The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-24
StrangeSt Of Wicbita'S
ljlSIiorS

~F-Liiir ElplSlll- Sll OF ile famous
sam Houston. is totally unlike any other
visitor who comes to Wichita. He was
In the city last week He has a curious
mixture Ia him OF the west and the south
lie is very large man with a large head
covered with loosely curling hair and goes
smooth shaver. his feet are As small as
"A woman's. lie has teeth that are as
white and even as q bellies. Part Of the
time his mental attitude and expression
is that Of a southerner. with All the south
err suavity and grace The next moment
it is the rough and ready, strenuous west
ern sledge-hammer way. lie Is cxtraor-
dinariiy wen Informed on subjects that
the average westernCr knows nothing
about the politics Of continental Europe
Egyptolcgy. geology. Almost always when
he comes to Wichita he uanders up stairs
@ the Eagle eyrie where he Is always
welcome visitor because YOU can always
drag a good story fron him. story that
nobody else from Oklahoma has thought
70 tel ana told in Houston's own way
Houston. in southern fashion always takes
his hat on when ne enters room and
no one ever saw him put his feet on the
desk. a universal habit IN this part OF the
country He never talks shop. although
he is one OF the most brilliant criminal
lawyers IN the west.
Recently Colonel Mcclure published his
recoIecuons OF sam Houston. and with IL
a photograph. Everything that Mcclure
speaks OF rs characteristic Of the father
is To be seen in the son. The portrait OF
sam Houston is a portrait OF the man
who visits Wichita occasionally.
The greatest Texan apparently left in
Temple who was his Youngest son. the
impress of his personality. Colonel No
Ciure. speaking of the frst meeting. says,
~ was especially attracted To Houston
bv his magnificent physique and siuSu
larly strong Roman face Ny enthusi-
asm over his romantic and distinguished
career led me 10 introduce myself. and
had most delightful chat with him
during the entire journey 10 Harrisburg.
lie was fascinating conversationalist.
although it required considerable eftort
70 get him to talk about his own career.
He impressed me as a man Of extraor-
binary Intellectual force and h was one
OF the most graceful ard courtly gentle
man. but his ordinary habits were uncon-
ventional."
splendid history: how he rose TO promin-
ence ut the bar in Nashville and having
married Miss Eliza Allen. rich and sc-
compIished. discovered on the dav Of the
wedding that she loved another and was
persuaded into the marriage by her par
ents; how he forthwith set out into the
west and lost himself among t-e Cherokee
Indians with whom he became powerful.
His marriage in Tennessee had taken
ed two terms in congress from that state.
and while he was a candidate for re-clec-
ton. Later when Texas was struggling
for independence Houston whipped Santa
Anna AT San Jacinto with mere handful
of men. lie was elected president OF
Texas Then ne served in the Texas sen
ate. Then he was elected president again.
He demanded that the United States an
mex Texas and brought # about He
was senator from 1876 70 1883 in Wash
irgton. lie was elected governor Of
Texas I'm 1850. He vetoed the resolution
for secessing being a Jackson union man.
The legislature passed 70 over his veto.
re refused 10 take the oath of'aIlegiance
TO the Confederacy and was deposed from
the g0vernorship He did not live 70 see
his stand INDICATED.
These facts are given because articles
from men who knew sam Houston per
sonally are rare.
His son Temple is as reticent as his
forebear in personal matters. He never .
talks OF his father or his notable history. Z