Morris tribune., 1901-04-20
QUAINT SAM HOUSTON.
HIS PICTURESQUE ATTITUDE in THE
UNITED STATES SENATE.

Clad In an Indian Blanket, His Prin-
cipaI Employment Was whiting
Pine Sticks-EFis QuitcIaim Deed to
One Hundred and Sixty Acres of
Land.
i General Sam Houston Of Texas, was
the most picturesque figure in the SEN
ale 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 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 the independence Of
Texas was still fresh in the public
mind. Visitors to the senate chamber
i 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
dignified demeanor and had lionlike
countenance.
Always unconventional in dress, he
would now and then appear at the cap
itol wearing a vast and SNOWY sombre-
70 and a Mexican blanket, sort of or
| namental bedquilt with 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. It
was only at rare intervals that, he
broke silence, 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 Houston's career was
/ nobler than the heroic stand against
| disunion which marked it's close, while
I OF his kindliness of nature and sgener-
| Gus 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 I'm
dian tract" to which Houston held tt
| tie, fact many Of the settlers thereon,
a careless pioneer brood, failed to
search out One of them called upon
William A, Richardson, long member
Of the house from the Quincy district
and t}sequently a senator from his
stare, and asked if he knew Houston.
Richardson said he did, whereupon his
visitor c0nfided to him that he had in
advertentiy settled upon 100 acres of
Housten'S hand and that all he was
worth stood III improvements on it. He
wanted richardson. to see Houston and
make the best terms that he could.
Richardson upon Ms return to Wash
| ington told Houston the story and ask
ed what he wGHid take for quitclaim
deed to the 100 acrs'S
What sort of a man is this constitu.
ent of yours who has biundered upon
my landY' 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
whats this farm worth now?" ask.
ed Houston
improvements and all about sc. 900. .
was the response. 1.st
what was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on itY queried
Houston.
about SIS an acre; $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 $780,, and I'll
make him aided"
In due time the $500 reached Wash
ington In the shape of a New York
draft. Richardson sought Houston,
who, having executed deed, took the
draft and Endorsed it. II.
you say this man Of yours is q good
fellowY' 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 good sad |
die horse for out in that country He |
was told that 5000 would do it. well, |
then" said Houston, write to your
friend and tell him to buy a first class |
saddle horse about 4 years old and |
keep him for me. When congress adj
jolrns, will go home with you and |
ride the horse down to Texas ss.,,,
Without delay the man in Illinois re-
ceived back his draft and bought sad
die; horse, the best he could find. Just
before adjournment Houston sought
Richardson. you say the fellow who's
got my horse is tiptop good manY
Richardson again declared him one OF
the best in his 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 go
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 IL it was good horse
or not. Personal Recollections of Ga
lrsha A. Grow as Related to Rufus