The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-14
RECENT TRIP TO TEXAS.


Several interesting stories are being told
concerning the trip to Texas, last fall, of
Governor Mount, his staff and the Indiana
representatives of the G. A r., for the
purpose of returning their battle flag to
Terry's Texas Rangers. One of these is to
the effect that there was a well-defined
plot to steal the flag before it left Indian
apolis. in order hat the Governor might be
deprived of the prestige hat would accrue
from participation in an event of such his
toric Importance. Whenever a newspaper
man gets within hailing distance of a group
that is discussing thus feature of the trip.
an ominous silence sel.les over the party
like a funeral pail. The full details of the
incident could not be learned, but it is
known that publication of all the facts
would create a sensation in certain quar-
tiers.
A state official, whose tenn
permanent is decidedly nervous, was placed
In charge of the trophy or the hot and furi-
Gus encounter of the Seventeenth Indiana
with the untamed horde of Terry's Rang
ers. This gentleman also had the custody
of the staff that accompanied the flag. On
the morning of the 5th of O%ctober-the day
when the martial emblem was to'be handed
over to the Governor of Texas before
cheering housands-the staff was missing.
AT the hotel where the Indiana party was
assigned quarters all was hustle and con-
fusion. Bellboys, walters and bootblacks
were hurrying and scurrying hither and
thlther, In a mad attempt to find the flag
pole.
was at its height, Lieut.. Col. Samuel T.
Murdoch, of Lafayette, one of the biggest
and handsomest members of Governor
Mounts military staff. stepped upon the
first landing of the broad stairway leading
to the floors above, and, assuming a Rob-
ert Mantell attitude. roared out right lus-
tily: Ten dollars to the one who finds and
returns that Flagstaff inside of ten minutes.
/ mean 1t" The words were scarcely clear
of his lips when he found himself gazing
at the empty air. Every person In the lobby
of the hotel had fled TO parts unknown, TO
prosecute a frantic search for the missing
piece of wood. In ten minutes the staff was
placed in Colonel Murdock's hands, and the
money was actually paid over to the finder.
A dollar per minute Is considered fair COM
pensation by belfboys, even in Texas.
Everybody drinks in Texas. Governor
Sayres met a, couple of Governor Mounts
gayly uniformed body guard the day of
their arrival in Texas on the street and
asked them: Where is the Guvnah, gen.
tlennen? l want to take him to join me in
a drink" Being told that Governor Mount
is an absolute teetotaler, the ruler of the
Texans held up his hands I'm horror and ex-
damned For Gods sake. how am I goin'
to entertain him. them"
Edward Green, son of the famous .Het-
~" Green, helped entertain the Governors
staff during their stay in Texas, and would
have done more than he did had the time
of the trip not been limited. Mr.. Green
proved to be built on quite different lines
from those popularity ascribed TO his moth
er. He believes that money was made to
Dallas Club, of which he is a prominent
member, he had champagne flowing like
water all the time the staff of Indiana's
chief executive remained in the city. After
the exercises incident to the return of the
flag were over. Mr.. Green took the party
for a trip out over the State i'm his private
car