USA > Texas > A pictorial history of Texas, from the earliest visits of European adventurers, to A.D. 1879. Embracing the periods of missions, colonization, the revolution the republic, and the state; also, a topographical description of the country together with its Indian tribes and their wars, and biographical sketches of hundreds of its leading historical characters. Also, a list of the countries, with historical and topical notes, and descriptions of the public institutions of the state > Part 31
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"One child, that of Mrs. Boy Johnson, was found next evening after taken, about three and-a-half or four miles from Mr. Friend's house. The next morning we found Mrs. Babe Johnson's child with its throat cut from car to ear, and about ten o'clock of the same day, after trailing over one of the roughest mountains, we found both of the Mrs. Johnsons, murdered and
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scalped. The same evening Miss Townsend was found murdered, scalped and horribly mutilated, too horribly to be described. The little Miss Cordle and Mr. Friend's son are supposed to be still in the hands of the Indians. " Parties have watched passes, and tried to follow the trail, but the Indians have eluded all. Old Mr. Smith was killed and scalped, near the old Fort Mason crossing, on the same day of the other depredations."
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HICKOK & GRAFF
LUMLEY
TRADING WITH THE INDIANS.
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PART VIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES -
OF
DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS IN TEXAS.
27
حيف
BIOGRAPHIES.
ALLEN, EBENEZER-A native of Maine ; came to Texas during the Republic, and was Secretary of State under Jones' administration; Attorney-General under both Lamar's and Houston's second administrations, and filled the same office in the State, under Bell's administration. He was one of the earliest advocates of Texas railroads; and was one of the projectors and early managers of the Texas Central. He died in Virginia in 1863. He was then in the Confederate service; engaged in the torpedo business.
ALLENS, of Houston-Five brothers of this name have been residents of the city of Houston. A. C. and J. K. Allen came to Texas in 1832, and in 1836 bought a league of land on Buffalo Bayou and laid out the city of Houston. J. K. Allen died in 1838. A. C. Allen was Inspector of Customs on the Rio Grande, in 1849, and died in 1863. In 1836, three other brothers settled in Houston. Harvey H. Allen filled the office of Chief Justice of Harris county, and died in 1862. For more than forty years Samuel L. and H. R. Allen have been enterprising citizens of Houston. The latter, in 1870, represented Harris county in the Legislature.
ALLEN, J. M .- Born in Kentucky. At an early age, he entered the United States navy ; left it to engage in the Greek revolution, and was with Lord Byron when ho died at Missolongi, on the 12th of April, 1821; returned to to his native land in time to enlist in the unfortunate expedition to Tampico, in 1835; he escaped; came to Texas and commanded a cavalry company at the battle of San Jacinto. He was the first Mayor of Galveston, an office to which he was repeatedly re-elected. After annexation he was appointed United States Marshal, an office he held when he died, February 12, 1847.
ALMONTE, DON JUAN N .- A natural son of the patriot priest, Morelos. Foote gives the origin of the name as follows: "Morelos was at the head of his troops one day, when an infant, (whose birth was thus uncermoni- ously made known to him,) was brought into his sight by the mother. ' Al monte! Almonte,-to the mountain with the brat!' and Almonte was thenceforth his name." When the Republicans sent Herrera and Bean to the United States as diplomatic agents, Morelos sent young Almonte with them to be educated at an American college. The death of his father soon afterwards deprived Almonte of the means of prosecuting his studies, and he became a clerk in a hardware store in New Orleans. After the triumph of the Republicans in Mexico, in 1821, Almonte left Nacogdoches with
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Bernardo Gutierres, who had been appointed Governor of Tamaulipas. Leaving Bernardo on the Rio Grande, Almonte went on to the city of Mexico to push his fortunes. He attached himself to Santa Anna, whose star was then in the ascendant. In 1834 his chief sent him to Texas, where he spent several months making observations on the country and its inhabi- tants. Most of the time he was with Colonel Bean, the old friend of his father. When he returned to Mexico he made a report which furnishes us the best data we have as to the population and resources of Texas at that time. In 1836, Almonte was Santa Anna's private secretary and confidential adviser. After the re-establishment of Mexican authority, Almonte was to run the boundary between Texas and the United States, and then he was to be the Governor. General Rusk gives this account of Almonte's surrender at San Jacinto: " At the close of the fight, and just after sundown, Colo- nel Almonte came out of the woods with about 250 men. There were at that place not exceeding ten or fifteen Americans; and none of them could speak the Mexican language well. The prisoners were asked if they could speak English? Almonte answered in Spanish that they could not. They were then told in Spanish to form two and two deep and march with us to camp. They formed and commenced marching accordingly. Our few men were distributed around them as a guard. Most of us were very much fatigued, and such was the condition of the Mexicans, also. As we pro- ceeded in this way, one of our men, who was so tired he could hardly walk, being incommoded by a Mexican who had dropped out of the line, cursed and threatened him in a very rough manner in English. This threat was immediately repeated to the Mexican in Spanish. I concluded that he, at least, must understand English very well, and that it was probably Almonte whom I saw before me. I therefore observed so him, ' you must be Colonel Almonte;' he replied in English, ' You speak well.' I then rode up to him and gave him my hand, saying to him, 'It affords me great pleasure to see you Colonel.' With great presence of mind and his customary politeness lie responded, ' The pleasure is reciprocated.'" In the estimation of Almonte, defeat was not an extraordinary event in the life of a soldier of fortune. He conversed freely and without reserve with those Texans whose acquaint- ance he had formed two years before. There is no doubt but that his philo- sophic and cheerful temper had its effect upon the Texans, and reconciled them to the measures of the President and Cabinet in sparing the lives of Santa Anna and his officers.
