Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-09-06
HOUSTON'S PORTRAIT
FOR STATE LIBRARY
Major Anderson Will Make
Speech of Acceptance
Mr.. JUNKlN FATHER OF PLAN
Delegation of Texans to Accompany
To Richmond

reference was made In last week S
issue of The Gazette to action taken
by the Legislature Of Texas in vot-
ing to present to Virginia portrait
OF General Sam Houston, to hang in
the State Library at Richmond.
The portrait now hangs in the
Senate chamber at Austin, and is
regarded as splendid and valua-
BILE likeness. 1t will be transferred
to the Capitol OF Virginia with fit
ting ceremonies. A deputation will
travel to Richmond to make the pre-
sentatiCn, probably headed by the
Governor, and arrangements will be
made to have a suitable reception
for the visitors upon the occasion Of
the presentation.
General Houston, whose life story
is as absorbing as a novel, was born
in Rockbridge county, Virginia. He
was the hero OF the battle OF San
Jacinto, and his encounters with
General Santa Anna are still remem-
bered by the people of Texas. He
was twice president Of the repu bile
which was formed prior to annexa-
ton to the United States.
In connection with this interest
ing event, the Richmond Times
Dispatch has the following to say in
recent issue:
To Francis T. A. Junkin, at pres
emit Of Chicago, general counsel for
the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Railway, belongs the credit for the
organization OF the plan by means Of
which Virginia becomes the recip-
lent of a valuable portrait of General
Sam Houston, the gift of the State OF
Texas.
Mr.. Junkin, who is a native of
Rockbridge county. had noticed on
several visits to the Virginia State
Library that among the portraits of
Virgiuia'S statesmen aud warriors
there displayed there was none Of
General Sam Houston, whom he
deemed the peer of any. He soon
determined to remedy this defcien-
cy. In his plan Mr.. Junkin was
assisted by S. S. Prentis Patteson
of the State Library Board, the two
constituting committee to solicit
subscriptions from citizens of the
State of Texas and elsewhere toward
fund for the payment of the most
competent artist who could be Sc
cured.
When the portrait arrives in Rich
mond. accompanied by a commits
sion from Texas, it will be received
in behalf of the people of Virginia
by Major William A. Anderson oil
Lexington, former Attorney General
of Virginia, and it will occupy q
conspicuous position in Virginia 5
Hall of Fame"-the portrait gal
lery in the State Library.
The artist selected was John Eli
OFT Jenkins of Austin, Texas, VIII,
received his education in art in
Paris. He has copied and enlarged
photograph of Houston, which was
presented by the General himself to
DIR. and Mrs. S. Z. Haynie of Aus
tin, in 1862. the year preceding
General Hous tons death. The OF
painting is said by those who have
examined it to be work of the high.
est artistic merit. At the same time
friends who remember Genera
Houston pronounce it to be an ex
cellent likeness as he appeared to
ward the close of his distinguished
career.
A copy of the resolution adopted
by the General Assembly of Texas
in presenting this portrait to Vir
ginia has been received by State Lii
brariau II. X. McIlwaine. 1t is as
follows:
Whereas, General Sam Houston
hero of San JacintO, soldier under
Andrew Jackson, boy hero OF Horse
shoe Bend. Congressman from Ten
nessee, Governor of Tennessee, chic
of the Cherokees, cCmmander-in
chief of the Texan army, twic,
President OF the Republic of Toxas
United States Senator from Texa'
and Governor Of Texas, was born il