Sam Houston - Hallmark Hall of Fame (09-13-53)

The story of the 1836 defeat of the settlers of early Texas territory.

Original Air Date: September 13, 1953
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Show: Western Stories
Phone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739)

Stars:
• John Dehner
• Margaret Brayton
• Dick Beals
• Herb Butterfield
• Sam Edwards
• Harry Bartell
• Lawrence Dobkin
• Ted de Corsia
• Parley Baer
• Bill Johnstone
• Roy Glenn

Host:
• Lionel Barrymore

Producer:
• William Gay

Writer:
• James Poe

Exit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny https://bit.ly/3kTj0kK

Episode Transcript

(00:13):
Welcome to the old time radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Ryans, and
let's get into this episode. Thisepisode is going to be Western stories.
This story comes from Hallmark Hall ofFame original air day, September thirteenth,
nineteen fifty three, and this storyis about Sam Houston. Let's get into
it and I hope you enjoy.At atone eight o'clock, Oh remember a

(00:41):
Hallmark card when you carry enough tosend the very best well night from Hollywood.
The makers of Hallmark Cards bring youan unusual true story on the Hallmark

(01:04):
Hall of Fame. And here's ourdistinguished host, mister lionel annymore copy.

(01:34):
Evening, ladies and gentlemen, andwelcome once again to the Hallmark Hall of
Fame. Tonight, we're taking youback to the year eighteen hundred and thirty
six, when wagons were on themove across the face of Texas. On
the move, yes, but today was something wrong. These wagons were
moving east, no west. There'squite a story behind this strange mask movements

(02:00):
of the defeated and despairing men andwomen. The story that night have ended
in defeat and had not been forone man. What this man did and
how he did it is this storywe're going to tell you tonight, and
now he sprank us. From themakers of Hallmark Cards. Tonight, the

(02:22):
makers of Hallmark Cards and the finestores that feature them are happy to bring
you the first program in the newwinter series of the Hallmark Hall of Fame.
Throughout the season, we hope you'llenjoy these dramatic stories, made even
more exciting because they are true storiestaken from the lives of great individuals,
and we hope that when you wantto remember friends or relatives in a special

(02:42):
way, you'll remember Hallmark Cards.Lionel Barrymore appears by arrangement with Metro Golden
Mayer, soon to release Dorry Sherry'sproduction Take the high Ground, starring Richard
Widmark, Karl Malden and Elaine Stewart. And now mister Barrymore brings you tonight's
exciting story on the Hallmark Hall ofFaith. It was an incredible sight,

(03:22):
these wagons moving east across the PurpleGrands, over the endless plane, their
golden dust eye in the sunlight incredit. These pioneer Americans had come to
Texas with the invovation of the Mexicangovernment and come to give their strength and
their still in their spirits to thefabulous new Land, a promised land.

(03:47):
Why then, will they now makingtheir exodus? What had happened? Mark
Yes, wagon cock with us?When could higne up with General sands to
be done? I know that theirreason and reasons approflimation. For one thing,

(04:13):
I declare he studied that approclimation bysale. For he made up between
ingdom of oppression, and these Texanshave chosen freedom. The Mexicans under the
ruthless sins they are, and muchmore determined to put an end of their
demands with the rights of freemen.The Texans formed the Provisional Government, sent

(04:39):
their women and children back to theUnited States, and told Sam Houston the
bullom an army our invader has swornto extinguish us. I'll sweep us from
the soil. He is vegiment inhis work of oppression and his order to
Texas ten thousand men to enforce hisambition. We will enjoy our birthright or

(05:00):
perish in its defense. The servicesof volunteers will be accepted. By the
first of March next we must meetthe enemy with an army worthy of our
cause. Let the brave rally toour standard, Signed Sam Hustin commandrew Chief
of the Honor by order George W. Pole, Acting Adjutant General, Citizens

(05:26):
of Texas. Under the Constitution ofMexico. You invited the Texas, then
the wilderness. You rendered it thecultivated country. You swore to support that
constitution, and you have now youhave realized the horrors of anarchy and dictation.
The promises made to you have notbeen fulfilled. The agents you have

