The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-17
A FORGOTTEN PATRIOT.
Tho Story Of DR.. Long Who Found
ed the Texan Republic.
HIS TRIALS AND MISFORTUNES,
AND TRAGIC DEATH.
ne Established the First American Colony
West of the Sabine River.

West of the Sabine River.
(St. Louis Globe Democrat.
Caldwell, sTex., October 1.-The name
of DR.. James Long is seldom mentioned
In the annals of Texas, but he was never
theless a hero, the story Of whose life
reads like a romance. Not one of all the
daring pioneers who.supported the cause
that triunphed at San Jacinto Is more
deserving OF historical remembrance than
this brave soldier and shrewd diplomat.
He esta blished the first colony in the
Lone Star wilderness, fought battles for
the country and more than once trayersed
the trackless prairies between Red River
and the City of Mexico, at that time in
habited by hostile Indians and brigands,
and finally lost his life while soliciting
favors for the country and people he
loved SO well.
DR.. Long served in the old army. and
he won the appreciation and lasting
friendship of Gen. jackson Aby his gall
Iantry under fire at New Orleans. Soon
after the termination Of the war between
she United States and England, he
married Jane Wilkinson, who was q
famous belle of the Crescent City, and
a niece OF the distinguished Gen. W1lkin-
son, who was conspicuous witness in
the trial of Aaron Burr at Richmond.
As early as 1919 there were a few scat
tering settlements of Americans in
Northern and Eastern Texas, and the
people were very much dispieased with
a treaty made in that year between the
United States and Spain, by the terms
OF which Florida ceased 10 be Spanish
territory, and the Americans beyond the
Sabine were left without 1.-THE protection
OF Federal bayonsts.
DR.. Long was at that time Citizen of
Natohez. He knew something Of the
fine rolling prairies south of Red River,
and of she fertile bottoms of the Brazos
and tho Trinity. He was fine scholar,
a polished gentleman, q brave soldier
and possessed of a laudable ambition
easily aroused by the spirit of advenuu re
that prevailed on the frontier in those
st FIRING times.
In the month of Jane, In the year 1919.
at the head of little army of seventy
five men, he set OUT from Natchez, Miss,
for the purpose Of carving out for him
self and followers an empire in the heart
of the great West. He was accompanied
by his accomplished wife and littls child,
the mother being eager to share with
her husband the hardships of the camp
and the dangers Of the battlefield.
During the march through the wilder
ness he was joined By several small par
ties of adventures, and when he reached
Nsohoedoehse he found himself in COM
mand of 800 men. After resting a few
days, be called a convention, which was
composed of the leading spirits of the
column. This convention met in q
grove in ths open air and soiemnly de-
olared Texas free md independent re-
public. Historians have credited Aus
tins colony with the first political move
ment In Texas, tending 10 the establish
ment Of Government separate from
Mexico. This liz inaccurate, for it ia
now well authenticated that DR.. James
Long presided over the first convention
composed of Americans that ever en-
gagged in the business of creating repub-
lies IN Northern Mexico, and he was elect
ed by this convention and the 300 colon
lists that composed 1t the first President
of the new republic. A liberal Constitu-
ton, modelled after the Constitution of
the United States, was adopted, and
subordinate officers elected.
Not many days passed Before President
Long manifested his wonderful ability,