The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-13
WILLIAM ALBERT PETTUS.

ttNS wnV, amuuV1 Win uu unQueucnSpte
love OF liberty and Independence. wres,sd
Texas from the Mexican rule and gave to
the nations OF the earth q new republic 10
the western hemisphere The strugstes anu
sacrifices OF the early fathers OF Texas eau
never be fully recountcd. Tor, unsortu-
nately, much OF the valuable data pertain
| ing TO that heroic period has been entirely
lost or only partially or imperfcctly pre-
served
| II has been fitly said: ''Thermcpyiae
had her messenger Of def.at; the Alamo had
4 none And IL might be added that tho
| chivalrvus martyrs Of the n,assacrcs at thu
Alamo, at Goiiad and score OF other pa
triutic Shrines. were but the type OF their
brethren who avenged their cruel deaths
and Haunted the banner OF victory over
their consecrated and eternal resting place.
| individual acts OF bravery and herolsm
were the rule. not the exception. for.
| from tho firing OF tho first gun at Con-
zalcs. which ignitcd the fires OF pa,rio,~
Ism, Until the sanguipary curtain OF blood
and rapinc descended over the victorious
field OF San lacintc, the pages OF Texas
history glisten and scintiilate with dee,ls
CT yaior which outshine those OF the boosted
chivalry of the knights and crusaders ot
| old who bore the flag oil the Cross against
| the biocd-staincd banner of tho Crescent.
| The Texas OF today is rich In the posses
SiNu OF names Wnlcn were not nprne ~
| die" Noble sircs have been succeeded by
worthy sons. and the names OF the men
who bloSed the pathway Of civilization, who
carved out 4 new nation from the chaos OF
anarchy and usufIsation, are perpetuated
today by their descendants, honored citi-
zers OF almost every section OF the State,
Among tho names of the early pioneers
which stand out copspicuously Is that OF
Pettus The founder Of the Texas branch
OF the family, William Pettus. was ma
tive OF Virginia, and came TO Texas in
1922. settling at san Felipe, where he re-
sided With his family for some ten years.
removing TO Austin county. near the site of
| the old town of Industry, about 1883. The
| fires OF patriotism. which had long been
smoldering. and which finally blazed forth
In 1886, had even then been hndlea. aud
in the preliminary events which illuminated
at Gonzales in open revolt, bore .conspic-
uous and important part. When the tocsln
sounded, when the dread alarm called 10
brave hearts and strong arms 10 come forth
and battle for Independence aud liberty.
| William Pettus, with his young son, John
Il. Pettus. promptly aud enthusiastically
responded. From the firing OF the first gun
until the peace wiring from The tyrant
Santa Anna was proclaimed, William Pet
tbs, In the councils Of state as we'll rs in
the field. lent the whole force OF his strong
and ardent nature to the patriotic cause.
Upon the declaration OF peace he returned
| 10 MS nome III AuSllu county. tuSIAlt'S. III
stock raising until his death. which oc-
Cured in 1871.
He WAS honorei and respected by all for
his unflinching loyalty 10 duty his unset
fish adherence to the right his kindly,
courteous disposition and his generous and
| unbounded charity.
John +. Pettus OF Collad, Texas, the son
OF William Pettus. came to Texas from
Virginia with his parents in 1892, when
lad OF about Is years OF age Fer several
years he worked with HIS fathers herds
in Austin county, aud had accumulated n
handsome property when the patriots or
ganized to throw oil the Mexican yoke.
Promptly entering the army at the first
call for volunteers, he was a participant
first, in The battle of Conception and later
in what is known Us the grass fight"
which took place but a few miles from tho
present environs of the city of san An
tonic. After their defeat at Conception the
| MeNIcans were beSieged in San Antonio,
and being hard pressed for proyender ioi
their horses, small bands OF troops were
detailed 10 so beyond the lines and rit
grass. On one occasion q band OF Texans,
OF which John Il. Pettus was a member,
came up with several squads Of the grass
I cutters" A running fight ensued, in which
| the Mexicans were driven within their
| lines, with the loss OF several killed aud
! wounded, the Texans not losing man
| Later, under the giliant and intrepid Ben
! Milan he participated IN the storming d
/ san Antonio, and still later numbered as
| one OF that gallant band OF heroes who, on
the sanguinary pains OF San Jaointo, forced
! the Mexican tyrant to strike bis colors 10
| defeat.
Upon the close OF hostiities John p
| Pettus returned TO his fathers home IN
Austin county where he remained unlN
! 1885, when his father having died the year
previous. he removed to Dewitt county,
where he resided for ter years. success
/ fully engaging in stock raising In 1858
| he removed 10 Bee county, and there rcs,a
\ ed until 1876 when, with desire 10 he
| near his son William, who had three years
| before located in Goliad county. he removed
4 TO Coliad, and there continued 70 rosiae
until the time of his death, which occurred
! on January 3. 1878. Captain Samuel o
| Pettus. who commanded the San Antonio
| Grays. and who fell victim IN the Fannr
massacre was q cousin Of MIR Peitus,
John r. Pottns was married In January.
| 1897, =; the family home IN Austin cohniy
| to Mics Sarah York, sister OF the gallant
! captaln John York whose deeds OF yaipr
| in the war for Texas Independence will
/ ever shine respondent ia the pages Of
Texas history. She was a native Of Tps
! caloosa Ala. coming 10 Texas at an eaTls
| age With her parents. This estimable lady
lived to reach the ripe old age OF 20 years,
| dying AZ the homo ~ her daughter ~
Golind on tho goth OF January, 1924.
| William Albert pettns, son OF John =
| and Sarah York peitus. was born In Aus
| tin county. Texas, on the 18th OF Noyem-
| Der, 1888. HIS early life was passed much
like that o, the youth of his time--in out
| door sports and exercises and in guarding
| and caring for his fathers large herds OF
cattle, which. as was the custom Of thcss
| Gays roamed and fed upon d free range
4 The educational facilities OF The period
/ were limited, but such as they were
young Pettus awaited himself OF them 70
| the fullest extent, and laid broad and deep
the foundation OF a solid. practical hnowls
| edge. which has served him well through
| his busy and successful life.
4 When the storm cloud broke over The
South Ia 1861, William A. Pettus was re-
| siding with has parents on their ranch IN
Bee county; but the comforts oil home we
| companionship OF loved ones, nor the pros
poets OF business profits aysiled with him