In 1840 Almonte was Minister of War under Bustemente, and was instrumental in suppressing a rebellion inaugurated by his former friend Urrea. After Bustemente's overthrow, Almonte for a while supported himself by lecturing. On the return of Santa Anna to power, Almonte was sent as Minister to the United States. When Congress passed the bill for the annexation of Texas, Almonte denounced it and demanded his pass ports. He said " that America had committed the most unjust act recorded in history." In 1846 he was Minister to Great Britain; 1853 to the United States ; 1856 again to Great Britain. In 1862, near Cordova, he pronounced in favor of the French; in 1863 he was head of the French Executive Coun- cil in Mexico; and in 1865 a member of the imperial household of Maxi-
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479
BIOGRAPHIES OF PROMINENT MEN.
millian. At the downfall of the Empire he sought refuge in France, where he died in 1869.
ANDERSON, KENNETH L .- Was Vice-President of the Republic in Jones' administration. He was a prominent candidate for Governor in 1845, and while making the canvass, was taken ill and died at Fantharps, in Ander- son, Grimes county. Mr. Anderson was an eminent lawyer, and was a law partner of Thomas J. Rusk and J. Pinckney Henderson, at Nacog- doches.
ARCHER, DR. BRANCH TANNER .- Was a native of Virginia, and served a term in the Legislature of that State. He was in correspondence with Aaron Burr, and intended engaging in Burr's expedition, if that had not been broken up. After engaging in a duel in which his antagonist fell, he came to Texas. This was in 1831. He was soon afterwards sent with Geo. B. M'Kinstry to Anahuac, to remonstrate with Bradburn against the closing of the ports of Texas. Bradburn rescinded the order. He repre- sented Brazoria county in the Convention of 1833 and also in the Consulta- tion in 1835. He was President of the latter body, and after its adjournment, went as one of the Commissioners to the United States. He was Secretary of War during Lamar's' administration and died at Mrs. Wharton's, in Brazoria county, September 22, 1856.
ARREDONDO, JOAQUIN DE-Was in early life a staunch Loyalist. In 1811 he captured Hidalgo; in 1813 he defeated Toledo and Perry in the battle of Medina, near San Antonio. In 1817, he captured and shot the unfortunate Mina, and his soldiers defeated and killed Perry at Goliad. The one redeeming trait in his character with Texans is the fact that he cordially entered into Austin's colonization scheme when he was com- mander of the eastern internal provinces, in 1819.
