William Carey Crane

“ The moral courage which had faced poverty, the heroism which had dared death on the battle-field, the fortitude which had endured the excruciating pains of unhealed wounds, were all insufficient for such an ordeal, and he succumbed.
Almost by acclamation he had been elected Major-General, District Attorney, Member of Congress, and Governor of a great State, but he determined to surrender all his brilliant prospects of future distinction in Tennessee, and immediately resign the office of Governor. ”

“ Under such circumstances Sam Houston, the soldier of fortune, the child of destiny, commenced his studies.
When he entered the office of his law preceptor, Hon. James Trimble, at Nashville, he was informed that it would require eighteen months of hard study to secure a license to practice at the bar. He read thoroughly a few of the standard works prescribed in a course of legal studies. The principles of the science were grasped and tenaciously fixed in his mind. His original cast of mind relied on the fundamental principles of truth, not on its details. ”

“ Only powers of the highest order could have advanced a young man so rapidly at the capital of' Tennessee, and in the presence of some of the most distinguished men of the Union. Had he confined himself to the bar he would have placed his name and fame among the first jurists of the world. ”

“ Houston in Congress was amid exciting events, but his course was so faultless, so acceptable to his constituents, that they showed the warmth of their approval by returning him a second time by a nearly unanimous vote. His second term raised him still higher in the esteem of the people of Tennessee. Their confidence knew no bounds. Few men have risen so rapidly in popularity. In 1827 he was elected Governor of the State by a majority of over 12,000. His career as Governor was popular. ”

“ And remember, that whatever may be said by the lady or her friends it is no part of the conduct of a gallant or generous man to take up arms against a woman. If my character can not stand the shock, let me lose it. ”

“ During the time which he spent with me in my sick-room he gave me much of his early history. He gave me an account of the affecting scene when, in a brief address, he took leave of his friends in Lebanon, to which Mr. Drake alludes, and in recounting which many old citizens say that the emotions of his audience were so excited that there was not a dry eye in the whole assembly. He was very much beloved by all while he resided in Lebanon. ”

“ Of his career at Lebanon, the following extracts furnish interesting reminiscences:
"Lebanon, Tenn., April 30, 1867, " Lebanon, where I am now stopping, is the town where Gen. Houston first put out his ' shingle ' as an attorn ey-at-law. He had studied law either three or six months at Nashville, and being short of funds, was under the necessity of doing something. He came up here, without means, a stranger among strangers. Mr. Isaac Golladay, a merchant of this place, and also P. M., furnished Mr. Houston an office at one dollar per month; sold him clothes on credit ”

“ As regards his 'first marriage,' the version you gave me at Brenham is the one most current here, and is doubtless the true one. Be particular to notice that Sam Houston commenced the practice of law at Lebanon, Tenn. He is not the only man who has gone from Lebanon and become famous; still Lebanon is justly proud of Sam Houston, and would not have this fact omitted.
" Very respectfully,⁠ I V. Drake." The son of Isaac Golladay alluded to in Mr. ”