The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-28

domoralized. which led to brawls and
bloodshrd among them. While he lived
there Talllhlna and Houston were frequent
guests of the officers and their ladies Of
Fort Gibson. where they were very popu-
lar and always welcomed. and they finally
removed from Fort Gibson and settled at
Wilson Rock" on the west side of the
Arkansas opposite 10 Fort COifce. then
occupied bv TIE military and commanded
bv capt. Bonneville. Here ne built
house and store room and lived until he
lcft for Texas. In his wild ana insane
orgies with his Cherokee associates ne
was dangerous and would have been killed
but for his great popularity. and on such
occasions they would surround and tie
linn until he became sober. At one time,
when crazy drunk. he assaulted John Jol-
~. his best friend. ard beat him severe
~. He was secured. after fierce strue-
gle. during which he was Knocked sense
less and thought to be dead, and the old
chief moufned over him piteously. but be
recovered in q few days after the tender
care they gave him. His rcmorse for this
act caused a change IN his life. He be-
came sober. and nc called convention of
the Cherokees he publicly apolosized for
his errors. legged them to forget his iaults
said he intended TO leave the nation ANA
shook hands with an I'm token OF amity.
LETTERS FROM WASHINGTON.
over the river nj Fort Coffee. Houston
had frequent and friendly intercourse with
the officers Of the post Ii was here TINT
he received this mail after his retreat was
known. and letters came To him from
Washington. Nashville and Little ROCK.
The invasion Of Texas was being organ
ized bv col. Travis Houston was in COM
muniCation with the leaders of the move
r,ent and he decided on his course i'm
that direction. although he had thought
Of Joining Ronneville's exploring eNpedlt-
ion. He had lived among the Cherokees
about three years. The fever OF excite
nnt that led him there had burned out.
There was an affCctionate parting between
him and Tallihina. He mounted mis- IN
dian pony ana came down so Van hureR
and Fort smith stayed few days az
capt Rogers hotel and started on the
road to Texas. Mai. John Henry, OF van
pureu. and Mai Elias Rector OF Fort
Smith accompanied him on the ROAD as
far as Doggy Depot in the Choctaw Ma
ton. where they parted. Houston was
poor. III dressed and riding a small pony.
Iobn Henry dismounted from his fine
horse and exchanged for the pony, ana
Mai Rector gave him fne pair or PTS
tolls This was in the year 1922.
For his brilliant and successful career
In Texas as q soldier and statesman Ms
name is bright i'm the history Of our coun-
try
Houston did not forget his Cherokee
wife and after the excitement of the
Texan campaign he wrote and asked her
10 reioin him This she refused 10 DO
saving that she would never leave her
people. and felt that she would be conien-
IA or happy away from them. She was
comfortably situated In her home, had two
negro servants ard lived fve or six years
there. She died from an attack of pnen-
monia, and was buried near her nome az
Wilson's Rock She had no children.
In the year 1872 the writer accompanied
her sister. Maria. and husband. Judge
Daniels. on a visit 10 the grave where ihey
planted some flowers and rose oushes'
Subsequently there was a slab placed thcre
IN MI Wilson. who lived many years III
the vicinity.
The writer met Cen Houston when ne
was member Of Congress I'm 1850. spent
ge,eral evenings in his company ana
learned much of liou-ton's career during
the three yecrs that ne lived among the
Wce ern Cherokee
Houston was stern Jackson man ana
cculd moi reconcile his mind io The idea
or secession and disunion. The Texans
foreo; an Do Ind done for thcm. m 'Ho
frenzy of the sece-s sion movement ana no
was invited 10 resign from hls hien posi-
ton. He dld so. nu0 lived for sevefai
wears ostracisod and ignored In his home
AT Hunt villc where he died