Memorial and biographical history of Ellis county, Texas ... Containing a history of this important section of the great state of Texas, from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its future prospects; with full-page portraits of the presidents of the United States, and also full-page portraits of some of the most eminent men of the county, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers, and also of prominent citizens of to-day ... Page: 30
573, [1] 123, [1] p. incl. 23 port. front., 2 pl., 28 port. 28 x 22 cm.View a full description of this book.
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IIISTOR Y OF ELLS COUNTY.
his father dying when he was fourteen years
old, young Sam moved with his mother and
her nine children to Blount county, Tennessee.
lie ran away and joined the Cherokee
Indians; was in the battle of Horse Shoe, on
the Tallapoosa river, in 1814; was made
Indian Agent in 1817. He studied law and
in 1819 was District Attorney of Davidson
county, Tennessee; in 1823 he was elected
to Congress, and after his second term was
elected Governor of Tennessee. In January,
1829, lie married a Miss White, and they
seemed to live happily together, but one
morning Mrs. Houston left for her father's
house in Gallatin, and the Governor fled
from the city in disguise, after resigning his
position. The cause of these mysterious
proceedings have never been made known,
the two persons interested carrying the
secret to their graves. Houston was the
man that Texas needed at the period of his
advent here. He had had experience as a
legislator, as an executive, and as an officer
of the United States army. His youth had
been passed in severe struggles with poverty,
and nearly his whole life had been spent on
the frontier. He was a pioneer among those
hardy adventurers who are constantly enlarging
the boundaries of civilization. He
was still in the prime of manhood, and his
fine physique pointed him out as one born to
command. Around the camp-fires, in the
company of his companions - in - arms, he
was jovial-perfectly at home; could barbecue
his own meat, and, if he enjoyed such a
luxury, could prepare his own cup of coffee.
Self-reliant and self-helpful, he exacted noservice from his soldiers that lie was himself
unwilling to undertake. When planning a
campaign, or conducting a battle, he was
equally self-reliant, but more reticent, seldoin
advising with his brother officers. He
also possessed the rare and wonderful gifts
of a popular orator. He could sway the
multitudes as the trees of the forest are bent
by the passing tornado. He could on any
occasion, on a moment's notice, address his
fellow-citizens, or his fellow-soldiers, in such
strains of convincing eloquence as inspired
his auditors with his own lofty sentiments.
The advent of such a man into Texas'properly
forms an epoch in our history."
The first service that Houston rendered
his adopted country was as a member of the
convention at San Felipe, in 1833, being
chairman of the committee that drew up a
constitution for the State as it was to be,
when separated from Coahuila. It was
never adopted, owing to the despotic measures
of Santa Ana. Houston at first did
not think it best for Texas to attempt a
separation from Mexico, and as late as
August, 1835, he introduced a series of
resolutions at a public meeting at Nacogdoches,
delaring for the Constitution of 1824.
He also, as a member of the consultation at
San Felipe, in 1835, still opposed a declaration
of independence. His abilities were so
great that, notwithstanding these views, he
was made commander of the army as previously
stated.
General Cos, with 500 soldiers, landed at
Pass Cavallo, in September, and marched
immediately to San Antonio, when he superI
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Memorial and biographical history of Ellis county, Texas ... Containing a history of this important section of the great state of Texas, from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its future prospects; with full-page portraits of the presidents of the United States, and also full-page portraits of some of the most eminent men of the county, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers, and also of prominent citizens of to-day ..., book, 1892; Chicago. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth33018/m1/32/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dallas Public Library.