The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26
SAM HoUsToN's GENEROSITY.
How the Famous Texan Treated Man
Who Had Settled on His Land.

How the Famous Texan Treated a Man
Who Had Settled on His Land.
Many are the stories told of Sam
Houston, the first president and after
ward the first representative from Texas.
There was stretch of country near
Quincy, Ills, known as the Indian
tract Sam Houston had title to a
great deal of it, real estate fact which
it would seem many of the earlier set
tiers of that region-a careless pioneer
brood-were unaware of. One OF them
came to Richardson, representative IN
congress at that time from the Quincy
district, and asked him if he knew Sam
Houston Richardson said he did, where
upon his constituent confided to him
that he had inadvertently settled on 100
acres of Houston s land, and that every
dollar he was worth stood in the barns,
houses, fences and other improvements on
the land. He had just learned, after living
there eight years, that Houston had title
to it, and that he did not. He wanted
Richardson to see the conqueror OF Mex
leo and make the best terms he could.
AS it stood, he was absolutely at Hous-
tom mercy.
Richardson, on his return to congress,
met Houston and told him the story.
"And now, Houston" said Richard
son, "the question is, what will you
take and give this friend of mine quit
claim deed to that 100 acres?"
'eWhat sort of man is this constitu-
emit of yours who has Numbered upon
my land?" asked Houston. ~.
"Good, square, honest man. replied
Richardson.
"When I turn him off my land, said
Houston, II reckon he and his family
will be beggars. !"
utterly ruined, responded Richard
son.
Houston thought a moment whats
this farm worth now?" he asked
improvements and all, about &c.
0OO."
"What was the bare 100 acres worth
when your fellow went on it?"
about S. per acre-$800 in all "
"Good fellow, this man Of yours,
Richardson
"Best in the world
"Ten him to send me $500, and I'll
make him deed
In the course Of time on came the $500
in a New York draft. Richardson sought
Houston, who promptly made a deed
and handed it to Richardson Then he
| took the draft, and after he had looked
| at it moment turned it over and in
dorsed it.
"You say, Richardson, this man OF
yours is good fellow?'
First class man every way, re-
sponded Richardson.
"Send him back this draft" said
Houston, "and tell him Sam Houston s
changed his mind. What can he buy q
good young horse for in that country, as
good a saddle horse as you have out
there?"
"Two hundred dollars ought to dc
it," said Richardson.
"Well, them said Houston, "you
give him back the draft and tell him tc
buy first class saddle horse, about 4
years old, and keep him for me. When
congress adjourns, I'll go home with
you, and when 1 get my visit out I'll
take the horse and ride him down tc
Texas -
Richardson complied with this new
arrangement, and the man in Illinois
received back his draft and bought a
saddle horse. Just before adjournment
Houston came over to Richardson.
"That fellow that's got my horse out
in Illinois, you say, is tiptop good
man?''
Zone of the best men in my district, y
replied Richardson.
"Well," said Houston, with sigh,
"I would have liked first rate to see him
and also my horse, but I've got to &C
straight to Texas, as affairs turn out.
I'll tell you what to do, however, when
you get home. Go over and see this
man for me and say to him to sell the
horse and do what he pleases with the
money. And, by the way Richardson,
wish you'd write me and tell me if II
was good horse or not. "
The curious can read the copy of Sam
Houston's deed to the 100 acres in the
record of the Quincy land office. Wash
ington Star.