(05:46):
sent to Mexico have been imprisoned.And still you have remained loyal, with
a hope that liberty would not perishin the Republic of Mexico. But while
you are finally cherishing this hope,the dictator required to surrender. Let the

(06:13):
brave relly to ours stand up it. And in the United States, young
men, everywhere we're reading a poster. We're gone spelling out what to say.
Um, all of tears from theUnited States will receive liberal bout as

(06:34):
a land. Come with a goodrifle and come sued liberty of death down
with the youth surfer. It signedsaying Houston, Then what used to be
Governor Tennessee. Yep, you knowI think I'll go. Why for the

(06:56):
free Land, hecking old man,I'm going for the fight. We're recruiting
stations for volunteers and Cincinnati Norns andLouver. Oh boy, it's tax it
for walk. Joke your fingen ofTexas. We're gonty here. It's up

(07:26):
ye Leah, what you do today? Same as you whity drilling like the
drill of juice albums drilling. Icome down to Texas for the shoot me
some Spaniards, you know, Imean we should have gone down sam Tum
of old ben Mila. Yeah,they got a roof over the heads of
sam Tunnah. Sure, hold messup is gassing and the Molitian. Now

(07:48):
we gotta stay here with the general. Oh well, he's a man.
I just wish you'd make up hismind to fight that song. Roof over
the heads? Huh? What's hisname? That place there? I think
it's called Alamo. Zandiana's legions pushednortheast to San Antonio, defending it was

(08:11):
a tiny force of Texans, greatAmericans giving remember their names. David Crockett,
Jim Boye, James Butler, Bunna, Big Trevis with it during one
of them white out. Why don'the do something same Houston. He's supposed

(08:33):
to be such a great general.Why don't he do something? Side drill
us and march us all over thecountryside. Captain says, this is what
they're called tactics. Tactics, Icall it yellow. You want to know
something, just we knew meat.That's what the Captain called it too.
Let's get some sleep Yelmo dead meinto a hundred medicine. Saint Diana's forces

(09:09):
continued to move across Texas, murdering, burning, voting. As they came
to the southwest of San Antonio,the spot forever known as the Goldhead.
The Mexican forces and counted the threehundred brave volunteers of Colonel Jinny Fan surrounded
them, watched them out two feetand killed them all in cold blood to

(09:33):
the last man and Saint Houston,my lord, who continued his retreat.
April twelfth, eighteen thirty six,Harrisburg, Texas. General Houston, there
is nothing to stop the march ofthe enemy now to this place or Galveston
in twenty four hours. The countryexpects something from you. The government looks

(09:56):
to you for action. Are weto give up the country and make our
way out of it? Or allit to meet the enemy and make at
least one struggle for our boasted independence. The government does not intend to control
your movements, but it is expectedthat you will take measures without delay to
check the enemy's movements. Signed thePresident General Houston Stuff Scout D. Smith's

(10:22):
reporting the low thief there, Samis done or Sam Philippy Folks is gone,
burned into the ground for the left, does it have to be?
I got some other news for youtoo, saying I'm going Another detachment pulled
out last night is headed back tothe States. They will come to fight,
not retreat, said daughter. Andmen are spiling for some action,

(10:45):
saying we aren't ready. There willbe more deserting tonight and tomorrow. We'll
make out its best we can,all right, Sam, But if all
you could say something to him,give him some heart. When the time
comes, I'll say plenty. Untilthen they're souldiers when the Lord granted as
your actors such le Roy. Yeah, what are we doing out in the

(11:16):
swamps? Heron ask cold Sam?Don't ask me Sand He ended up four
columns, Chiefiness, how come inand stopping fighting? That's what we come
here for. Yeah, scoping outin the swamps, marching backwards all the
time. I wish we had oldStonewall Jackson and he'd show that sand and
he would have fight. Comes anoffice, What do I care if it's

