The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1901-04-10
QUAINT SAM HOUSTON
HIS PICTURESQUE ATTITUDE IN THE
UNITED sTATEs SENATE.

VIM EO = = I 10 oENS Z.
Clad In an Indian Blanket, His Prin-
cipal Employment Waa whiting
Pine Sticks-IIis QuitcIaim Deed to
One Hundred and sixty Acres of
Innd.
General Sam Houston Of Texas was
the most picturesque figure in the sen.
ate during my first years Of service at
the capitol. Like Benton, lie was very
fond Of young men and soon came To
count me as "one of his boys Only
those who we're 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
dignlfed demeanor and had a lionlike
countenance.
Always unconventional In dress. he
would now and then appear at the cap
itol wearing n vast and snowy sombre-
70 and a Mexican blanket, a sort of or
namental bedquilt with n 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 10 have an unlimited supply. II
was only ut rare intervals that he
broke silence, but when he did speak
lie always proved himself capable Of
contributing his quota Of sound and
patriotic advice to the deliberations of
the senate.
No passage In HouStun's career was
nobler than the heroic stand against
dlsunlon which marked its close willie
os his kindness OF nature and gener
Gus helpfulueSs 10 those in distress one
could recall stories sufficient to fill n
volume.
Near Quincy. Ills, there was a
stretch of country known as the TN |
dian tract" to which Houston held IL I
tie, fact many Of the settlers thereon, |
careless pioneer brood, failed to |
search out One OF them called upon |
William \. Richardson, long member
OF the house from the Quincy district I
and subsequently senator from his
state, and asked IL he knew Houston.
Richardson said lie did, Yhereupon his |
visitor conlided to him that he had in
adyertently settled upon 100 acres OF
IIouston's land and that all he was
worth stood in improvements on 1t. He
wanted Richardson to see Houston and |
make the best terms that he could. |
Richardson upon his return to Wash |
ington told Houston the story and ask
ed what he would take for II quitclaim |
deed TO the 100 acres.
"What sort of II man is this constltu- |
ent of yours who has Numbered upon |
my hndY asked Houston.
~ 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 nowY ask.
ed Houston
improvements and all about $4,000
was the response.
What was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on itT querled
Houston.
about So an acre; $500 in all an.
swercd Richardson.
Good fellow, this man of yours,
richardson" 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 Wash
iHgton In the shape of Il New York
draft Richardson sought Houston, |
who, having executed deed, took the |
draft and Endorsed It.
You say this man of yours is Ii good |
fellow he asked thoughtfully.
Couldn't be n 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 toli tidt T-up Nuulu no IT, w ell
then" said Houston, write to your
friend and tell him to buy first class
saddle horse about 4 years old and
keep him for me. When congress ad
journs, | will go home with you and
ride the horse down 10 Texas"
Without delay the man in Illinois re-
cclved back his draft ana 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 tptop good MANI"
again declared him one of
the best In his district. We'll" said
Houston, with sigh Il should have
liked first rate to see him and also my
horse, but as affairs turn ont ! must go
10 Texas. When you get home,
go over and see this man and tell him
10 sell the horse and do what he
plcases with the money. And, by the
way, Richardson, | wish you would
write and tell me IL 1t was a good horse
pr not."-Personal Reeollections of Ca
lusha \. Grow as Related to Rufus
Rockwell Wilson In Saturday Evening
Post.
The Breton Peasant.
If there Is country where the tradi-