The Golden age. [volume], February 18, 1909, Page 5, Image 5

About The Golden age. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1906-1920

Image provided by: Digital Library of Georgia, a project of GALILEO located at the University of Georgia Libraries

                
I
VERY patriotic heart in America would
have been noblv stirred to enthusiasm if
he could have witnessed a scene that
took place in the great capitol build
ing of Texas the other day. Two men—
patriarchs and patriots, tottering from
their Alpine heights of nearly a hun
dred years —stood before the Texas law
makers in Austin and recounted the sto-
ry of San Jacinto and the surrender of Santa Anna.
The patriotic listeners knew that but for that day,
Texas—the Republic of Texas and then the State of
Texas —had not been born, and the “Texas yell”—
another brand from the “rebel yell” —rang loud
and long when these white-haired guardians of the
cradle of their liberties stood before them. Because
it ought to be in the scrap-book of every patriot we
give here in full the graphic story from the pen of
the Austin correspondent of the Dallas News:
Austin, Texas, Feb. 12. —Patriotic feeling and hu
man interest ran high in the House of Representa
tives this afternoon during an unusual and remark
able reunion of the veterans of a war. The rem
nant of the victorious army of that war numbered
only two men. It was remarkable because of the ad
vanced age of these men and still more remarkable
because of the fact that they were able to clearly
and interestingly tell of that unparalleled series of
events which led to the capture of proud Santa Anna
on the field of San Jacinto.
These veterans are Alphonso Steele of Alexia, the
last survivor of the battle of San Jacinto, and Col.
AY. P. Zuber, of Austin, one of the two last survi
vors of the Army of the Republic at San Jacinto.
They appeared before both houses of the Legislature
today by special request and addressed the body.
The ancient warriors and survivors of the heroic
lime which made the Texas of today possible were
greeted with great enthusiasm. As evidence of the
consideration in which they are held the Senate ap
propriated S2OO for a large painting of Mr. Steele
to be executed, and the House provided for the crea
tion of suitable gold medals, one each for the dis
tinguished veterans, and for a joint photograph to
be made of them.
At 3:30 the veterans were escorted to the Speak
er’s stand in the House. Mr. Steele was introduced
to the House by F. F. Hill, of Denton county, who
very eloquently spoke of the splendid days of patri
otism and heroism in which these men participated.
He declared that the battle of San Jacinto had gone
Atlanta Thin and Note—Number One.
We once heard an apostle of “the licker interest
make this remark'. “If Atlanta loses her saloons
she will, in twelve months be the deadest town in
the country. Trade will be ruined, real estate won t
be worth any thing, wages will be cut down to
almost nothing, the streets will be filled with a
growth of weeds and grass and we will have a
typical deserted village.” That was indeed a gloomy
picture, and he might have believed what he said,
but time has proven him to be a false prophet.
Atlanta lost her saloons (thank God) more than
twelve months ago.
Trade in all lines of business, except the “licker”
business, has been good, as we will show by reliable
testimony in a future issue.
Notwithstanding the panic, the records show that
there was about the same amount of trading done
in real estate in 1908 as was done in 1907. The
prices are as high as they have ever been. A few
weeks ago a lot 21 by 36 feet was sold for $65,000
SBS a square foot.
We think this the highest price ever paid for At
lanta property.
Several lots have been sold recently for twice the
amount they brought just a few years ago.
The records show that the building permits for
January, 1909, were larger than for any previous
January, amounting to more than for the combined
THEY SAW SANTA ANNA TALL
Tivo Veterans of San Jacinto, One 92, the Other 99, Address the Legislature of Texas.
"Patriotism Puns High”—A Gem Tor Tour Scrap "Book.
The Golden Age for February 18, 1909.
down in history as one of the most heroic battles
of the world and said that we of today owe the
greatness of our State and all the pride of our tra
ditions to the men who fought that battle.
“We have among us one of those men who ac
tively participated in that engagement; who bared
his breast to cannon and saber that day. All that
Texans ask is that their sons prove as stanch sup
porters of constitutional government as their grand
sires did,” he said.
Mr. Steele then rose amid prolonged cheers. He
is 92 years old, but erect, bright-eyed and remark
ably well preserved. His voice faltered at times,
but beyond that there was no evidence of his years.
As he began to speak the members of the House
and visitors crowded around the Speaker’s stand.
“I am sorry I can’t make a speech,” said Mr.
Steele. “I hope you won’t expect one. It’s a thing
I have never done, and I can’t make a speech. I
shall tell you in a simple way of some of the early
days.”
Perhaps more briefly than some would have wish
ed —for most of those present would have listened
to the old veteran’s recitals for hours —Air. Steele
recounted the events leading to the battle of San
Jacinto, gave a short description of the maneuvers
and tactics by which the opposing forces came in
battle position, and gave a summary of the battle
proper. He told the story of Deaf Smith’s cutting
of Vincent’s bridge and of the capture of Santa
Anna.
A few moments after Air. Steele began talking the
librarian brought up from the State Library the
Mexican battle flag captured at San Jacinto, and
