El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-10-12
FLANAGAN At
81 SEEKS 4
REST
For 55 Years He Was Prom
inent in Texas Political
Affairs.
WEARS BLANKET FOR
OVERCOAT IN WINTER
nv W. d. Hornaday.

. USTIN, Tex, Oct. 1S.-Gen. Web
n ster Flanagan, 81 years old, and
n who for SIS years was prominent
in political and public affairs of Texas
and the south, has retired to private
life by vacating the office of United
States collector of internal revenue for
the Texas district It was at the Re-
publican National convention, held in
Cincinnati in 1880, that he won nation
al fame by making a notable speech
the keynote of which was What are
we here for. except to nominate man
for president who viii fill the offices
with Republicans?
General Flanagan is native Of Gov
arno-t XIV. He came to Texas in 1s45.
He made politics his life WORK, II
might be said He inherited his inter-
est in public affairs from ms I9IneI,
lanes w Flanagan, who was Onlteu
States senator from Texas "a, 90E tn o ~
DAYS of reconstruction in 1870 TO 1879
When only 20 years old young rama
gan who then lived at Henderson, Tex
as aligned himself with the 1oAo"eIs
of Gen. Sam Houston and paruclpateu
actively in all the political campaigns
led by that noted military nero anu
When 81 years of age Flanagan was
commissioned brigadter general IN lhe
state militia His first public oIIlce
was as a member of the legislature IN
1858. Since that time until his relre-
ment a few days ago, there mas 1een
hardly an interval that he has not nelu
office or public position of some klno-
He was an antisecessionist previous to
the action of Texas on that SUBJECT DuC
when the convention voted to JOIN the
Confederacy he abided by the verdict
and served through the civil war, rs
- inn n
general in the Confederate army.
Joins the Republican Party.
He aligned himself with the Repub-
lican PARTY after the war and for three
wears he was government tax assessor
of the Eastern district Of Texas. he
was a member of the State Constltuo
tional convention in 1868, and IN 1893
he was elected to the state senate from
Harrison, Rusk and Pamela counties.
His father was elected Republican lieu
tenant governor at the same time
General Flanagan was made president
of the state senate and took a lead
ing part in socalled reconstruction leg
islation of the early JOS be was a
member of the State Constitutional
convention in 1876. He was delegate
ton in 1872, 1876 1880, 1884, 1883, 1897,
1896 1900. 1904, 1908. The only ma
tional convention he has not ATTENDED
was that of last year He was elected
account of his age he felt that ne
could not undergo the hardships winch
it would impose upon him.
In 1888 he was appointed United
States collector of internal revenue Tor
the Fourth district of Texas by presi-
dent Arthur. He was a candidate Tor
governor in 1890 on the Republican
ticket against the late James S Hogg
and polled the largest Republican vote
ever cast in Texas for a state candidate
He was again appointed United States
collector of customs for the western
district of Texas by president Harr1-
son in 1891 holding that office until
he was succeeded BY a Democratic ap-
pointee under Cleveland. In 1898 he
was appointed to the same position by
president Mckinley holding it until his
recent retirement During his last term
of office the Texas districts were con-
solidated and made into one with head |
quarters at Austin.
Has Convention Record.
General Flanagan has the distinction ]
of having attended every Republican !
State convention held in Texas since /
1858 and every Republican National |
convention since 1872 with the excep-
ton of the one held in 1912.
In 1877 general Flanagan organized /
a company and constructed the OvertOn /
& Henderson railroad which was after l
wards sold to the Goulds. He was |
president of that road for several years. |
canism and activity in political affairs
Of the state and country he has always
had the warm friendship of the Demo
cratic leaders and masses of this state.
He has proved his true friendship and
interest in the welfare of the negro
in fnnumerable ways. He is the idol /
Of the blacks of Texas.
All of his life general Flanagan has
been an ardent sportsman. Each win
Ter he takes a vacation trip into the
EildS of South Texas close to the Rio (
Irande. where he spends a season OF
camp life hunting deer and other wild
game. He IS an expert shot and on his
rip last Decem Der he killed his full |
Iuota of bucks allowed under the law.
He is great student of the bible and
n his office he kept upon the table
within easy reach a well thumbed
-Olume of the book of books which he
cad in his leisure moments. He has
made it practice to read the bible
hrough once year during the last so |
ears of his life He knows by heart !
many of the chapters and passages and
ruths as q guidance to his thoughts
md deeds in his everyday life.
Wears Blanket in Winter.
He has gone to the old Flanagan |
homestead near Henderson where he |
Xpects to spend the remainder of his |
lays in conducting the affairs of his
arm and enjoying the society of his |
Id friends in the community In !
many respects he is one of the most
emarkable political characters in the
United States. He is an inveterate
ser of tobacco. As a raconteur ne
as few equals. He tributes his long |
lfe and splendid physical health at
ms time to plain living, right dealing |
nth the people and wholesome exer-
Use and enjoyment One of his char
cteristics, which he brought down as
relic from the days of Gen. Sam Hous- !
on, is that of wearing Mexican
lanket in lieu of an oYercoat in win
Fl.