Galveston County, Texas - The whole text, 1895 (part 4 of 26)

This legislature passed numerous laws for internal improvement, and one providing an efficient military force for the protection of the frontier, besides many other useful laws. Under che plan pursued by President Johnson, State governments had by this time been established in all the Confederate States. But Congress considered that tho president had been going too fast, and established liiilitary rule throughout the South, ot course over the veto of the president. General Phil Sheridan was o-iveii the command of the district ineiiidiiig Louisiana and Texas, and he appointed Gi'ueral Griflin to supervise the lattvr Stato, with headquarters at Galveston. To him was entrusted the reorganization of the State, and he proceeded according to the m Ji-e striu-eiit measures required by the "Kadical" Congre-s. He found Governor Throckmorton in his way, and advised his removal, which was done by General Sheridan. Griffin added: "I cannot find an officer holding position under the State laws whose antecedents will justify me in reposing trust in him in assisting in the registration." lie further stated that he had again and again called the attention of the governor to outrages perpetrated on Union men, hut knew of no instance in which the offender had been punished. At a later date he explains that efforts were made to exclude

Union men from the jui-y bo.xes, to prevent which he issued a circular order, prescribing a form of oath which virtually excluded every person that had been connected with the Confederacy from serving as a juror. This order was seized upon by some State officials, who attempted to make it appear that the courts were elo.-e 1 by the enforcement of it.

Governor Throckmorton, of course, denied the njany slanderous attacks that had been made upon him, and it seems that ho wa-; really desirous of adjusting himself and the State to tlie new system of reconstruction adopted by Congress in opposition to President Johnson's views.

Says Bancroft: " Early in August the deposed governor sent in his final report of his administration. It c aitains the Treasurer's report, showing the receipts to have been §^626,518, and the expenses $025,19-2; a statement of Indian depiedations from 18(35 to 1867, from which it appears that during the two years 162 persons were killed, 48 carried into captivity and 24 wounded; and he gave in addition a copy of his address and the official correspondence explanatory of his conduct. In reviewing this correspondence Throckmorton remarks that every fair-minded person will be satisfied that the reports of General Griffin were made without any foundation in fact, and were not supported by any public or private act of his; and that the imputation that he (Throckmorton) was an impediment to the reconstruction of tlie State fhowed the sinister influences which surrounded Griffin and his proclivity to error.

" In examining the facts Throckmorton calls attention to the fact that he tendered the cordial co-operation of the State authorities to aid in the execution of the laws of Congress; that he called upon the civil au- thorities for sncli intbrination as would conduce to that end; and that he advii^ed tlie people to a cheLTful and prompt ci.nipliance with the terms. But extraordinary iin|ieiliments to the proper execution of the acts of Congress had been thrown in the way. First, the circular order relative to jurymen's qnalitications tilled the country with consteriuition, impressing the minds of the people that they were lujt to have the henetit of the laws; the oath prescribed would in fact exclude the majority of the people, except the freedinen, from serving as jurors; secondly, bj refusing to fill vacancies in State otiices except by such persons as could take the test oath; and thirdly, by delay in appointing boards of registration in many counties. Again, no persons except those of one political party were selected as registrars, while negroes notoriously incompetent; were appointed to act on such boards; such persons as sextons of cemeteries, auctioneers, members of police, nnder-wardens of workhouses, school directors, jurymen, overseers of the roads and many other classes had been excluded from registration; and tinally a manifest disinclination had been shown by the military authorities to believe in the sincerity of the State ottieials, and in the people when declaiing their desire to comply with the acts of Congress."

Besides the above, Mr. Throckmoi'ton pi )- cceds to enumerate many acts of lawlessness and oppression on the part of the United States agents and the military.

Elisha M. Pease became governor for the third time in August, l>i(jl. BuhHc all'airs, however, had sadly changed since the liappy period of his first administration. Partisan feeling was now bittei-, and in no other of t..e Confederate States did the work of reconstruction prove more difficult. Texas was the last to be rcalmitted into the Uidon.

General Sheridan's military administration ijave great dissatisfaction to President .Johnson, and on August 2(5, 18(57, lie was rep'aced by the appointment of General Win field S. 11 mcock, whose views were very different fi-oin those of his predecessor. IP was unwilling to submit civil offenders to military tribunals. He annulled the rigid rules laiil down l.>y Griffin with recrard to i'egis;ration of voters, instructing the local lioards to proceed according to the statutes. But Hancock gave as little satisfaction to Congress as his predecessor had to the president, and the want of harmony at "Washington between the legislative and executive depai'tments was the occasion of frequent change in policy with regard to Texas, ami corresponding change of officers, and such a st ite of national affairs would naturally keej) the people of Texas in an unsettled condition. Hancock was succeeded by General lleynoMs.

At the same time 4-f,()S'J votes were cast in favor of the convention being held, and 11,440 against it. According to the historian Thrall, 56,678 white voters were registered and 47,581 black ones.

June 1 following, the convention, comprising sixty-three delegates, was held at Austin, and organized by electing Edmund J. Davis president, and W. Y. Tunstall secretary. Al though the convention was composed of loyal Republicans, they weredivideil into two factious. General Griffin had some time before that been petitioned to declare by military order all acts of the Texas legislature passed after secession null ad initioj but he died before issuing the order. The ineiiibers of the convention who believed in having a formal order issued annulling all acts during the period of secession, were called by nickname "Ab Initios." Another difference concerned the question of suffrage, a portion of the convention being inclined to be more intolerant toward the e.x-Confederates than the other party. For three months these op[)OSing factions argued tiiese matters and made but little progress in framing a constitution. August 3L they a'ljoiirned to reassemble December 7, and wdien they did meet again, the differences appeared to h& more irreconcilable tlian ever; but finally the more liberal party prevailed by a vote of thirty-seven yeas against twenty-six nays, on February 3, 1869. The article concerning the franchise, which was finally adopted, was drafted by Governor Hamilton, and reads as follows:

"Every male citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years and upward, not laboriiiij under the disabilities named in this constitution, without dis iiiction of race, color or former condition, who siiall he a resident of this State at the time of tlie adoption of this constitution, or who shall thereafter reside in this State one year, and in the county in which he offers to vute sixty days next precedinir any election, shall be entitled to votp for all officers that are now, or hereafter may be, elected by the people, and upon all qnestions submitted to the electors at any election; provided, that no person shall be allowed to vote or hold office wdio is now or hereafter may be di^qnaliiied therefor by the constitution of tiie United States, until such disqualilication shall be removed by the Congress of the United States: providtd fuviher, that no person, while kept in any asylum or conlined in prison, oi' who has been convicted of a felony, or is of unsound ujind, shall be allowed to vote or hold office."

namely, on February 4th, twenty-two of the minority members signed a protest, the president, E. J. Davis, being one of them. In siibstance the objections they raised were: Tliat it was based on the assumption that the constitution of the United States and the accepted constitution of Texas of 1845 had not been continuously the supreme law- of the land; that the article on the right of suffrage enfranchised all tho^e who voluntarily became the puldic enemy of the United States; that the majority of the convention had deliberately removed from the constitution every safeguard for the protection of the loyal voter, white or black; had stricken from it the whole system of registry; iiad repudiated the oath of loyalty contained in the reconstruction laws; liad spurned the test of equal civil and political rights, etc.

The convention was so disorderly as to not adjourn in a formal and decent manner, and the members left for their homes before the journal of the proceedings was made up and approved. General (Janby re|)orted the trouble to Washington, and on instruction proceeded to gather together the records as well as he could and compile them in an orderly shape.

The popular vote on the constitution, taken November 30 following, resulted in 72,30(5 in favor of it, to 4,928 against it. At the same election Edmund J. Davis was chosen governor, and J. W. Flanagan lieutenant governor. Members of the legislature were also appointed, and an order was issued by the military commander, summoning the legislature to assemble at Austin February 8, following.

Governor Pease, finding his position an embarrassing one, the military rule being so awkw^ardly mixed in with civil affairs, that he resigned September 30, 1869, and ai> in- terval of over three months occurred, in which the adjutant in ciiartre acte'! a kind of provisional governor, before Davis was inaugurated.

The legislature, meeting as ordei-ed, promptly ratified the proposed amendments to the United States constitution (enfranchising negroes, etc.), appointed senators to Congress, and did other necessary business imposed upon it by the reconstruction laws as a provibional body, and adjourneil.

The reconstruction period of Texas extended over five years, during wliich time lawlessness prevailed as it never did before. On this subject Genei-al Keyiiolds, in a letter to the War Department, dated October 21, 18G9, says: "The number of murders in the State during the nine months from January 1, 1869, to September 30, same year, according to the otKcial records, necessarily imperfect, is 3S4, being an average of about one and a half per day ! From this statement it appears that with the partial l)reaking up of bands of desperadoes by militai-y aid the number of murders is diminishing from month to month."

Although the re-admission of Texas into the Union was technically the end of the " reconstruction period," full re-adjustment was not attained for some years afterward.

On tlie recognition of Texas as a State, Governor Davis passed from the relation of provisional to permanent governor, and soon afterward tiie military gave up its special civil jurisdiction to the new order of things. 'llie governor, in his rTicssage, called artention to the necessity of pr(j\ iding ineasuies for the suppressicm of crime, and recom- L.ofC.

mended the enactment of a law for the efficient organization of the militia, and tlie estal)lishment of a police system, which would embrace tlie whole State under one head, so that the police, shoi-itl's and constables of the diiferent cities should 1)6 made a part of the general police, act in concert with it and he subject to the orders of the chief. He made mention of a class of criminals which consisted of mobs of lawless men, who assembled and operated in disguise in carrying out some unlawful purpose, generally directed against the freedmen. The immunitv from arrest of such offenders gave reason to suppi ise that they were protected or encouraged by the majority of the peoj>le. To repress this evil he suggested that the executive be gi\en power to establish tempoi'arily, under certain contingencies, martial law. Also he considered that the frequency of homicides was attributable to the habit of carryingarms, and recommended that the legislature restrict that privilege, which it would he able to do under the amended constitution. Fur thermore, believing tliat education would limit crime, he recommended imjirovenient in the school system. J\Iany other good things he also recommended.

