WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1860
79
educated by private instruction and in the public schools of Ireland; but mostly, perhaps, through his insatiable love for reading that led him to devour all p1·inted materials that fell into his hands. He especially loved to read scientific and historical books. During his life in Texas he gathered more than 6,000 volumes, and had one of the largest and best selected private libraries in the state. He came to Texas fii·st in 1842, but returned to Eng- land after a few months. He was never able to content himself in England after having been in America, so returned to Texas in 1869 to make it his permanent home. He settled near Brenham, and for several _years worked at the carpenter's trade. Many of the best old houses of that region are the work of his hands. Later, however, he established himself in the nursery business, and developed the first commercial nurseries of Central Texas. From his peach, plum, and pear nurseries he eventually received, it was said, more than $100,000 income per year. His first wife was Sarah Warren. They had seven children. His second wife was Carrie Thomason, of Alabama. They had eight children, but only two lived to maturity. For further information, see Johnson-Barker, Texas and Texans, III, 1291.
To GEORGE IsBELL 1 Executive Department, Austin, June 6, 1860.
Mr. George Isbell, Sir: Replying to your letter of 21st of May, enclosing muster Rolls of the Minute Detachment raised in Wise County, I would say that the Executive can see no necessity for such an organiza- tion, or for a longer continuance of the men in the field. Dispatches daily arriving from the frontier report matters as quiet along the line, and that the Indians have left the settlements. In my order of March 9th only such counties as were "in danger from the Indians," were authorized to raise Detachments to estab- lish which fact the certificate of the Chief Justice was rendered necessary, he will certify the same to this Department: and when such certificate has been filed and you are called out, you will not be expected to keep in the field all the time, but only at such times as the County may be invaded by Indians: and you will be required to state on oath every day served by the men in actual pursuit of Indians and in protecting the inhabitants sep- arate and apart from those otherwise engaged whether in camp or not; as for every day otherwise occupied than in pursuit of Indians, the Legislature will not be expected to pay you. Sam Houston.
1 Executive Records, 1859-1861, p. 177, Texas State Library.
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