Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-04-16
QUAINT SAM HOUSTON
Hls PICTURESQUE ATTITUDE IN THE
:..i ii UNITED STATES SENATE. .'.'

i+5.}- tSNttCD . AtCo ScNAlE.
Glad In an Indian Blanket, His Prin-
cfpal Employment Was Whiting
Pine sticks-His Quitclaim Deed to
One Hundred and Sixty Acres of
Land.
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, 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 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
dignifed demeanor and had lionlike
countenance.
Always unconventional in dress, he
would now and then appear at the cap
itol wearing vast and snowy sombre-
70 and Mexican blanket, a sort Of Or
namental bedquilt with a 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 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
nobler than the heroic stand against
disunion which marked it's close, while
Of 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 IT,
tie, fact many Of the settlers thereon,
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 senator from his
state, and asked il he knew Houston.
Richardson said he did, whereupon his
visitor confded to him that he had in
advertently settled upon 100 acres of
Houston'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 quitelaim
deed to the 100 acres. z22y@z
"What sort of a man is this constitl-
ent of yours who has blundered upon
my land?" asked Houston. sl x, f.
"a good, square, honest man." was
the reply. =" "'"..y ;
.'When I turn him off my land, /
reckon he and his family will be beg
gars?'' .. ..s ~.
Richardson nodded. ,n5@ -;
whats this farm worth now?'' ask.
ed Houston, +, -.~".o ....... r. &.<1
Improvements and all about $6.O00,'
was the response. T. =. "
sWhat was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on it?" queried
Houston. -::.&.- r. - 49,
"About SIS an acre; $500 in ALL" an.
swered Richardson. Z, H., z>.s....la.. I'll.
'''Good fellow, this man Of yours
Richardson" this after a moments
thought. 81 a..< - .-4
"Best in the world" said Richardson
'sTell him to send me $500, and Il
make him deed" .s3$
IN due time the $500 reached Wash.
ington in the shape of. a New 81 ork
draft. Richardson sought Houston
who, having executed a deed, took the
draft and indorsed it. s: %% i, s1:s, I'm z1@4
'You say this man Of YOURS Is good
felloW?"' he asked thong ghtfuliy. aEt.
ILL.,. Couldn't be a better one" was the
emphatic answer. 3 Il Il + 5 n. {.
"Send him back this draft and tel
him Sam Houston has changed his
mind. What can you buy d coed sad
die horse for ont IN that country ~ 2s's HI
was told that $500 would do il. % We'll
then, said Houston, write to yosl
friend and tell him to buy a first class
saddle horse bout 4 years old al,t
keep him for me-. When congress ad
journs, II will 30 home with you and
III ride the horse down to Texas & $S d
Without delay the man ii Illinois re
ceived back his draft and bought a sad
4 die horse, the best he could find us1
before adjournment Houston sough1
Richardson. ~ ou say the fellow who
got my horse Is a tiptop good MANI
N Richardson again declared him one o1
the best in his district. ell, 5safe
Houston, with sigh, i should have
liked first rate to see him and also my
horse, but as affairs turn out must g
Y @ straight to Texas. When you get home
30 over and see this man and tell hin
10 sell the horse and do what h'
pleases with the money. And, BY th'
Richardson, II wish you woult
write and tell me if It wasa good hors'
II 88 or NOT. - Personal RecollectfOns of Gu