The legislature, politically, stood: Senate, 17 Kepublicans, two of them Africans, 7 conservatives and 6 Democrats; house, 50 Eepiiblicans, 8 being Africans, 19 conservatives and 21 Democrats. This body was in accord with the governor. Its session was a long one, not adjourning until August 15, and it passed many acts, in accordance with the recommendations of the go\ernor. The military and the police were authorized to he organized, and the result of the organizations brought many a collision between the whites and the blacks. The latter, sometimes being on the police force and otherwise in command, foiiiid a bitter time in endeavoring to execute the law over his wliite neighbors. Mistakes were made and vengeance resorted to, and the fire of party passion was raised to a greater height than ever I efore. In January, 1871, tiiere was a serious affair at Huntsville. A negro, an iniportant witness in a criminal case, was killed, and persons implicated in the mnrder were arrested. Friends aided their, to escape, and the captain of the police who held them in charge was wounded in tiie scrimmage. Alartial law was proclaimed by the giivernor and a military company sent from an adjoining county to enforce the law. Soon all was quiet. Another difficulty occurred atGroesbeck, in September, one Ajiplewhite being killed in tiie streets by tiiree colored policemen. A serious disturljance took place, the whites and negroes being arrayed against each otiier. On October 10 Governor Davis, on account of the above fracas, proclaimed martiiJ law in Limestone and Freestone counties. The order was revoked j^ovember 11, l)ut the people were assesse<J for a con>-ideralile sum to defray expenses. Godley, Ilou.-e and Mitchell were also murdered in a similar matiner. In Hill connty, also, in the fall of 1870, martial law was enforced for a short time. Tlie particulars in the last mentioned case were these:

One James Gathings and " Slol " Nicholson killed a negro man and woman in Bosque county, and tied, it was suppo-eil, to IJill county. Soon atterward, one morning before sunrise, Lieutenant Pritchett and two other officers and four negroes, under the special authiirity of Governor Davis, went to the residence of Colonel J. J. Gathings in Hill county, and demanded opportunity to search his house for " little Jim " Gathings. The colonel met them at the door and told them he was not there. They insisted, and he asked them for their authority, and they said tbey had it. He demanded that it be shown him. They then replied that they had left it in Waco; and he then told them that they could not search his house except by force of arms. Two of the men then drew out their pistols and said that they intended to do that very thing. ISText, Pritchett told the negroes to go in and searcli. Gathings then seized a shotgun and declared that he would shoot the first negro that came in: a white man could go in, said he, but no " nigger;" and lie cursed them in the severest terms imaginable. The search was made, but no boy found.

The officers and negroes then started toward Covington, a village near by. Gathings had them arrested before night, for searching his house without legal authority. They gave bonds for their appearance at court, but sent word that they were going to mob Gathings, and the citizens stood guard at his house for eight nights. The mob, however, did not appear; nor did they appear at court, although Gathings and his friends were on hand.

In the meantime Governor Davis issued writs for the arrest of Gathings and his friends, to be served by Sheriff Grace; but when the matter came up again the authorities said they wanted only an amicable adjustment, and proposed to release Gathings and his friends if he would pay the cost of the proceedings thus far, which amounted to nearly $3,000, and which was readily furnished. Afterward when llichard Coke was governor the State reimbursed Gathings. During Davis' administration as govei-nor, the State treasurer, Davidson, embezzled $50,000 or over and ran away, and was never caught, although Davis seemed to make all possible effort to cajiture him. The bondsmen were sued.

In Novenilier, as slinwn l>y the o-.-nerul election, the Demo'i-at- r;iMie<.iut in full force and t'lected a full ^et of ytate oHicuiv^, a majority of the State li'^i.~latiii-e, anil the full Congressional delegation. At the ^alae eleetioa Austin was clio-eii as the pernianeut seat of the State government, by a larj^e majority. The new legislature met January 14, J 1873, and the Democrats at onii iiroi'.teded to repeal all obnoxious laws; the militia bill passed by the preceding legislatui-e was so I modified as to deprive the governor of the power to declare martial law; the objectionable State pcdire force was disbanded, and material changes were effected in the election laws.

Now for a couj) d'et it. The Ucmociats, after reforming the law, detei-miiied next to reform the j'>t/'.sw;/it'? of tiie government, and this had to be done by stratagem. The governor was a stanch Tl':'publican, and the s-enate still c intained a Republican majority. Seeing that a scheme of obstruction would immediately stop the wheels of the government, the DeiUMcrats voted no appro|)riations with which to carry on the govi.M-nment until thej coidd have a new election So, bein:;- contideiit that at the polls they would be sustained, they boldly ordered a new election of State officers, members of the legi.^hiture, etc. Their party, of cour.-e, was triumphant, but, the election being uncon^titutiinial, as decided by the bn|3i-eme coui't, Davis otiicially announced the fact, and prohibitrd the new legislature frotn assembling. The new legislature me'', however, in the upjier story of the capitol, while the old Uepublican body met in the lower sto]-y, guarded by negi-nes. The immediate outlook appeared frightful. President Grant was appealer! to, but rtfnsed to sustain Davis, and this was the cause of ihe moderation., which finally resulted favor.tbly.

Richaid E. Ilubbaid lieutenant governor, they being elecle 1 by a m ijority of 50.000. i)l\ the lOth of Januiry, Co\ernor Davis vacated the exi-'mtive chair without a formal surrender. This was an exceedingly narrow escape from bloodshed. In a public speech, in 18*^0, Davis referre,! to this affair, and said the Democrats seized the State government; but Governor Coke, in his message, referred to the matter in the following terms: " Forebodings of danger to popular liberty and representative government caused the stoutest and most patriotic among us to tremble for the result. A conspiracy, bolder and more wicked than that of Cataline against the liberties of Home, had planned to overthrow of free government in Texas. The cajiitol and its purlieus were held by armed men under command of the conspirators, and the treasury and department ottice-s, with all the archives of the government, were in their possession. Youi' right to assemble in the capitol as chosen representatives of the people was denied, anil the will of the peo, le of Texas was scollV 1 at and dehed * * * The presiilentof the United States was lieing implored to send troops to aid in overthi'owing the government of Texas, chosen by her people by a majority of 50,000. The local and municipal officers throughout the State, in sympathy with the infamous designs of these desperate and unscrupulous revolutionists, takinjj courao-e from the boldness of the leaders at the capital, were refusing to deliver over to their lawfully elected successors the offices in their possession. A universal conflict of jurisdiction and authority, extending through all the dejiartments of the government, embracing in its sweep all the territory and inhabitants of the State, and every question upon which legitinuite government is called to act, was imminent and impending."

Now, in jHiiuary. 1875, all the most irritiitiiig partisan (jiiestinns being out of tlie way and the minds of the people in conijiaralive rest, tTOvernor Coke recommended the adoption of a new State constitution, as many clauses in the one then existinj^ wei'e cumbersome or obstructive, and becoming;; more so with the advance of events. In liis niessatre 10 the legislature meeting that winter, whicli was a long document of ninety-two octavo pages, he recounts in detail all the small necessities and desired improvements in the government, as well as the large ones, discussing them at length. Among many other statements was one to the elfect that Me.xican marauders were doing more mischief on this side of the Eio Grande than tliey had done before for a number of years. Federal aid was asked for protection against them.

l'>y an act of August 13, 1870, veterans of the revolution which separated Texas from Mexico, including the Mier prisoners, were to receive pensions. Comptroller Bledsoe, by mistake, extended the provisions of this law to persons not properly entitled to the benefit of it. At any rate this was the reason given by Governor Davis on the occasion of his vetoing two items of appropriation to pay claims of veterans. By this act the governor exposed himself to the attack of his Democratic enemies, who charged him with entertaining hostile feelings toward the veterans. Qy a subsequent act of the legislatnre, however, the list of pensioners was ncreased, and by the end of the year the governor became alarmed at the rapidly increasing number of claims. lie said that Darden and Coke, in the course of a year or so, issued $1,115,U0U worth uf bonds in pension. About

In March, 1875, another constitutional convention was provided tor. August 2d tln^ people cast 69,583 votes for the convention, electing delegates, and 30,549 against it. The convention assembled at Austin, September 6, following, and completed its laboi-s November 24. Tlie new constitution was ratified by the popular vote February 17, 1876, when 136,606 votes were cast in its favor and 56,652 against it. On the same day a general election was held, when the regular Democratic State ticket prevailed. Coke was re-elected governor, by a majority of over 102,000 votes, over William Chambers, who received 47,719 votes.

IiT this new constitution the following are some of the more noticeable features: In the bill of rights the provisions of the constitution of 1869, which declared secession a heresy, and the constitution and laws of the United States the supreme law of the land, are omitted. Provision was made to increase the number of members of the house of representatives to 150, at the rate of one additional member for each 15,000 inhabitants at each fresh apportionment. The number of senators was permanently fixed at thirty-one. The legislature was to meet every two years, the governor's term of office reduced to two years, and his salary from $5,000 to $4,000. The article of the old constitution respecting suffrage was so changed as to make no reference to "race, color or former condition." Foreign immigration was discountenanced. As soon as the legislature met, the governor pointed out defects in the constitution, recommending amendments, especially with reference to the judicial systeui. The governor also stated, in his message to the legis-

(Jn May 5, this yeur, Governor Coke was elected United States Senator, but continued to exercise the functions of executive until December 1, when he resigned, and Lieutenant Governor Hubbard succeeded to the oflice.

