The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-05-18
STEPHEN II. DARDEN is DEAD.
Remains Taken to Austin, Where They Will
Lie in State; Interment in State Cemetery

Wharton. Texas, May I7.-Dled, yester-
day evening after few days illness
stephen H. Darden, aged SIS years Peace.
fully and quietly ended the life OF this
well known citizen Of Texas, rich in hon
ors, with the consciousness Of a spotless
record and a well spent life
he spent the greater part OF his public
career IN Austin, coming to Wharton sew.
eral years ago with his family. He attend:
ed the Texas veterans meeting and the re-
union al Dallas greeting for the last time
his old comrades.
His remains were shipped this morning
over the Cane Belt TO the State cemetery
AZ Austin, where he will sleep his last sleep
in that sacred spot of ground dedicated
to those whom Texas delights to honor, the
heroes OF the Republic and those whose
great services to the State can alone en-
title them 10 resting place there. His
widow and two daughters aud little grand
children are broken hearted large circle
OF friends regret the loss Of one whom II
was delight 10 honor.
stephen II. Darden was Of English Irish
descent, and native OF Mississippi He
attended country schools and completed hi,
education, except the languages at Cunt
berland college, Kentucky. His parents
we're Washington and Ann Sharkey Oar.
zen, HIS mother was cousin OF CHER
Justice Sharkey. He came 10 Texas IN
lNoo win q company OF volunteers com
manded by David NJ. Fulton; arrived short.
~ after the battle Of san Jacinto; remain
Cd with the Texan army Tor time and
1Aen returned 10 Mississippi He pur-
chased lands on the Guadalupe river in
GONZALES county, Texas, aud In tS4i To-,
Gated permanently IN that county, and was
almost continuously engaged In farming
q Rf h. MAJ hat. 49,
states, serving, however, in the Mexican
war OF tS46-4S. when the question Of so.
eesslon was aSitated 10 Texas. StephNn n
parden opposed that measure. Excitement
and prejudice ran so high that he was de-
nounced for this opposition and to vindi-
cate himself, became candidate for the
save SENATE In the canvass he took the
ground that secession was impolitlc; hut
tuiy entertaining a belief Ina the prinriDie
OF state rights, commanded that those rights
could be more fully Vindicated "a the Union
than out OF II. During the canvass the
military company OF which ne was thcn an
onlcer, and afterward by promotion. can
tain, attached TO Hoods brigade. was on.
dered TO virginia, and he abandoned the
returned 10 Texas and served IN the sen
ate In the session Of 1861 ana 1862 HeI
returned. after adjournment, 20 Virginia
aud was with his command IN the battles
around Richmond, second Manassas.
Sbarpsburg, etc. AZ Sharpshurg he rescued
the nag ~ the Fourth Texas when is ranks
WIZ AfflNAAAfN NAN IT'S NnlNF bearers shot
down. Colonel Darden. after tho MARYLAND
campaign. suffered SO much from falling
health that he resigned his commission and
returned to Texas but In 1888 the state
troops were organized aud he was commits
stoned 10 take command OF the battalion
10 serve on the coast. During this dime
General Magrnder ordered him 10 burn the |
towns OF I.ayacs and Indianoia. which he |
refused 20 do, and, after demonstrating
with Msgruder the order WAS rescindsd /
and the Inhabitants Of those towns exprsas. !