(11:37):
an officer comes, shut, shush, shot himself. We wished it was
Sam Houston. I tell him whatI think of this fast retreating a bunch
of patriots. What's that, sir? It's him? I hear you say
something so oldn I yes, Idid, but wasn't. But Jimmy,

(11:58):
I don't think you're fighting this thing? Right? You don't know sing you
know we're up against nothing but thatGeneral Sandy any what's your name? Soldier
White said you are my wife?Right, I'll tell you about General Saint
Anne. He has four armies totalingover ten thousand men. The professional soldiers

(12:20):
were armed. They have ten tennonto each one of ours. They have
fine horses, and they're run limitedreserves of money, right, and money
is important. Would we just sevenhundred men? Seven hundred? But they're
good men, right and women?Time comes they'll show well. Yes,

(12:41):
yards are ten or twelve to one. You see, now you had to
fight ten or twelve men? Wouldyou do it out in an open field
where they could come at you fromall sides of where would you wait in
the treat and find them and movewith them into a position where you'd stand
some sort of change. I guessI move them. Well, that's what
we're doing, right. I wantto keep right. I'm a move me

(13:05):
and I don't care what the Presidentof Texas or any other fireside tacticians may
save. We're gonna be love withthem. And then when they've got them
with a place and the times right, we're gonna hit them it and crush
and kill and win. Yes,you may depend on In just a moment,

(13:50):
we return to the second act ofthe Hallmark Hall of Fame. Isn't
it good to think that friendship theone best thing we have to give away?
It can't be measured by cost.You could no more put a price
tag on thoughtfulness and kindness than youcould on the beauty of an autumn day.
Yet the act of being friendly isoften such a simple one of Is
it to welcome a new neighbor,A cheerful greeting to some one who is

(14:11):
ill, A word of praise andencouragement. I think you'll agree that the
happiest people you know are those whohave developed the wonderful talent of giving.
And one of the nicest ways foryou to remember all your friends and loved
ones in these busy days is bysending Hallmark cards. They're the symbols of
friendship. They can carry your thoughtsto the farthest corners of the world.

(14:33):
It takes so little time, ittakes so little money to send a heart
warming Hallmark card. And here's somethinggood to know. Even though the quality
of Hallmark cards has improved through theyears, their prices remain the same.
And you can count on it.That hallmark on the back tells your friends
you'll cared enough to send the verybest. And our Lionel Barrymore brings you

(14:56):
the second act of our true storyof Sam Houston. Forty Days and forty
Knights. Sam Houston louded his raggedon me of course, the scortch thurt
of Texas, while the people freedand the politicians safely distant church. I

(15:22):
say that man is incompetent. That'swhat I say. You should order to
stand up and fight like Travis andFanning. Get's been weeks and weeks,
and still he's recruting no wonder thatrun him out of Tennessee. He ask
me, you ought to be runningout of Texas. The scouts, Lord
Sam Houston to court man, whatthis to say? Their releasement general The

(15:46):
Mexicans did, and Saint Anna,he said, I was to come and
tell you he knows just where youis. He say, first he's going
to cut you up with them landfees, but that means of Texas government.
And then he's to come out ofyou and smoke you out going after
them. Yea jep Smith, giveme that map. Yeah, Sam,

(16:08):
Now look here at deep here,but Buffalo Bio meets the San Jacinto Bay.
Reckon, we can swim the horsesand men, m look at the
San Jacinto. There's one way inright here. Will we swim it?
One way out up here at Vince'sBridge. Mighty night if they come that

(16:32):
way. Sant Anna's got to comethat way if he wants to get to
our president, You've got to whenhe does, We'll be ready, Jam
Houston, Ladies, man to SanJacindo made way for Santa Anna's confidence.