During Governor Hubbard's administration a ferious trouble arose between Texan and Mexican citizens in El Paso county, whicli resulted in some bloodshed among tiie bad characters, and probably even among some of the good people. It originated in a personal quarrel between Charles II. Howard and Louis Cardis, concerning some salt deposits. The United States militai'y was called into requisition before the fracas was finally quelled.

I>y this time it seems that the famous old liiilian question was aliout out of the vvay. The reds were nearly all goi-e. The Comanches and Kickapoos had proved to be the most troulilesome, the foi'iner chiimiiig the country as their own, while the hitter proclaimed that they were at war only with Texas, and not with the United States. In 1870 there were only 500 Tonkawas and Lipans, and a few years later Texas was relieved from the hostile incursions of the Kickapoos, who were removed to a leseivation in the Indian Territory, and since tliat time all hostile Indians have been subdued. By 1882 the remnant of harmless natives within the borders of the State have been reduced to 108 souls, and these were located in the vicinity of Fort Griffin, in Sliackelford county. They had no reservation, and weie dependent to a great extent upon the whims of their wliite neig]il)ors. Tliey had no live stock', and lived in l>i-ii.sli houses and tepees. They hail all been friendly to the whites and were well cotiteiited. An insutKcient appropriation for their support was annually made by the Government, and the citizens of Texas assisted them from time to time.

A little further on will bo given a list of all the governors of Texas to date. As this woik goes to press J. S. Hogg is re-elected governor, after an exciting contest occasioned by his antagonism to cei-tain classes of monopolistic coi'porations, etc.

" Under the terms of the annexation treaty of 18-15 Texas retained possession of all vacant and uiuippropriated lands within her boundaries; but from that time to the present the boundary has not been definitely settled. A dispute has occurred, arising out of the old treaty with Spain of February 22, 1819, in which the Ued i-iver is made the boundary between the '.llth and 100th degree west longitude from Greenwich. At the date when this treaty was made Init little information had been obtained re.-pectiiig the region extending along the upper portion of Ited river, nor w'as it known that the river was divided into two bianches - now called the noi'th and west forks - between the 99th and 100th meridians. As late as 1848 all maps described lied river as a continuous stream, the north fork not being laid down upon them. By an exploration, however, made in 1852, by Captains Marcy and Mc- Clellan, under the direction of the War Department, it was discovered that there were two main branches to the river [iropcr; but, probably owing to the inaccuiacy of tlieir instniinents, the explorers located the 100th meridian below tlie junction. In 1857 the ('unimissioner of Indiati Affairs, wiio wished to know the boundary between the Chuctaw and Chickasaw countries, caused an astronomical survey to be made for the purpose of ascertaining the true meridian, which was i'ound to be eighty miles west of the junction of the two forks, the surveyors designating the south fork - "Prairie Dog Fork" - as the main branch.

" Texas at once questioned this designation, and Congress passed an act, approved June 5, 1858, authorizing the president, in conjunction with the State of Texas, to mark out the boundary line. Commissioners on both sides were appointed, who proceeded to do their work in 1860. No ao-reement, however, could be arrived at, and Texas, adopting the report of her commissioner, established the Territory in dispute - about 2,000 square miles in area - as a county under the name of Greer. In an act of Congress of February 24, 1879, to create the Northern Judicial District of Texas, etc., Greer county is included in the district.

"In 1882 a bill was before Congress seeking to establish the north fork as the true boundary, but hitherto no settlement of the question has been attained. Meantime complications have arisen, through persons claiming to exercise rights on the disputed land under the jurisdiction o-f Texas, conflicts liave taken place and blood has been shed, owing to procrastination in the adjustment of the disputed claim." - //. //. Bancroft, Histwy of the Pacific States.

General Reflections

" No State iu the Union has pas.sed thiouo-h more political vicissitudes than Texas. During the present century her people have fought and bled under no less than five different national flags, representing as many different governments. First we find her with a sparse population, among which might be found some few individuals of the Anglo- American race, under the royal standard of Spain, ruled by monarchial laws; next, the eagle of the Mexican republic dictates the form of government and exasperates by oppression the free-spirited settlers from the United States; then follow revolt and a short but sanguinary struggle for independence, terminating in the establishment of the Texan republic, with its emblematic lonestar flag. After a brief existence, however, as a sovereign nation, Texas was content to repose beneath the standai-d of the stars and stripes, which in turn she threw aside to fight under the Confederate banner. The laud wiiich was once tlie abode of savages has been converted into a civilized country, which will pi'ove a center of human development.

" Short as has been her life, the commonwealth of Texas has had a varied experience, - first as the borderland of contending colonies, then a lone republic, as a member of the great federation, member of the Southern Confederacy, and finally reinstated as one of the still unbroken Union. The annals of her past career, as we have seen, arc replete with stories of romantic events, and persevering struggles to shake off the leaden weight of impeding influences and elevate herself to the proud level of advancing civilization. Her future is bright; she has entered the broad highway of universal progress, aiid henceforth her march will be one of unprecedented prosperity. A marvelous rapidity has already marked her onward course to wealth and happinets. Probably there never was a country \vi:ieli entered upon the lung and brilliant career <>f progress that we nn'y look forward to in this instance, under more favorable auspices than this State. Altli(.)ugh older than any of the more northern Pacitic States, it has developed more slowly, and has avoided many of their mistakes. The great cnrse of California is not liere entailed. The ])eople are still fi'eemeti, mul the law-makers and the public officials are tiieir sei'vants. There is little or no public debt; their public lands are their own, and thev have not all fallen into the hands of shai-pers and specutors; tiiey rule the railroad companies instead of being ruled liy them; unjust and oppressive niono|>olies are not permitted. Here are the seeds of life instead of the elements of disease and death. With her vast area of tillable and grazing lands, a people rapidly increasing in numbers, wealth and refinement; with young and healthy institutions resting on honest repuldican foundations; with a determination on the part of the people to admit within their borders no species of despotism, no form of tyranny, there is no height of grandeur to which this commonwealth may not reasonably aspire.

" Indian depredations on the frontier have ceased, and cattle-raiding on the Rio Grande borderland will soon be a trouble of the past; lawlessness and crime are yielding to fearless administration of justice and application of the laws, and order is sweeping from her path the refuse that for decades obstructed the progress of large portions of the State. The advancing strides made by Texas .-ince the civil war toward the goal where lofty aspirations will win the prize of unalloyed prosperity, are strikingly exhibited by offijial statistics on population, agriculture, 3ommerce, industries and developing enterprises."

Indeed, niany men who have no pecuniary interests in Texas have been heard to say that that State is destined to be the greatest in the Union.

In their s-oci.il cliaracter the people of Texas are still hospitable, with better opportunities than ever to exhibit that pleasurable trait. General intelligence, and its concomitant, the establishment of educational institutions, also characterize the sons of the South who emigrated to that great, free State in the first place for greater opportunity for education, hospitality and comfortable homes in a comfortable climate.

Biographical Notices

Ellis P. Bean, the successor of Philip Nolan, in the command of his (oinpany, was a marked character. In 1800, when he was but eighteen years of age and possessing a spirit of adventure, he left his father's home at Bean's Station, Tennessee, went to Natchez and enlisted in Nolan's trading company, then consisting of twenty-two men. Reaching Texas, and while at a point between the Trinity and Brazos rivers, they were attacked and beaten by a body of Sjianish troops. Bean, with eight others, was taken as a prisoner to San Antonio, and thence to Chihuahua, t)eing kept at tlie latter place three years, when they began to be allowed some liberty and to labor for themselves. Bean had learned the hatting business, and he tbllowed it for a year in Chihuahua, when his longing to see liis native land induced him, \(^th two comrades, to run away and endeavor to reach the United States. The three were arrested near El Paso, severely lashed, and again ironed and imprisoned.

Bean's many friends in Chihuahua soon obtained for him again the freedom of the city, and he made a second effort to escape, but was again taken. He was this time sent nuder a strong guard to the south of the city of Mexico. On their way they came to the city of Guanajuato, where they remained several days; and while tliere, Beau's noble and manly bearing won the heart of a beautiful Mexican senorita of rank, who wrote a letter to him avowing her passion, and promising her influence to obtain his liberation, when she would marry him; but he was hurried away and never per- initted again to see her. Poor Bean was next conveyed to Acapiileo, one of tlie most sickly jilaces on tiie I'acitic, ami thrown intoatilthy dnngv on, wliere no ray of tlie light of heaven ]ienetrated, and the only air admitted was thi'ongh an aperture in the base of the massive wall, which was six feet thick! In this foul ahode his body was covered with vermin; no one was allowed to see bim, and his food was of the coarsest and most unhealthy kind. In his confinement his only companion was a white lizard, whicb he succeeded in taming, and which became very fond of him. The ciiily air hole had to be closed at ni.i^bt, to prevent ingress of ^erpents. One night, having neglected to close it, he was awakened by the crawling of a monstrous serpent over his body. His presence of mind enabled him to lie perfectly still, xintil, getting hold of a pocket-knife whicb he had been able to keep concealed upon his person, he pierced the monster in the head and escaped his fangs. This exploit so astonished the keeper of the prison that by his influence a petition was sent to the governor for a mitigation of his confinement; and that dignitary graciously decreed- that he might work in chains, and under a guard of soldiers. Even this was a relief.

