The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-04-21
TEXAS BARBARA IS DEAD.
Story Of a Woman Who Dared Z
Raise Old Glory.


Mrs. Elizabeth Allen Denison, ''the
Barbara Frietchie of Texas" who died
just at Christmastide. al the home of
her daughter, Mrs. A D. Hewitt. 225
West one Hundred ana Thirteenth
street, was a noted figure in the his
tory Of the state that was once a re
public and almost an empire. writes
the New York correspondent Of the
Baltimore American.
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 floated in the
state. 1t was an act Of splendid dar-
ing. Her husband was absent in the
north, her four children with her in
the big house and public sentiment at
boiling point. But the love of her
country, which had been ingrained in
the little girl, blazed out anew in the
matured woman. Working in secret
she had wrought that flag with her
own hands. Its every fold seemed part
OF herself. It was only when she saw
it given to the breeze that her courage
momentarily forsOok her.
1T is so big, so big" she cried. fold
ing her children TO her bosom with the
mothers first fear that she had endan-
gered their lives.
Mrs. Denison was born in Baldwihs-
vile. n. Y. in 1873 1t was in 1886,
when she was l.. that she went to
Texas. then a republic. under the chap
ercnage of Mrs. Allen. who bccs me
famous as the mother Of the town of
Houston"
The young girl. richly endowed. bOtr
mentally and physically was feted ike
a queen.
General sam Houston then the presi-
dent. presented her with a horse which
he rode at the battle Of San Jacinto.
And when her hand was won by the
dashing Major Royal. the richest plan
tatiou owren in the republic. the gem
eraI was present TO bid her godspeed
on the bridal jo<4Fy TAN on horse
back 10 her husbands broad acres.
Later Mrs. Royal with General Hous-
ton. opened the ball which celebrated
[ Texas annexation to the Union But
the girl brides happiness was of short
duration. Fifteen months after that
brilliant wedding she stood beside her
husbands bier-a widow OF Is.
Seven years later she became the
wife of James 4. Deuison, afterward
/ justice of the supreme court of Texas.
cousin and law partner Of the future
Chief Justice Salmon p Chase. and
removed to san Antonio. II was here
that she gathered about her a coterie
Of brilliant men and women. General
Robert f. Lee taught her children in
I
Mrs. Denison. lust at the outbreak Of
h0stiIities. was a memorable one
'T will go with my state" he said
as he pressed her hand.
General Merritt, barely 90 and in the
early DAYS Of his command Ar the post:
& Beauregard and many another formed
part of the group about Mrs. Denison.
Her bar dinners" given to members
Of the legal profession exclusively,
were famous Though no other woman
I was present. she invaTia bIv appeared
al the head of her own table one Of
F her favOTite stories of the troubl0us
war times was the visit Of CautrelI
with his band Of desDeradoes. to san
Antonio. The war was over. the state
waiting for the enemy's formal pos
session. Cantrell, en- route to Mexico.
I established a three days reign of ter
ror
To the close of her life Mrs Denison
I recalled the facile Wit and converse
ti0nal distinction which marked those
{ years when she queened il down I'm
& Texas. Her taste was always for bright
? coIOrs-a touch Of blue at her throat
or in her hair. was the invariable relief
L Of a somber gown. At her funeral
! therefore, soft. pale coi0rs replaced the
I traditional black The casket was ~
gray. the flowers laid upon it Of vivid
hues Rev. DR. NandeWater ofFieiareS
and the boy soprano Ebbsmith. ~
Trinity church. was the sOIoist Acute
Pneumonia was the cause IF her 5eafh
Mrs Hewitt is her only surfiTinesctilf
The town Of Denison. Tex. was
! named in her honor.