draped it across the Speaker’s stand. Renewed ap
plause tilled the hall at the sight of the last survivor
of the battle, of which all Texans are proud, his
hands resting upon the very flag which he had help
ed wrest from the enemy seventy-three years ago,
addressing the representatives of the people of Texas
and telling them how that flag was captured.
Following Air. Steele. Col. Zuber addressed the
House and visitors. A faint comprehension of that
spirit which actuated those warriors of Texas’ early
days was given the audience, when, toward the con
clusion of his remarks, Col. Zuber, one trembling
hand upon the head of his companion veteran ami
the other upon the one-time emblem of the. enemy,
declared that Mr. Steele and himself appreciated the
honor shown them more in the name and memory of
their departed comrades than for themselves. He
months of January and February, 1908.
ißank clearings for the second week in February,
1909, *were $5,414,392.27, while for the correspond
ing week last year the total was $4,387,415.28, an
increase for the current year in this week amounting
to $1,026,976.99. That does not look so bad.
Gross postal receipts for January, 1909, as com
pared with receipts for January, 1908, show a sub
stantial increase. Figures given by the post office
department, Washington, D. C.:
Atlanta, January, 1909, $80,775; 1908, $74,363.
New Orleans, $80,083 in 1909; $80,387 in 1908.
Nashville, $43,185 in 1909; $42,896 in 190 S.
Chattanooga, $26,233 in 1909; $27,271 in 1908.
Atlanta, the only city in the list under prohbition.
Look at the figures carefully and see if you don’t
think she made a good show-down.
One other item, that ought to appeal to every
lover of humanity, and we suspend for this time:
Chief of Police Jennings is authority for the state
ment “that there has been less suffering among the
poor of the city and fewer calls for charity than in
any previous winter.”
Crumbs.
By Elder J. P. Henderson.
(Clipped from an old Scrap-Book.)
Satan is working with all his power and might
said they considered this courtesy shown the last
survivors a tribute to all of those who had partici
pated in the battle, now no more.
“You know.” he said, “we two look upon all the
people of Texas as our children,’’ and at that the
cheering became more vigorous than before.
Air. Zuber is 99 years of age. He is somewhat
hard of hearing, but as remarkably preserved as
Air. Steele, considering his years.
Both the gentlemen declared to the House, through
the Speaker, following the adoption of the following
resolution, that nothing which could possibly have
been given them would have been so acceptable and
pleasing as the proposed medal.
While Air. Zuber is one of the two remaining sur
vivors of the Army of San Jacinto, he was not in
the battle; Air. Steele, who is the sole survivor of
the battle now alive, today declared that it was not
Air. Zuber’s fault that he was not in the fight. Air.
Zuber, he said, cried to go, but his captain would
not permit him to do so, as his gun was out of order.
At the close of the scenes in the House Air. Steele
said he would like to know what would be done for
the San Jacinto battlefield.
Representative Hill, in .reply, declared that the
Texas Legislature would see to it that the battle
field was properly cared for.
The resolution adopted by the House, which was
by Messrs. Hill, Cureton, Byrne, Brownlee, Elliott,
Pierson, German and Robertson of Travis, was as
follows:
“Whereas, The Honorable Alphonso Steele and
Col. W. P. Zuber, the only surviving combatants of
the battle of San Jacinto, have never received any
official and substantial recognition of their services
from the State of Texas in the liberation of Texas
from the tyranny of Mexico; therefore, be it
“Resolved, by the House of Representatives, ’That
gold medals, appropriate in design and with suita
ble inscriptions be, and the same are, hereby ordered
struck, and that the same be presented to the said
Hon. Alphonso Steele and Col. AV. P. Zuber as a
token of appreciation and gratitude for their serv
ices in the liberation of Texas, and that a committee
of three members of the House be appointed to es
lect the design of said medals, with appropriate in
scriptions thereon. Said medals to be paid for out
of the contingent fund of the House.
“The committee shall also conduct the said Steele
and Zuber to a photograph gallery, and at the ex
pense of the House, have the largest and best pho
tograph made of them that can be done.”
to obliterate the knowledge of God from the earth.
Christ has bought us. and we yield ourselves to
Him, that, He may free us from sin.
God deals with us in a personal manner. His
words should be treated as though He were present.
It is to each as though he were the only person in
the world.
When the word of God and faith come together,
a miracle is performed, as in the case of Moses at
the rock of Horeb. Ex. 17:6.
In spiritual life we are dealing with things which
iare eternal in nature, but all earthly things are only
temporal.
Our great lack is that of spiritual discernment to
know the evil from the good.
A mote in our brother’s eye is like a speck in a
sunbeam; while a beam is a largo stick of timber
filling the whole eye.
Faith knows, and is just as sure of thing before
it gets it as afterward.
When we pray in accordance with the will of
God, and believe we have what we pray for, it is
so.
Our reputation is worth less than our character.
Care for the latter, and the former will care for
itself.
It is the privilege of every believer io live a pure
and holy life. The Scriptures so teach, hence it is
not only a privilege but a duty.
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