(16:57):
Thousands they made camp and a lootedbluff, threw up earthworks, and prepared
their meager artillery and waiting see anythingdust out there across the river that could
be them. To listen yonder thecar whye, the general says, who

(17:22):
you'll fire, hold your fire eversince the animal, I've been waiting for
this. I think we'd better.I got an there. Same yuster knows
what he's doing. Finally, yeah, finally, seven hundred tens in waiting,
men what Sandiana's troops crossed the riverunder sandus indoor and head for Vince's

(17:48):
Bridge. They watched and waited throughthe long afternoon, and then ah Santana's
forces pulled in immediately and rehooped asdarkness fell. There was no more fighting

(18:11):
that afternoon, no order the chargehad been given. And this was the
real test of discipline, for thesemen were proud, and they had enough
running in the darkness, they watchedand not two distant fires of Santayana's camp,
and they waited for orders. Gentlemen, we have never to day tell

(18:33):
the Council of War, despite thefact that you the six officers of my
staff, and you, mister Secretary, and repeatedly asked for such. I
know that several of you have beenmost critical of my actions in this campaign
so beauty. Now, I'd likea straight and honest answer from each of

(18:56):
you as to what should be donein the question I put to you as
this, shall we attack the enemyin position or received their attack in ours?
You, mister secretary, what isyour opinion? Well, we,

(19:18):
that is, the senior officers andmyself have discussed this matter general, and
are in accord. Your situation hereis strong. You to be commended by
holding this position. You can standoff all of the Mexico now to attack.
On the other hand, to chargeupon the enemy without bayonets, and

(19:38):
in the open prairies such as wehave spread out below us. Here's a
maneuver unprecedented in the history of warfare, and we strongly advise against even the
consideration of the tactic. We agree. Thank you, gentlemen. Good night.

(20:08):
You send for me saying I diddve he's got a gift for you
in a charm axes. You ain'teven to make me cut killing wood high
or something like that. Now listen, here's what I want you to do
morrow morning. I want you totake your best scout and ride south with
these two acts. Sam Houston hadplayed for the place and won. Now

(20:36):
he played for the time. TheMexican troops were good, they were tough,
and they could fight. He knewthis. They could go without food
and without water. He knew that. He also knew one other thing.
They could not and would not gowithout their cstuff. Sentlemen, holds a

(21:07):
basis. We back at thirty minutes, last three of the app Victory is
such trust in God and fear not. And remember the Alamore, remember Boiard,

(21:32):
remember the ala Remember all they hada few armies in our history that

(21:52):
pends up the same house, andseven humbled men racing down upon the camp
of sleeping Mexicans. They were lessthan a hundred jobs in the centers of
Santa Yannas. When deep smith,brandishing an axe in each hand, rolled
along the line of the ferocious brand. They had come for just one thing,

(22:14):
to save the biggest God, andthey can't get away. At the
element the swaggering Santayana had ordered thesounding of nope, water, how the
Texans did the same. The Mexicanswere thrown back to the water, and

(22:40):
there were many of them drowned.Others crowded on the bank and were massacred
by the arm rushing Texans. Stillover, surrendered and drools, and were
surprised that view of what had happenedto dryad when their lives were spared eighteen
minutes from the cry of charge,the battle of Sanja sindows over, and

(23:03):
Texas was born as an And whatof Sam Houston? And now the battle
was over? He lay on alitter, his ankles shattered by a musket
ball, no cannopy over his headsave the blue canopy of heaven. No

(23:27):
money, no medals, but asense of peace, kind of satisfaction such
as few men have ever known.He'd been writing, Why, yes,
you and another man, I wantyou to ride to the capitol with his
messenger. Yes, a general,it's um proclamation. I hope it sounds

(23:49):
right. I'm sure it does.General. Can you read why No?
But leo here he gave read itback to me. Lee Roy to the
troops and people of the east.Express tell our friends all the news and
that we have beaten the enemy andhave taken prisoners. General sata Anna and

(24:12):
coasts in three general standards, vastamount of property taken in about fifteen hundred
stands of arms, many swords inone nine pounder brass cannon tell them to
come on, tell them to comeon, and let the people come and

(24:37):
plant corn that suned respectfully, SamHouston, Command in Chief Texas, and
let the people come and plant corn. Ladies and gentlemen. It's dark tonight

(24:57):
across the great Face Texas. Somethingin the velvety sky somewhere star looks down
and by its light you can seethe crops standing tall and rich in the
cool light. Hand the people havecome general and tomorrow they will be harvest.

