Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-07
QUAINT SAM HOUSTON.
His Picturesque Attitude in the United
States Senate.

the 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 TO
count me as zone Of the 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 the independence of
Texas was still fresh In the public
mind Visitors to the Senate chamber
invariably asked to have him pointed
out to them. and they were never dis
appointed In their hero, for he was
large Of frame, Of stately carriage and
dignlhed demeanor and had a lion-like
countenance.
Always unconventional In dress he
would now and then appear at the cap
itol wearing vast and snowy sombrero
and a Mexican blanket, a SORT of orna-
mental bed quilt with a slit In the mid
die, through which the wearers head
was thrust, leaving the blanket to hang
in folds around the body. His principal
employment In the Senate was Whit
Ting pine sticks, OF which he seemed
10 have an unlimited supply 1t was
only at rare intervals that he broke sill
ence. but when he did speak he always
proved himself capable Of contributing
his quota Of sound and patriotic advice
to the deliberations Of the Senate.
No passage In Houstons career was
nobler than the heroic stand against
disunion which marked its close. while
OF his kindness OF nature and gem
erous helpfulness 70 those In distress
che could recall stories sufficient to I'LL
a volume.
Near Quincy, ILL.,. there was a stretch
Of country known as the Indian tract"
to which Houston held title, fact
many of the settlers thereon, careless
pioneer brood, failed 70 search out. One
Of them called upon William A. Rich
ardson, long member OF the house
from the Quincy district and subse-
quently q senator from his state, con-
flded 10 him that he had inadvertently
settled upon 100 acres of Houston 8 land
and that all he was worth stood In
improvements on II. lie wanted Rich
aidson to see Houston and make the
best ter,fs that he could. Richardson,
upon his return to Washington, told
Houston the story, and asked what he
would take for qut-olalm deed to the
100 acres.
what sort Of a man is this constitu-
ent Of your who has Numbered upon my
land2' asked Houston.
"a good, square, honest man. was
the reply.
when / turn him off my land !
reckon he and his family viii be beg
garsG'
Richardson nodded.
Whats this farm worth now?'
asked Houston.
improvements and all, about $4,000
was the response.
What was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on lt?' queried
Houston.
About IS an acre; or $500 In ALL" an
swered Richardson.
Good fellow, this man OF yours
richardson" This after a moments
thought
Best in the world" said Richardson
Tell him to send me $500 and I'll
make him a deed"
In due time the $500 reached WASH
ington In the shape OF New York
draft. Richardson sought Z, Houston,
who. having executed the deed took the
draft and Endorsed II.
you say this man Of yours Is a good
fellow" he asked, thoughtfully.
couldn't be a 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 stable
horse for in that country He was
told that $500 would do 1t. wei then"
said Houston, write TO your friend and
tell him to buy first class saddle
horse about years old, and keep him
for me. When Congress adjourns ! will
60 home with you and ride the horse
down to Texas"
without delay the man In Illinois re-
celved back his draft and bought a sad
dc horse, the best he could find. just
before adjournment Houston sought
Richardson. "You say the fellow who
has got my horse Is tip-top good
mani" Richardson again declared him
one Of the best In the district. well"
said Houston, with sigh. II should
have liked first rate to see him and
also my horse, but as affairs turn out
/ must 90 straight to Texas, When you
get home go over and see this man
and tell him to sell the horse and do
what he pleases with the money. And,
by the way. Richardson, | wish you
would write and tell me II II was good
horse or not. Saturday Evening Post.