Family History by Robert Monroe Fleming (Sr.)

Notes on Fanily History by Iva Causey Fleming
(Part 21)

Transcribed by Robert M. Fleming Jr.


In 1849 a company left Columbia to go overland to California and one of the company was a mechanic who hadrecently done a considerable job of work on my Father's house. The mechanic was in debt in a small amount to Mr Edward H Hall and had not paid. Had broken frequent promises to pay and left with out paying. Doubtless needing what money he had for the outfit and expenses of his trip. And expecting to gather up gold in California and send back to satisfy his importunate creditor. He had made a parting plea and promise of this kind. But Mr Hall was not satifsfied and on accasion in a public place denouced his departed debtor in such unmeasured terms that Mr Ammon Underwood, then and long after until his death one of the leading merchants and citizens in that part of Texas remonstrated with Mr Hall and said,"There must be some good in the man for I have heard Mr McCormick speak well of him". Of whom did you ever hear Mr McCormick speak ill?" Was the sharp retort. A few years later Mr Hall died at my Father's house. And on the evening of the 21st day of January 1865 Mr Ammon Underwood stood by me at the bedside and saw my Father breathe his last.

In 1864 there was a vacancy in a county office to be filled by election. Only two canidates were contesting for it. And in the success of one of them I felt a deep interest on account of my relations to the office and the candidates' known superior skill in doing the work incumbent on the officer. And not on account of any tie of personal friendship. As the law then was electors could vote in any precinct in the county for county officers. I was so much enlisted for the more competent candidate that I went to Columbia to represent him at the polls. When the voting had progressed a few hours and the electors were gathered in groups about the judges who were receiving the ballots my Father arrived. I had not ventured to do more with him than to let him know my choice.I handed him a ticket with both names on it. And a pencil to strike the one he did not support. And was much surprised to see what evidently he wished all present who desired to see that he struck off the name of the man of my choice. Then I plucked up boldness to rehearse the merits of my favorite. He heard me through. And then pointed to the name he had left on the paper ballot, said,"I do not know that this is not an honest man". This same year 1864, he was in Houston when it was whispered on the streets that a certain persons, soldiers who had been captured on Red River and brought to Houston were being in humanly neglected. He expressed himself so warmly and was making such open, pointed and persistent inquiries about it that Rev Dr H' who lived in Houston and who had known my Father many years, hearing his remarks and inquiries cautioned him that the times were feverish. That every one was watched and his words taken hold of. And the most prudent men were silent. Then my Father flared up, went direct to the local powers. Demanded and obtained leave to see the destitute. And ministered to their needs.

Six or eight years after my Father's death I was appointed judge of the State courts to be held in the district which included Brazoria County. On the first day of each term of the District Court, the court of the highest original jurisdiction in the State, grand and petit juries were to be organized and charged, the State docket set, and the civil docket sounded for orders of course and setting of litigated cases. The lawyers and yeomen were always present in great force on that day. And thronged the court room which was a large one. And the area in front of the entrance to the building. On one such accasion I had empanelled and charged the grand jury organized two petit juries, set the criminal docket, sounded the civil docket and announced a recess of the court. The throng remained standing, stirring about exhanging salutations, council and gossip. I left the judge's stand became a part of the crowd and was moving toward the exit saluting right and left when I met Mr John Sweeney. He had not seen me since my promotion until that day. He greeted me warmly was glad to see me was gratified at my having been appointed, approved of my manners of executing the office and expressed all of this so fully and audibly that bearing my blushing honors I was endeavoring to pass on which he observed and said more audibly,"Andrew you are a clever fellow but you will never make as good a man as your Father". "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace".


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©2009 Robert M. Fleming Jr.

This page was last revised on 24 October 2009.