While thus engaged liis desire for freedom again overcame iiis prudence. He succeeiled in freeing himself from his sbackles, and with a piece of iron killed three of the guai'd and fled to the mountains. Again he was bunted down and recaptured, nearly starved. His cell now became his only abode, and flogging and other indignities were heajK'd upon him. Another year passed and he was again allowed the liberty of the prison yard, under strict surveillance.

road to California. Tliis time he bad traveled 300 miles, when he was once mure recaptured and carried Ijack. lie was now confined upon his back, and for weeks was almost devoured by vermin! His appeals for mercy were treated with nujckery. But his freedom drew nigh. Tbe Mexican revolution of 1810 broke out. The royalists became alarmed. They had learned to look upon Bean as a chained lion, and now, in the hour of their trouble, thej offered liim liberty if he would join their standard. He promi8e<l, secretly determining that lie would desert tbe first opportunity. In a few days he was sent out with a scout, to reconnoitre the position of General Morelos, the chief of the republicans. When near the camp of that officer. Bean proposed to his comrades that they sliould all join the patriots. His persuavive eloquence was so successful that they all agreed, and at once reported to Mcu'elos.

Upon the information Bean waa able to give, an attack was planned and executed against the royalists, resulting in a complete victory. For this Bean received a captain's commission, and his fame spread like a prairie tire throughout Mexico. For three years he was the chief reliance of Morelos, and when he fought victory followed. He was soon conducted, with flying banners, into the town of Acapulco, the scene of his sufferings. The wretches who had persecuted him now on bended knees begged for mercy, expecting nothing but instant death. But Bean scorned to avenge his wrongs upon them-, and dismissed them with warnings as to their future conduct.

Three years later it was agreed that he shouhl go to New Orleans and obtain aid for t!je republicans of Mexico. With two companions, he made his way across the country. On the route, while stopping a few days at

Jalapa, Mexico, lie became sud.lenly and violently enamored of a beautiful lady and married her, promising that lie would return to her after accomplishing his mission. After various adventures he reached New Orleans, two days belbie the memorable battleof January 8, 1815. He at once volunteered as aid to General Jackson, whom he had known when a boy, and he fought bravely in that decisive action.

He afterward returned to Mexico and joined his wife, with whom he lived happily many years. In 1827, when the Fredouia war broke out at Nacogdoches, Texas, he was colonel commanding the Mexican garrison at that place. In 1835 he returned to Jalapa, Mexico. In 1843 he was still living in Mexico, as an officer on the retired list of tlie army of that nation. A volume containing an account of his almost fabulous adventures was written by himself in 1817, an<l published soon afterward.

Stephen Fuller Austin, who carried otit the scheme of his father, Moses Austin, in the founding of what was known as the Austin colony, was born November 3, 17'J3, at Austinville, Wythe county, Virginia, while his father was interested in lead mines there. In 1804 he was sent to Colchester Academy, in Connecticut, and a year afterward to an academy at New London, same State. At the age of fifteen he became a student at Transylvania University, in Kentucky, where he completed his education. When twenty years of age he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature of Missouri, and was regularly re-elected until 1819, in which year he went to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was made Circuit Judge of that Territory. From there he removed to New Orleans, in order to co-cperate with his father in the projected colonization scheme. On the death

Stephen F. Austin was well adapted as a leader of settlers in an unknown country. In his childhood he had been inured to a frontier life, and his broad intellectual capacity enabled hira to utilize many lesons to be learned from the wild West. This, together with his legislative experience in Missouri, and experience as an executive of Territorial laws, enabled him to be a good ruler, diplomatist or commissioner. But as a military commander he had no ambition. As to his temper, he himself published that lie was hasty and impetuous, and that lie hail forced upon himself a stringent discipline to prevent a fit of passion that might destroy his influence. In his disposition he was openhearted, unsuspecting and accommodating almost to a i'ault. He was therefore often imposed upon, especially in the minor demands of benevolence and justice in social life. He excelled in a sense of equity, constancy, perseverance, fortitude, sagacity, pru dence, patience under persecution, benevolence, forgiveness, etc.

He was never married. During the first years of his residence in Texas, his home was at the house of S. Castleman, on the Colorado. Later, when his brother-in-law, James F. Perry, removed to the colony, he lived, when in Texas, with his sister at Peach Point plantation, in Brazoria county. Besides this sister he had a younger brother, named James Brown Austin, who was well known in Texas.

Colonel David Crockett, one of the most original, typical Western characters that ever lived, and the bravest hero of the Alamo, was born in east Tennessee, on the Nola Chucky river, at the mouth of Limestone creek, August 17, 17SG, tlie son of John Croclcett, of Irish descent, who participated in the American revolution for independence. David's grandparents were mnrdered l)y Indians, one nncie wounded by them, and anotiier captureil. Wlien about twelve jears of age his father liired him out to a kindhearted Diitriimaii ill Virginia, several bundled miles distant, iuit he soon became homesick, ran away, and, availing himself of the services of a man he knew, and who was passing through that section of the country with a wagon, started home with hiin, Init the wagon proved to be too slow in its progress for his eagerness to reach home, and he left it and hastened along on foot.

But be was not home very long until he ran away from that, and after a time went to Baltimore to embark in a seafaring life, but the man who conveyed him to Baltimore in his wagon, concluding that the Ixiy was too hasty, prevented him, by holding his clothincr and money, al)ont §7; and the wagoner started back with him in a iiomeward direction, and young Crockett had to complete his lourney home for the want of funds to go elsewhere. He remained with his father for some years, working on the farm and hunting, for he finally became as great a hunter as Daniel Boone himself. During this period, when about seventeen years of age, he "fell in love" with a young Quakeress and proposed marriage, but was refused, which event preyed upon his spirits. AVhen about eighteen he was "smitten" by another girl, who at first agreed to marry him, and then jilted him; and this was worse than evei'; he felt like committing suicide. Within a year or so, however, after this, he found still another young lady who agreed to marry him, and "stuck" to her bargain. Up to the time of his second proposal of marriage he had had but four days' schooling, and he sometimes thought that it was his lack of education that caused the girls to despise him, and he managed to get a few months' schooling, and that was all lie ever obtained in his life. After marriage he moved to Lincoln C(.(nnty, and then to Franklin county, Tennessee.

The Creek war coming on, in 1813, Mr. Crockett enlisted in Captain Jones' company of mounted volunteers, and was engaged as a scout. Afterward, while a member of the main army, he participated in several engagements, and subsequently, under General Jackson in the Florida campaign, he was commissioned colonel.

About the close of the Florida war his wife died; but he soon married a soldier's widow and emigrated to Shoal creek, where he had an amusing time endeavoring to serve as a justice of the peace. He was subsequently elected a member of the State legislature, despite his backwoods character, as he was a witty humorist. Ho made the campaign a characteristic one as a humorous, typicaliy Western-pioneer electioneering canvass, which suited the tastes of the people of the time and place.

His next removal was to Obion, Tennessee, to a point seven miles distant from the nearest house, fifteen from the next, twenty from the next, and so on; but, being a passionate hunter, and living in a forest noisy with abundant game, he found it easy, the height of his life's pleasure, to keep his family supplied with fresh meat of the highest order, besides obtaining many luxuries from a distant market in exchange for peltry. He killed many a bear, one specimen weighing 600 pounds, and of course he had many hairraising adventures and hairbreadth escapes with his life.

Hi Stout Op Texas

Being again elected to the State legislature, as a Whig, he vote 1 ayaiiist General Jackson for United States senator, becoming a candidate for tlie office himself. After the adjournment of this legislature he engaged in lumber speculation. Making a trip down the Mississippi with a splendid cargo of lumber, he was wrecked and lost all. In 1827 he was elected to Congress, and in 1829 re elected; but, running the third time, he was defeated, his district having been gerrymandered to keep him out; and the fourth time a candidate, he was again triumphant, but the fifth time he was beaten.

The last disapointraent disgusted him, especially after he had so great an ovation in northern cities, where everybody was runninoafter him, more for his humor than learned statesmanship. This disgust with his fellowcitizens in Tennessee was the spur that incited him to think of a distant pioneer field, and he decided upon Te.Kas, then a part of Me.Kico, struggling for independence. At Little Rock, Arkansas, on his way, he endeavored to enlist a number of assistants, but failed to obtain any volunteers. On arriving in Texas, however, he succeeded in picking up four or five attaches, and soon ha'J a scrimmage with some fifteen Me.xicans, and of course whipped them out completely. Giving the fugitives chase they soon arrived at the fortress Alamo, commanded by Colonel William B. Travis. This was situated at the town of Bejar (now San Antonio), on the San Antonio river, about 140 miles from its mouth. At that time it had about 1,200 inhabitants, nearly all native Mexicans, but was afterward greatly reduced by Indian depredations. It was started by the Spaniards establishing a military post at that point in 1718, the village actually starting three years later, by emigrants sent out fi-om the Canary islands by the king of Spain.

General Ca-^trillon, commanding under Santa Ai,na, as a besieger of the fort, was a brave maa, but not cruel toward prisoners. Crockett's life had just been spared from the first massacre, with five others; and Castrillon marched these fated six patriots up to that part of the fort where stood Santa Anna and his murderous crew. The steady, fearless step and undaunted tread of Colonel Crockett on this occasion, together with the bold demeanor of the hardy veteran, had a powerful effect upon all present. Nothing daunted, he marched up boldly in front of Santa Anna and looked him sternly in the face, while Castrillon addressed "his excellency," "Sir, here are six prisoners I have taken alive: how shall I dispose of them?" Suita Anna looked at Castrillon fiercely, flew into a violent rage and replied, "Have I not tuhl you before how to dispose of them? Why do you bring them to me?" At the same time his hard-hearted officers plunged their swords into the bosoms of the defenceless prisoners ! Crockett, seeing the act of treachery, instantly sprang like a tiger at the ruffian chief, but before he could reach him a dozen swords were sheathed in his indomitable heart, and he fell and died without a groan, with a frown on his brow and a smile of scorn and defiance on his lips!

