History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families, Part 14

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895
Number of Pages: 1532

USA > Texas > Harris County > Houston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 14
USA > Texas > Galveston County > Galveston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 14

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

On the recognition of Texas as a State, Governor Davis passed from the relation of provisional to permanent governor, and soon afterward the military gave np its special civil jurisdiction to the new order of things. The governor, in his message, called atten- tion to the necessity of providing measures for the suppression of crime, and recom-

mended the enactment of a law for the effi- cient organization of the militia, and the es- tablishment of a police system, which would embrace the whole State under one head, so that the police, sheriff's and constables of the different cities should be made a part of the general police, act in concert with it and be subject to the orders of the chief. Hle made mention of a class of criminals which con- sisted of mobs of lawless men, who assem- bled and operated in disguise in carrying out some unlawful purpose, generally directed against the freedmen. The immunity from arrest of such offenders gave reason to sup- . pose that they were protected or encouraged by the majority of the people. To repress this evil he suggested that the exeentive be given power to establish temporarily, under certain contingencies, martial law. Also he considered that the frequency of homicides was attributable to the habit of carrying arms, and recommended that the legislature . restrict that privilege, which it would be able to do under the amended constitution. . Fnr. thermore, believing that education would limit crime, he recommended improvement in the school system. Many other good things he also recommended.

The legislature, politically, stood: Senate, 17 Republicans, two of them Africans, 7 conservatives and 6 Democrats; house, 50 Republicans, 8 being Africans, 19 conserva- tives and 21 Democrats. This body was in accord with the governor. It's session was a long one, not adjourning until Angust 15, and it passed many acts, in accordance with the recommendations of the governor. The military and the police were authorized to be 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,

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

found a bitter time in endeavoring to execute the law over his white neighbors. Mistakes were made and vengeance resorted to, and the fire of party passion was raised to a greater height than ever before. In January, 1871, there was a serious affair at IInntsville. A negro, an important witness in a criminal case, was killed, and persons implicated in the murder were arrested. Friends aided them to escape, and the captain of the police who held them in charge was wounded in the scrimmage. Martial law was proclaimed by the governor and a military company sent from an adjoining county to enforce the law. Soon all was quiet. Another diffienlty oc- cnrred at Groesbeck, in September, one Apple- white being killed in the streets by three colored policemen. A serions disturbance took place, the whites and negroes being ar- rayed against each other. On October 10 Governor Davis, on account of the above fra- cas, proclaimed martial law in Limestone and Freestone connties. The order was revoked November 11, but the people were assessed for a considerable sumn to defray expenses. Godley, House and Mitchell were also mur- dered in a similar manner. In llill county, also, in the fall of 1870, martial law was en- forced for a short time. The particulars in the last mentioned case were these:

One James Gathings and " Slol " Nichol- son killed a negro man and woman in Bosque county, and fled, it was supposed, to Ilill county: Soon afterward, one morning before sunrise, Lientenant Pritchett and two other officers and four negroes, under the special authority of Governor Davis, went to the re- sidence of Colonel J. J. Gathings in llill 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 they 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. Next, Pritchett told the negroes to go in and search. 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 he enrsed them in the severest terms imagin- able. The search was made, but no boy fonnd.

The officers and negroes then started toward Covington, a village near by. Gathings had then 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 gnard at his honse 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 write for the arrest of Gathings and his friends, to be served by Sheriff Grace; but when the matter came up again the anthor- ities said they wanted ouly an amicable ad- justment, 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 fur- nished. Afterward when Richard Coke was governor the State reimbursed Gathings.

During Davis' adiministration as governor, the State treasurer, Davidson, embezzled $50,000 or over and ran away, and was never canght, although Davis seemed to make all possible effort to capture him. The bonds. men were sued.

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

In November, as shown by the general election, the Democrat - came out in full force and elected a full ret of State officers, a ma- jority of the State legislature, and the full Congressional delegation. At the same elec- tion Austin was chosen as the permanent seat of the State government, by a large major- ity. The new legislature met Jannary 14, 1873, and the Democrats at one proceeded to repeal all obnovions laws; the militia bill passed by the preceding legislature was so modified us to deprive the governor of the power todeclare martial law; the objectionable State police force was disbanded, and material changes were effected in the election laws.

