The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1901-06-06

Clad In an Indian BLANKET NE
..,,o1 EmnIoyment Was Whtttling
pine, sttcks-His Quitclaim seed 10
One Hundred and Sixty Acres OF
Land. Il
General Sam Houston Of Texas was
the most picturesque figure In the sens
ale 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 feIt
in Houston in the days when MS part
in the struggle for the independence OF
Texas was stiIl fresh in the pubic
mind. Visitors to the senate chamber
invariably asked to have him polnteo
out to them, and they were never dis
appointed in their hero, for he was
large of frame, of stately carriage ana
dignified demeanOr and had honllKe
cOuntenance-
ALWAYS unconventional in dress, he
would now and then appear at the cap
itol wearing a vast and snowy sOmDre-
70 and q Mexican blanket. sort OF or
namentaI bedquilt with a slit In the
middle through which the wearers
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 ne
seemed to have an unlimited supply. 1t
was only at rare intervals that ne
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 againSti
dfsunion which marked it's close, while
| oe his kindliness of nature and gener-
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 IN
dian tract" to which Houston held IL
tie, a 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 subsequently a senator from his
state. and asked If he knew Houston.
Richardson said he did. whereupon his
visitor confided to him that he had in
advertently settled upon 160 acres of
Houston's 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 updn his return to Wash
ington told Houston the story and ask.
ed what be would take for a quitclaim
deed to the 160 acres.
What sort of man is this cOnStitu-
ent of yours who has. blundered upon
my Iand?" asked Houston. .-.--
"A good. square, honest man." was
the reply.
when turn him off my land.
reckon he and his family will be beg
garsT
Richardson nodded.
whats this farm worth nowP ask
ed Houston.
Improvements and all about $4,000, y
was the response.
What was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on it?" queried
: Houston.
about $5 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 $500, and I'll
make him deed"
In due time the $500 reached Wash.
ingtOn in the shape of a 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 a! better one," was the
emphatic answers
''Send him back this draft and tel
!, him Sam Houston has changed his
mind. What can you buy a good sad
die horse for out In that countryP HI
= was told that 5000 would do it. ''Well
5 then," said Houston, write to yom
friend and tell him to buy a first class
+ saddle horse about years old anG
keep him for me. When congress ad
Journs, l will go home with YOU anG
ride the horse down to Texas"
Without delay the man in Illinois re
t ceived' back his draft and bought a sad
D die horse, the best he could find. Just
D oerore adjournment Houston sought
Richardson "YOn say the fellow who,
got my horse is tiptop good man p
Z Richardson again declared him one Of
the best IN his district. "Weu." saif
l Houston, with a sigh, 81 should have
Z liked first rate to see him and also nv
: horse, but as affairs turn out must or
: straight to Texas. When you get home
go over and see this man and tell him
v to sell the horse and do what be
o pleases with the money. And. by the
. way, Richardson, wish you would
write and tell me If it was a good borst
or nOt"-PerSonaI RecoIIections of 70