General Sam Houston, the father of Texas, was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, March 2, 1793. Left an orphan in early life by the death of his father, he went with his mother, in destitute circumstances, to Tennessee, then the verge of civilization. There he received a scanty education, spending most of his youthful years among the Cherokee Indians. During a portion of this

In IS 13 ho enlisted as a private in the United States Army, and served under General Jackson in his famous cainpaii^n ai^ainst the Creek Indians. He had so distincrnished himself on several occasions that at the conclnsiou ot" the war he had risen to the rank of lieutenant, but on the return of peace he resigned his commission in the army and began the study of law at Nasliville. His political career now commenced. After holding several minor others he was sent to Congress from Tennessee in 1823, and continued a member of the Il'Mise until 1827, when he was electe'l govei-nor of the State, but before the expiration of his term he resigned that office, in 1829, and went to Arkansas and took up liis abode among the Cherokees. Soon he be^jcime the agent of the tribe, to represent their interests at Washington.

On a first visit to Te.xas, just before the electi(jn of delegates called here t(^ form a constitution preparatory to the admission of Texas into the Mexican Union, he was unanimously chosen a delegate to that body. The constitution framed by that convention was rejected by the Mexican government. Santa Anna, president of the Mexican Confederated Republic, demanded of Texas a surrender of their arms. Resistance to this demand was determined upon. A military force was organized, and Houston, under the title of general, was soon apjiointed eommander-in-cliief. He conducted the war with great vigor, and Ijrought it to a successful termination by tlie Ijattle of San Jacinto. His enemies hail accused liim of cowardice, because he had the Hrmness not to yield to hot-headed individuals, who would have driven him, if they could, to engage Santa Anna prematurely, and thereby have place 1 in jeopardy tlie independence of Texas, and liei,'.au>e he scorned to resent with brute force the abuse thit was heaped upon him by political and personal enemies seeking his blood.

In October, 183G, our hero was inaugurated the first president of the new Republic of Texas, and afterward served as the chief executive in this realm twice, besides acting in many other cajiacities. On the breaking out of the great Civil war he was a strong Union man, but the excited Texans had nearly all espoused disunion principles, and Houston was force 1 to retire fmrn public life. He died July 25, 1803, at lluutsviUe, Walker county, Texas, after liaving witnessed for some years, with a broken spirit, the wild rush of the South for a goal that she conld not obtain, and surt'eriug in his own person physical ailments and general declining health. His last days were embittered by the fact that even his own son, Sam, h.id enlisted early in tlie Confederate ranks, and had been wounded and was a prisoner.

Houston was a remarkable man. This fact has frequently been illustrated in the foregoing pages. He was a better and a more capable man than George Washington. His greatest failings were vanity and its companion, jealousy. He also caused some enmity by his inclination to clothe himself and his movements in a robe of mystery, but whether this was a natural trait involuntarily exhibited or a habit intentionally exercised, is itself a problem. Mistakes, of course, he made. The sun has its S])ots. But these mistakes were more in the direction of givino- offense to his opponents than in the administration of public affairs. All personality was merged into altruistic patriotism. He had hard men to deal with, and Ihese men, of course, "knew" they could do bet- ter than he. His inilitary strategy was extraordinary. Tlie iiist<ii;cfs are too iiuineroiis to mention here. Tlie rcailer will liave to consult nearly halt the paye.s of Texas history to discover them all. His intuitive quickness of perception, his foresight and farreaching mental grasp, his penetration and ready comprehension of the drift of parties, and his sagacity and tact in devising means for the attainment of specific ends, were indeed exceptional. In self-possession and confidence in his own resources he was unrivaled ; his influence among the masses was extraordinary, and as a speaker his power over a Texan audience was magical.

As president of the Kepublic his administration was marked by economy, by a pacilic policy toward the Indians, and by a defensive attitude toward Mexico. He would rather feed Indians than kill them ; he was ever ready to ward off threatened invasion and adopt protective measures against predatory incursions on the frontier, but not organize such undertakings as the Santa Fe expedition ; and such an enterprise as the one attempted by Colonel Fisher and his followers in their attack on Mier was never contemplated by him.

In the Senate of the United States, where he represented Texas for nearly fourteen years, he was persistently conservative and democratic. He voted against the extension of the Missouri compromise line to the Pacific coast, and thereby favored free territory south of that parallel; he voted for the Oregon Territorial bill with the slavery exclusion clause, and he voted against the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Stephen A. Douglas, thereby favoring free territory where the Missouri compromise had fixed it, and by this last act he incurred the displeasure of his Southern adherents more than by anything else he had ' ever done. He also became identified with the " Know-Nothing " party, and by this means also alienated many of his old Democi-atic friends. But who can guard the rights of the righteous without incurring the displeasure of the unrighteous? For the ignorant, the hasty and the iniquitous will not only promulgate falsehoods, but even truths in such a way as to turn friends into enemies. Gossip, especially in haste, will unavoidably distort everything.

In 1860, wliile Houston was governor of Texas, an expedition was titteii out for frontier protection. In the ])urchase of medical supplies, the governor gave strict orders that no liquor should be included, under penalty of his serious displeasure. In the requisition for of the regiment, were included, " Spts. Vini Gallici, bottles 24. " This was duly furnished with the other articles, and the bill was taken to General Houston for his approval. The old gentleman settled his spectacles upon his nose, and, gravely putting his eagle quill behind his ear, read the bill through slowly and carefully until he came to the item in question, when he turned to the druggist and said: " Mr. B - , wiiat is this, - Spts. Vini Gallici?" "That, General, is brandy. " "Ah, yes! and do you know that I have given positive orders that no liquor should be furnished for this expedition?" "No, General; I was not aware of it. "

The general rang his bell. " Call Dr. T - . " The doctor was summoned. "Dr. T - , what is this 'Spts. Vini Gallici' for?" "That. Governor, is for snake-bites." Appealing to the druggist the governor continued, "Mr.

B - , is Spts. Villi Gallici good for snakebites?" '-Yes, sir; it is so considered." ''Ye^", replied General iLiuston, in slow and nieasiired tones; " and tliere is Dr. T - , wlio wonld cheerfully consent to lie bitten by a rattlesnake every inoriiing l)el'ore breakfast in order to obtain a di'ink of ihis Spts. Yini Gallici! " Having thus deliverecl liimself, he approved the aecmiiit.

In prixate life ^^r. JIduston was alTable and courtLous, kind and generous. When thwarted, however, he became harsh and sometiuios vindictive. He never faili'd to repay with cunipiiund interest, sooner ur later, any insinuation or coarse attack; and those who crossed his political pathway were chastised with a scathing invective which they never forgot. Acts of friendship and enmity were equally retained in bis memory, and met with C(.)rresponding return. Majestic in person, of commanding presence and noble countenance, he was a striking figure. Sorrow for the miseries of his country, poverty in his household and a broken-down constitution, saddened his later days. So straitened were his means that his family were often stinted fur the necessaries of life! lie was married the second time, and at his death left a widow and seven children, all under age.

LoEENZO DE Zavala, a prominent champion of Texan freedom, was born in Merida, Yucatan, in 1781, where he was educated and practiced as a physician till 1820, when he was elected deputy to the Spanish Cortes. On his return he was first made deputy and then senator in the Mexican congress. In March, 1827, he was governor of the State of Me.vico, which ofKce he lield until the revolution of Jalapa in 1830, which forced him to leave the country. In 1833 he was again elected to congress, and also governor of the State of Mexico, the house passing a unanimous resolution permitting him to hold both positions. During the following ye:u' he was appointed minister to France, but as soon as he saw the direction toward centralism which the pai'ty in power was taking he resigned that jto-^iii(jn. He was too liberal a I'epiiblican and loo lio.iest in his principles to tikf pai't in the overthrow of the federal constitutiiin. lie served his country faithfully, but on his retirement to Texas he was stigmatized as a traitor and vagabond. March 6, 1829, he acijuired a grant in Texas, contracting to colonize it with 500 families. He was one of three commissioners to represent Texa- and Coahuila at the Mexican government in 1834- ; signed the declaration of independence; was the second vice president of the Texan Hepublic; and was entrusted with many other important public matters. He died at Lynchburg, Texas, November 15, 1836.

Of William B. Teavis, a Texan patriot in tlie early times of strife and feud, comparatively little is known. His name figures occasionally in the previous histoi-y in tliis volume, his career winding np at the terrible battle of the Alamo, where he was killed early in that short light. The capital county of Texas is named in his honor.

Rjoiiaed B. Ellis, after whom Ellis county is named, lived in one of tiie disputed settlements in the Red river country. He was a prominent citizen and represented his municipality in the convention of 1836, being president of that body. He died in 1840. Doubt existing as to which government his section belonged, to be certain of representation somewhere, his son, who lived in the same house with him, was elected to the legislature of Ai'kaiisas as a citizen of Miller county, of that State, and accepted.

tive of Georgia. Wliile Latitte occupieil Galveston, the three brothers, James, Keziu P. and John, engaged in buying negroes of Laiitte's men, conducting them through tlie swamps of Louisiana for sale. They are said to have made $05,000 by this traffic. James Bowie was connected with Long's expedition in 1819. In October, 1830, he became a naturalized citizen of Saltillo, and soon after married a daughter of Vice Governor Verameiidi, of San Antonio de Bejar. November 2, 1831, he fought a remarkable battle with Indians on the San Saba river, in which, with his brother Ivezin, nine other Americans and two negroes, he defeated 1(34 Teh uacanas and Caddoes, the Indians losing nearly half their number, while the Anglo-Texans had only one man killed and three wounded! When hostilities broke out he attached himself to the Texan cau.-e. A county in this State is named in his honor.

Rkzin (or Razin) P. Bowie, first made a new style of knife, which was used in combat by his brother, CoLmel James Bowie, and it lias since been improved upon frouj time to rime by cutlei'S and dealers.