Now for a coup d'etat. The Democrats, after reforming the law, determined next to reform the personnel of the government, and this had to be done by stratagem. The gov- ernor was a stanch Republican, and the senate still contained a Ropublican majority. Seeing that a scheme of obstruction would imme- diately stop the wheels of the government, the Democrats voted no appropriations with which to carry on the government until they could have a new clection So, being confi- dent that at the polls they would be sus- tained, they boldly ordered a new election of State officers, members of the legislature, etc. Their party, of course, was triumphant, but, the election being unconstitutional, as de- eided by the supreme court, Davis officially announced the fact, and prohibited the new legislature from assembling. The new legis- lature met, however, in the upper story of the capitol, while the old Republican body inet in the lower story, guarded by negroes. The immediate outlook appeared frightful. President Grant was appealed to, but refused to sustain Davis, and this was the cause of the moderation, which finally resulted favorably.

Richard Coke was elected governor, and

Richard B. Hubbard lieutenant governor, they being elected by a majority of 50,000. On the 19th of January, Governor Davis vacated the executive chair withont a formal surrender. This was an exceedingly narrow escape from bloodshed. In a public speech, in 1830, Davis referred to this affair, and said the Demoerats seized the State govern- ment; but Governor Coke, in his message, referred to the matter in the following terms: " Forebodings of danger to popular liberty and representative government cansed the stoutest and most patriotie among us to tremble for the result. A conspiracy, bolder and more wicked than that of Cataline against the liberties of Rome, had planned to over- throw of free goverment in Texas. The capitol and its purlieus were held by arined inen under command of the conspirators, and the treasury and department offices, with all the archives of the government, were in their possession. Your right to assomble in the capitol as chosen representatives of the people was denied, and the will of the people of Texas was scoffed at and deficd * * * The president of the United States was being implored to send troops to aid in overthrow- ing 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 revolution- ists, taking courage 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 con- fliet of jurisdiction and authority, extending through all the departments of the govern- ment, embracing in its sweep all the territory and inhabitants of the State, and every ques- tion upon which legitimate government is " called to act, was imminent and impending."

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

NEW CONSTITUTIONS AND THE ADMINISTRATIONS.

Now, in January, 1875, all the most irri- tating partisan questions being ont of the way and the minds of the people in comparative rest, Governor Coke recommended the adop- tion of a new State constitution, as many clanses in the one then existing were com- bersome or obstructive, and becoming more so with the advance of events. In his mes- sage to the legislature meeting that winter, which was a long doenment of ninety-two octavo pages, he recounts in detail all the emall 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 effect that Mexican maranders were doing more mischief on this side of the Rio Grande than they had done before for a number of years. Federal aid was asked for protection against them.

By an aet 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 rea- son given by Governor Davis on the occasion of his vetoing two itoms of appropriation to pay claims of veterans. By this act the gov- ernor exposed himself to the attack of his Democratic enemies, who charged him with entertaining hostile feelings toward the vet- erans. By a subsequent act of the legisla- ture, however, the list of pensioners was increased, and by the end of the year the gov- ernor became alarmed at the rapidly increas- ing number of claims. Ile said that Darden and Coke, in the course of a year or so, issued $1,115,000 worth of bonds in pension. About

1,100 persons caine up as " veterans " in struggles between Texas and Mexico. The law was soon repealed.

In March, 1875, another constitutional convention was provided for. August 2d the people cast 69,583 votes for the convention, electing delegates, and 30,549 against it. The convention assembled at Anstin, Sep- tember 6, following, and completed its labors November 24. The 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 Democratie State ticket prevailed. Coke was re-elected governor, by a majority of over 102,000 votes, over William Cham- bers, who received 47,719 votes.

In this new constitution the following are some of the more noticeable features: In the bill of rights the provisions of the constitu- tion of 1869, which declared secession a her- esy, 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 rep- resentatives to 150, at the rate of one addi- tional 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 refer- ence to "race, color or former condition." Foreign immigration was discountenanced.

As soon as the legislature met, the gover- nor pointed ont defects in the constitution, reconnuonding amendments, especially with reference to the judicial system. The gov- ernor also stated, in his message to the legis-

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lature, that while Indian troubles were less, the Mexican border tronbles continued un- abated.

On May 5, this year, Governor Coke was elected United States Senator, but continned to exercise the functions of executive until December 1, when he resigned, and Lienten- ant Governor Hubbard succeeded to the of- fice.

