The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1916-03-09

come, seven feet by twelve Of besmear-
eS canvas, Stood, gilt framed, In the
lobby Of the capitol.
The legislature was in session. The
capital city of that great western state
was enjoying the season of activity
and profit that the congregation of the
solons bestowed. The boarding houses
were corralling the easy dollars of the
gnmeSome lawmakers. The greatest
state In the west, an empire in area
and resources, had arisen and repudi-
ated the old libel of barbarism, law
breaking and bloodshed. Order reign
ed within her borders. Life and prop
erty were as safe there, sir, rs any
where among the corrupt cities of the
effete east. Pillowshams, churches.
strawberry feasts and habeas corpus
fourished. With impunity might the
tendcrfoot ventilate his "stovepipe'' or
his theories of culture. The arts and
sciences received nurture and subsidy.
And, therefore, it behooved tho legis-
lature of this great state to make ap-
preparation for the purchase of Lonny
Briscoe's immortal painting.
Rarely has the San Saba country
contributed to the spread of the fine
arts. Its sons have eXcelled in the
solder graces. in the throw Of the
lqPflt. the manipulation of the esteem
Cd 40. TIC intrcp,dity Of the one card
I draw and the nocturnal stimulation of
towns from undue lethargy. But hith-
erto 1t had not been famed as a strong
hold OF aesthetics. Lonny Briscoe's
brush had removed that disability.
Here among the limestone rocks, the
succulent cactus and the drought
phrched grass of that arid valley had
been born the boy artist. Why he
came to WOO art is beyond postulation.
Beyond doubt some spore Of the af-
fatus must have sprung up within him
In spite of the desert soil of San Saba.
The tricksy spirit OF creation must
have melted him to attempted express
sion and then have sat hilarious among
the white hot sands OF the valley
watching its mischievous work, for
Lonny's picture. viewed as q thing of
art was something to have driven
away dull care from the bosoms of the
critics.
The painting-one might almost say
panornma-was designed to portray a
typical western scene, interest culmi-
mating In central animal figure. that
or stampeding steer, life size, wild
eyed. fiery. breaking away in mad
rush from the herd that, close ridden
\ by typical cow punchcr. occupied n
Lposltion somewhat In the right back
ground or the picture. The landscape
resented fitting and faithful acccs.
rics. ChaparraI, mesquit and pear
re- distributed in just proportions. A
lish dagger plant, with its waxen
omS In q creamy aggregation as
rs water bucket, contributed
beauty ana variety. The dis
vas undulating prairie. bisected
etches Of the intermittent
peculiar to the region lined
rich green OF live oak and
richly mottled rattle
kilel beneath pale green
pear in the fore
of the canvas was
Ike white-the typi-
nd the flying clouds.
aery.
blastered pillars in the
hllway near the door of
Of representatives stood
vtihg. Citizens and lawmakers
yYssed there by twos and groups and
sometimes crowds to gaze upon il
Many-perhaps majority Of them
had lived the prairie life and recalled
easily the familiar scene. Old cattle.
men stood. reminiscent and candidly
slIn ,hat
-mer camps and trails of the days it
brought back to mind. Art critics
were few in the town, and there was
heard none Of that jargon of color
perspective and feeling such as the
east loves to use as n curb and a rod
TO the pretensions of the artists.
twas great picture, most of them
agreed, admiring the gilt frame-larg-
er than any they had ever seen.
Senator Kinney was the pictures
champion and sponsor. 1t was he who
so often stepped forward and assert
ed, with the voice of a bronco buster.
that Y would be a lasting blot sir,
upon the name Of this great state IL
IL should decline to recognize I'm a
proper manner the genius that had so
brilliantly transferred to imperishabIe
canvas scene so typical Of the great
sources OF our states wealth and pros
perlty. land-and-er-live stock.
Senator Kinney represented a sec.
tfon OF the state I'm the extreme west
400 miles from the San Saba country
but the true lover OF art Is not limited
by metes and bounds. Nor was Sen
ator Mullens, representing the San
saba country, lukewarm In his belief
that the state should purchase tho
painting OF his constituent. He was
advised that the San Saba country was
unanimous In its admiration OF the
great painting by one Of its own deni-
zens. Hundreds OF connoisseurs had
straddled their broncos and ridden
miles to view 1t before its removal to
the capital. Senator Mullens desired
reelection. and he knew the impor.
tance OF tho San Saba vote He also