Stepihon M. Blou.nt, who was in 1888 the iildest living survivor of the signers of the diclaration of Texan independence, wa~ a native of Geoi-gia, born February 13, 1808, and moved to Texas in July, 1835, settling at San Augustine. In 1836 he was elected a member of the convention that declared the independence of Texas, and nominat d General Houston for commander-in-chief of the Texan forces. Blount was a close personal friend of Houston, whom he always afterward regarded as a grand man. In 1837 Blount was elected clerk of San Auguttine county, and held that position four years. His whole life has been one of a(ti\ity. Prior to his emigration to Texas he served in several official capacities in his native State, lie was colonel of the Eighth Regiment of Georgia militia, and was aide-de-camp to military generals in 1832-'34.

Colonel James W. Fannin participated in the battle of Conception in October, 1835; was stationed in command at Velasco directly afterward; appointed military agent early in 1846 to raise and concentrate all volunteers who were willing to take part in an expedition against Matamoras; assisted in the defence of Goliad early in 1837, but made a i'atal mistake and was defeated. He was a brave and intrepid officei', but somewhat deficient in caution. He was inclined to underestimate the force of the Mexicans, was with his men taken prisoners, and as such massacred, with over 300 others!

MiRABEAU B. Lamar was appointed secretary of war in 1836 for the riQW republic, and as such was strongly opposed to enteri'ig into negotiations with Santa Anna; was appointed major general of the Texan army, in 1836, but his hasty advice caused liim to lie unpopular among his men, and he was induced to retire; was the same year elected vic'j president of the republic; was left in command of the general government l,»y Presiiient Hoaston, who left the executive office for the seat of war; elected president in 1838; advised in his inaugural address "extermination or extinction" of the Indians; encouraged the Santa Fe expedition, which proved so disastrous; and on the whole he was a rather unfortunate "statesman." His administration as governoi', etc., was extravagant linancially, and many of his measures demoralizing.

JosE Antonio Navarro, in whose honor Navarro county was namid, vva^ born in San Antonio de Bejar, Feljruary 27, 1705, his father beini; a native of Coi'sica and an otii- cer in tlie Spanish army. lie was a stanch Federalist ami a foe to military ili'p)tisin. In 1834:-"3o XavaiTi.) wa- a lanil (jommissionei' for Bejar district; a meailjer of tlio convention in 1830; and a me nber ot tlie conj^ress in 183S-'39. lie was condemned by Sa'ita Anna to imprisonment for life, though during his captivity lie was several times offered pardon, liberty and high office if he would abjure his native country, Texas, forever. Tliese propositions wei'e rejected with scorn.

In De.;eniber, ISW, just'before the fall of Santa Anna, lie wtis remove 1 from San Juan de Ulua and allowe 1 to remain a prisoner at large in Vera Cruz, whence lie escaped January 3, arriving at Galveston February 3, 1845, after an absence of more thau tiiree years and a iialf. On his return lie was elected delegate to the convention held that year to decide upnn the question of annexation, and was afterward senator from I'ejar district in the State congress. lie died in his native city in 1870.

Genehal T. J. Rusk was born December 0, 1808, in Soutii C'arolina, his lather being an immigrant from Ireland and a stone mason by occupation. Througli tiie intluMice of John 0. Calhoun, on whose land tlie fa nilv lived, young Rusk was placed in the otKce of William Grisham, clerk ior Pendleton district, where he nrule himself I'amiliar with the law, and was soon admitted to the bar. He afterward removed to Glarksville, Ge irgia, where he married the daughter of (i^ neral (jleveland. At that jdace he acquired a lucrative practice, but unfortunately engaged in mining speculations and was swiiulled out of nearly all his earnings. He pursued some of the i-ascals to Texas, and found them in this State, but they had spi-nt or conrealed all his money, (roing t(.) Naeng IdcIp's, he lucalfcd liimscll', and was aflerward cunspiciKnis as a Texan pati-iot. He distinguished himself in the w:,r of independence, and subsequently commanded variousexpeditionsagainst the Indians. In 1839 he was appointed chief justice of the R,q>iiblic, but soon resigned and retired into law practice at Nacogdoches. In 1845, he was presi lent of the annexation conven tion, and was one of the first two senators to the United States Congress, and this position he liehl until his death in 1857, brought about by his own hand, prolialily in a fit of menial abcrralion induced by a malignant disease and the loss of his wife. He was a man of rai'e (pialities, and is held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. On account of his death Congress wore the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.

Elisha Anglin, a prominent early settler of central Texas, was born iu Powell Valley, Virginia, where he was raised and married; moved thence to Kentucky, afterward to Clay, Edgar and Cole counties, Illinois, and finally, in 1833, to Texas. He reached what is now Grimes Prairie, Grimes county, in the fall of 1833, where Austin's colony still remained. In the summer of 1834, in company with James and Silas Parker, he visited Limestone county in Robertson's colony, and located a claim where the present town of Groesbeck is situated. Silas Parker located his claim north of Anglin's, and James Parker went still further north. They then returned to Grimes Prairie, each buying a load of corn preparatory to bringing their families, which they did in the summer of 1834. Mr. Anglin settled on his claim February 1, 1835, and Fort Paiker was built in the siiniiner of the same year.

When the Parkers r,nd Mr. Anglin settled in the county tln^ Indians were friendly and peaceable, those then in the loc ility being the Tehuacanas, at Tehuac.ana Hills; the Kee- chies, on Keechie creek, and the Wacoes, wlio were then ijccupying thuir village at Waco. Tlie first trouble was brought about by raids l)eiiig made on them by bands of white men. The raids were made in tlae summer of 1835, and tiie following sprinu; news reached the fort of tlje advance of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. Mr. Anglin, believing that the fort and all the inmates would tall victims to Mexican foes and hostile Indians, tried to induce the Parkers to abandon it and retire to the settlements beyond the Trinity. But this they refused to do. Taking his family, Mr. Anglin, in company with Mr. Faulkenberry and family and Mr. Bates and family, songlit safety at old Fort Hcniston, near Palestine. He did not i-etarn to Limestone county until the spring of 1838, when Springfield, afterward the county seat, w-as laid out, he being present and assisting in this labor. For four or five years following this date he resided principally in the settements in Grimes county, but in January, 1844, took up his permanent residence on liis claim, where he lived until his lust marriage, and until his diath, near Mount Calm, in January, 1874, aged .-eventy-six yenrs. lie assisted in the organization of the county, held a number of minor local positions at an earlier day, was an unlettered man, but possessed cotisiderable forct3 of character, the elements of the pioneer strongly preilominaliug.

Mr. Anglin was five times married, and the father of a number of children. His first wife was Rachel AYilson, a native of Virtrinia, who died in Edgar county, Illinois, leaving fivechildren: Aliram; William; Jcjiin; Mary, afterward the wife of Silas H. Bates; and Margaret, now Mr.-=. John MoLidy. lie was then married, in Coles county, Illinois, to Catherine Duty, who bore him three children, only one of whom reached maturity: Rebecca

Catherine, now the wife of Fra:iklin Coates, of Utah Territory. His second wife died at old Fort Houston, near Palestine, this State, and he married the third time, at Tinnan's Fort, Robertson county, Mrs. Orpha James. They had eight children, only one of whom is now living: Adeline, wife of Daniel Parker, of Anderson county, Texas. His fourth marriage occurred in Limestone county, to Mrs. Nancy Faulkenberry, widow of David Faulkenberry. His fifth wife was Mrs. Sarah Chatfin, 7iee Crist, but by the last two unions there were no children.

-Neill McLennan, in honor of whom Mc- Lennan county is named, was born in the highlands of Scotland, in 1777, and emigrated with two brothers and other relatives to the State of North Carolina in 1801, where he resided as a farmer until 1816. With a brave and adventurous spirit, and with one companion, he explored the wilds of Florida, and, becoming satisfied with the country, remained there until 1834. He had heard of Texas, and with his two brothers and a few other friends purcha-ed a schooner at Pensacola, loaded her with their goods and families, navigated her themselves, and landed safely at the mouth of the Brazos river early in 1835. They proceeded up the river and settled on Pond creek, near its mimth, in what is now Falls county. While there his two brothers were killed by the Indians, Laughlin, one of the brothers, being shot full of arrows. The family of the latter, consisting of a wife and three small boys, were captured and taken away. The mother, who was living with him, was also killed, the house was burned, and the wife and j'oungest child died in captivity. The next boy was bought, and the eldest remained with the Indians until grown, when, by a treaty, his uncle, Neil (not Neillj McLennan, brought him to ]\[rT.eiinan CDUiity. It was ditlinilt fo roeoiirile him to in\':iv from liis tribe. lie finally married and raised six children. His dea'li occurred in lS6f). John, the other brother, was ambushed and blujt near Nashville.

During the winter of 1839 and spring of 1840 Neill McLennan accompanied C-aptain George B. Erath on a surveying tour fa.) the Bosque count: y. find being impressed witli the advantages tliere for farming and grazing, determined to locate there. Accordingly be commenced improvements there in 184:-"}, and made it his hoine during the remainder of iiis life. At the old liome,-tead btill stands tile old double log Jiouse, wdiere many a wayfaring man has received refreshments and rest without money or charge.

Mr. McLennan had six children, namely: John, who died in Milam co\inty, in 1887; Christina, wife of Eli Jones, of McLeni>aii county; Catherine, wife of L. E. R. Davis; Neil (one 1), a resident of McLennan coiinty; Duncan, also of McLennan connty; Lauglilin, deceased in 1860. Mr. McLe.man died in tlie month of November, 18G7, aged eightyone years.

Colonel Sterlincj C. Roiii;i.sroN, empresario of Robertson's cohniy, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, about 1785. He served as major of the Tennessee troops in tJie war of 1812, received a good education, and was trained up as a planter, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Giles county, that State. Enterprising and adventurous, and having considerable means, he formed a company in Nashville, in 1823, to exjdore the wild "province" of Texas. Coming as far as tlie Brazos, he formed a pei'uianent cain)i at the mouth of Little river. All the pai-ty returned to Tennessee, however, except Robei-tsou. He visited the settltmeuts that had been maile, and while there conceived the idea of planting a colony in Texas. Filled with enthusiasm over this plan, he went to his home in Tennessee, where he purchased a contract which the Moxic:in goveraraent had made with Robert Leftwick for the settlement of 800 families. The colony embraced a large tract of land, and Robertson was to receive forty leagues and forty lnhors for his services.