During Governor Hubbard's administra- tion a serious trouble arose between Texan and Mexican citizens in El Paso county, which resulted in some bloodshed among the Ind characters, and probably even among ' some of the good people. It originated in a personal quarrel between Charles HI. Howard and Louis Cardis, concerning some salt de- posits. The United States military was called into requisition before the fracas was finally quelled.

Oran M. Roberts was governor of Texas during the years 1879-'80, during which period nothing very exciting occurred.

By this time it seems that the famous old Indian question was about ont of the way. The reds were nearly all gone. The Co- manches and Kiekapoos had proved to be the most troublesome, the former claiming the country as their own, while the latter pro- elnimed 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 re- lieved from the hostile incursions of the Kickapoos, who were removed to a reserva- tion in the Indian Territory, and since that time all hostile Indians have been subdued. By 1882 the remnant of harmless natives within the borders of the State have been re- duced to 108 souls, and these were located in the vicinity of Fort Griffin, in Shackelford county. They had no reservation, and were

dependent to a great extent npon the whims of their white neighbors. They had no live stock, and lived in brush houses and tepees. They had all been friendly to the whites and were well contented. An insufficient appro- priation for their support was anmally made by the Government, and the citizens of Texas assisted them from time to time.

A little further on will be given a list of all the governors of Texas to date. As this work goes to press J. S. Ilogg is re-elected governor, after an exciting contest occasioned by his antagonism to certain classes of mo- nopolistic corporations, etc.

GREER COUNTY.

" Under the terms of the annexation treaty of 1845 Texas retained possession of all vacant and unappropriated lands within her boundaries; but from that time to the pres- ent the boundary has not been definitely set- tled. A dispute has occurred, arising out of the old treaty with Spain of February 22, 1819, in which the Red river is made the boundary between the 94th and 100th degree west longitude from Greenwich. At the date when this treaty was made but little infor- mation had been obtained respecting the region extending along the upper portion of Red river, nor was it known that the river was divided into two branches- now called the north and west forks -- between the 99th and 100th meridians. As late as 1848 all maps described Red river as a continnous stream, the north fork not being laid down upon them. By an exploration, however, made in 1852, by Captains Marey and Mc- Clellan, under the direction of the War De- partment, it was discovered that there were two main branches to the river proper; but, probably owing to the inaccuracy of their

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

instruments, the explorers located the 100th meridian below the junction. In 1857 the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who wished to know the boundary between the Choetaw and Chickasaw countries, caused an astro- nomical survey to be made for the purpose of ascertaining the true meridian, which was found 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 designa- tion, and Congress passed an aet, 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 agreement, how- ever, could be arrived at, and Texas, adopt- ing the report of her commissioner, estab- lished the Territory in dispute-abont 2,000 square miles in area-as a county under the maine 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 seek- 'ing to establish the north fork as the trne boundary, but hitherto no settlement of the question has been attained. ' Meantime com- plications have arisen, through persons claim- ing to exercise rights on the disputed land under the jurisdiction of Texas, coufliets have taken place and blood has been shed, owing to procrastination in the adjustment of the disputed claim."-II. II. Bancroft, History of the Pacific States.

GENERAL REFLEOTIONS.

In the language of Mr. II. H. Baneroft: " No State in the Union has passed through more politieal vicissitudes than Texas. Dur-

ing the present century her people have fought and bled under no less than five dif- ferent 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 republie dictates the form of government and exasperates by op- pression the free-spirited settlers from the United States; then follow revolt and a short but sanguinary struggle for independence, terminating in the establishinent of the Texan republic, with its emblematic lone- star flag. After a brief existence, however, as a sovereign nation, Texas was content to repose beneath the standard of the stars and stripes, which in turn she threw aside to fight under the Confederate banner. The land which was once the abode of savages · has been converted into a civilized country, which will prove a center of human develop- ment.

