Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-04-26
QUAINT SAN HOUSTON
HIS PICTURESQUE ATTITUDE IN THE
UNITED STATES SENATE.

Clad Ia an indian Blanket. Ills PrIn-
cipai Employment Was whiting
Pine Sticks-Iiis QuitcIaim Deed 20
One Hundred and sixty Acres OF
Land.
General Sam Houston Of Texas was
tie most picturesque figure in the SEN
ate during my first years of service at
the capitol. Like Benton, he was very
fond Of young men and soon came 10
count me as zone Of his boys" Only
those who were youngsters in the for
ties can realize the interest people felt
IN Houston in the days when his part
IN the struggle for thd independence Of
Texas WAS still fresh in the public
mind. Visitors To the senate. chamber
Invariably asked To have him pointed
out TO them, ana they were never dis.
appointed in their hero, for he was
large of frame, of stately carriage and
dignihed demcanor and had nonlike
countenanCe.
Always unconventional i'm dress he
would now and then appear at the cap
itol wearing a vast and snowy somhre-
70 and "A Mexican blanket. a sort of or
namental bedquilt with a slit in the
middle through which the wearer's
head was thrust. leaving the blanket to
hang IN folds around the body. His
principal employment in the senate
was whiting pine sticks. of which he
seemed to have an unlimited supply. 1t
was only at rare intervals that he
broke silence, but when he did spcsk
he always proved himself capable of
contributing his quota of sound and
patriotic advice to the deliberations of
the senate.
No passage in Houston's career was
nCbler than the heroic stand against
disunion which marked its close. Will,
oe his kindliness of nature and gener.
ouS helpfulness to those in distress one
could recall stories sufficient to fill a
volume.
Near Quincy, Ills, there was a
stretch of country known as the IN
dian tract" to which Houston held ii.
tie, fact many Of the settlers thereon,
a careless nioneer brood. failed to
search out, One Of them called upon
William y. Richardson long member
of the house from the Quincy district
and subsequently Il senator from his
state, and asked if he knew Houston.
Richardson said he did. whcreupon his
visitor conGded to him that he had in
adver'sntly settled upon 100 acres of
HouStOn'S land and thar all he was
worth stood in improvements on it. He
wanted Richardson to see Houston and
make the best terms that he could.
Richardson upon his return TO Wash
lngton told Houston the story and ask
ed what he would take for a quitclaim
deed to the 100 acres,
What sort Of man is this constitu
ent Of yours who has blundcred upon
my land?' asked Houston.
"A good, square, honest man." was
the reply.
When turn him Off my land /
reckon he and his family will be beg.
garS?'
Richardson nodded.
What's this farm worth now?" ask.
ed Houston.
improvements and all about $4,000.
was the response.
What was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on it?" queried
Houston.
About s. an acre; $500 in ALL" an
swered Richardson
Good fellow. this man of yours.
richardson" this after moments
thought.
BEST in the world" said Richardson
"Tell him to send me $500, and I'll
make him deed"
In due time the $500 reached Wash
ington in the shape of New York
draft, Richardson sought Houston.
who having executed a deed, took the
draft and indorsed it.
You say this man Of yours is a good !
fellow he asked thoughtfully.
Couldn't be better one" was the
emphatic answer.
Send him back this draft and tell |
him Sam Houston has changed his
mind, What can you buy a good sad
die horse for out in that countryf" lie |
was told that 5000 would do it. "Weu, |
then," said Houston, write to your
friend and tell him to buy first class
saddle horse about 4 years old and |
keep him for me. When congress ad.
journs, will go home with you and
ride the horse down to Texas
Without delay the man in Illinois re-
ceived back his draft and bought a sad
die horse, the best he could find. Just
before adjournment Horston sought
Richardson. You say the fellow who's
got my horse is tiptop good man?"
again declared him one of
he best in his district. We'll" said
Houston, with a sigh, Il should have
liked first rate to see him and also my
lorse, but as affairs turn out | must go
straight to Texas. When you get home,
20 over and see this man and tell him
% sell the horse and do what he
)leases with the money. And. by the
way Richardson, | wish you would
write and tell me if it was a good horse
" not, personal Recollections OF Ga
usha A. Grow as Related to Rufus
leckwell Wilson in Saturday Evening
Post.
81 had piles so bad | could get no rest
lor find cure until tried DeWiH's
Witch Hazel Salve. After nsinm il