opened. 1t was, perhaps,
the first that had come to the Texas
capital. And when Mr.. Stuart was in
troduced to Sam Houston the President
of the republic was in the act of sampling
the ice with the aid of glass of cham
payne.
The moment was rather a critical one
for the newcomer. He was somewhat
acquainted by hearsay with the rough
and-ready reputation of Texans. There
were reasons why he desired to make a
good impression upon Mr.. Houston, for
be had come to make his home and for
tune in Texas. AS he expected. Mr..
Houston invited him to drink. And, as
he had determined to do beforehand, he
declined. This was an extraordinary
thing to do in those days, and it was
made the more unusual by the fact that
Mr.. Stuart had come to Texas from south
of the Ohio. Mr.. Stuart said to Mr..
Houston that he feared he would think
it ungracious that he declined his hospi-
tality, but it was fact that he had made
it rule never to take wine
sYoung man." said Mr.. Houston, put
ting his hand on Mr.. Stuart's shoulder,
II never insist upon any one drinking
with me. / sometimes think it would
have been better for me if [ had never
acquired the habit
The President of the republic and the
young editor became warm friends.
Years afterward the opportunity to re-
paw Mr.. Houston in kind for the courte-
esy of their first meeting came to Mr..
Stuart. Living little way out of Bal
timore at country seat was wealthy
gentleman named Dawson. He had
transplanted to American soil the gen
erous and hospitable ways of the Eng
lish gentleman. When Texas was strug-
Cling to maintain her Independence, not
knowing whether Mexico would abide
by the arbitrament of San Jacinto, this
Mr. Dawson was the sympathizer who
furnished to the new born republic a
navy. 1t wasn't much of navy as
navies go nowadays, but it went a
long way to help the little ma
ton to maintain its dignity on
the seas. Mr.. Houston and other
leading men of Texas went to Washing
ton on an important mission. Mr.. Stuart
preceded the party. 1t was arranged
that on the way the whole party should
stop at Mr.. Dawson's country seat and be
entertained day or two before going on
to Washington. Mr.. Stuart was the
guest of Mr.. Dawson before the Others
arrived He saw the open-handed style
in which Mr.. Dawson entertained, and he
felt apprehensive of the result The
Baltimore gentleman was very proud of
his wine cellar. His custom was to place
before whom he wished to honor most
a special brand of wine which was at
that time sixty years old. Holding it up
before his guests, he would descant upon
it's age, its history, and its qualities, and
call for an opinion from each one. Slit
ing at Mr. Dawson's table, and having
heard tell of his favorite wine, Mr.. Stuart
suddenly said:
sMr. Dawson, I would rather lose $500
than see Gen. Houston lose his self
control through the effect of that wine y
Mr.. Dawson paused moment and
then replied thoughtfully and swith en-
phasis:
a. "Mr. Smart, would rather lose 81, 900
than see Gen. Houston tempted at my
table,
Nothing more passed upon the subject
In few days Mr.. Houston and his party
arrived and were made thoroughly at
home by Mr.. Dawson. Dinner time came |
and at the usual place in the ceremony |
the chief event of the day, the sixty-year- |
old wine, was brought in and placed be |
fore the host. But not a word was ut
tered of the age, history, or qualities of |
the famous wine. Having seen the wine |
made ready for serving, without any of |
the usual preliminary talk, Mr.. Dawson
turned to Mr. Houston, who sat at his |
right, in the place of honor, and re-
marked in the most casual tone:
s'Mr. President, believe you do not |
drinkP''
ssNo, Sir" said Mr.. Houston quietly.
And without anything further the wine |
was served to the other guests as if it
had been ordinary claret.