In 182!.), at his own expense, he introduced 100 families, who were driven out l)y the military in constM|uence of false representations made to the government. The matter was finally adjusted, and in the spring of 183-1 the colony was restored. In the summer of the same year lie laid out the town of Sarahville de Yiesca. A land office was opened about October 1, and the settlements were rapidly made. In the summer of 1835 he made a tour of Ten!iessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky, making known the inducements to immigration. He had been auflioriztd by the Mexican government to offer to settlers who were heads of families one league and one labor of laud, and lesser proportions to others.

Colonel Robertson was a delegate to the general convention of lS3t), was one of the signers of the declaration of independence and of the constitution of the Republic of Texas. In the spring of 1830 he commanded a military company, and received therefor a donation of 640 acres of land, having pai'ticipated in the battle of San Jacinto. He was a member of the Senate of the first congress of the Republic of Texas.

He died in Robertson county, March 4, 1842, in the iifty-seventh year of his age. Bold, daring and patriotic, he ha I many opportunities for the exhiliition of these traits. Fjom the campaigns of the war of 1812 down to 1842, he was a participant in every struggle of bis conntrymen. When the revolution broke out in 1835, he had introduceii more than 600 families into the colonies, fully one-half of the whole number at his own expense.

David G. Burnett, according to the foregoing history of Texas, is first known in this State as an " empresario," who, December 22, 1826, contracted to colonize 300 iainiiies in Texas. After the annulment of Edwards' contract, his ,s;rant was divided between Burnett and Josepii Vehlein. He was a member of the second State convention, which met April 1, 1833, at San Felipe; was elected the first President of the Republic of Texas in 1836; had a stormy time durinj^ an engagement with the Mexicans, being accused of treason; resigned his presidency October 22, 1836; was elected vice-president in 1838, l)ut in 1841, as a candidate for tlie presidency, was defeated by General Houston.

Majok George B. Erath, after whom Erath county is named, was born at Vienna, Austria, January 1, 1813. His mother was supposed to be of Greek origin. At Santa Anna College,. Vienna, he studied Spanis!;, French, Italian and English, besides other branchej. He also spent two years at a polytechnic institute. When fifteen years of age his father died, and he was taken in charge by relatives in Germany, who, at the request of his mother, managed, by a ruse, to keep him from conscription by the Austrian government. By the connivance of the German and French governments he managed to get a start to America, and in due time landed at New Orleans with no money. After traveling and working his way along to several points, he came to Texas in 1833, tii'st stopping at BrHzoi-ia. He visited several points in the southern central portion of the

State, and at length engaged in war with the Indians, in which he distinguished himself for bravery and fidelity. He also was in Captain Billingsley's company at the battle of San Jacinto. Moreover, he at several times engaged as an assistant in land surveying.

In 1839 he was a member of a company of rangers, by which he was elected cajitain, and again he was active in repelling Indian invasions. He was also in the noted " Mier expedition," but, not crossing the Eio Grande with the headlotig faction, he escaped the horrible experiences of the Mier prisoners.

From 1843-'46 he was a member of the Texas congress, and in the latter year he wa^ elected a member of the legislature of the State of Texas. In 1848 he was elected b} an overwhelming majority to tiie State senate, from the district of McLeiman county, his home; and in 1861 he was again elected to the same body, and after the legislature adjourned raised a company of infantry and fought under the command of Colonel Speight. Ill health not permitting him to remain in the service, he returned home, but was appointed major of the frontier forces of Texas, in which capacity he won the gratitude of the State.

After the war he settled down upon his farm on the South Bosque, eight miles fi'om Waco, and endeavored to confine himself to the quiet pursuits of agriculture; but his extended knowledge of land and surveying in that part of Texas led others to persuade him to engage again as a surveyor. He was called the " walking dictionary of the land office." In 1873 he was again elected to the State senate, and was an iniiuential member of that body. I] is intelligence and integrity were so great that in many instances he was selected as sole arbitrator in preference to a suit at law. lie died in Wan), Ishiy 13, 1S91, and ids wiff \\\\: iiKuitlis ailerward. He lost line son in the last war, and died leaving one son and tliree danj^Lters.

GEXiaiAL Jami-.s IIamif-ton was a native of South Carolina, of whieli State he was governor. Coming to Texas he hcddly advocated her independence, and contril)uted both time and means to the cause. Even in Sonth (Carolina, as a memher of her senate, he upheld in eloquent jiliia^e the purity of the motives of the revolutionists of Texas, and acti\ely devoted himself to the interests of tlie new I'epiililic. He secured the trt'aty with (ireat Ihitain, and negotiated (uic with the kinu'ddni of the Netherlands. In recognitii)n of his serxdces he was invested with the rights of Texas citizenship by a special act of its Congress. But while lie was a diplomatic agent for Texas in Europe he became di\o:\ed in endiana.^sinents winch eventually ruined him. In lb.j7 he sailed from New Orleans for Galveston in the steamship Opelousas, with the hope of obtaining an indeminfication foi- his hi.-ises and of retrieving his tV'rtune in the couitry for which he had done so niuch. The \'es-el was wrecked on her pa.-~;ige by a colli^iiin with the ster.mer (-ialvest'jn. and Ilanr'ltnn was one of the victims of the tlisa-ter. The Stale congress went into mcmriiing out of respect to his memory.

Jaiiks W. Tnuo( K.'.ioK'riiN, o'overnor of Texas in 1S(')(J-"(J7, \\as horn in Tennessee in 1825, and began life as a physician, in which calling he wmi a higli reputation until he decided tc; adopt the j'rijfession of law. Ilemovlng to what is now Collin county, Texas, iti 1841, he was elected ten years later 10 the Sta'e iegislauire, and was re-electeiJ in 1853 and 1855, and in 1857 he was chosen State senator. During all these years the iegislatiun of the State bears the impress of his tireless eti'orts, and to no one else are tla; peojile more indebted for the development of their resources. Thoucrji a Democrat in politics, he wa-' opposed t(j seceesion, and as a monber of the lirst sccchsion ctinveution he voted against secession; l)ut, being true to liis State, after the Confedi'rate movement was fully inaugurated he raised a company of soldiers and joined the Southern cause, and remained till the close of the struggle, though at intervals he was disabled from active service by sichno^-s. Among the engagements in which lie partici])ated was the battle of Elkh.irn. Al'terwanl he served under General Dick Taylor. In 18()-1: Governor Murrah assigned him the command of the northern frontier, with the rank of brigadier general. In 1S()5 (Tcneral Kirby Smith ajjpi.iitited him general Indian agent, and he made tieaties with niitnerous Indian tribes favoi'able to Texas. In 18tJ6 he was elected a member of the lirst recoiistructiiui convention, and was chosen pi'esident of that body: the same year he was elected governor, under the new ctiii.>iitn!iiin, !iy a vote of nearly four to one; but, ihoiigh his administration was most satisfacft)ry to the peii])!e of tlie State, he was deposed in the following year, under reconstructi.jn measures executeil by "Radicals." Ill 1874:, and" again in 1870, he was chosen for Congress, where he sei'ved with distinction until March, 1879, wiien he retired to private life.

Early in his professional career he was married to Miss Ann Ilatten, a native of Illinois, and of their nine children seven still siirvi'/e.

GiiNERAL TiroMAS Neville Waul, whose ancestors on l)oth sides took j'art in the Itevoiutionary struggle, was born in South Carolina, in 1813. After recei .dng his education at one of the best colleges in that

State, he studied law at Vicksburg, Missiseippi, and was admitieil to practice in the supreme court of tiiat State iu 1S35, and was soon afterward appointed district attorney. Kemoving later to New Orleans, he took an active part in politics, being a thoroiigli Deirioerat of the State-riglits school, and he won a high reputation. After the war broke out he organized what was known as Waul's Legion, which he commanded ir many hotly contested engagements. At its close lie settled in Galveston, where he resumed his profession, and was elected president of the bar association.

Ben McOdllough, prnn^.inent in the last war, was a native of Tennessee, came to Texas during revolutionary tiiiies, and commanded a cannon in the battle of San Jacinto. After the independence of Texas he was captain of a company of rangers. During the last war he was appointed brigadier general in the Confederate army, and was killed in the second day's tight at Pea liidge, Arkansas, March 24, 1862.

General Henry Eustace McCui.loch was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, December 6, 1816, and first came to Texas in the autumn of 1835, accompanied by his brother, Ben McCulloch, five yeats older. Arriving at Nacogdoches, they had an argument as to the propriety of Henry's coming on. Ben tried almost every way to per.-uade him to return home, but in vain, until he hit upon the argument tliat he should take caie of his parents in their old age. Selling their horses, tine saildle animals, they separated, starting off on foot, one east and the other west.

In the fall of 1837 Henry came again to Texas and stopped at Washington, then the capital of the State, and passed the winter there jiewing house logs, splitting red-oak boards and building board houses. In tlie spring he joined a party in the exploration of the upper Brazos. While out hunting one day, in company with another member of the party, they chanced upon a company of five Indians, whom they attacked, killed two and chased the other three away! In the summer of 1838 he joined his brother, Ben, at Gonzales and formed a partnership with him in surveying and locating lands, and this partnership lasted until the death of the brother in 1S62.

During pioneer times both the brothers engagad in much ranger service, with skill ard good foitune, the particulars of which we have not space for here.

