Indian wars and pioneers of Texas, Vol. I, Part 66

Author: Brown, John Henry, 1820-1895
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Austin : L.E. Daniel]
Number of Pages: 922

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She accepted him and promised to become his wife npou the condition that he would forego his intention of locating in Texas and agree to live in New York. This he would not do. He thought, as a majority of men would have thought, that if she loved him truly she would go wherever it was to his interest to go, even if that were to the ends

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INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.

of the earth. They differed upon this point, parted and never met again. He found Houston on his return to Texas the most promising and growing city in the infant Republic, although Galveston, where his brother, Augusta C. Allen, had established a business house, was even then (in 1838) a con- siderable town and good business point. After visiting Houston he went down on Galveston Bay. to where his father and mother had established themselves, and engaged in stock raising. When Gen. Woll entered Texas with a strong Mexican force the subject of this memoir mounted many Texian volunteers who were hurrying toward San Antonio to resist the invaders, freely giving to them all his broken horses. In attempting to break a very fine horse for himself upon which to ride to the front, he was thrown and sustained such serious injuries that he was incapacitated for many months from pursuing any active employment. In 1839 the first yellow fever epidemic that visited the Republic made its way to Houston and among those who died were eighteen out of a party of twenty men from Connecticut who had put up a fine saw- mill at that place. The survivors were anxious to sell in order to secure funds with which to leave the country and Mr. Allen bought the plant. He gave employment at high wages to all persons who sought work. This was a blessing to many, as there were a large number of idle men in the country, mostly soldiers who had served in the Texian army. The mill was also a great advantage to the community and settlers far and near, as it en- abled them to procure lumber for building purposes.

Being the only one of six brothers who is now living he is often spoken of as the founder of the city of Houston. In truth, his brothers Augustus C. and Jolin K. Allen, who were partners in busi- ness, were the founders of that promising metrop- olis. He, however, was an important factor in the upbuilding of the place, doing as much, or more, perhaps, than any other of its earlier inhabi- tants to advance its prosperity. While the two brothers named donated the ground upon which to build the first Presbyterian church he gave every foot of the lumber used in its construc- tion .. It was quite as large an edifice as the handsome brick structure that now occupies its foriner site. He opened the first for- warding and commission house established in Houston and associated T. M. Bagby with him in the business. They did an immense business, Cx- tending to every part of Texas. In 1845 Mr. Allen went to Corpus Christi as sutler in Col. Twiggs' regiment. Maj. Carr, who had retired from the ariny, was his partner. They made a

great deal of money, the sutler's stores that they handled being in great demand, as they purchased and kept in stock everything wanted by the officers and men. This promising venture, however, was brought to an end by a fatal epidemic that made its appearance in camp, to which many succumbed. Mr. Allen was stricken down and his life despaired of. He made money fast, it is true, and if he sur- vived and remained with the army had every reason to expect further gains ; but, tossing on a sick bed, his whole thoughts centered upon getting back to Houston where he could die among friends. He managed to make his way back to that city, where he lingered long at death's door but finally recovered. Upon his restoration to health, he found that all of bis earnings as sutler had been consumed in meet- ing necessary expenses. As soon as he had suf- ficiently recuperated, he purchased a stock of goods and loaded them on wagons, which he started for the town of New Braunfels. Following on behind in a few days, he made inquiries along the road but could hear nothing of the wagons. Nor, upon arriving at his destination, could he hear anything. Perplexed and aunoved, he went to La Grange and there found them intact, all loaded as when they started. The teamsters had stopped en route to work out their crops. When the goods reached New Brannfels he met with little difficulty in selling them, but was compelled to receive in return money issued by the company that had established the colony. It was the only medium of exchange in use, was of various denominations and known in the vernacular of the country as "shin-plasters." Whenever he secured as much as $50 of this cur- rency, he would take it to the proper officers of the company, and be given a check on a New Orleans bank in exchange for it. He finally closed ont the remainder of his merchandise for a large lot of gentle, well-broken oxen, which he sold, receiving in return " shin-plasters " and later checks on New Orleans. These checks were not paid on presentation at the New Orleans bank, and went to protest. He thereupon entered suit in the courts at San Antonio and secured judgment against the company. Not knowing what course to pursue to realize anything from the judgments, he consulted Col. Fisher of the Fisher and Miller col- ony, who told him to take stock in the New Braun- fels company in satisfaction of the judgment, as the stock was already paying an annual dividend of five per cent and would become more valuable with the further settlement of the country. He followed this well-meant advice and has the stock yet. It is not worth the paper it is written upon, although that is now yellowed by age.

