The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-08
TALES OF TIE TIMES.


character In the national Democratic con-
vcntion at Chicago will GO there from Ok
lahoma. His name Is Temple Houston,
and he has history. One week in May no
was on trial for murder. The next week
he was elected delegate TO ChicagoS re-
ceiyed higher vote than any other candi-
ate and was unanimously selected to lead
the delegation.
The genius Of art and literature was
long ago exhausted in trying TO paint or
portray the ideal Democratic convention.
The Democratic conventions Of Oklahoma
are unique. They are love feasts one mo-
ment and riots the next The last Demo-
cratic convention was almost perpetual
riot Even the powerful physique and dar-
ing record OF Jack Love, who was Co
defendant with Temple Houston In the
murder trial, could not awe the 200 dele
gates into even n semblance of order, al
though MIR. Love was clothed with the
authority Of sergeant-at-arms. Judge
Alexander, ex-speaker Of the Texas legis-
laturc, was there as an obstructionist in
the interest of the gold or sound money fac
tion. His tactics provoked regular riot,
In which knives and revolvers were drawn
and fists and chairs were flourished. A
company of militia could not avert fight,
but Temple Houston arose from his scat
and said, Gentlemen, don'tp' in whis-
per. The effect was wonderful, and not a
lick was struck or word spoken. This
instance Is recited TO show the manner OF
man he Is.
Senator Houston--everybody calls him
senator--is the Oldest son of General Sam
Houston, first president Of the republic Of
Texas. His father was one of the most
unique and romantic characters of his
time, and the son has great many Of his
peculiar traits He Is as gentle as school
girl and as brave as lion.
He was tried for murder with Jack Love,
a noted frontier character. Nobody want-
ed TO try him, but he demanded Il for the
sake Of being vindicated. He killed Ed
Jennings, fellow lawyer, and one of u
family noted for ability to use gun They
were in lawsuit at Woodward, o. T., and
some hot words passed between them dur
ing the trial Of the case. At night Temple
Houston and his friend Jack Love, who
was then sheriff Of the county, went into
the Cabinet saloon The Jennings broth
ers, Ed and John, followed them and ro-
newed the quarrel of the courtroom. Pts
tolls were drawn, and Mt the first fire Ed
Jennings fell dead, for Houston was an
unerring shot. Jack Love was taking care
of John Jennings all this timo, and they
had q duel back In corner of the saloon
all by themselves When Houston had Ed
Jennings dead, he was charged by John
Jennings with being coward. This touch
ed the peculiar and characteristic nature of
the SENATOR" and throwing down his
Colts revolver he tore his shirt open and
l. Il -. - ~
Jennings revolver
''If you think am coward, nerve your
arm and shoot me through the heart in the
presence OF the brother that fell by my
hand, " said the senator.
John Jennings might have done so In
another moment, but Jack Love saw the
situation and tho dlnger of Houston, and
he put bullet through the arm of John
Jennings, and the revolver that was held
over the heart Of Houston fell to the floor.
Another shot from Love put out the lamp,
and John Jennings fled When the lamp
was lit again, the magnificent frame of
Houston stood over the body OF the man he
had killed, and those who saw him said
that his tragical attitude will lingcr for
EVER in their minds. They say Booth could
not have equaled it and Shakespeare could
not have exaggerated ID If he could have
done tho scene justice. The jury acquitted
him inside of ten minutes.
"Temple, said the Hon. Edgar Jones Of
tho supreme court of Oklahoma, writing
to your correspondent, sis one of the
grandest personalities in the western coun-
try. He is as profound in law as n Bacon,
as polished as Chesterfield and as brave
us Davy Crockett.
Judge Jones does not exaggerate the
truth. Houston is genius. He is C. man
Of commanding presence, of gigantic stat
ure. But he will not wear suspcnders.
We're 1t NOT for this fact he would be Of
elegant appearance. His auburn hair is
long and curls over his collar and over his
forehead. He wears q sombrero hat, and
his tiny feet are always incased in high
heel boots. His feet arc very comfortable
In No. boot ard he can wear q
lndy's glove Although but 40 years of
nge, his hospitality has an antique flavor
lt is a cock fight or IA horse race with him
from the welcoming Of the coming guest
TO the speeding OF the parting one. He is
ns modest as blushing maiden, as cour-
ageous as knight and as poetic rs lover
OF tho time Of tho troubudours For nat
ural cloquonce he has few equals in the
west and no sureriors, and as a scholar no
is finished. His courtesy TO the fair sex Is
proyerbial, ana no has ~ passionate fond
ness for all that Is beautiful, especially
children. Ho has some of his own, and
romps with them like the smaller brother.
He is "a rare child Of nature. He will live
nowhere but on the frontier of civilization
and would rather live in cottage on the
bleak prairie within sight of the Indians
tepee than abide in the Alhanbra and on
Joy tho society of the proud sons and La
dies OF Spain
In the practice of law he is also eccentric.
He never prosecutcs but always defends.
And fee Is the last thing he thinks Of 1t
does not mako any difference whether u
man in trouble has money or not he can
always get Temple Houston TO defend him.
He WIS chosen 60 deliver the oration at
the dedication OF tho new capitol of Texas
and was also chosen 60 deliver an grafton
nt the Tennessee centennial His father
was one OF tho eorly goyornors of that