Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-03-12
The Texan Bravo

igrating to Texas from North Carolina inst
previous to the Revolution, by which Tex
as had gained her freedom, they had pono
through all the trials incident to the stor-
my period, and were, by acclamation, con.
ccded to be the bravcst among the brave.
Shortly after the conclusion of the war,
John West, the youngest of the three bro.
theirs, returned to North Carolina, takino
with him on his return to Texas. one OF
the most beautiful women of that State, re.
nowncd far and wide for beauty. For some
three years John West seems to have real
lied that ideal of happiness dwelt upon SO
much yet so seldom realized in this world
Ills vine clad cottage, focks, his humble
but honorable aVOcatlon, his sweet wife and
infant daughter were his world, and he sigh-
ed Tor no other. There can be no nara
disc ON earth without the slime of the SER
pcnt being visible on it's flowers, and this
one was no exception to the common lot
The Revolution had indeed gained for Tex
as freedom from Mexican tyranny, but had
left her overrun with scoundrels of every
dye, who revcled in crimes of all kinds, un-
checked either by law or that thing strong
cr than law-rublic opinion. Strong bands
OF these +" Free Companions " roamcd from
place to place levying black mail upon ell
who were able to pay it, not unfrcqucntly
committing the most wanton MURDERS
Among the few who were opposed to these
lawlcsS proceedings John West stood con
splcuous, denouncing them openly without
fear of the consequences. AS must he OK
pected his manly conduct brought to him
the threats OF vengeance from the vicious
for miles esaround his dwelling. Things could
not long remain thus among such men
without coming to crisis, and one cold
stormy night u band of men knocked at his
door requesting admittance. His wife OBJ
Jected to his opening the door. butthe soul
OF West never knew fear, and, without
knowing anything of the character of his
nocturnal visitors, he admitted them.-
Some ten or twelve ruRians of the most re-
pulslve stamp entered the room, and with
loud curses demanded liquor and food
West, still not suspccting anything wrong,
sat before them what the house afforded.
and while turning to go into the other
apartment was fclled senseless to the. floor
by blow from behind, and Immediately
gagged and bound. The sickcnin scenes
which followed We shall not attempt to de-
pct. The sun which had arisen but tho
morning before on scene Of primeval han.
pIness, now lit up, with his first rays,
smoldering ruins, blackencd walls, two
charrcd and grinning skeletons, sad memo
Irials of yesterdays happiness, two flowers
6reathed upon by death ere they were fa-
ded or soiled by the simoons of hot and
pcstilent world
Ten years have flown by since that night
OF horrors. Ten years of sorrow, pain, Joy;
ten years of stnpcndous change. In that
time have been enacted some of the most
sublime dramas Of Time; the Lone Star of
Texas still shines brightly in the frmament;
but ominous clouds seem to threaten its
brlllancy. Mexico again asserts her RIGHT
to that beautiful province wrcsted from her
grasp by the heroes of San Jacinto. The
tocsln OF war again rcsounds over the rich
prairies; and everywhere the people are ca
ger to whip Mexico" Recruiting Offices
are everywhere opened and into one OF
theSc let us stop for moment, reader, and
study the rich variety of originals which
we shall find there. AS we enter, a fine
manly voice is trolling some fine old ballad,
commemorative of American prowcss by
sea and land. Here, sitting ON the bare
floor is party of hunters, looking on at
the strange dolngs-to them--of their more
civilized companions. Suddenly all are
hushed still as death, for they instructive
ly know that some deed of blood and vio-
lencc is about to be pcrpctrated. "Liarv'
shouts tall commanding man to a cover.
ing and frightened man at his feet: " Won
are one OF the Williams who burnt my house
murderedmy wife and child, and would have
served Inc the same way if had got out of
your clutchesj you are the last of 'em, but
it shall never be said that Jack West ever
took the life of his bittcrest foe without
chance your mustang is good one; mount
nm, and If you can get away you can have
yonr life, but if can catch you, no mercy,
Tor your internal gang showed ME and mine
none Go, five minutes start, and the Lord
have mercy On you if the mustang fails
you" The speaker turned, and walking
up to the light commenced putting fresh
caps OH his revolver, and arranging his
arms. The man to whom he had been
speaking arose, and casting d look of Hatred
and fear at West, rushed precipitately from
the room.
What do you intend to do to him, Col
onel y asked ponpous, portly individual
coming up, and laying his baud fanliliarly.
on the shoulders of West,
{" Send him to HE'LL, was the instant.re
riy and che lorgc1nan shrunk back into
the crowd, for all knew the character of
West and none cared to arouse him.
v lthc|t word to anyone, he left the