وقحة

A. C. ALLEN, JR.

A. C. ALLEN.

CHARLOTTE M. ALLEN.

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INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.

Samuel L. Allen was married late in life, being considerably above fifty years of age. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Caffrey, of Yazoo County, Miss., daughter of Margaret P. and her husband, Thomas T. Caf- frey.

Mr. Allen resided in Houston until his death,

which occurred in his eighty-seventh year. He left an only child, a son, named Augustus C. Allen in honor of Mr. Allen's deceased brother, one of the founders of the city of Houston. His son is a practicing attorney of learning and ability, and occupies an enviable position at the bar in that city and his section of the State.

AUGUSTUS C. ALLEN,

HOUSTON.

Benjamin Chapman settled at Saratoga, N. Y., employed to tide him over the critical point when the Revolutionary War ended. He was com- missioncd Captain of a company by Governor Clin- ton of New York, and fought for the independence of the American colonies from the inception of the struggle in 1776 to its close in 1783. He and his devoted wife, who during the absence of her hus- band in the army performed several deeds of heroism (as did many of the women of that trying period) went industriously to work to repair their broken fortunes, neither daunted or depressed, although they were comparatively homeless, their commodious residence, situated on a high and con- spicuous point, having been burned by a detach- inent of British troops as a signal to other forces with which they were co-operating. Despite the privations and dangers they had encountered and the financial losses that they sustained, Mr. Chap- man and his wife were happy at the return of white- winged peace to the long distracted land -- happy in each other's love, happy because of the freedom gained by their country and the fact that they had helped to gain it, and happy in their children, ser- eral of whom were sons (all of whom were after- wards successful in life) and two daughters, the youngest of whom, Sarah, was wooed and won by Roland Allen.

He and his fair young bride made their first home in the village of Canasareangh, N. Y., and where he bought an Indian clearing consisting of a consider- able tract of ground on which was situated a sub- stantial five or six-room log-house surrounded by several acres in cultivation. Here, in 1806, their first child, Augustus C. Allen, was born. He was "O delicate that they had faint hope of raising him to manhood. The atmosphere in his room was kept at an even temperature night and day and every means that parental affection could suggest was

of infancy. As other and sturdier boys grew up about them they were assigned such labors and duties as came within their strength, but the first born was kept at school until he graduated at the Polytechnic in the village of Chittenango, N. Y., at that time the famous school of the section. The adjacent villages of Canasa- . reaugh and Chittenango, both bearing Indian names, were about fifteen miles distant from the important town of Syracuse in the same State. After gradu- ating, Augustus C. Allen became a professor of mathematics in the Polytechnic School at Chitten- ango; but finally decided to seek a wider field and accepted a position in the city of New York as bookkeeper for H. & H. Canfield, soon thereafter with his brother, J. K. Allen, purchased an interest in the business, which was thenceforward conducted under the firm name of H. & H. Canfield & Co., and feeling that he could make suitable provision for a wife, went to Baldwinsville, N. Y., to claim, and was there wedded to his promised bride, the accomplished Miss Charlotte M. Baldwin, daughter of J. C. Baldwin, founder of the town, one of the most beautiful and brilliant women in the State. Dr. Baldwin was a well-known physician and finan- cier (owning lumber and flonr mills and other im- portant business interests). Quick to plan and quick to execute, after deciding to build the town that bears his name, he erected in one day twenty houses (stores, workshops and houses for his lab- orers) upon the site selected. The town is situated thirteen miles from Syracuse. The first mayor of the latter municipality was a son of Dr. Baldwin. The Doctor lived to see Baldwinsville become quite a flourishing place. After his marriage, Augustus C. Allen and his brother continued their commer- cial connection in New York City for about two

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years and then withdrew from the firm, having de- cided upon new ventures that they had planned to undertake in Texas. They went first to San Augus- tinc and then to Nacogdoches and employed their capital in the purchase of land certificates at $100 per league. Older settlers laughed at them and said, with many a wiseacre wink, that they were green from the States. When the elder brother, however, went to Natchez, Miss., and sold one of the leagues for $5,000, the " o'er wise " failed to see anything to laugh at and themselves commenced the purchase of certificates. The Allen brothers came to Texas in 1832. They remained several years in Nacogdoches, studying the country and its people, needs and possibilities.

