The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-11
SAM H0UST0NS LOYALTY.
HIS LAST PUBLIC ACT WAS TO AID
UNION PRISONERS.

eFb NJ his Dsntn MOI Long AtterWnrus
Tho authorities have been busy Of late, per-
haps pr6maturely. in destroying the newly-laid
mines in Galveston harbor and II lie but natural
that the thoughts Of Texans should revert to
the last visit OF hostile ships. now more than
thirty years ago.
1t was during the battle Of Galveston. when
Gen. J. B. Maaruder who now sleeps In the
Island City was the hero Of the hour. that the
Harriet Lane and Morning Light passed from
Federal to Confederate hands. After some
hesitation It was decided 10 send the officers
and men from these two boats TO the interior of
Texas, and. as the best means OF safe keep
Ing. to conGne them In the State peni-
Tertiary at Huntsville. So to Huntsville
they were taken. securely guarded. and duly
placed In convict cells. Years afterward
one OF tho prisoners wrote that he and
his companions were in hourly expectation OF
the prison BARRIERS paying them a professional
visit in accordance with the rules OF the prison
for the treatment OF conviots. Their position
must have been humiliatipR beyond express
sion. especially to the officers, who represented
the bluest blood OF old New York. and they one
and all declared that they would never touch
food until removed from the convict cells.
Col. Thomas J. Carothers was then Superin-
tendent OF the penitentiary. having been rc-
appointed by Gov. Lubbock. who was then tho
ShlCl huk lbbloNo vi ASAuSs wi. SalOJiltIb
had meant no unkindness to the prisoners OF
war: for no warmer-hearted man ever drew
breath. He had simply obeyed orders by keep
ing his prisoners In a safe place. But he was a
man OF action and OF intelligence and he quickly
decided what to do. He told his unhappy
charges that he would send for Gen. Houston
and abide by his advice. The prisoners had
forgotten. It seems. that Gen. Houston was at
that time a resident Of Huntsville. but when re-
minded Of the fact they begged that he should
be sent for to see them at once.
Gen. Houston came. 1t was hardly necessary
for the superintendent to present the case or
explain his dilemma. AS Gen. Houston passed
down the corridor in front Of the cells the
Yankee prisoners began to tell their own
story and appeal to him to use his influence for
betterlng their condition. Some OF them were
deeply moved. They felt they had found a
friend in a far-away hostile land. One young
Lieutenant from New York proved to be the
son of an old friend Of Gen. Houston's. and
others had seen him when he was Senator from
Texas.
No personal consideration was needed. how
ever, to assist Gen. HOUSTON in shaping his
avowed Union man within hundreds. of miles.
he extended his hand to the Fedora, soldiers
be done: On that day he put the love of his
people to its seysrest test Only z year and a
ernor Of Texas rather than sign the ordinance
Of secession, and many OF his closest friends
f from afSSGi @. But T't tRe now masses 9esnly yoT esdfra4 hi@i
and he stood fearlessly in the midst Of
tHh p6n' ks bInoTG anS,e his tr hSld q 9o2. o taeif 9sa1 6is
grasp was peculiarly strong, It was Gov. Sam
Houston who first appointed Col, Carothers to
when Gov. Lubbock came into power Gen.
Houston wrote. him. at Col. Carothers's re-
In office; and stating. so It is told, that this was
the last favor he would ever ask Of a public
man. mar S 80 n0 %s the The 1 man w9 foc was 4, no longer in
Gen, Houston reminded the superintendent
f having t'G been mean eapt WreSd IN Rll16R honorable 81 wa" Warf fare.
were entitled to respect. He pointed out their
the fact that they would much prefer remain
ing In captivity to being. found abroad in their
to %9 siSe Col. T Garo Ffhsssn a pia msH i9nt ex 9lI@PiSySd
for WIZ bt6ha him tn the W. S0rd Il, or y VIA AZ 81 Houston l6% =
building there we're some large upper
aud other guests, Gen. Houston suggested
that these rooms be made Immediately ready
the arrangement was perfected without de ay.
The second night after their arrival the Yam
t kess 'i pdss ,n sd 'q No tposb Hsa or eom as asfas
confronted Col Carothers in consequence OF his
act. Gen. HouSton's wish was an unwr!ttten
patriotic Texans: and as for Gov. Lubbock, he
could not forget that during the struggling
had ever held was the gift of President Houston.
SO the Northern strangers soon accepted the
contentment In their Southern home. Gen.
Hons y q t d 'o came ,o often to see see, them an End cheer
theirs raid them many attentions to remind
them OF home. Col. Burrell. the ranking on
SSrdi T Mss taf Hon ~ soon pi sIItteGsrehdiS @ nGd H SIa6 vile:
delicacies to the Bickroom.
But in a few short months a shadow darker
and penetrated the prison walls. Gen. Hous-
toms health began to fail. The doctors recon-
resort now. a famous one even then. Butwhiie
the seventy years Of the old soldier rested light;
Borne D heavily "sri UPON iTS"D' lis Oh heart %ds e0uf He c 9ae
stay at Sour Lake. and in lis d
f2s@'1.0ni wd He S Game an hom GSsy but frey 70 f Se
carried 70 the couch Of suffering. and fight his
now. he appeared no more to cheer, the boys in
blue. Even Col. Carothers visited less often
possible at Gen; Houston's bedside. But When
ever he found time to see the %captives he was
met by the unfailing question. first eager. af-
How Is, Gen. Houston to-day P"
rr And "a as \ the d tRy passed Sc The superintendent
red. and his voice had grown husky and
one summer day. when Col. Carothers said he
would ,5 not be ne9EF nth them nau again that day; or per
PLANTATION, Later, through the open windows.
they saw the crepe on his arm, and their eyes
set. on July 20. 1853. that life so full
OF adventure, Of unsurpassed courage. Of
sublime patriotism. rounded its last chapter
IN beautiful, repose. But when, the clear sun
shine Of July ~ ~ up the blue OF the Texas
individual interests In a sense Of personal loss,
perhaps there were no Radder hearts than those
within the old. penitentiary wall And to those
who spent their lives In touch with the person.
allty OF Houston II IL a comforting thought that
the last public act OF that great and dramatic
career was prompted by the throbbinH OF q
warm and mighty heart.
Recollection of Artomus Wards Arrival in