Anson Jones, who served as the fourth…

Anson Jones, who served as the fourth and last President of the Republic of Texas, commits suicide on January 9, 1858.

Jones had hoped that the new Texas state legislature would send him to the United States Senate.

He was not chosen, and as time went on, he became increasingly bitter about this slight.

Although Jones prospered as a planter and eventually amassed an enormous estate, he was never able to get past the fact that Sam Houston and Thomas Jefferson Rusk were chosen over him to represent Texas in Washington, DC.

After the suicide of Thomas Jefferson Rusk in 1857, Jones became convinced that the legislature would finally send him to the Senate, but he received no votes.

In 1849 Jones was thrown from a horse.

His left arm was crushed and became withered and discolored.

This injury sent him back east for medical treatment.

In the east he was exposed to and found keen interest in new technology, especially railroads.
 
For four days, he has lodged at Houston's old Capitol Hotel, the former seat of government of the Republic of Texas, and brooded over his career.

After dinner on January 9, he returns to his room and fatally shoots himself.

He is fifty-nine years old.

Jones is buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.