In 1836 John K. Allen, who was then at Colum- bia serving as a member in the Texian Congress, received a letter from his brother recommending the establishment of a town on the John-Austin half-league, recently purchased from Mrs. Parrott, sister of Stephen F. Austin, by the brothers. Oecu- pied with his legislative duties he did not give proper weight to the arguments advaneed in favor of the enterprise and in reply expressed himself as opposed to the undertaking. He, however, as soon as his official duties permitted, joined his brother and went out to view the site selected, a point where White Oak bayou debouehes into Buffalo bayou and to which tide-water extends. He was delighted with the location and upon learning that his brother had, in a small boat, taken soundings down stream and had discovered that there was sufficient depth of water to float vessels of heavy draft, withdrew the objections that he had advanced and entered heartily into the work of building the proposed town, the present city of Houston. This agreement having been reached, Augustus C. Allen mapped out on the crown of his stove-pipe hat (and later upon paper) streets, squares, etc., and then with a knife that he wore in his girdle, blazed out the pathway of Main street, where to-day stir- ring throngs of men and women, eitizens and visitors, are hurrying to and fro to obey the calls of business or pleasure.

The two brothers named the town in honor of their personal friend, Gen. Sam Houston, the hero of San Jacinto. They donated a block for a city market, a block upon which to erect a court-house, half a block for the First Presbyterian church, half a block for a First Methodist church and also grounds for Episcopal and Baptist churches. Academy square for educational purposes ; grounds for a jail and for cemeteries and lots and blocks to a number of private individuals, thereby securing the co-operation of prominent and influential people.

They also gave valuable property to Robert Wilson as a recognition of the services rendered by him in negotiating for them the purchase of the site from Mrs. Parrott. A part of this property, a block of ground in the fifth ward, is still owned by his son, J. T. D. Wilson. To further push the enterprise they made a liberal use of printer's ink.

As soon as the town was well started and gave promise of future growth, John K. Allen addressed a letter to Congress in which he set forth the advanta- ges of the young town as a place at which to estab- lish the seat of government and promised that, if it was made the capital, he would ereet at his own expense suitable buildings for a State house, depart- ments offiees, the preservation of archives, etc. ; and hotels and lodging houses for the accommoda- tion of members of Congress, all of which he would rent upon reasonable terms and for any desired length of time. It is a matter of familiar history that these overtures were successful and that Hous- ton became the capital of the Republic and so re- mained until the rapid settlement of the country necessitated a more eentral location and Austin was selected.

In the early days of Houston, when accommoda- tions were difficult to procure, the Allen brothers provided in their comfortable home, without money and without price, for all who sought their hospitality. Provisions of all kinds then sold at fabulous prices in Texas owing to the distance of the country from sources of supply and want of transportation facilities ; yet with lavish hospitality they entertained friends and strangers. W. R. Baker, who kept their books, said that sometimes their expenses averaged $30,000 a year and that Mrs. A. C. Allen did the honors of the house with queenly grace and courtesy. Their dinings and other social gatherings were graced by many dis- tinguished and heroie Texians as well as eminent strangers from abroad. Many elegant and beauti- ful ladies also lent the charm of their presence. The Allens enjoyed in the highest degrec the exercise of these social offices, which helped to render liv- ing in Texas, their chosen home, pleasant to others.

The first day of August, 1838, the energetic busi- ness man and legislator, John K. Allen, came to an untimely end, being cut off in the midst of his use- fulness at the early age of twenty-eight years. Ile died suddenly of congestion. He was deeply lamented by all his brothers. As he had never married, his property vested in his parents, Mr. Roland and Mrs. Sarah (Chapman) Allen. He had been so active as a coadjutor, so strong to lean upon and such a constant companion for so many. years that the loss fell more heavily upon the elde

JOHN K. ALLEN.

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INDLAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.

brother, Augustus C. Allen, than upon the others, although they too were deeply affected.

