The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-03-01
Mislellaneoa5.
From DeBow'S Revieac.
Early Life in the S0Ut kIvcSf.

Co.. Ellis p. Bean, or Fttty ears ago I" L ceoS.
MANY persons have heard of Beans station, III
Tennessee. Of the family from which that place
derived its name, was one whose name heads
this article. In the year 1900, when eighteen
wears of age, seized with spirit OF adventure,
common to the young spirits i'll that day III the
west, which was opposed by his parents young
Bean candestuely left his fathers roof, and pass
ed down the Mississippii fatboat. AT Match,
ez his employer died, and lie was thrown out OF
employment, penuiess and among strangers. -
Thus situated, he was left to reflect upon his con-
ditiou, and work out his own fortune. Too proud
to return home, he resolved to embark in what
ever might fall in his way.
At that day there was an occasional contra
band Grade carried on by means Of pack mules,
in caravans, from Natchez with the Spanish
towns of San Antonio, and places on the Elo
Grande, attended with great reril, of course,
from the numerous Indian tribes, inhabtlng the
vast wilds between the points named, as well us
from the vigilance of the Spanish soldiery, ever
on the alert to seize all such parties and obtain
their merchandise. Most distinguished among
these bold trafckers was one Noland. lie was
about to leave Natchez at this time, (then the
spring of lS0l,) and young Bean by some acci-
dent, made his acquaintance, and eagerly joined
his expedition.
Noaud's party consisted OF twenty-five men,
with considerable amount of goods. They ad
vanccd into Texas, and reached apont between
the Trinity and brazos rivers where they were
discovered and attacked by Il body OF Spanish
troops NolAnd occupied very good position,
and made desperate defence, but was over pow
cred, thirteen Of the party being killed, including
Noland himself, and the remaining nine, inclu-
ding Bean, being made prisoners.
The prisoners were hurried forward to Sall
Antonio and there imprisoned for several months.
Thence they were sent under 4 guard, through
Monclcva, to chihuahua, and there imprisoned
and chained. Here they were kept in close con
finenent three years, when they were allowed
the privilege Of ,hc city limits, and to labor on
their own account. Some Ut them however, ii;ld
died in the me IN time, and others had been sent
to other places, aud were never afterwards heard
Of Bean had learned the hating business III
Tennessee, and followed ii prottabIy perhaps Il
wear in chihuahua, when the yearning he had to
see his native land, after near six years absence,
induced him, with his two remaining COMBAT
ions, to runaway and endeavOr TO reach the I'm
ted States But they were arrested near Fl "a
SO, taken back, severely chastised, and, after be-
ing heavily ironed, again imprisoned. Bean,
however, had made many friends i'll Chihuahua,
who, after several months, with strong promises
on his part for good conduct i'll future, succeeded
in procuring the liberty of the city for him as be-
fore. After following lis old business for some
time, however, lie resolved upon another effort to
see his native country, but was again overtakcn
and carried btck.
He was now placed under strong guard and
started for the south without the least ntllna-
ton of his destination. In the route he was
transferred from one party Of soldiers to another
almost daily, and passed the cities Of Guadaax
ara and Guanajuato. At the latter pace he was
detained several days. during which time his no
bic and commanding person won upon the al
fections of some senorita SO far as 10 prompt a
letter to him, in which she avowcd her love, and
pledged every sacrifice to obtain his pardon and
win lis hand. But he never was allowed to see
her.
Poor Bean was finally conveyed to Acapulco,
one of the most sckly places on the Pacific, and
thrown into most filthy dungeon, where III I.
ray of light penetrated, and the only air allowed
him issued through the base Of a stone wall, SIX
feet thick. In this dismal abode, his person. was
constantly covered with filthy vermin, and no
one allowed to see him, except once day, to
give him a scanty allowance of food. His only
companion was Il white lizard which he succeed
ed in tanning, and making very fond OF him
Even this, said he, was 4 source OF much pleas
ure to his sinking spirit. The air hole had to be
closed at night to prevent the ingress serPents'
which were abundant at that place. On one
occasion he omitted to close it, and in the night
he was awakened by the movements OF an enor-
NOUS monster, that had found his way in, and
was crawling over his body. His ready mind
prompted him to lie perfectly still, until his pr
son door should open, when, espying the serpent's
eyes, he dispatched him By well-aimed stroke
of his knife through the head. He then tri-
umphantly threw the writhing monster out of
his cell on to the market floor, which so aston.
ished the natives present, and excited their ad-
miration and pity, that petition was sent to
the governor for mitigation Of his sufferngs.
That humane individual gracously decreed that
thereafter he should be allowed to work, though
in chains with party of miscreant soldiers du-
ring the day, and only imprisoned at night
Even this he found a happy relief:
But Bean was worthy son OF Tennessee, and
could not subdue the noble spirit of his family
and his countrymen that wrested in his bosom
his heart yearned for liberty. So he sought
an early occasion to knock off his chains. and
with his crowbar killed three Of his astonished
auard, and escaped to the neighhoring noun
tains. But here he was reduced to skeleton
lv starvation, and re-captured, His old cell