Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-01-16

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, great centers of learning and all sur
viye TO this day. With these surround
ings and influences Sam Houston be
gan his career.
After teaching for while he at
tended a session or two Of an academy
numerous in that early day, which
completed his education in school.
The second war with England com.
ing on In his twentieth year, be
volunteered as private. He was
soon commissioned am officer by Presi-
dent Madison. 1t being the period Of
the Creek war, his regiment was used
In a campaign Of determination against
that powerful tribe OF Indians, aroused
to desperate struggle to save theII
lands and homes against the aggres-
sions Of the whites. In this war was
fought the battle OF Horse Shoe, one
OF the most hotly contested and des-
perate ever fought between the In
dian race and civilized arms and dis
cipline. Badly wounded by a barbed
arrow sunk deep into tho flesh of his
thigh, be was, by Gen. Jackson, order
ed to the rear. This order he dis.
obeyed, returned to the fight, and,
while leading a charge, was shot in
the shoulder and his right arm shat
tered. His bravery in this battle
gained for him everlasting friendship
and confidence of Jackson which he
retained under all circumstances in
after life.
Five years he rendered a creditable
and useful service in the army, but
having disagreement with John @.
Calhoun, then Secretary of War, re-
signed.
This important circumstance had
much to do with Houston's political
attitudes in after life and was thorn
In the flesh Of Calhoun ever afterward.
While in the army he conducted a
delegation Of Cherokees to Washing
ton regarding the sale OF their lands.
Much given to theatrical effect and
when assoclatlng with the Indians he
always assumed their style of dress.
He appeared before the punctilious
Secretary of War in the garb of an In
dian and was severely rebuked by him
for 1t. The hasty temper of Houston
took umbrage at this, and he resigned
bis lieutenancy placed himself in an
tagonism to that wing Of the Demo-
cratic party represented by Calhoun
and this antagonism was always mani
fected in after life when opportunity
was afforded.
When he had forsaken, his Indian
exile to 60 to Texas to take hand in
the revolution for the independence Of
that state, and while on the road there,
he wrote President Jackson: 81 have,
with much pride and inexpressible
satisfaction, seen your proclamation
touching the nulliiiers Of the south
and their peaceful remedies" '"
When a United Statss Senator from
Texas he, in debate, many times
locked horns with the great senator
from South Carolina. He had not the
polish, skill or statesmanship of Cal
houn, but bis speeches in the Senate
are characterized by a strength of
thought, common sense, wisdom and
courage that vindicated his right to
high rank among American states
men.
On leaving the army Houston de-
termined to become lawyer, but the
law as profession he never studied.
In that day, especially in the south
west, lawyer was synonymous with |
politician. 1t helped to Office. In |
Tennessee he was successfully District |
Attorney, Adjutant General, Congress-
man and Governor. His four years in |
Congress were spent without special
distinction, occasionally joining in de-
bate and always acting with the
Jackson wing Of the Democratic
party.
During his second term in Congress,
owing TO a difference over the appoint
ment Of postmaster at Nashville, In
the fashion Of his time he accepted
and fought duel with Gen.
White, of Nashville, across the line in
Kentucky, in which White was severe
ly wounded. A grand Jury of that
state found an indictment against
Houston for felony, but the Gov. of
Tennessee in that matter made a pre-
eedent for the Governor Of Indiana in
refusing to honor the reQuisition of
another Governor of Kentucky by find
ing that the facts showed that Hous-
ton had 'acted in self-defense, ''and re-
fused to deliver over the accused.
This fight increased Houston's popu.
larity and settled it that he was
game"
Afterward In speech he expressed
himself as opposed to dueling. While
living in Texas he declined fourteen
and it does not seem that
bis reputation for courage was ever
seriously doubted. To a challenge
from a political inferior he replied: ~
never fight down hill.n
When thirty-four years Of age, as
Of the personal party
Df Andrew Jackson, he was elected
Governor Of Tennessee by large ma
Iority, over two candidates oppose to
the Jackson party.
A candidate for reelection and the
,anvass proceeded apparently in bis
'avor, on the 10th OF April, 1929, he re-
signed the gubematorial chair.and ad-
a note to her father, sent his
bride Of months back to her family,
eft the state for the Indian Territory,
where he was received into his family
,y the same chief who had adopted '
lin when a boy in Tennessee. The
auses Of his resignation and separa- {
ion from his wife we're never definite
y known. In the note 10 her father
lie said she was cold 10 him and he |
hOught did not love him. He always
poke Of her in the most respectful