The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-13
SAN JACINTO VETERAN.
TIE vcaersblc Gentlemen Discusses His
Rights to . Pension.
NE SPEAKS PLAINLY ASSERTING THEM
Some Mistakes Made In Recording
Events OF the Memorable Battle
Painted by an Eyewitness.

Among the arrivals at the Hutchin
house Wednesday morning was gen
tleman somewhat infirm and gray Will
register with stout hickory cane ant
signed his name no one would hav,
thought by reason OF his manner CT APP
pearance that he was of more importanc,
or interest than the casual guest Hi
wrote his name Hardy w. y. rrice-ir
an exceedingly clear and bold hand for
man OF so years. and "A glance at his wei
defined features as he raised his head
showed an Intelligent expression and re-
markatly clear piercing eye for one OF his
age.
He appeared man OF Importance ant
no doubt with a history. which, IL told
would reveal experiences worth listen.
ing to.
A reporter Tor The Post on inquiry
learned the gentleman was none other
than a veteran of the battle of San ia
cinto, not enc of those veterans who We're
Just q few miles away ani heard the fir-
ing OF the twin sisters. or the results OF
the conflict on the following day, but
q man who with courage and bravery
Killed MeXicans with MS own weapons In
the heat of the conflict.
The gentleman, as he engaged The Post
man in conversation, said II have just
come from my present home at Clayton,
sla.,l and | am OF my wa to Austin.
leaving tonight, TO lay properly before the
rev government some n.sttcrs for con-
sideration at their hand" About twenty
FIVE years ago, while this State was under
radical rule, she gave me $3.50 per annum
for four years and then | was cut Off for
the reason that ] was a non resident of
Toxas II appears that the law governing
the matters of pensions to San Jacinto
veterans requires benefCiarics to be resi-
dents OF the state
At tie last egiSiatnre had all OF my
claim papers presented by Senator b. f.
Rogers cf Anderson county AMI after duo
oction they were referred to committee
of which he was a member, and then re-
ferred to & subcommittee uni that conf
mittee made n favorable report. which was
adopted by the committee of the whole.
One of the committee WAS requested and
he agreed to draw up n bill for my bene-
mt, but for Fome reason not known to me
he failed to do so.
While l was in Austin Last April cav
Judge Fulmcre and proposed to engage
his services in my behalf, which he of
fered to do gra;uit ,usly but he thought
what my presence would avail nore than
his efforts. He said also that when a
lawyer undertook to engineer n bill
through the legislature the law makers
would at once become suspicious, think
ing that the large share OF the pension
would &C to his fee account, AMI III this
way the true merits of the case were large
ly handicapped
what Is your present plan OF action ."
inquired the reporter.
II am going On ut oLce 20 Austin" SAID
the veteran. and stay until learn de6n-
iiely whst they are golag 10 10 for me I
intend to come back m Srcyas. tor I GER
ts.nl. love the grand old State as an infant
as / first knew, and helped to nurse It,
She has grown to a magnificent physique
OF which no one can feel ashamed. We
value nm article according to its cost and
I am here to tell you how close a bargain
we had to get Teyas left the S.nte to
go to Alabama because had n dependent
mother there. and white ! loved Texas
mono the less, ] lov,d my mother more.
In coming here this time the alroads
have been very kind to me IN giving me
all tho transportation necessary, and when
get to Austin, II either or both OF the
bodies assembled will. give me audience
will gladly make thrri speech myself
and my voice. as you see, IS com onrnttvaly
we'll preserved to do 1t. am willing to
move to my old state and become n ein-
zen here again To keep within the lodrds
Of the law governing tho pension | ask
for"
10 you rcsatl "reminiscences OF he Ia
nous ba.tle?" enjoine1 The Post man
IT am glad you asked that question
said he, 1T is about as history he's Il,
exccp. some mistakes VIII. Il I taxi excep-
ticns TIC from my own experience ard
presence then and there.
~ was u private IN Captain Bryant's
company. Sherman re''i-,ant and was
~ yeare OF age at the time nnd the Incl
dents made so firm an imore5aion OH my
yeung mind that have carried tnem faith |
fully and correctly ever since.
There IS a painting hanging n the
walls of the capitol ut ;,sti, Of General
Houston lying wounded ~ n couch and
under q tree This Is ineo ret, he,arso |
he vas In comfortable vailed tent ind |
the tree about which so muah has been |
srokei WAS not over he trnt but iriine-
diately at the head OF II. II was rcd |
oak tree about a foot IN diameter. and Y II |
Is TIL there Am sure can ,i',s Il m,t,
II was standing near this tent when
Santa Anna was brought up as captive
end heard bin say I am the great Span
isl Napoleon. Don Antonio Topaz dc Santa
Anna, am your prisoner of war and
ways generous General Houston. after
cclIocuy OF some words. thea snid Th5re
arc about $50 OF your soldiers dying
wounded In the field. what Is youra leasure
concerning them? Tho reply came: I
would Just as soon that they lay there
AHu pieucu ou tue krOlnu rs uuy otneT
way The smcn djd lay thers and none
Of them were buried
II wrote to Aust;n some time pgo and
told them there that was riad n know
~ the proposed purchase of The land Of
tho battlefield and hoped that thew would
10 Il, but they ought to look first to the
source that made park nnsslble.
~ ike ~ tell about those things be-
cAiIse II will reach \ people whom I Look
On In way AS children ike 10 tell Jokes
70, and few can heat me- at II. and then
eriay q hearty lanrh because teiieve
Will live longer BY IT,
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