The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-02-17
BUCK" PETTUS OF GOLlAD
A MAN CONNECTED WITH EARLY
HISTORY OF THAT TOWN.
Not Only Rich in Its Historical Reu1in-
isenoes, but in the Produetiveness
of It's Soil.

Among tho prominent men who arrived
In the city yesterday was Colonel w A.
Pettus Of Gollad A record OF his Life
would include an extensive review OF the
early history OF Southwest Texas because
he was fronticrsman whose career placed
him always at the head OF eve v-Rl-
lar movement OF his section. 1t rat,ered
not whether the people wanted advice on
material improvement or the best means
OF running down a gang OF outlaws, or
chasing maraudlng bands OF Comanches
and Klckapoos, Buck" Pctlus as he was
Familiarity and affectlonately called, was
the man to whom his neighbors turned and
never was he appealed to in vain. Indeed
Ills has been strenuous life, but MS ac-
tual labors as we'll as the frostng Yeas
sit lightly upon his shoulders He stands
as erect as a lagpole and his eyes are
as bright and dancing as when they sought
the trails over which he has led many
scouting party. His step 10 yet as 1.-THE
as 10 per cent OF the men Of one-thrd OF
his age, and his tine physique gives every
evidence OF granting to him yet many wears
OF usefulness. BY reason Of his indus
try and good Judgment he has accumulated
large share OF things material ana Is
rated 9s one OF the wealth,eS men In Tex
as His personal energies nave b,Hl uo-
voted TO stock raising, but he Is also In
terCsted in mercantile brms and banking
good as his bond. and he Is recognized as
man Of great liberality and charity. lie
Is a thinker rather than talker but is
always easily appl cached, lie talked to
Post man yesterday, but II the scribe had
not been so intimately acquainted wth his
history not half Of what is here skl codld
have made Its appearance this morning. lie
did talk about his county and this Is what
ne said:
Our county is not building up as fast
as the conditions warrant. There is no
doubt that we have as line farming la I'd
as there is In Texas, and our farmers would
not give a cent to have a cotton crop IA.
sured. Notwithstanding that fact we are
not advancing as fast as we shout Il Is
probable that the pasture owners are re.
sponsb!e for II and ! am one OF then. !
own about 10000 acres OF lani there a I'd
have 1t well stocked, but have been
thinking some lately that ] was prObuny
mistaken In trying to raise cattle on iaAd
that Is worth from 50 to So per acre. It
would probably he better to sell ont ami
always, that | could obtain my own con.
sent to pace myself In po ition to lead
a life OF likeness, The fact is. sevefn! OF
my sons were at home the other day Cvou
know they are somewhat scatt red attend.
Ing 10 their own affairs, though they fire.
quently are ut the old place and | said
10 them that believed the farmers were
about to drive me out OF bus ness, and /
discussed with them the possibility Of ~
ing my land Into q big farm or seiin: ii
out In small parcels to small BUYERS /
suppose II don't do 1t now / VIII have
70 do IL later. or course ! haze had some
farming done and ] am free 10 say hat
those acres under cultivation were a =. est
revenue producers had and as you
probably know ! keep pretty well Informe
Ahout all the details Of any business of
miro or with which J nm connected
do | read the Post? We'll. ] reckon
DO and have been reading II for great
number of years When I am Mt home
am ten miles from a postonfice, but
send for my Post each and every day as
regularly az | take nv meals / don't be
neve your paper has a closer reader than
! am. In the first place. | have been In
thorough political sympathy with the Post
every since the HOGg Clarke campaign,
which fact has cndeared 1t to me Il grent
deal. In the second place. 1t Is easily The
greatest newspaper in Texas. why i con.
publications. issued twcntv-fou hours after.
ward. Yes. sir. put me down as a reader
and an admirer OF The Post.
"How long Viii I be here Oh. all day
tomorrow. I am down here On n little
business that viii take some hours to tran
sact.
"will I reclte 30 you some OF Go,iad's
early history? Well now that part of q
| that Is really Interesting happened SO long
agO that 1t kind of ontdates my memory
| II not existence. on, YES, the old La BahHi
held MS prisoners is still standing. In fact.
| Goiad, IN point Of historical "reminiscences,
does not have Ia take a hack seat for san
Antonio Of any other point of Texas II
see You tomorrow ] may have sonnet hing
| to say along that line