Evening journal., 1902-09-23
RECOLLECTIONS
Oh SAM HOUSTON
Clad in Indian Blanket His
Chief Occupation Was
NhittIlBg Sticks

General sam houston OF LEXIS WIS |
the most picturesque figure In the SEN
nte during my first years Of service at
The capitol Like Benton, he was very
fond Of young men and soon came to
count me as zone of his boys" Only
those who we're youngsters in the for
ties can realize the interest people felt
IN Houston in the days when his part
In the struggle for the independence Of
Texas was still fresh in the public
mind Visitors to the senate chamber
asked to have him pointed
out TO them ana they were never dis
appointed in their hero. for he was
large Of frame, Of stately carriage and
dignlned demeanor and had n lionlike
Always unconventional in dress, he
would now and then appear at the cap
ltol wearing n vast and snowy sombre-
70 and a Mexican blanket sort Of or
bedquilt with slit in the
middle through which the wearer's
head was thrust. leaving the blanket to-
hang In folds around the body. His
principal employment in the senate
was whiting pine sticks, Of which he
seemed 10 have an unlimited supply. 1t
was only at rare intervals that he
broke silence, but when he did speak
he always proved himself capable Of
contributing his quota Of sound and
patriotic advice to the deliberations Of
The senate.
No passage In Houston's career was
nobler than the heroic stand against
dlsunion which marked It's close, while
os his kindliness of nature and gener-
GUS helpfulness to those I'm distress one
could recall stories sufficient to fill n
volume.
Near Quincy, Ills, there was
stretch of country known as the "In-
dian tract" to which Houston held IT,
tie, fact many Of the settlers thereon,
careless pioneer brood, failed to
search out. One of them called upon
william A. Richardson, long member
of the house from the Quincy district
and subsequently a senator from his
state, and asked II he knew Houston.
Richardson said he did, whereupon his
visitor confded TO him that he had in
ndvertently settled upon 1GO acres Of
Houston's land and that all he was
worth stood IN improvements on It. He
wanted Richardson to see Houston and
make the best terms that he could.
Richardson upon his return to Wash
ington told Houston the story and ask
ed what he would take for a qultclalm
decd to the 1G0 acres.
"What sort of a man is this constitu-
ent of yours who has blundered upon
my landy' asked Houston.
"A good, square, honest man." waa
the reply.
'eNhen turn him Off my land,
reckon he and his family will be beg
garsT
Richardson nodded.
What's this farm worth nowT ask
cd Houston.
improvements and all about $4,000"
was the response.
"What was the bare place worth
when you fellows went on itT' querled
Houston.
about 50 an acre; $500 In ALL" an.
swered Richardson.
Good fellow, this man Of yours,
RlchardsonT this after a moments
thought
BEST in the world" said Richardson
'grell him to send me $500, and III
make him deed"
In due time the $500 reached Wash
ington in the shape Of a New York
draft. Richardson sought Houston
who. having executed deed, took tile
draft and indorsed it.
"You say this man of yours is a good
/ fellow2' lie asked thoughtfully.
Couldn't be a better one" was the
emphatic answer.
"Send him back this draft and tel
him Sam Houston has changed hl,
mind. What can you buy a good sad
die horse for out In that countryY III
was told that 5000 would do II. "Well
thcn." said Houston, write to you
friend and tell him to buy a first class
saddle horse about years old an(
keep him for me. When congress ad
JbNAhrt Will to uoAht WIN 9Ou dAl
ride the horse down 10 Texas"
Without delay the man in Illinois re
cciyed back his draft and bought a sad
die horse, the best he could find. Jus
before adjournment Houston sough
Richardson. "You say TIE fellow who's
got my horse Is a tiptop good manY
Richardson again declared him one o.
the best In his district. "Well," sait
! Houston, with sigh, Il should have
liked first rate to see him and also my
horse, but as affairs turn out must g
straight TO Texas. When you get home
20 over and see this man and tell hin
to sell the horse and do what HI
lpleases with the money. And. by III,
way. Richardson, / wish you woul,
| write and tell me II It was a good hors,
Or not"-Personal Recollections Of Ga
lusha A. Grow as Related to Rufus
Rockwell Wilson in Saturday Evening
Post.