The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-19
SIXTY YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

expedition against the Indians and partci-
pated in the battles OF July Is AMI ID,
commonly called the Cherokee battles,
though several tribes OF Indians were
engaged in them. SO well did the young
man acqult himself that he was offered
lleutenancy in the regular army OF the Re
pubilc OF Texas, which oGer lie declined
and went to farming. Shortly after tails ne
was appointed deputy public surveyor for
Nacogdoches county, the county then eni-
bracing all the land which II now con ans
and that which has since been used for
the creation OF about dozen other COIN
ties; he was also the deputy surveyor for
Houston county which adjoined Nacog
doches His duties kept him in the woods
all Of the time, his only recreatlons being
hunting 10 provide himself with something
TO eat ana and an occasional encodntef
with Indian or varmlnt, also TO the enl
that his life be preserved.
In 1892 he had become we'll known in
Nacogdoches county. which is attested by
the fact that he was elected justice OF the
peace and captain of militia. In those
days much dignity attached TO the Office
OF justice OF the peace, and a man had to
stand we'll in the community TO be- elect
ed. While justice he began the study OF
law. though his facilities were limited as
we'll as his time, for he had to make u
living outside the emoluments of the high
office he held. In 1874 he removed to the
frontier going to the section which has
since become Kaufman county, Here no
engaged in cattle raising and continued
h.; law studies In 1886, after Texas had
been admitted to the Union. he was elect
ed probate judge of Henderson county,
and also colonel OF the, militia.
In 1Sl7 he was elected a member of the
legislature OF Texas. and while a member
no pl "a nf lutV ~ !
admitted to practice in all the courts OF
the State. He now took UP law as a
means of livelihood and in short time
became one of the foremost members OF
the bar of the state. in 1852 he was
elected judge OF the Ninth judicial dis
trict, which position he neld only short
time. resigning to return to his private
practice. In 1856 he was again elected 10
the district judgeship ana again resigned.
but this time to take another office.
In 1857 he entered National politics. He
was nominated by the democrats of the
| First Texas district as their candidate for
congress. He did not desire the nomina-
| ton. and. In fact, wrote letter declin-
! Ing the nomination. because he was OPP
| posed to measures which were advocated
| by those who rendered him the nonina-
ton. These measures were the reopening
of the African slave trade, the llibus or
| ing OF Cuba Mexico and Central America
and the creation of Territories Into
States. in order to preserve the balance
Despte hasA opposition to the measures
mentioned and the fact that he had de.
| ciined the nomination. he was elected
| by 1000 majority over the then congress-.
man, L. d. Evans, who represented tn,
| American or know nothing" marty
Reagan accepted the congressional cleo.
ton. resigned the iudgeship and served lr
the Thirty flfth congress. In 1889 he was
e-elected by II majority of II, 0O0, though
his opponent was an able man
Retiring from congress IN 1850 with the
other members from the Southern States
he started home. At New Orleans he
learned that he had been chosen a dele.
gate to the constitutional convention
DIETER known as the secession oonven.
tionl. which was then IN session at Aus
tin, and hither he went. He partIcinatef
In all the proceedings OF that convention
and developed a large influence He wa,
elected one OF the six delegate.
from Texas to the provisional con.
gress Of the Confederacy. His col
leagues-all dead long ago but none o.
them forgotten in Texas-were forme,
United States Senator'S Hemphill snt
Wigfall, Judge ochlltree. Judge Gregg ant
General Waul. On arrival at Montgomer,
he was appointed postmaster general pr,
tenn of the Confederate States. which no
sition he accepted at the same time hi,
seat In the provisional congress and regu
larry attending its sessions. When til,
constitutional government of the Confed