CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  JOSEPH D. SAYERS - Bastrop, TX

*****************************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

Submitted by Peggy Brannon - peggybrannon@hotmail.com
17 November 2001
*****************************************************************

TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

JOSEPH D. SAYERS

Joseph D. Sayers, of Bastrop, was born at Grenada, Miss., Sept. 23rd 1841. 
When ten years of age he removed with his parents to Texas. Before his 
graduation from the Bastrop Military Institute the call to arms resounded 
through the South and he threw aside his books to enter the Confederate 
army. He fought until the surrender in 1865, rising from private in the 
ranks to be adjutant of his regiment, later captain of artillery, and 
finally major. He took part in a number of hard fought battles, in two of 
which he was wounded. Gen. Tom Green said in his official report of the 
battle of Valverde that "during the whole day Lieut. Sayers reminded me of a 
hero in the days of chivalry."  On the return of peace he taught school and 
studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1866 and was associated with Hon. 
George W. Jones. Thence forward his rise was rapid. In 1873 he was elected 
to the State Senate and exerted great influence in that body. In 1875-78 he 
was chairman of the state democratic executive committee. Mr. Sayers was 
grand master of the Masons in Texas for the year 1875-76. In 1879-80 he was 
lieutenant governor and ex-officio president of the senate, and then was 
elected to congress, where he served continuously until called to a higher 
office by the people. He was a member of the house committee on naval 
affairs in the 49th Congress, and of the committee on appropriations during 
the remainder of his service. His influence increased during each successive 
session, and through his efforts appropriations to the amount of one million 
dollars were secured to reimburse Texas for expenses incurred in frontier 
protection. When Mr. Sayers bade Congress farewell the House paid him the 
unusual compliment of unanimously adopting a resolution declaring his 
retirement a national rather than a party calamity. President McKinley and 
President Roosevelt took occasion in public speeches to praise his services 
in Congress, especially the aid he rendered to the naval establishment, the 
good results of which were shown in the war with Spain. He resigned his seat 
in Congress in January 1899 to become Governor of Texas to which office he 
had been elected in Nov. 1898. He was reelected in 1900 by an increased 
majority. His two administrations were marked by rare executive ability and 
the state was never more prosperous. Gov. Sayers was was married in 1879 to 
Orline, daughter of William Walton of Bastrop. As "first lady in the state" 
for four years she dispensed a liberal hospitality with a grace and tact 
that won encomiums from all. Gov. and Mrs. Sayers in May 1901 entertained 
the President of the United States and Mrs. McKinley in the executive 
mansion in Austin.