AUSTIN, MOSES-Was a native of Connecticut. When but twenty years of age, he married Miss Maria Brown, of Philadelphia, and soon after- ward, in conjunction with his brother Stephen, entered into the mercantile business in Richmond, Virginia. They subsequently purchased the lead mines called Chessel's Mines, on New river, Wythe county, to which they removed, and established a regular system for smelting shot. There Stephen F. Austin and his sister Emily were born. This enterprise not proving entirely satisfactory, Moses Austin, having heard favorable reports of the lead mines in Missouri, determined to remove there, and through the influence of Baron Carondelet, then Governor of Louisiana, he secured a grant of the lead mines of Potosi, forty miles west of St. Genevieve. Having procured from the Spanish Consul the necessary pass- ports, he started with his family on the untried route of travel. He crossed the mountains of Virginia and descended the Kanawha river into the Great West, on the last year of the last century, and laid the foundation of a settlement in what is now Washington county, Missousi. He opened the mine, put up the necessary machinery, and for a while carried on an extensive and lucrative business. At his residence, known as Durham
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Hall, he dispensed a generous hospitality. The failure of the Bank of Missouri involved Mr. Austin in serious pecuniary embarrassments; but instead of giving up to despondency, this only served to rouse him to still grander enterprises. He formed the project of planting a colony of Anglo- Americans in the Spanish province of Texas. To make the necessary arrangements, Austin, in the fall of 1820, visited San Antonio, the capital of the province. He was coldly received by the Governor, and ordered to leave the province under pain of imprisonment. This was discouraging, but as he walked out of the Governor's office, he providentially met Baron De Bastrop, with whom he had been previously acquainted. Through De Bastrop's influence, Gov. Martinez was induced to give Austin a more favorable notice. Austin had become a Spanish subject when that country owned Louisiana in 1798, and of course the law against foreigners did not apply in his case. Through the same influence of De Bastrop, the members of the Ayuntaimento signed a petition to the commander of the eastern internal provinces at Monterey, praying that functionary to grant Austin's request, and permit him to introduce three hundred families into Texas. At that time, the country from the Sabine river to San Antonio was an uninhabited wilderness, the Gachupin war having depopulated the pro- vince. Mr. Kennedy says, that when Austin was two hundred miles from any settlement, he was robbed and deserted by his companions. Subsist- ing on acorns and nuts, he made his way eastward, and finally, in an enfeebled and exhausted condition, reached M'Goffin's settlement on the Sabine river. After resting a short time, he proceeded to his Missouri home. He did not doubt the success of his application, and in the spring of 1821, commenced making active preparations to remove to Texas. But a cold had settled on his lungs, and he continued rapidly to decline; and died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. James Bryan, June 10th. " Moses Austin," says Lamar, "maintained a reputation free from the suspicion of dishonor. His energy, disappointment could not dampen, nor misfortune subdue." A few days before his death, he received intelli- gence of the success of his application to the Spanish authorities, and he left an injunction to his son, Stephen F. Austin, to carry out his scheme for the Texas colony.
AUSTIN, STEPHEN FULLER-was born in Austinsville, Wythe Co., Virginia, November 3d, 1793. When but six years of age, his father's family moved to Missouri. After spending four years at an academy in New London, Connecticut, he completed his education at Transylvania University, in Kentucky. At the organization of Missouri into a territory, in 1818, Mr. Austin was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature. The next year he removed to the Territory of Arkansas, and was immediately appointed a circuit judge; an office he held until he resigned it to engage in the great providential work of his life, that of planting a colony in Texas. Indeed his settlement on Red River was with a view of opening a plantation to raise corn and other supplies for the colonists on their way to Texas. He was in New Orleans making preliminary arrangements, when he heard of the arrival at Natchitoches of Messrs. Seguin and Veramendi, the commis- sioners sent on to conduct Moses Austin to his colonial grant. Stephen
481
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
started at once to meet these gentlemen. At Natchitoches he heard of his father's death, and he at once determined to carry forward the colonial en- terprise. With the commissioners and fourteen companions, he left Nachi- toches, for San Antonio, July 5th, 1821. The names of Austin's companions were Edward Lovelace, Neil Casper, Henry Holstein, William Little, Joseph Polly, James Beard, William Wilson, James Hewitson, (afterwards an Empresario,) W. Smithers, and Messrs. Belew, Beard, Marple, Barre and Erwine. Austin was cordially received by Governor Martinez, and, after exploring the country, selected the rich bottom lands of the Colorado and Brazos rivers upon which to plant his colony. He immediately returned to New Orleans to perfect his plans.
Schooner Lively Lost .- Mr. Austin's means were limited, but he found a friend in Joseph H. Hawkins, Esq., a former school-mate at Transylva- nia. Mr. Austin, on the 14th of November, 1821, acknowledged the re- ceipt of $4,000, and agreed to convey to Hawkins one-half of the lands and town lots which the empresario should receive. (See contract in Life and Events, page 31.) With the money thus secured, Mr. Austin purchased the schooner Lively, and placed on board a supply of provisions and agri- cultural implements. With eighteen persons on board, she sailed from New Orleans for the mouth of the Colorado River, November 20, 1821, and was never heard of afterward.
Austin's Second Trip .- The same day the Lively sailed, Austin started a second time to Texas by land. At Natchitoches he was joined by ten companions ; among them Mr. Ran. Foster, of Fort Bend County, was the hunter of the party. This company crossed the Brazos River on the last day of the year, and camped on the bank of a creek, which they, the next morning, named New Year's Creek. Mr. Austin hastened to the coast, where he waited for weeks for the appearance of the schooner. She was finally given up for lost, and he started for San Antonio. On his way to the city he met his brother, James Brown Austin, and the two went to- gether to San Antonio.
