William Carey Crane

“ I believe, sir, I do no injustice to the distinguished living or dead of this State when I say Sam Houston was the most remarkable man known to its history. May I not safely assert that his life is more fruitful of remarkable and thrilling events and incidents than that of any other man of his generation? Profound, far-seeing, and comprehensive in statesmanship; bold, daring, glorious in war; a dear lover of peace, with wonderful capacity to enjoy private life and the family circle, he combined all the elements necessary to constitute him truly a great man. ”

“ Such, sir, is the man whom Texas has the honor of claiming as her own, and whose death we now lament. And though he leaves an enduring monument of his greatness and worth in the history of his country and the affections of his countrymen, yet I would it were in our power at this time to erect a material monument, towering and colossal, like the majestic form of him in whose honor it is reared, as a token of that high esteem in which he was held by the people of the State. ”

“ Houston leaves a most devoted wife and large and lovely family of children, who lament in the bitterness of their souls the loss of him who was their comfort, their stay, and their pride. Full of years and of honors, he has gone to rest. ”