The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-11-09

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snore; Minerva, the last one, has
joined that happy throng. Led by her
heavenly Father" across the cold
dark waves. and transplanted in the
paradise of God. No guided catafal-
que covered her lifeless form no
9lumed bier or marshaled throng bore
her to the tomb, but in quiet silence
This daughter of the Texas Revolu-
ton" was laid to rest. Pei haps twas
well. Yes, "God knew best" that
this child of the republic should never
come in contact with the sins and sor.
rows of this life to battle with it's
universities and disappointments.
Through the kindness of DR.. White
| am indebted for the following state
ment: Miss Fannin was admitted to
the asylum Nov. 8, 1862. Was 80
years of age, and entered ss a private
patient. By special act of the iegisla.
ture, she was placed under the guard.
ianship of the superintendent of the
asylum. She died July 81, 1898, and
was inferred in the state cemetery by
zen. w. 2 Hardeman. The wido
OF Colonel Tom Mckinney kindly
writes me that Colonel and Mrs. Fan.
min were married in Georgia. Mrs.
Fannin died near Velasco, at the resi-
dence of Colonel William H. Jack,
leaving two daughters. The eldest
one, Pinkney, died when about II
years of ace, in 1847, and Colonel
Fannin's family, 1 believe, were
In Velascu at the time
of the massacre. The two children
were with us until the youngest one
was placed in the asylum. Fannin,
the admiration of the army, the titled
hero of the battle of Conception, the
Texas martyr, the devoted and tender
husband and father, the modest and
brave
SOLDIER DIED AT HIS POST.
On Palm Sunday, after the battle of
Colita, he and his men were marched
out for slaughter. Fannin, the last
would kneel his life would be spared,
but his dauntless and heroic reply
was that he did not desire to live after
his men had been killed. A soldier
attempted to tie a handkerchief over
his eyes, but he seized it and tied it
himself Then with loving messages
to his wife and children and the re-
quest that his watch ba sent to them,
he uncovered his breast, requesting
them to shoot MIN in the breast in
stead of the face, and that he be
decently buried. But the savage foe,
ignoring his dying appeal, shot him
in the head and left his lifeless body
to be thrown on the pile with his
brave and noble men. The evening
before the massacre, the men, accom-
panied with their flutes, their voices
in pathetic melody rang out upon the
balmy evening air those sweet, in
spring words, Home, Sweet Home,
for they expected, according to the
rules of war, to be honorably dis
charged. But not so; instead of home
and loved ones, death was the decree.
They would never have surrendered
but for the pledge that they would be
treated as honorable prisoners of war.
They surrendered in good faith,
but to merciless, treacherous
and blood-thirsty foe, who
ignored the rules of war, and sacritic-
ed those brave men in cold blood, to
appease their brutal and savage ma.
lures. Stripped them of their cloth.
ing and piled their bleeding, mangled
formes to be- devoured by vultures of
prey, and the burning rays of South.
ern sun.
DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF
TExAE,
William B. Travis Chapter-Miner-
va's body sleeps in our State cemetery,
and tits left to you to guard her dust,
protect her grave, and erect suitable
monument, out OF respect to the men,
ory of her illustrous father. Be faith
full to the trust committed to you
Your mission is grand and noble
one. Guard with interest and veneer
alton the veteran mothers and fathers
eff Texas independence. Teach your
children, and encourage all our NOBLE
Texans to revive the memory OF the
departed heroes, and encourage by
words of sympathy and appreciation
the careworn and afflicted ones, who
are still lingering on the shores OF
time, 1t is in sickness, sorrow and
old age that Christian friendship ana
sympathy are most needed. Those
grand old heroes, one by one, are pas,
sing away. A few mole years ana
not one who suffered to establish the
independence of this grand and glor.
ious state will be with you. Direct
their faltering, feeble steps, and en-
courage our good and philanthroplc
men and women, to initiate the noble
example of a Henry Rosenberg by err
Getting monuments over the sacred
ashes of our fearless, gallant heroes.
of revolutionary fame. Be jealous
in advancing the interests, and
increasing the membership OF your
chapter. Every daughter OF the
Texas revolution entitled to member
shin in the noble order they so proud
ly inherit, should unite with you.
Mrs, Johnston, the widow of that
grand old hero, General Albert sgd
new Johnston, who stands without q
neer in the annals of history, though
residing in a sister state has become q
member of our chapter. The fire and
natriotism of her distinguished nus
band, whose memory is reserved by
millions and who sacrificed his lie lor
his country, thrills through every
fibre of her nature. She is a NOBLE
Christian philanthropist and Jealous
in good works. And you, daughters