Always delicate, Augustus C. Allen's constitu- tion now became undermined and he determined to seek surcease of sorrow and restoration to health amid new and strange scenes in a foreign land. Accordingly, leaving his family well provided for, he journeyed into Mexico, where his active mind found exercise in business ventures no less success- ful than those in which he had previously engaged. Before following him to Mexico, we will refer, in passing, to the invasion of Texas by Gen. Woll, who entered the Republic with the avowed intention of reducing it to subjection. The whole country was alarmed and patriots hastily armed and hurried to the front, Augustus C. Allen and three brothers being among the first to volunteer. At the begin- ning of the campaign he attached himself to Capt. Nicholas Dawson's company. Shortly thereafter, however, he and a man named Lindsey became dissatisfied with what they considered the injudi- cious conrse that Dawson appeared resolved to follow, and told him that he should seek to effect a juncture with other Texian troops before meeting and attacking the force under Woll, provided as it was with artillery. Upon Dawson flatly refusing to be guided by this advice, they left the company, and by doing so they saved their lives. They at once joined other commands, under Caldwell or Hays, and did their full share of fighting, and did not return to Houston until Woll recrossed the Rio Grande into Mexico never to return. On leaving Texas, Augustus C. Allen went first to British Hon- duras, where he remained six months, and then loaded bis goods on a vessel and shipped them to the Isthmus of Tehauntepec, where for a scason he

stayed his wandering steps. In four months' time he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of Spanish to transact all his business and keep his books in that language ; established a mercantile house and employed wood choppers to cut mahogany in the forests. In addition he shipped goods to all parts of the isthmus on pack-mules and on the backs of natives, paying his native employees in goods which they were eager to procure. Doing a very heavy business, he took an Englishman, Mr. Welsh, in as a partner. They entered extensively into the mahog- any trade, bought vessels and shipped many car- goes of the valuable wood to Europe. Mr. Allen was United States Consul for the isthmus during his stay. He and the Mexican President, Juarez. were personal friends, and he could at all times secure influence and concessions from that ruler. Finally his health again failed and, realizing his condition, he recognized that the inevitable was near at hand. He closed out his business affairs and went to Washington, D. C., to surrender the consulship he was no longer physically able to fill. This was in 1864. When he arrived in Washington the weather was severely cold. The sudden change from an extreme southern climate to one so much further north affected his lungs (always weak) and he was stricken down with pneumonia and died after a few days of intense suffering. Kind friends from New York City were with him during his last illness until he breathed his last. " Life's fitful fever" over, at last the suffering body found repose. He lies entombed in Greenwood cemetery on Long Island in the loved soil of his native State. The sighing winds from the sea sweep over and birds sing in the branches of the trees that grow about his grave.

ROBERT M. HENDERSON,

SULPHUR SPRINGS.

IIon. Robert M. Henderson, of Sulphur Springs, one of the best known public men in the State and a man who has always commanded a large political and personal following, was born in Huntington, Tenn., February 18, 1842, and educated in the common schools of Tennessee and Texas.

His parents were Dr. A. A. and Mrs. Agnes .P. ( Murray) Henderson, both Tennessceans by birth, who came to Texas in 1856 and settled at Paris.

Mrs. Henderson died September 20, 1866, in Lamar County, and is buried there. Her husband died in November, 1873, at Sulphur Springs, in Hopkins County, Texas.

The subject of this memoir entered the Confed- erate army in 1861, before reaching his majority, as a private soldier in Company A., Ninth Texas Infantry, and served throughout the war, during which period be rose to the position of Captain, and

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INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.

