Arizona republican., 1898-10-04
CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP co.

and stating, so it is told, that this was the last favor he would ever ask of a public man. So now the man who was no longer in power became the potent factor in humanity's cause
 General Houston reminded the sIl- perintendent that these men were pris- oners of war, and, having been captur- ed in honorable warfare, were entitled to respect. He pointed out their ig- norance of the geography of the coun- try and the fact that they would much prefer remaining in captivity to being found abroad in their uniforms This reasoning was only employed to give Colonel Carothers a plausible explana- ion of his acts in case they were called in question, fer with him the word or wish of Houston was higher than any law in the land. In the residence wing of the penitentiary building there were some large upper rooms set apart for the board of visitors and other guests General Houston suggested that these rooms be made immediately ready for the reception Of the unexpected guests, and the arrangement was perfected without delay The second night after their arrival the Yankees slept in as luxurious quarters as Texas then pos sessed. No trouble or complication confronted Colonel Carcthers in con- sequence of his act. General Houston s wish was an unwrftte1 law in Texas. His will was yet supreme to the patri- otic Texans; and as for Governor Lub- book, he could not forget that during the struggling days Of the young re- public the first office he ever held was the gift of President Houston.
 So the northern strangers soon ac- cepted the situation and settled down to something like contentment in their southern home. General Houston came often to see them and cheer their en- forced loneliness. Colonel and Mrs CarotherS paid them many attentions to remind them of home. Colonel Bur rell. the ranking officer, was taken ill soon after reaching Huntsville, and Mrs. Houston visited him and also sent him delicacies to the sick room.
 But in few short months a shadow darker than the cloud Of war fell over the little city and penetrated the prison walls. General Houston's health began to fail. The doctors recommends him to go to Sour Lake, fashionable re- sort now. famous Che even them. But while the seventy years Of the old sol dier rested lightly upon him, the trou- bles of his country had borne heavily upon his heart He contracted a se- were cold during his short stay at Sour Lake, and in his enfeebied condition was but an easy prey for pneumonia. lie came home but to be carried to the couch of suffering, and fight his las battle, this time with an unseen foe. So now he appeared no more to cheer the boys in blue. Even Colonel Car others visited less often the prisoners rooms. He spent every moment possi- ble a. General Houston's bedside. But whenever he found time to see the cap tives he was met by the unfailing ques- tion, first eager, afterward tremulous:
 How is General Houston today?"
 And as the days passed the superin- tendeni grew to dread the daily Ques- tion, and answered with aveTted eyes. Sometimes his eyes were red, and his voice had grown husky and strange The prisoners understood. And so. enc summer day, when Colonel Car others said he would not be near them again that day, or perhaps the next. they needed no words Of explanation. Later, through the open windows, they saw the crepe On his arm, and their eyes were as wet as his own. Just at sunset, on July 26, 1863, that life so full of adventure, of unsurpassed cour- age, of sublime patriotism, rounded its last chapter in beautiful repose- But when the clear sunshine Of July 27 lit up the blue Of the Texas sky, and the people forget the war; forgot all 1ndl- Vidual interes.s in a sense of personal loss, perhaps there were no saddeT hearts than those within the old peni- tentiary walls. And to those who spent their lives in touch win the per sonality of Houston it is comforting thought that the last public act of that great and dramatic career was prompt ed by the throbbing Of a warm and mighty heart-New York Sun.