Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-25
Sam Houston's Generosity.

Many are the stories told of Sam Hous- ton, the first president and afterWafd the first representative from Texas. There was a stretch of country near Quincy, Ills, known as the Indian tract" Sam Houston had title to a great deal of it, a real estate fact which it would seem many of the earlier settlers of that re- gion-a careless pioneer brood-were un- aware of. One of them, writer for the Star was told, came to Richardson. rep resentative 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 upon 1G0 acres of HouStonS land, and that eV- cry dollar he was worth stood in barns, house, fences and other Improvements on the land. He had just learned alter living there eight years, that Houston had title to it, and that he did not. yIe wanted Richardson to see the conquerOr of Mexico and make the best terms he could. As it stood, he was absolutely at Houston's mercy.
 Richardson on his return to congress, met Houston, and told him the story.
 And now, Houston,' said Richardson.
 "the question is, what will you take and give this friend of mine quit-claim deed to the 160 acres?">
 What sort of a man is this constit- uent of yours who has blundered upon my land?" asked Houston.
 Good, square, honest man." replied Richardson.
 When I turn him off my land," said Houston, hopefully, 'I reckon he and his family will be beggars?"
 Utterly ruined,". responded Richard- son.
 Houston thought moment. What's this farm worth now? he asked.
 Improvements and all, about S6000." "What was the bare place worth when your fellow went on it?" q A hOuf Sh xSO0 in a II v
 Good fellow, this man of yours, Rich- ardson?"
 Best in the world
 "Tell him to send me $500 and I will make him deed" In the course of time on came the $500 in a New York draft. Richardson sought Houston, who promptly made deed and handed it to Richardson. Then he toqk the draft, and after he had looked at it a moment, turned it over and in- dorsed it.
 You say, Richardson, this man of yours is a good fellow?" "Firt-class man every way,' responded Richardson.
 Send him back this draft" said Houston, and tell him Sam Houston's changed his mind. What can he buy a good young horse for in that country, as good a saddle horse as you have out there?"
 Two hundred dollars ought to do it." said Richardson Well, then' said Houston, you give him back the draft and tell him to buy a. first-class saddle horse, about years old, and keep him for,me. When congress ad- journs I'll go home with you, and when get my visit out I'll take the horse and ride him down to Texas" Richardson compiled with this new ar-' engagement, and the man in Illinois re- ceived back his draft and bought a sad dle horse. Just before adjournment Houston came over to Richardson. That fellow that's got my horse out in Illinois, you say, is tip-top good man?"
 'One of the best men in the district" replied Richardson. Well" said Houson with sigh, 'I
 would have liked first rate to see him and also my horse. But I've got to go straight to Texas as affairs turn out. I'll tell you what you do. however when you get home. Go over and see this man for me, and say to him to sell the horse an6 | do what he pleases with the money And. by the way, Richardson, I wish | you'd write me and tell me if it was a good horse or not" The curious can read the copy of Sam | Houstons deed to the 160 acres in the | record of the Quincy land office.-Ex- | change.