WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1842
455
Clciims Pcivc,·s, Texas State Library.) In his efforts to press his claims he was a frequent visitor to Austin during the sessions of the Legislatures. Dawson was a man of huge body with humor and jollity in proportion to his size. His laugh was so loud and deep that it could be heard for several blocks. Bartlett Sims, one of the early surveyors of Texas, who lived in the Colorado valley, was the only man who could rival Dawson's laugh. The two men had never met. But the story runs that once the men were in Austin at the same time, and the young business men of the town took the notion to pit them against one another in a laughing match. The principals good naturedly agreed. Drinks for all were wagered, the defeated man t.o pay; judges were chosen, and the contest began-a peculiar and mirth pro- voking scene. The adjacent buildings echoed to the laughter, and such laughter as probably has never been heard in the town of Austin, before or since. The onlookers became infected with the fun and there was a general shouting that is said to have resounded in the surrounding hills. Dogs, pigs, chickens, little children-all ran terrified; women ran into the streets in fear and amazement to learn the cause of the uproar. While there was a perceptible difference in tone, the two voices were well matched in volume and penetrating power, and from time to time their fortunes varied; but there is an end to the endurance of even loud-laughing men. The judges finally awarded the palm to Dawson, whereupon, Sims grinning, pointed a work-hardened finger at his rival and said, "Well, boys, I don't feel so bad about losing this contest after all, because he laughs to the tune of half a million dollars, while I haven't a d-d cent to laugh on." This was considered a very clever repartee from Sims, since he really was not a man of wealth, and Dawson had just recently collected a goodly sum of money owed to him by the state. The victory of the contest was turneµ in Sims's favor when Dawson immediately, and with his accustomed good nature, declared that after all the treats must be on him. See Frank Brown, "Annals of Travis County and of the City of Austin" (MS.), Chap- ter 13, p. 67. Histo1-y of Texas, XIV, 242-243 (Lewis Publishing Com- pany, 1895). 4 Enclosure marked "A" is as follows: John G. Tod's Affidavit concerning the Vessels fw-,iishcd to the Texas Navy I, John G. Tod, Naval Agent, appointed by the Government of the Re- public of Texas to superintendent the construction, and the outfit of the vessels (six in number) to wit: One ship, two Brigs, and three Schooners, contracted for in behalf of said government, by Sam!. M. Williams, Naval Agent, with Frederick Dawson, Esq. of Baltimore, under contract, executed by the parties on the 13th, Novr. 1838,-Do certify and declare that the construction and the Outfit of the vessels was fully and completely made and performed, to the extent of said contract by Mr. Dawson. The vessels all being larger than were required of him, and the proYisions and outfit all full, and ample as stipulated :-the extra supplies have nil been furnished to the letter of the contract. Given under my hand and seal this sixth day of August, Eighteen hun- dred and forty. John G. Tod, Commanding Naval Station, Galveston, Texas.
Powered by FlippingBook