Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-08-18
g Aeul- -gife gtury.
THR TEXAN BRAVO.

San Antonio family by the nam
of West. Emigrating to Texas fror
North Carolina. just previous to tn
Revelation, by which Texas had gain
ed her freedom, they bad gon
through all the trials incidest to tn
stormy period, and were, by 6ccla
nation conceded to be the bravest a
mnng the brave. Shortly after tn,
conclusion Of the war. John West
the youngest Of the three brothers
returned to North Carolina, taking
: with him. Oh his return to Texas
one Oft the most beautiful women o.
that State, renowned far and wide
for beauty. For some three years
John West seems to have realized
that deal of happiness dwelt upon SO
much, yet so seldom realized in this
world. His vine clad cottaga, aJck5,
his humble bnt honorable ayoca;ion,
his sweet wifi snd iuiant daughter
were bis world, and be sighed for no
other. There can be no paradise on
earth without the slime Of the serpent
1being visible on IFS flowers, and this
one Was 10 exception to the common
lot The Revolution had indeed
gained for Texas freedom from hfeXi-
can tyranny, but had left her over
rnn with eoundrels of every dye,
who reyeled 10 crimes Of ali kinds,
unchecked either by law OF that thing
stfoHger than law-pubIic oPioion.
Strong bands Of these Free Com
panions" rOameG from place to place
levying black mail upon all who were
able to pay it, not unircquen.ly COM
mitting the most wantOn murders
Among the few who were opposed to
these lawless proceedings Mr. West
stood conspicuous, denouncing them
openly without fear Of The cOnsequcn-
ces. As must be expected, his man
ly conduct brought to him th9
threats of vengeance from the vicious
for miles around his dwelling.
These could not long remain thus d.
mong such men without coming to
"A crisis; ard one cold stormy night
a band Of men knocked at his door,
admittance. His wil1 OBJ
jected to his opening the door, but
the soul Of West never knew fear,
ana without knowing anything Of the
character of his nocturnal visitors, hs .
them. Some ten OF twelve
ruliians Of the most repulsive stamp
entered tie room, and With loud cur
ses demanded liquor nud food
West, still not suspectiug anything
sat before them VIA; the
house afforded, and while turning to
20 into the other apartment was FL
ed seuseless to the floor by o blow
from behind aud Immediately gagged
and bound. The sickening scenes
which followed We stall not attempt
10 depict. The sun which had arisen
out the morning before on scene of
primaval happiness, new lit up, with
nis first rays, smOuldering ruins,
olackened walls, two cherred aud
,rinning skeletons, - sad memorials
IF yesterdays happiness, two flow
ers breathed upon BY death ere they |.
we're faded or soiled by the SImoons
# a bot and pestilent world.
Ten years have flown by since
hat night Of borrors. Ten years of
sorrow, pain, Joy; tea years OF stu
,endous change. In that time have
)een enacted some Of the most sub ,
imo dramas Of time; the Lone Star
# Texas still shines bright in the
but ominous clouds seem
0 threaten its brilliency. Mexico
gain asserts her right to that beau
iful province wrested from her grasp
" the heroes Of San Jaojnto The (
ocsin OF war again rosounds over The
iGh ptairies; and everywhere the |
'eOple sre eager to "whip Mexico
Recruiting offices are everywhere
opened; and into one Of them let us l
tep for a moment, reader, and stu
ly the rich variety aud originals
which we shall find there. As we
enter fine manly voice is trolling +,
ome fine old ballad, commemorative
'fAmorican prowess by sea and land.
Here, sitting on the bare floor, is q
,arty Of hunters, looking on at the
strange doings to them of their
more civilized companions. Sud