During a battle with the Comanches in 1840, Henry saved the life of Dr. Sweitzer, a bitter enemy of his brotlier, by driving away the Indians who where about to take the life of the doctor. Henry had dismounted and taken his position behind a small sapling in advance of the mair\ Texan force and was pouring hot shot into the ranks of the enemy, who, in return, had completely scaled the hark of the little tree behind which he stood. Arch. Gipson and Alsey Miller had come up and were sitting on their horses near Henry, who was standing on the ground beside his hoise, when suddenly Gipson or Miller cried out, "They'll catch him; they'll catch him!"' McCulloch asked, "Catch who?" The reply was, "Sweitzer."

Glancing over his horse's neck the gallant young McCulloch saw a party of eight or ten Indians closely pursuing the bitterest enemy of his l)rother; but the life of a human being was involved, and, prompted by that magnaniSTOBY OP TEXAS.

niinity of heart wliich oliann-ttuM^ed his life, he did iiot stop to calcuhite the consequences, iiut in a second was iti liis sadille gointf at full spei'd at the risk of his own life to save that of Sweifzer. His companions followed, and they reached Sweitzer just in time to save his life.

August 20, 18-10, soon after the above occurrence, Mr. MeOulloidi married Miss Jane Isabella Asliby, and directly settled on the place improved by his brother Ben, four tniles fi'om Gonzales.

In September, 184:2, General Woll, at the head of a thoiisaml Mexican infantry and 500 or 600 cavalry, captured San Antonio; but Just before the retreat of the Mexican forces Captain Matthew Caldwell, with 200 men, engaged the enemy about live or six miles from town and defeated them. While this fight was progressing Dawson's men were massacred in the rear of the Mexican army while trying to make their way to Caldwell, and in this engagement McCulloch was a lieutenant under Colonel Jack Hays. He was also in Somervell's expedition so far as it remained in Texas.

Becoming a resident of Gonzales county in 1844, he entered niereantile business there. In 1846 he was elected captain of a volunteer company for the Mexican war, and the next year was elected shei-iff of that county. Occasionally he Avas engaged in an expeditioa against the Indians, with success. In 1853, on the Democratic ticket for the legislature, he was elected, over Colonel French Smith, a Whig, and in 1855 he was again elected, defeating Thomas H. Duggan. In 1858 he was appointed United States marshal for the Eastern District of Texas, which position he held until the breaking out of the Civil wai-, lud in this mightv struggle he had a brilliant career. He was promoted from the position of colonel to that of brigadier-general. March 1, 1876, (iinernor (\)ke appointed him superintendent of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, which place he held until dismissed by Governor Roberts, September 1, 1879. In 1885 he was employed by the State Land Board as an agent to manage the publicschool, univer?ity and asylum lands.

Elisu/S. M. Pe.vse, twice governor of Texas, was born in Connecticut, in 1812, and became a lawyer. In 1835 he came to Texas Slid was ap))oiuted sec]-etai-y of the executive council at San Felipe. During 1836-'37 he held several positions under the government. Resigning the coiniitrollershi]) of public accounts in the latter year, he began to practice his profession in Brazoria county. He was a mcmlierof the house of rejjresentatives of the iirst and second legislatures, and of the senate of the third legislature. He was governor of Texas from 1853 to 1857, and from 1807 to 1809, in the latter case being appointed by General Sheridan, under reconstruction regime, to succeed Throckmorton. In 1874 he was appointed collector of customs for Galveston, wdiich office he did not accept. In 1879 he was reappointed to the same position, and took charge of the customhouse February 1 of that year.

Benjamin R. Milam was a native of Kentucky, born of humble parents and having but little e'lucation. He distinguished himself in the war of 1812, and atterward engaged in trade with the Indians at the lieadwaters of Texan rivers. Later he joined Mina in his disastrous expedition in airl of the revolutionary cause in Mexico, and, being one of those who escaped death, rendered valuable services. When Iturbide proclaimed himself emperor, Milam was among the first to join the parly that opposed him. For this he was cast into prison, where he languislied until Itiirbido's detlironeinent, when lie was releaseil. For his services in the ie|)ulilicaii cause lie receivecl in 1828 a fi;ratit of eleven .s<[uare leagues of land in Texas, hut he located it by mistake in Arkansas, and obtained from the government of the State of Coaluiila and Texas an empresario irrant. He was in Monclova at the time of Viesca's deposal, and was captured in company with liim. Milam escaped from prison at Monterey by winning the conlidenee of the jailer, and, being supplied with a fleet horse and a little food by a friend, he traveled alone for 600 miles, journeying by night and concealing himself by day, till he reached the vicinity of Goliad, almost exhausted. After the capture of that place he enlisted in the ranks, and was soon afterward killed by a rifle ball from the enemy, when lie was about forty-five years of age.

Eeastus Smith, who, on account of his being "hard of hearing," was gen ri'!, known as "Deaf Smith," was born in Kew York in 1787, moved to Mississippi in 1798, and to Texas in 1817. He was a most indefatigable observer of the movenients of the Mexican army during the war; and liis ]ierfect knowledge of the country and astonishing coolness and bravery made liim an invaluable scout for the Texan army. He married a Mexican lady in San Antonio, and had several children. He died at Fort Bend in 1839, and is buried at Kichmond. A county is named in his honor, " Deaf Smith."

JosiAH WiiB.VEGER, brother of the author of the work entitled "Indian Depredations in Texas," was one of the earliest settlers in this State, coming here from Missouri in 1828, locating first iu Matagorda county for a year. Early in the spring of 1830 he removed to a beautiful location he had selected at the mouth of the creek named in his huuor, ten miles above the point now occupied by the town of Bastrop. At that time his nearest neighbor was about seventy-five miles down the Colorado, and he was not only the fii-st but also the outside settler of Austin's colony until July, 1832, when Reuben Horns, by went np from Bastrop, where lie had been living a year or two. He located about nine miles below the present city of Austin.

Early in August, 1838, Mr. Wilbarger went to Ilornsby's, and, in company with Messrs. Christian, Strother, Standifer and llaynie, rode out in a northwest direction to look at the country. On Walnut creek, five or six miles above Austin, they discovered an Indian, who ran away and disappeared. The wdiite party gave chase but after a timp abandoned it. While eating their dinner, however, after returning from the chase, they were suddenly fired upon by Indians. Strother was mortally wounded, Christian's thigh bone was broken, and Wilbarger sprang to the side of tiie latter to set him up against a tree, when the latter received an arrow in the leg and another in his hip. Soon he was wounded in the other leg also. Three of the Wilbarger party then ran to their horses, which had been been tied out for feeding, and began to flee. Wilbarger, though wounded as he was, ran after them, begging for an opportunity to ride behind one of them, but before reaching them lie was wounded in the neck by a ball. He iell ajipareiitly dead, but thouoh unable to move or speak he remained conscious. He knew when the Indians came around him, stripped him naked and tore the scalp from his head. The character of the wound in the neck probably made the Indians believe that it was broken, and that Wilbarger was dead, or at least could not survive, and they left him. They out the throats of Strother and Christian.

Late in tlie eveniiio; Mi-. Willjarger so far recovered as to diMg himscif to a \)0 A of water, lay in it for an linur, and then, benumbed with fold, he crawhjd upon dry ground and fell into a proround sleep. When awakened the blood had ceased to flow from his wounds, but he was still consumed with hunger and again suffering intensely from thirst. Green flies had "blown" his scalp while asleep and the larves began to work, which created a new alarm. Undei'taking to go to Mr. Ilornsby's, about six miles distant, he had only proceeded about (JOO yards when he sank exhausted! Remainitig all night upon the ground, he suffered intensely from cold; but during the next day he was found by his friends, who had been urged to hunt for him by Mrs. Hornsbj, despite the report by Haynie and Standifer that he was dead. She was influenced by a dream, so the story goes, to say that Wilbarger was still alive, and consequently urged the men to go and hunt for him. It is stated also that Wilbarger had a dream or vision of the spirit of a sister, who had died only the day before in Missouri, which said that help would come that day! The relief party consisted of Joseph Rogers, Reuben Hornsby, Webber, John AValters and others. As they approached the tree under which Wilbarger was lying and had passed the night, they saw first the blood-red scalp and thought they had come upon an Indian. Even his body was red almost all over with blood, and he presented a ghastly sight. Rogers, mistaking him for an Indian, exclaimed, "Here they are, boys!" Wilbarger arose and said, "Don't shoot! it is Wilbarger! The poor sufferer was taken to Iloriisby's residence, where he was cared for. Wbenhe had somewhat i-ecruited he was placed in a sled, as he conld not endure the jolts of a wagon, and taken down the ri\er to his own cabin. He lived eleven y^ars afterward, but the scalp never grew to entirely cover the lione. The latter, where lll0^t exposed, became disease.! ami exfoliated, tinally exposing the brain.

By his death he left a wife and five eliildi'en. The elde>t son, John, was killed many years afterward by the Indians in west Texas. Harvey, another son, lived to raise a number of children.

The circumstance above related is the first instance of white blood shed at the hands of the red savage within the present limits of Travis county.

General Edward Burleson was born in Buncombe county, North Carolina, in 1798. We quote the following sketch of his life from J. W. Wilbarger's work, before referred to:

"When but a lad, young Edward served in a company commanded by his father under General Jackson, in the Creek war. In March, 1831, he emigrated to Texas and settled eleven miles below the town of Bastrop, where he soon rendered himself conspicuous by his readiness when called on to repel the savao-es, then of frequent occurrence. His unflinching courage and perseverance on such occasions brought him into favorable notice, and in 1832 he was elected lieutenant colonel of the principality of Austin. By his activity, promptness and courage, he soon rose to be an acknowledged leader, while his plain and unpretending deportment and natural dicnity won friends as fast as he made acqiraintanc.es.

"In the battle with the Mexicans under General Cos at San Antonio he was conspicuous for his gallantry and rendered important services. As colonel of a regiment he participated in the final battle at San Jacinto, which secured the independence of Texas.