(25:19):
Yeah, thank you Sam, Thankyou Sam Houston. And now I'd

(25:52):
like to add a personal word,Dan, just tell you how delighted I
am to be back with all ofyou as we start another year the Hallmark
Hall of Fame. I'm delighted tooto be continuing my warm association with my
good friends, the makers of Hallmarkcards and the fine stores that feature Hallmark

(26:12):
cards. And believe me, Ijust can't wait to tell you all about
the stories who've lined up for yourpleasure these coming weeks. These stories prove
what I've always maintained, that thereal lives of actual men and women are
more exciting, and they are moresurprising and downright more entertaining than anything fiction

(26:37):
writers can dream up. But beforewe tell you about some of the people
we're going on on the Halmark Hallof Fame. Here's my friend Frank Gos
who's going to take you on littletrip. Most of us agree that fine
stores are pretty dramatic places to visit. In the early fall. Shipments who
are arriving almost every hour. Countersare sparkling with a variety of new merchandise.

(27:02):
Everywhere there's a sense of cool weather, activity and a hint of the
exciting holidays ahead. Tonight, I'dlike to recommend one shopping trip I know
you'll enjoy. That's a visit toa store where Hallmark cards are sold to
see the new Hallmark gift wraps.You see, styles and Hallmark gift wraps
change each season, just as stylesin clothing do, and this year the

(27:22):
assortment of papers with enclosure cards andribbons to match is lovelier than ever,
and you'll discover exciting new ways toexpress your thoughtfulness. For instance, you'll
want to see the new Hallmark gifttrims, the colorful decorations that give a
package a special individual look. Yes, one way to be sure your gifts
express your good taste outside as wellas inside is to look for the hallmark

(27:45):
and crown on all the gift wrapitems you choose. It's the same hallmark
you always look for on the backof cards when you will carry up to
send the very best. And nowhere again is Lionel Barrymore. Thanks,
thank you very much. I alwayslike to listen to you tell about the
wonderful ways homemark cards help us tobe thoughtful and friendly. Well, now,

(28:10):
frank how about giving a little triviewwhat's to come on the Homemark Hall
of Fame, while mister Barrymore,just to give a few examples. We're
going to honor Marcus Whitmanly, remarkablefrontier doctor who fought his way from Oregon
to Washington, DC. And we'regoing to honor marry N Bickerdyke, the
courageous young woman who is a realangel of mercy, and will tell to
the story of Squanto the Cockney Indianand William Newton Buyers, the two gun

(28:36):
journalists, and they'll be fascinating glimpsesinto the lives of such famous people as
Benjamin Franklin, seem On Bolivar andMadame Curie. And next week we're going
to honor the great American musician GeorgeGershwin and tell the little known story of
how he came to compose the unforgettableRhapsody in Blue. I know you'll want
to be with us next week whenwe honor George Gershwin and every week to

(28:59):
come until next week. Grin.This is Linel Marymoore saying good night.
Look for Hallmark cards that are soldonly in stores that have been carefully selected
to give you expert in friendly servants. Remember a Hallmark card when you carry

(29:22):
enough to send the very best.Our producer director is William Gaye. Our
script Tonight was written by James Poe. Sam Hilston was played by John Dayner.
Featured in our cast Tonight where MargaretBrayton, Richard Beales, Her Butterfield,
Sam Edwards, Harry Bartell, LawrenceDobkin, Ted de Corsia, Polly
Bear, William Johnstone and Roy Glenn. Missus Frank Goss saying good night to

(29:44):
you all until next week at thesame time, when we present another true
to life story of actual persons who, in their own way, have contributed
to a better world for all ofus to live in. Next week we
honor George Gershwin on the Hallmark Hallof Fame. This is the CBS Radio
Network. This is KMBC, KansasCity, Missouri. This has been a

(30:18):
presentation of OTR Westerns dot com andwe hope you enjoyed. Please take some
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(30:41):
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