, 1935-11-17

To The Herald:
Kindly permit me TO write this in
defense Of an old friend and his
family whom / have known intim-
ately ior more than 70 years.
His bones have been lying III our
old Cemetery here for s. years. He
cannot now rise and defend himself
and his unSullied character. This
impelS me TO do so in his behalf.
In a public speech made here on
the night OF the 7th III a court room
where justice Is supposed to be
melted cut. the character ana life
Of this brilliant lawyer and unsul-
lied character raj attacked. the
speaker utte-ing these words: The
Rentfros came here as carpetbsg-
gers and I tell you. thay are run
ming 9 carpet bag government now.
Robert Banton RentfrO. the father
OF our present mayor, was born in
Austin. Texas, the son OF DR.. Rent
fro, who was an eminent physician
and surgeon IN his day. He WIS but
q youth when his father and
mother died. leaving him and his
sister. Kathren. who became the
wife OF nv OLD friend Frank a.
Creager. who fought through the
Civil War AS one OK our Confederate
soldiers ana Who was born and
raised IN Maryland. Mrs. Creager
being the mother OF our talented
and much beloved Rentfro Banton
Creager. DR.. Rentiro lett an ample
estate, and he designated Judge
Joab Il. Banton, his cousin, OF
Huntsville, Texas, rs guardian for
these Two orphan children.
The RenttrOS and BantonS were
related TO the brilliant Senator
ClasScock, the Giles family, and
Coz. Hannibal H Boone, who was
our attorney general in pioneer
days. and these legal lights had
much to do with shaping cur first
laws and constitution. Judge Gordon
Boone. now Of Corpus Christi. is a
son OF Col. Hannibal Boone. Judge
JOab III. Banton accepted the
guardianship OF these orphans,
and at the proper time sent them
"a Kentucky and Virginia UniverS-
tiles where they graduated with high
honOrS. Kathren in literature and
music. and Bob" IN his chosen
profession, Law. He located IN east
Texas and practiced his profess
sion. He sought the hand OF the
belle Of that section. who was &C.
counted to be the most beautiful
and brilliant woman OF that Sec
ton. This was Miss Linton. a sister
OF u beloved Uncle Billie" After
their marriage they moved to
Brownsville under some government
appointment.
Now, what Is a carpet bagger?"
Our younger generation does not
perhaps know. Carpet baggers" were
low down. renegade Yankee federal
officers who Swarmed 10 the south
teaching our ignorant neyrOae S~--'i-
ment and for pay. They organized
them into Loyal League cruJs.
Demanded heavy dues weekly, pro-
missing them that they would make
the federal government give each
one. men. women and children. 40
acres Of land and a mule. These
scoundrels reaped a rich reward
from these poor ignorant negroes.
The Rentfro family and kin are
as far from carpet baggers as night
from day. The Bible says: He that
hideth hatred with lying lips, and
hc that uttereth a SANDER is a
TOOL" Johnson says Islander Is the
revenge Of a coward, ana diSsimula-
ton Is his defense
IL is bad enough to attack the
character OF the living. but TO
stand upon the mound OF clay that
cover the dead. puts one out of the
reach Of decent society, and recog-
milton by good citizens.
This family were visiting neigh
bors Of General Sam Houston and
with him opposed slavery and Sc
cession. They were all profession
al men. standing at the top Of their
professions.
Joab Fl. Banton, Jr., is now an
eminent attorney IN New York
City. having served two terms as
district attorney OF the largest city
in the world. I cannot believe that
our best element OF Brownsville will
condone the traducing OF the dead.
fSiunedl w. s. Blackshear.