WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1838
182
Indian Wa.1·s and Pioneers of Texas, 354-359. These sketches were written or dictated by Samuel L. Allen.) In developing their town, A. C. and John K. Allen pursued a liberal policy. They donated many town blocks for church sites, for a town hall, a market place, and to various individuals whom they wished to honor. This generosity won the interest and good will of many persons of in- fluence and talent. But, perhaps the cleverest scheme for inducing the growth of populat:on in their new town was their purpose to have Congress elect the City of Houston as the location of the capital of the Republic. Their chances for accomplishing this plan seemed good in 1836, for housing facilities at Columbia were entirely inadequate for Congress. So the Allens put the proposition before Congress (October, 1836) for the government to be moved to Houston, promising to construct out of their own means an adequate capitol building as a donation, and other necessary buildings for the accommodation of the government officials. These additional buildings were to be rented to the government at a nominal sum; however, in the case of the removal of the government from Houston, the capitol and other buildings were to revert to the builders. The proposal was accepted, and early in May, 1837, the seat of government was moved from Columbia to Houston. In 1837 it was difficult for travellers in Texas to find lodging houses, or other houses of entertainment. The Allens threw open their own com- fortable home, without charge, to all who needed lodgings in their town. Their bookkeeper, William R. Baker, said that this hospitality cost upward of $30,000 per year. But the Allens considered it an expense that would bring good returns in the development of their city. But besides this project of building a city, the Allens had other extensive interests: they owned more than a hundred leagues of land, they were shareholders in the Galveston City Company, and they were "the company" of the banking house of McKinney, Williams & Company. It is said that the Allens obtained the funds for the establishment of this banking house from friends in New York, and that they placed their youngest brother, Harvey H. Allen in the establishment to represent their interests. (Statement of Dr. 0. F. Allen, a son of Harvey H. Allen. At this date (1939) Dr. 0. F. Allen is a resident of Austin, Texas.) But on the 15th day of August, 1838, John K. Allen died (Statement of Dr. 0. F. Allen. The Harris County Court files give the date of his .death as July 15, 1838; this is probably an error) of congestive fever. He left no will. At a family conference, his brothers waived their rights to share in his estate in favor of their father and mother; but by 1841 both father and mother had died, and real trouble began for A. C. Allen. · The brothers now demanded their share in John K. Allen's estate. Before John K. Allen's death he and A. C. had planned to construct a railroad out of Houston, and had become heavy stockholders in the railroad that had been projected from Harrisburg. A. C. Allen attempted to carry out their rail- road plans with Moseley Baker as partner. On account of this railroad enterprise and other interests, the business affairs of A. C. Allen had, by 1842, become wide-spread and complex. There was no way to settle such an estate except by making an assignment. This he did in 1843, and began the tedious process of winding up the business. But another and
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