Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-24
CASTORIA
For Infants and Children.
The Kind You Have Always Bought
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QUAINT SAM HOUSTON.

Recollections of Galusha A. Grow, in the
Saturday Post.
General Sam Houston. of Texas, was
the most picturesque figure in the senate
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 lone Of the boys" Only those who
were youngsters in the forties 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
disappointed in their hero, for he was
large of frame, of stately carriage and
dignifed demeanor and had a ionlike
countenance.
Always unconventional in dress, he
would now and then appear at the capitol
wearing a vast and snowy sombrero and
a Mexican blanket sort of ornamental
bed quilt with slit in the middle,
! through which the wearers head was
| thrust, leaving the blanket to hang in
folds around the body. His principal en-
ployment in the senate was whiting pine
/ sticks, of which he seemed to have an
unlimited supply 1t was only at rare in
tervals that he broke silence, but when he
did speak he always proved himself ca
pable Of contributing his quota of sound
and patriotic advice to the deliberations
| of the senate.
e No passage in Houston's career was
nobler than the heroic stand against dis
union which marked its close, while of his
kindness of nature and helpfulness to
| those in distress one could recall stories
sufficient to fill volume.
Near Quincy, ILL.,, there was a stretch
| of country known as the Indian tract"
| of the settlers thereon, a careless pioneer
| brood, failed to 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 state, confided to him that he had
inadvertently settled upon 100 acres of
| Houstons land, and that all he was worth
| stood in improvements on it. He wanted
/ Richardson to see Houston and make the
| best terms that he could. Richardson, up
| on his return to Washington, told Hous-
] ton the story and asked what he would
| take for quitclaim deed to the 100 acres.
/ What sort of man is this constituent
| of yours who has blundered upon my
| land?" asked Houston.
| "A good, square, honest man." was the
reply.
when I turn him off my land reckon
he and his family will be beggsrs?"
| Richardson nodded.
Whats this farm worth now?" asked
/ Houston. ..-.- ....-
Improvements and all, about $6,OOO,"
| was the response.
What was the bare place worth when
| you fellows went on it?" queried Houston.
About s. an acre; $500 in ALL" answered
| Richardson
| Good fellow, this man of yours. Rich
! ardson?" This after 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 Washington
| In ba of No
ardson sought Houston, who having ex
ecuted a deed, took the draft and in
dorsed it.
You say this man of yours is a good
| fellow?" he asked, thoughtfully.
| Couldn't be better one" was the en-
| phatic answer.
Send him back this draft and tell him
| Sam Houston has changed his mind.
| What can you buy a good saddle horse
| for in that country?" He was told that
! $500 would do 1t. 'Well, them said
| Houston, write to your friend and tell
him to buy first class saddle horse,
| about four years old, and keep him for
me. When congress adjourns 1 will go
home with you and ride the horse down
| to Texas"
Without delay the man in Illinois re-
| ceived back the draft and bought a saddle
horse, the best he could find. Just before
| adjournment Houston sought Richardson.
| You say the fellow who's got my horse
| is a tiptop good MANI" Richardson again
| declared him one of the best in his dis
| trict. We'll" said Houston, with sigh,
! II should have liked first rate to see him
/ and also my horse, but as affairs turn
| out I 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'd would write
| and tell me if it was a good horse or