" Short as has been her life, the common- wealth of Texas has had a varied experience, - -first as the borderland of contending col- onies, then a lone republic, as a member of the great federation, member of the Sonthern Confederacy, and finally reinstated as one of the still unbroken Union. The annals of her past career, as we have seen, are 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. HIer future is bright; she has entered the broad highway of universal progress, and henceforth her march will be one of unprec- edented prosperity. A marvelous rapidity has already marked her onward course to wealth and happiness. Probably there never

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

was a country which entered upon the long and brilliant career of progress that we may look forward to in this instance, ander more favorable auspices than this State. Although older than any of the more northern Pacific States, it has developed more slowly, and has avoided many of their mistakes. The great enrse of California is not here entailed. The people are still freemen, and the law-makers and the public officials are their servants. There is little or no publie debt; their pub- lic lands are their own, and they have not all fallen into the hands of sharpers and speen- tors; they rule the railroad companies in- stead of being ruled by them; mujnst and oppressive monopolies are not permitted. Here are the seeds of life instead of the ele- ments of disease and death. With her vast urea of tillable and grazing lands, a people rapidly increasing in numbers, wealth and refinement; with young and healthy institu- tions resting on honest republican founda -. tions; 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 dopredations on the frontier have ceased, and cattle-raiding on the Rio Grande borderland will soon be a trouble of the past; Inwlessness 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 since the civil war toward the goal whero lofty aspirations will win the prize of unalloyed prosperity, are strikingly exhibited by otti- cial statistics on population, agriculture, commerce, industries, and developing enter- prises."

Indeed, many 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 social character the people of Texas are still hospitable, with better oppor- tunities than ever to exhibit that pleasurable trait. General intelligence, and its eoncom- itant, the establishment of educational insti- tutions, also characterize the sons of the South who emigrated to that great, free State in the first place for greater opportu- uity for education, hospitality and comfort- able homes in a comfortable climate. 1

OHIEF EXECUTIVES OF TEXAS FROM 1691 TO 1891-200 YEARS.

SPANISH-1691 To 1822-131 YEARS.

Domingo Teran.

Don Gaspardo de Anaya. Don Martin de Alarconne.

Marquis de Aguayo.

Fernando de Almazan.

Melchoir de Madiavilia.

Juan Antonia Bustillos.

Manuel de Sandoval.

Carlos de Franquis.

Prudencia Basterra. Justo Bonco. Jacinto de Barrios. Antonio de Martos.

Juan Maria, Baron de Riperda. Domingo Cabello. Rafael Pacheco. Mannel Muñoz.

Juan Bautista el Guazabel. Antonio Cordero. Mannel de Salcedo.

Christoval Dominguez. Antonio Martinez.

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

MEXICAN-1822 To 1835-13 YEARS.

Trespalacios . 1822

Don Luciana le Garcia 1823

Rafael Gonzales (Coahuila and Texas) . . 1825

Victor Blanco.

1826

Jose Maria Viesca 1828

Jose Maria Letona

1831

Francisco Vidauri

1834

TEXAN-1835 TO 1846-11 YEARS.

Henry Smith, Provisional Governor. 1835-'36 David G. Burnett, President ad interim . 1836 Sam Houston, Constitutional President . 1836

Mirabeau B. Lamar, President 1838

Sam Houston, President 1841

Anson Jones, President 1844

STATE GOVERNMENT SINOE ANNEXATION-1846 ro 1893-47 YEARS.

J. Pinckney Henderson 1846

George T. Wood 1847

P. 11. Bell 1849-'51 P. Il. Bell . 1851-'53

E. M. Pease 1853-'55

E. M. Pease .1855-'57

H. R. Runnels 1857-'59

Sam Honston

1859-'61

Edward Clark .

1861

F. R. Lubbock 1861-63

Pendleton Murrah 1863-'65

A. J. Hamilton (provisional) 1865-'66

James W. Throckmorton

1866-'67

E. M. Pease (provisional) 1867-'70 E. J. Davis 1870-'74 Richard Coke 1874-'76 R. B. Hubbard 1876-'79

O. M. Roberts

1879-'83

Jolm Ireland

1883-'87

L. S. Ross 1887-'91

J. S. Hogy 1891-'93

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Some of the more prominent characters in the carly history of Texas are further sketched in the following list:

ELLIS P. BEAN, the successor of Philip No- lan, in the command of his company, 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. Reach- ing Texas, and while at a point between the Trinity and Brazos rivers, they were attacked and beaten by a body of Spanish troops. Bean, with eight others, was taken as a pris- oner to San Antonio, and thence to Chihna- lina, being kept at the 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 followed it for a year in Chihuahna, when his longing to see his native land induced him, with two com- rades, to run away and endeavor to reach the United States. The three were arrested near El Paso, severely lashed, and again ironed and imprisoned.

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Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895 Number of Pages: 1532

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895
Number of Pages: 1532