The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-08

delegate Cne Next-He Is "a Lawyer,
But He Refuses to Prosecute a Case
"A Decidedly Unique Western Genius.
(Chicago Tribune.)
Beyond any doubt the most picturesque
character in the National Democratic
Convention at Chicago will go there
from Oklahoma. His name is Temple
Houston, and he has history. One week
last month he was on trial for mnrder.
The next week he was elected delegate
to Chicago, received a higher vote than
any othsr candidate, and was unani-
mously selected to lead the delegation.
The genius of art and literature was
long ago exhausted in trying to paint OF
portray the ideal Democratic Conyen-
tion. The Democratic conventions of
Oklahoma are unique. They are love
feasts one moment and riots the next.
Ihe last Democratic convention was al
most a perpetual riot. Even the power
full physique and dariug record Of Jack
Love, who was oo-defendant with Tenn
pie Houston in the murder trial, could
not awe the 200 delegates into even a
semblance of order, although Mr.. Love
was OlOUAO0 WiVn 1ObuOIluy vi "a boE-
geant-at-arms. Judge Alexander, ex-
Speaker of the Texas legislature, was
there as an obstructionist in the interest
of the gold or sound money faction. His
TASTES provoked a regular riot in which
knives and reyolvers were drawn and
fists and chairs were iourished. A COM
pany of militia could not avert a fight,
and said: Gentlemen Don'ti" in
a whisper. The effect was wonderful,
and not lick was struck or word spok-
en-. This instance is reoited to show the
mann5r of man he is.
Senator Houston-every body calls him
'Senator''-is the Oldest son of Gen. Sam
Houston, first President of the republic
of Texas. His father was one of the
most unique and romantic characters of
mis- time. and the son has great many
Of his peculiar traits. He ID as gentle as
q school girl and as brave as lion.
He was tried for murder with Jack
Love, noted frontier character. No
body wanted to try him, but he demand
ed it for the sake of being vindicated.
He killed Ed Jennings, fellow lawyer
and one of a family noted for ability to
use gun. They were in lawsuit at
Woodward, Oklahoma, aud some hot
words passed between them during 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
renewed the quarrel at the court room.
Pistols were drawn, and at the first fire
Ed Jennings fell dead. for Houston was
an unerring shot. Jack Love was taxing
care of John Jennings all this time and
they had duel back In corner of the
saloon all by themselves. When Houston
had Ed Jennings head he was charged
by John Jennings with being coward.
| This touched the peculiar and character
! isetio nature of the SENATOR" and,
! throwing down his Colts revolver, he
| tore his shirt open and put his bare breas
| to the muzzle Of John jennings revol.
| yer.
| ssIf you think I am a coward, nerve
your arm and shoot me through the
heart in the presence OF the brother that
| fell by my hand, f" said the Senator.
John jennings might have done 80 in
another moment, but Jack Love saw the
situation and the danger 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 fed When
the lamp was lit again the magnificent
the man he had killed, and those who
saw him SAID that his tragical attitude
will linger forever in their minds They
say Booth could not have equalled it, and
Shakespeare could not have exaggera ted
it, if he could have done the scene justice
The jury acquitted him inside of ten
minutes.
Temple said tho Hon. Edgar Jones
of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, writ
ing to your correspondent, lis one of
the grandest personalities III the Western
country He Is as profound in law as a
Bacon, as polished rs Chesterfield, and
a brave as Davy Crockett"
Judge Jones does not exaggerate the
truth Houston is genius-not mere
genius, but majestic genius. He il a
man OF commanding presence, of gigan-
tic stature. But he will not wear sus-
penders. We're it not for this fact he
would be OF elegant appearance. His au-
burn hair is long, and ourls over his
collar and over his forehead. He wears a
somb rero hat andshis tiny. feet are always
encased in high-heel boots. His feet
are very comfortable in No. loot,
and he can wear a lads glove. Although
hut forty years of age his hospitality has
an antique flavor. 1t Is cock fight OF
a horse race with him, from the weloom-
ing of the coming guest to the speeding
of the parting one. He ia as modest az
a blushing maiden, as courageous as g
knight, and as poetic rs a lover of the
blul0 VI uuo
eloquehce he has few equals in the West
and no superiors. and as a scholar he is
finished. His courtesy to the fair sex is
proverbial, and he has passionate fond
ness for all that is beautiful-especially
children. He has some of his own, and
romps with them like the smaller brother.
He is rare child of nature. He will
live nowhere but OH the frontier of civil
ization, and would rather 1.-Two in q cot
tage on the bluak prairie within sight Of
the. Indians Iepee than abide in the AL
hambra and enjoy the society of the
proud dons and ladies of Spain.
In the practice of law he is also eccen
trio. He never prosecutes, but always de
tends. And fee is the last thing BIZ
thinks of. 1t does not make any differ
once whether man in trouble has
money or not, he can always get Tempt,
Houston to defend him.
he was chosen to deliver the Grafton a
thessdedication of the new Capitol q
Texas, and was also chosen to deliver an
Grafton at the Tennessee Centennial. Hi