Death and Final Resting Place
On July 26, 1863, Sam Houston’s illustrious life ended in Huntsville, Texas, his principal place of residence during the latter years of his life.
Houston’s Final Days… and the End
In the autumn of 1862, Houston returned to Huntsville where he “tried but failed to repurchase Woodland, and so rented the unorthodox “Steamboat House” of Dr. Rufus Bailey, president of Austin College.” At this point in his life, Houston was “frequently ill and his unhealed war wounds gave him much pain. In June of 1863, he journeyed to Sour Lake, north of Beaumont, to soak in the mineral muds. It was clear when he returned (to Huntsville) that the end was near; he took a cold that turned into pneumonia. The night of July 25 he slept fitfully; his teenage slave, Jeff, fanned the flies away all night, hearing the old man murmur repeatedly. “Oh, my country!” He died at six o’clock the next evening. (p. 157)
Texas – An Album of History by James L. Haley Doubleday and Company, Inc. Garden City, New York 1985
Houston’s Final Days… and the End
In the autumn of 1862, Houston returned to Huntsville where he “tried but failed to repurchase Woodland, and so rented the unorthodox “Steamboat House” of Dr. Rufus Bailey, president of Austin College.” At this point in his life, Houston was “frequently ill and his unhealed war wounds gave him much pain. In June of 1863, he journeyed to Sour Lake, north of Beaumont, to soak in the mineral muds. It was clear when he returned (to Huntsville) that the end was near; he took a cold that turned into pneumonia. The night of July 25 he slept fitfully; his teenage slave, Jeff, fanned the flies away all night, hearing the old man murmur repeatedly. “Oh, my country!” He died at six o’clock the next evening. (p. 157)
Texas – An Album of History by James L. Haley Doubleday and Company, Inc. Garden City, New York 1985
Steamboat House - Houston's Final Residence and Place of Death
Photo Credit
Sam Houston was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. On April 21, 1911, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto, the State of Texas erected a monument to memory of Sam Houston. On that occasion, The Honorable William Jennings Bryan addressed an estimated crowd of 2,000 people proclaiming General Houston as a national hero and a great Texas patriot. The monument at Houston’s grave included the words of his friend, Andrew Jackson, who noted “The World Will Take Care of Houston’s Fame”. Reference
Additional information regarding Oakwood Cemetery may be found by visiting the Huntsville Item.
Sam Houston was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. On April 21, 1911, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto, the State of Texas erected a monument to memory of Sam Houston. On that occasion, The Honorable William Jennings Bryan addressed an estimated crowd of 2,000 people proclaiming General Houston as a national hero and a great Texas patriot. The monument at Houston’s grave included the words of his friend, Andrew Jackson, who noted “The World Will Take Care of Houston’s Fame”. Reference
Additional information regarding Oakwood Cemetery may be found by visiting the Huntsville Item.
Houston Grave Site - Oakwood Cemetery
Houston Funeral Ceremonies Announcement