Adjutant of Col. (afterwards United State Sena- tor) S. B. Maxey's Regiment, his promotion being due to gallant and meritorious service. He served through the Mississippi campaign and the hundred days fighting of the Georgia campaign, when John- ston and Ilood were falling sullenly back toward the sea, contesting at every step the irresistible advance of Sherman's army. Among other battles, he partic- ipated in those at Shiloh, Chickamaugua, Nashville, and Altoona Mountain. He was wounded severely at Shiloh, left on the field, captured, and, as soon as he was sufficiently recovered, sent to Johnson's Island, where he remained three months, until exchanged, after which he immediately rejoined his command. He was also severely wounded at Cartersville, Ga., but escaped capture. After the sun of the Confed- eraey had set to rise no more, he returned to his home in Texas and engaged in farming for two or three years, and then commenced the study of law under his old regimental commander, Gen. Maxey, at Paris, and in 1870 secured admission to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession at Sulphur Springs, to which place he removed. After six years, during which time he met with a liberal measure of success, he retired from the bar to engage in the private banking business at Sulphur Springs, in which he continued until 1885, when he was appointed by President Cleveland Col- lector of Internal Revenue for the Fourth Dis- trict of Texas, which position he held until October, 1889, when the Republicans again assumed control of the Government and the Republican President appointed his successor on purely parti-

san grounds. Since that time, Col. Henderson has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Col. Henderson has been an active worker in the organization of the U. C. V. of the State. In 1894 his friends placed his name before the people as a candidate for the Democratic nom- ination for State Comptroller of Public Accounts and he went into the convention with a following that seemed to insure his nomination on the first or second ballot. They claim that his failing to secure the nomination was due to political chican- ery and to no want of strength upon his and no want of loyalty upon their part. He served two terms as a member of the State Democratic Ex- ecutive Committee and was for ten years Chairman' of the Democratic Executive Committee of the Fourth Congressional District. He has always been a constant and earnest Democrat and has been looked to as a leader in his section in every con- test that has occurred for many years past both there and in the State at large. He is a " Sound Money " Democrat, and this year (1896) a member of the State " Sound Money" Executive Committee.

December 9th, 1873, he was married to Miss Virginia C., daughter of Dr. H. H. Beck, of Sul- phur Springs. They have five children, viz: Mur- ray Maxey, aged twenty-one years ; Mary Agnes, aged eighteen years; Robert Beck, aged fifteen years ; Thomas Louis, aged twelve years, and Ralph Maurice, aged ten years.

Col. Henderson is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has been a Knight Templar since 1876.

REV. H. C. HOWARD,

COLUMBUS.

Rev. Horatio C. Howard, the learned and much beloved Episcopal minister at Columbus, was born at Bristol, England, October 22, 1823. In 1827, his parents, Jolin and Matilda I. Howard, moved to America with their family and established them- selves in Philadelphia, Pa.

The subject of this notice has resided in Colum- bus since 1879, and has been thrice married: to Miss Jane F. Cox, in 1814; to Miss Margaret O. Allen (daughter of the late Rev. Thomas G. Allen, of Philadelphia), in 1858, and to Miss Sue S. Staf-

ford (daughter of Robert and Martha Stafford, of Waynesville, Ga. ), January 19, 1881, and has three children, born of his first and second mar- riages : Alfred R., treasurer and secretary of the International and Great Northern Railroad; T. G. Allen, and Margaret M. Howard. Mr. Howard has been for many years a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the 32º. He is an. earnest and devout Christian pastor, and is beloved by his floek and a wide circle of friends throughout Texas.

Waller A, Barer

INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.

361

WALLER S. BAKER,

WACO.

Hon. Waller S. Baker was born March 30, 1855, in Lexington, Fayette County, Ky., a son of John H. and Amanda (Saunders) Baker, came to Texas with his parents in 1859, and was reared at the family homestead on Tonk creek, McLennan County. He waseducated at Baylor University, in the city of Waco, from which he graduated in June, 1875. After leaving the University he immediately began the study of law in the office of the late Thomas Harrison and, April 10, 1876, was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession and has made his way to a distinguished position at the bar. From the beginning of his career he has -. taken a deep interest in public affairs and for many years past has been one of the most trusted and capable leaders that the Democratic party can boast in this State, but at no time has either sought or desired public office. He has been sent as a delegate to nearly every State Convention since attaining his majority. He was elected Chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of his county in 1884, and was unanimously, and without solici- tation on his part, nominated to the State Senate in 1887 and overwhelmingly elected at the polls. In 1892, at the Lampasas State Convention. he received the Democratic nomination for elector from

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Indian wars and pioneers of Texas, Vol. I, Part 66

Author: Brown, John Henry, 1820-1895 Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Austin : L.E. Daniel] Number of Pages: 922

Author: Brown, John Henry, 1820-1895
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Austin : L.E. Daniel]
Number of Pages: 922