The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-10-03
QUAINT SAM HOUSTON.
Amusing Story ol the Famous Texan
When He Was IN the Senate,


Recollections ~ Galusha A. Grow. Il
the Saturday Post
General sam Houston. Of Texas, wal
the mos; picturesque figure in the sen
ate during my FIRST years og scryic,
at the CAPITOL Like Benton, ne WI,
very fond % young men. ani soon cam,
70 count me as zone Of the boys" Only
those who were youngsters IN the for
ties can realize the interest people fell
In Houston In the days when his part
In the struggle for the Independence
/ " Texas was still fresh In the public
mind. Visitors 20 the senate chamber
| Invariably asked 10 have him pointed
/ out 70 them. and they Were never dis
| appointed in Their hero. for he was
/ large 0g frame. " stately carriage and
dignified demeanor and had ll,nlke
c0untensnce.
Always Unconventional In dress he
would now ana then appear at the caol-
tol wearing a vast and snowy 5omhrero
and a Mexican blanket. sort ~ Orna-
mental bed Quil. with sll; IN the mid
die, through which the wearer's head
was thrust. leaving the blanket 20 hang
In folds around the body His pFin-
c!pal employment tn the senate was
whiting pine sticks. Og which he SEEM
cd t0 have an unlimited supply 1. was
only at rare intervals thar he broke
silence. but when he did speak ne al
ways proved himself capable % contrib
ut.ng his quota NJ sound and patriotic
advice 20 the deliberations Of the senate.
No passage in HoustoQ's career was
n0bler than the heroic stand against
disunion which marked It's close. while
% his klndliness of nature and generous
helDfulless TO those in distress one
could recall stories sufficient 10 an a
volume.
Near Quincy. NJ. there was A stretch
OF country known as the Indian tract.
20 which Houston held title. A fact
many OF the settlers thereon. a careless
pioneer brood. failed 70 search out
One OF them called upon William A.
Richardson. long a member OF the
house from the Quincy district and
subsequently a senator from his s,ate,
contiiei 10 him that he had lnaiverl-
entity settled upon l60 acres OF Hous-
tons land and that all he was worth
stood In improvements on t. He want
cd Richardson 10 see Houston and make
the bes. terms that ne could Richard
son upon his return TO Washington told
Houston the story and asked what he
would take Tor a quitcllim deed to the
100 acres
What sort OF a man Is this cons,ltu-
ant Ot yours who has bluniered upon
my land?' asked Houston.
"A good. square honest man." was |
he reply.
When I turn him on my land I reck-
N he and his family will be beggars?" |
Richardson nodded.
What's this farm worth now? asked /
improvements and ali. about 5000"
vas the response.
What was the bare place worth
when you fellows went On t?" quer'ed
Houston.
About s. a acre. $500 In all." an
.wered Richardson.
Good fellow this man OF yours.
3lchardson?" This after a moments
hough,.
"Bes; In the world" said Richardson.
Tel him to SEMI me $500 and I'll
make him a deed
In due time the $500 reached Wash
ngt1n In the shape ~ n New York
Iraft Richardson sought Houston,
Who. having executed a deed. took the
Iraft and indorsed a.
You say this man Of yours "a a good
ellow?" he askei lhoughtfully.
"Cou Int be a better one" was the
mphltic ans Ter
Send MIN back this draft AMI tell
I'm Sam HOus.on has changed his
mind. Wha- can YOU buy a good sad
le horse for 10 that country" He was
old that 5000 would do H. We'll. then"
aid Houston. write 20 your friend
nd tell him 20 buy a first-class saddle
.orse. abou, four years old. and keep
i'm for me-. When congress adjDurns
Will 70 home with you AMI ride the
he horse down 20 Texas"
Without delay the man In Illinois re-
eived back his draft and bought a
addl- horse. the best he cOuld find. |
ust before adjournment Houston
ought Richards)a. You. say the fel-
W. who's got my horse Is tiptOp good
lan?' Richardson again declared him
ne Of The best N his district. well"
aid Houston with A sigh Il should
ave liked frs, rate to see him and also
" horse. but as affairs turn out I
lust 90 straight to Texas. When you
st home go over and zee this man Z
nd tell him 10 sell the horse and do
nat he pleases with the money. And.
v the way. Richardson. 7 wish YOU
ould write and tell me II Il was
O1d horse or not"