Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-02-19
From De Bows Review
COL. ELLIS P. BEAN,
on FIFTY YEARS AGO IN TEXAS.

years OF age, seized with spirit OF adventure
common to the young spirits of that day in the
west, which was opposed by his parents, young
Bean clandestinely left his fathers roof, and
passed down the Mississippi in hatboat. Al
Natchez his employer died, and he was thrown
out OF employment, pennilesS, and among
strangers. Thus situated, he was left to reflect
upon his condition, and work out his own for
tune. Too proud to return home, he resolved
to embark in whatever might fall in his way.
A that day there was an occasional contra
band trade carried or by means of pacl-mules
in caravans, from Natchez, with the Spanish
towns of San Antonio and places on the Rio
| Grande, attended with great peril, of course,
from the numerous Indian tribes inhabiting the
vast Willis between the points named, as well as
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. He was
about to leave Natchez at this time, (then the
spring of 1901 and young Bean, by some ac-
cident, made his acquaintance, and eagerly
joined his expedition.
Noland's party consisted of % men, with
considerable amount of goods They advanced
into Texas, and reached point between the
Trinity and Brazos rivers, where they were dis
covered, and attacked by body of Spanish
| troops. holland occupied a very good position,
and made desperate defence, but was over
powered, thirteen of the party being killed, in
GLIDING Noand himself, and the remain g
nine, including Bean, being made prisoners
The prisoners were hurried forward to San
Antonio, and there imprisoned for several
months. Thence they were sent, under guard,
through MOnclova to chihuahua, and there i'm
prisoned and chained. Here they were kept in
close confinement three years, when they were
allowed the privilege of the city limits, and to
labor on their own account. Some of them,
however, had died in the mean time, and others
had been sent to other places, and were never
afterwards heard of. Bean had learned the
! hating business in Tennessee, and followed it
proitably perhaps year i'll chihuahua, when
the ycaring he had to see his native land, after
near SIX years absence, induced him, with his
two remaining comrades, to run away, and en-
deayor to reach the United States. But they
were arrested near FL Paso, taken back, severe
ly chastised, and, after being heavily ironcd,
again imprisoned. Bean, however, Lad made
many friends in chihuahua, who, after several
months, with strong promises on his part for
good conduct in future, succeeded in procuring
the liberty of the city for him as before. After
following his old business for some time, how
ever, he resolved upon another effort TO see his
native country, but was again Overtaken and
carried back. He was now placed under
strong escort, and started for the south without
the least intimation of his destination. In the
route, he was transferred from one party of sol
dierS to another almost daily, and passed the
cities Of Guadalaxara and Guanajuato. At the
latter place. he was detained several days dur
ing which time his noble and commanding per-
son won upon the affections of some sonorita so
far as to prompt letter to him, in which she
avowed her love, and pledged every sacrifice to
obtain his pardon and win his hand. But he
was never allowed to sec her.
Poor Bean was finally conveyed to Acapulco,
one Of the most sickly places on the Pacific,
and thrown into most filthy dungeon, where
not ray of light penetrated, and the only air
allowed him issued through the base of stone
wall six feet thick. In this dismal abode, his
person was constantly covered with filthy YER
min, and no one allowed to see him, except
once day, to give him scanty allowance of
food. His only companion was white lizard,
which he succeeded in tanning, and making very
fond of him. Even this, said he, was a source
of much pleasure to his sinking spirit. The
air hole had to be closed at night to prevent the
ingress of 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 enormous monster, that
had found his way in, and was crawling over his
body. His ready mind prompted him to lie
perfectly still, until his prison door should open,
when, eSpying the Serpents eyes, he dispatched
him by a wellaimed stroke of his knife through
the head. He then triumphantly threw the
writhing monster out of his cell on to the mar
ket floor adjoining, which so astonished the
natives present, and excited their admiration
and pity, that petition was sent to the COVER
nor for a mitigation of his sufferings. That
humane indi~idual graciouslv decreed that
thereafter he should be allowed to work, though
in chains, with a party of miscreant soldiers
during 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 ia.
mily and his countrymen that wrestlcd 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 bis aston
ished guard, and escaped to the neighboring
mountains. But here he was reduced to
skeleton by starvation, and recaptured. His
old cell now became his only abode, aggravated
by fogging and divers other indignities.
After another year he was again allowed the
same privilege. But his bold spirit prompted
similar attempt lOr HDcrJy, III lEe vain nope OF
reaching the United States. In this effort he
killed seven soldiers, and taking the route for
Upper California, travelled three hundred miles,
when he was seized again, the news of his
escape having preceded him, and again carried
back. He was now subjected to every imagina-
BILE hardship and cruelty-confned in a -hori-
zontal position, with stocks around his neck, so
as to prevent change of his posture, and there,
for weeks, almost devoured by chinches and
other vermin. His appeals for mercy, by the
populace, and even when addressed to pro-
fessed man cf God, we're treated with contemp-
tuous mockery.
But after ten years of bondage, the day of his
freedom was drawing nigh. The Mexican Rev
olution broke out in 1910, and ragged with great
fury, threatening the overthrow Of royalty in
Mexico. The royalists had become alarmed;
they had learned to look upon Bean as chain
ed lion=-a redoubtable hero-and now, in the
hour of their troubles they offered him liberty
on condition that he would join their standard.
This he readily promised; but with mental
tI.at he should desert their hated |
standard on the first possible occasion, and join
the patriots Within few days he was sent on
p scout with seven men, to reconhoitre the posi-
ton of Gen. Morelos, the patriot chief. When
near the encampment of that officer, Bean ad |
dressed his companions on liberty in general, and