The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-20
4 COMMISSION ORGANIZED.
First Meeting Of San Jacinto Battle
Ground Committee.
Mr.. J. N. HILL IS PRESIDENT,
some Unwritten History About the
Will Meet Again Next Month.

The commission to purchase the battle-
Of the Hutchins House at Q a. IN. yester-
day and organized by electing Colonel
James NJ. Hill of Austin as Its chairman
Complimentary remarks were made by SEN
ator Waller 7. Burns and Judge s. J.
Hendrick. the other members OF the COM
mission. in placing him In nomination as
presiding officer. George A. Hill, sen OF
the old veteran, was made secretary The
business for which they were appointed
was taken up and the work outlined. rte
law creating the commission and the pow
ers and limitations were duly consde ed.
The grounds desired and tbs names Of
owners we're canvassed and Senator Burns
was appointed to correspond with the par
ties and ascertain the price they woull de-
mand for the lands wanted and report TO
the commission On December 3. at which
time they Will convene in this city. They
had conference during the evening with
some of the owners OF the land and 5el.evo
that they will have no difficulty In se3uring
what they want. 1t is to be regretted that
the Improvement Of this sacred spot has
been delayed so long owing to the unreal
stnabe demands that some have made by
placing a fictitious and imaginary vulLS
upon same. These speculative prices Fave
not only retarded the Improvement of the
GROUNDS, but created an impression upon
the minds Of the members of the legisla-
ture that makes it difficult to get them to
consider proposition involving un ade-
quate appropriation. They don't seen to
understand that their interest would be
pest subseryed by having the State acquire
tne land and at once commence identifying
same; this action would at once enhance
the value of the balance and create a mar
ket for 1t at three times its present value
me commission will expect that all exhibit
proper spirit and aid them in discharging
their duty to the State, as they serve with
out compensation. and trust that their re-
port to next legislature will justify them
va ailaying the Impression that an attempt
OF extortion had been attempted by any
one interested there, as they will want an
appropriation sufficient made to erect a
monument and beautify park in keeping
with the event and the State.
In conversation with a Post reporter last
night Colonel James NJ Hill OF Austin
chairman of the commission and veteran
Vi the battle of San Jacinto. related some
incidents that occurred on that occasion
which he says have never been printed. The
colonel said: NC
on April 10. after Santa Anna's courier
ndo been captured by Deaf Smith and the
documents found on his person which g
crossed the Whereabouts Of Santa Annals
army, General Houston addressed the SOL
u.ers, lie told them that they had all been |
lmpatlent and that many of them had heep
ciamorng for a fight He said that he had |
at last ascertained the exact location of |
me Mexicans and the time was very near |
at haha FOR the struggle. Among other |
things, he told us that we would be- pro- |
Niaed with three days rations.
1hese three days rations," said the |
colonel consisted OF a pint of flour and
ABOUT quarter of a pound of meat. For
my part | received piece of a rib. with
a small chunk Of meat on it.
On the morning OF the Goth we halted
d snort distance north OF the point where
we camped before the battle. We had bare
Y stopped when word was passed down
me line that we would, halt for fifteen
minutes l was hungry as a bear, SO |
quickly pulled out my flint and steel. and !
spunk, fgnited the spunk and placed II in
a wisp of grass, which waved around In
the air until / had started fire. I then
LOOK my Hour and some water and mixed
UP q little wad OF dough. This l placed
% the end OF a stick and held it in the
blaze to bake. didn't have the dough over
49, "'N WV miHuteS the order came |
10 fall In and had to eat the dough AZ
we marched along 1t tasted little strong
rom the smoke, but l was TOO hungry TO
mind that.
For several days before the fight orr
Fations We're so scarce that nearly all of
us were in half starved condition when
we charged the Mexicans on the 2lst. Tho
enemy were in the act OF cooking supper Mt
he time and when we entered the camn
after they had fed we found large kettles
y boiling beef sitting on the camp fires
Nothing In this world has ever smelled SO
X iicious to me as that beef and l, with a I
ot OF others, were going after 1t when
some one yelled to let 1t alone, as 1t had
been poisoned Well, that beef was mot
ouched as food by any of us, although our {
mouths were watering for a taste OF n ,
out have kicked myself many time
or not making meal of 1t. n we had l
only thought for moment we would have I
Snown that they were too busy to think | /,
about poisoning the meat, and furthermore
| Is hardly likely they had anything with '
mem to poison 1t with"
Judge Hendrick left for his home NJ s
henderson yesterday afternoon and Messrs t
J. NJ. and George A, Hill left for their a