Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-06-03
QUAINT SAM HOUSTON
HIS PICTURESQUE ATTITUDE IN THE
UNITED STATES SENATE.

4
ciDaI Employment Was whiting
One Hundred and sixty Acres of
Land.
| 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 WIS still fresh in the public
| mind. Visitors 10 the senate chamber
1 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 a 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, a sort of or
namental bedquilt with a slit in the
II
head was thrust. leaving the blanket to
Aang in folds around the body. His
principal employment in the senate
was whiting pine sticks, Of which he
seemed to have an unlimited supply. 1t
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
uobler than the heroic stand against
disunion which marked its close, while
o: his kindness of nature and gener-
Gus helpfulEess toShose 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 ii
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
and subsequently a senator from his
state, and asked if he knew Houston.
Richardson said he did, Whereupon his
visitor consded 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 ii. 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
cd what he would take for quitclaim
deed to the 100 acres.
what sort of man is this constitu-
ent of yours who has Numbered 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
gars?"
Richardson nodded.
whats this farm worth now?" ask
ed Houston.
improvements and all about S6,OOO,"
was the response.
what was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on it?" queried
Houston.
About 50 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 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 Endorsed Ii.
1, q e
fellow" 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 n goodf 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 first class
saddle horse about years old and
keep him for me. When congress adj
journs, l will 40 home with you and
ride the horse down TO Texas"
Without delay the man in Illinois re-
ceived back his draft and bought a sad
die horse, the best he could find. Just
before adjournment Houston sought
Richardson. You say the fellow who's
got my horse Is uptop good man:
Richardson again declared him one OF
the best in his district. well" said
Houston, with a sigh. Il should have
liked first rate to see him and also my
horse, but as affairs turn out l must go
straight to Texas. when you get home.
go over and see this man ard tell him |
to sell the horse and do what lie |
pleases with the money. And. by the |
way, Richardson, 1 wish you would |
write and tell me If it was a good horse |
or not."-Personal Recollections of Ga
lusha A. Grow as Related to Rufus |
Rockwell Wilson In Saturday Evening |
Post.
Satisfaction.