Austin in Mexico .- In the period which intervened since Moses Austin obtained his empresario grant, Mexico had thrown off the Spanish yoke and become a Republic. At San Antonio, Austin learned that it would be necessary to visit the City of Mexico to obtain a confirmation of his grant. He started with only two companions. They were intercepted on the Nueces River by a band of forty-four Comanche Indians. Fortunately the Indians were then at peace with the United States, though warring with Mexico. When they found out that Austin was an American, he was released and allowed to proceed upon his journey. From Monterey Austin had but a single companion, Capt. Lorenzo Christ, who had been in Mina's expedi- tion. To avoid being robbed, both were disguised, and appeared like very poor travelers. They reached the City of Mexico April 10th, 1822, Such was the unsettled condition of the country, ruled alternately by different factions, that Austin made but slow progress in his business. Finally, at the end of eight months he secured the passage of the Central Colonization Law. This law was very generous, giving to each family a league of land for grazing purposes, and a labor of bottom land for cultivating. It also
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
made a liberal grant to the empresario who introduced the colonists. Fi- nally, after a year's detention, Austin started back to Texas. He had ac- quired a knowledge of the language and institutions, which was of great value in his subsequent negotiations with the government. At Monterey, he was kindly received by the commandant, Philip De La Carza, and by the " deputacion," who invested him with ample authority to introduce his colonists, give them their land, and administer civil government.
State of the Colony .- Austin's long absence had a somewhat depressing influence upon his colonists, some of whom had abandoned the country; others had stopped in East Texas, and all felt insecure. His return, how- ever, with a confirmation of all his authority, and with the Baron de Bas- trop, who had been appointed Land Commissioner, soon changed the aspect of affairs. The town of San Felipe de Austin was laid out, and the land office opened and titles to their lands promptly issued to the settlers. Aus- tin displayed admirable talents for his responsible position. His zeal for his colonists knew no bounds. As a legislator he prepared an admirable code of laws; and as the father and founder of the colony, he selected de- sirable homes for the immigrants, and gave them all practical assistance in preparing their houses and opening their farms. Combining in himself the functions of civil governor, military commander and judge of the court, he administered all departments with equal skill and fidelity. The colony prospered, immigrants continued to flock in, and during the year 1824 he had settled in the new colony the three hundred families required by his first contract.
Other Contracts .- Under the Central Colonization Law, Austin, in 1825, entered into a second contract for the introduction of five hundred fami- lies, and in 1827 he took a third, for one hundred families, to be located above the San Antonio road, in Bastrop, Travis and Williamson Counties. Heretofore the coast leagues had been reserved from location, but in 1828 Austin took a contract to introduce three hundred families and place them on these littoral leagues. Of all the empresarios, Austin was the only one who was really successful in planting his colonies and fulfilling his contracts ; and his success, considering the obstacles in his way, was remarkable. A report made to the Texas Senate by Austin's executor, James F. Perry, in 1837, states that he introduced in all 1,540 colonists, of whom 970 had re- ceived titles to their land before the land office was closed in 1835.
Austin and the Fredonians .- The part which Austin took in the troubles at Nacogdoches, in 1826-'7, has excited a good deal of comment and some severe criticism. Edwards had been badly treated; of that there can be but one opinion ; but he and his friends acted hastily in unfurling the banner of Fredonia. They certainly should have consulted Austin and Bastrop and the people of the center of the colony, if they expected their co-operation. It has been assumed by most writers that at first Austin hesitated as to the course to be pursued. Foote intimates as much. But Foote was a warm personal friend of the Edwardses, with whom he unquestionably sympa- thized. Still, even he offers this excuse for Austin, " who," says Foote, " was unwilling to plunge into a war with a nation numbering 8,000,000 in- habitants. Entertaining such views, it is not at all astonishing that he
RICHARD COKE.
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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
heard with deep regret of the revolt in Edwards' colony." In such a con- troversy, neutrality was impossible, and he did not attempt to occupy such a position. On the 22d of January, 1827, Austin issued the following ad- dress :
"To the Inhabitants of the Colony :
"The persons who were sent on from this colony by the Political Chief and Military Commandant to offer peace to the Nacogdoches madmen have re- turned-returned without having effected anything. The olive branch of peace which was held out to them has been insultingly refused, and that party have denounced massacre and desolation on this colony. They are trying to excite all the northern Indians to murder and plunder, and it appears as though they have no other object than to ruin and plunder this country. They openly threaten us with Indian massacre and the plunder of our prop- erty. * To arms then, my friends and fellow-citizens, and hasten to the standard of our country.
