The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-04-03
TEXAS BARBARA FRIETcHIE.
Former belle of thc Lone star re.
public After whom the city Of
Denison Was Named.

Mrs. Elizabeth Allen Denison, "the
'ust at Christmastidc at the home of
acr daughter, Mrs. a. ID. Hewitt, 225
ti3th street, New York, was n noted
igurc In the history of the state that
was once n republic and almost an en-
pirc.
The friend and counselor OF the most
famous generals, who later served on
both sides In the civil war, the mistress
herself OF hundreds of slaves, she
raised above her home In san Antonio
the first federal flag that hoated in
that state. IL was an act OF splendid
daring. Her husband was absent in
the north. her four children with her
in the big house and public sentiment
Mt boiling point. But the love of her
country, which had been instillcd in
the little girl. blazed out anew in the
mnturcd woman.
Working in secret, she had wrought
that flag with her own hands. Its
every fold seemed part of herself II
was only when she saw il given to the
breeze that her courage momcntarily
forsook her.
ut Is 80 big, so big!" she cried. fold.
ing her children Ia her bosom with her
mothers first fear that she had en-.
dnngercd their lives.
Mrs. Denison was born in Baldwins.
Vile, y. y, In 1919. II was in 1885,
when she was II. that she went to
TaxnS Ia, "a /, 4. II.
eronagc OF Mrs. Allen. who became
famous ms "the mother of the town of
Houston"
The young girl. richly endowed, both
mentally and physically, was feted like
a queen.
Gen. Sam Houston, then the prcsi
dent. pre- scented her with the horse
which he rode at the battle OF San
Jacinto. And when her hand was won
by the dashing Maj. Royal. the richest
plantation owner IN the republic, the
general was present to bid her god.
speed on the bridal journey (all on
horseback) Ia her husbands broad
acres. Later Mrs. Royal with Gen
Houston opened the ball which cclc
brated Texas annexation tn the union
Hut the girl brides happiness was OF
short duration. Fifteen months after
that brilliant wedding she stood he side
her husbands bicr---a widow of Is.
Seven years later she became the
wife OF James A. Dcnison. afterwarc
justice of the Supreme court of Texas.
cousin and law partner of the future
Chief Justice Salmon i. Chase. aud
removed Ia San Antonio. II was her,
that she gathered about her cotrrit
Of brilliant men and women. Gen.
Robert T.. Lee taught her children In
sunday school. His farewell call on
Mrs. Dcnison just at the outbreak Of
iostili,ies was n memorable one.
II will go with my state" he said
AZ he pressed her hand.
Gen. Merritt, barely 20, and In the
sarly days of his command at the post,
lIeauregard and many another formed
cart of the group about Mrs. Denison.
Her "bar dinners" given to member
of the legal profession exclusively,
we're famous. Though no other woman
was present, she invariably appeared
al the head of her own table.
One Of her fayoritc stories OF the
troublous war times was of the visit
of Quantrell with his band of despe.
radoes To San Antonio. The war was
over. the state waiting for the cncmy's
formal possession. Quantrell. en-
route To Mexico. established three
days reign Of terror.
To the close of her life. says the New
York World, Mrs. Denison retained The
facile wit and conversational dlstinc
tlon which marked those years wheI
she queened II down In Texas. Hei
taste was always for bright colors-s
| touch Of blue M her throat or In hei
hair was the inyariable relief of o
somber gown. At her funeral, there
fore. pale co.ors replaced the tradi.
tional black. The casket was of gray
the flowers laid upon II OF vivid hues
The Rev. DIR. Nandewater ofiiciated a nd
the boy soprano Ebbsmith OF Trinity
church was the soloist. Acute pneu
moria was the cause OF her death
Mrs. Hewitt Is her only surviving child
The town of Denlson, Texas, wa,
named In her homer.