" The first hundred men will march on the 26th. Necessary orders for mustering and other purposes will be issued to commanding officers. Union and Mexico. "S. F. AUSTIN."
Austin's course in this matter received the approval of his cotemporaries, and history will doubtless pronounce a similar verdict. Judge Burnet says : " It was quite inevitable, without supposin gAustin an infatuated visionary, which he was not, that he should promptly unite with his lawful chief in sup- pressing an insurrection so wild and impracticable." On the same point Judge Bell says: " This Fredonian disturbance has been little understood, and when the details of it are made known it will be seen that the move- ment could lay no just claim to be considered as an honorable and praise- worthy effort in the cause of freedom and right, and that Austin's course in reference to it was the only one that a man of sense and honor could pur- sue."
Austin in Congress .- During the eventful years 1831 and 1832, Austin was at Saltillo, representing Texas in the Legislature of Coahuila and Texas. He did not therefore participate in the events which resulted in the capture of the Mexican garrisons at Anahuac, at Velasco, and at Nacogdoches. As soon as news of these transactions reached him, he hurried home. He came by water from the mouth of the Rio Grande, and was accompanied by General Mexia, who had been sent out by Santa Anna to secure the adhe- sion of Texas to the (so-called) Republican party, of which Santa Anna was then the champion. Their rallying cry was the Constitution of 1824. At a meeting of citizens of the colony, at Turtle Bayou, on the 13th of June, they had, with entire unanimity, upheld it. Austin was welcomed back by the people with every demonstration of joy, with balls, speeches, firing of cannon, etc., at the mouth of the Brazos, Brazoria, and especially at San Felipe. Six miles below the latter place he was met by a military company, under Lieutenat Gray, and escorted into town, where he was received and addressed by Wm. H. Jack, Esq , in behalf of his fellow-citizens.
" Such a boon then," says Col. Jack, " as is due to him who has faithfully discharged his duties, we grant to you, with an assurance that the man whom the people have delighted to honor, still has our most unbounded
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
confidence. The occasion of your most unexpected return to Texas will long be remembered. The present is an epoch in the political affairs of our country on which the pen of the historian will dwell with peculiar pleas- ure. In conclusion, I cannot, perhaps, better express my own feelings and those of our common countrymen than by saying, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou art welcome, thrice welcome to thy home and to thy friends ; and may health and happiness always attend thee ! "
This was a proud day to the father and founder of Texas. Austin re- plied in a happy speech, and was then received by the Mexican soldiers who had surrendered with Ugartechea at Velasco. These soldiers fraternized with the colonists. After these speeches, all sat down to a sumptuous ban- quet ; speeches were delivered, cannon fired, toasts drank, and there was every demonstration of public joy
Commissioner to Mexico .- Austin was not long permitted to remain at home. The great desire of the Texans now was to have a separate State government. The province had been temporarily attached to Coahuila. The population was now sufficiently large to form a State. In April, 1833, a Convention met at San Felipe, to form a State Constitution to present to the National Government. A memorial was drawn up, urging the neces- sity of erecting Texas into a State. Three commissioners were selected to carry the constitution and memorial to the city of Mexico. Austin was the only one who undertook the long journey. When he arrived at the National Capital he found the country in a state of feverish political excite- ment. Santa Anna had succeeded Pedraza as President, and was rapidly developing his plans for a purely personal and consolidated government. Moreover, the capture of the troops by the colonists in Texas had thrown suspicion upon the loyalty of the Anglo-American colonists. Under these circumstances, Austin had no easy task before him. While all parties were willing to trust the commissioner, they distrusted his constituents, and could not permit the liberty-loving, self-reliant colonists of Texas to have a government of their own and in their own hands. The better to carry out his purposes of self-aggrandizement, Santa Anna had retired to his hacienda, leaving Vice-President Farias to administer the government. Austin's papers were presented to Congress and referred to a committee. In the mean time, in addition to political troubles, the city suffered from a fearful visitation of cholera. During the long and vexatious delay, Austin became somewhat impatient, and urged his suit with such importunity that Farias became offended. Seeing no immediate prospect of obtaining his request, Austin, in one of his letters to the citizens of San Antonio, advised them to form a de facto government, under a provision of the Constitution of 1824. Finally, on the 10th of December, 1833, Austin started for his home. But some one in San Antonio had sent a copy of his letter back to Farias. That suspicious officer thought he detected treason in the epistle, and immediately dispatched a messenger for Austin's arrest. He was over- taken at Saltillo, carried back to the city, and thrown into a dungeon, where for a time he was even deprived of his books and papers, and pen and ink.
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