Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-09-08
David Crockett.


BE sure you are right, and thengo ahead,
is wise maxim attributed to one whose life
was a continual illustration of the sentiment.
Every one has heard of (" David Crockett"
the immortal backwoodsman of Tennessee
the "crack shot of the wilderness
trio but honest member of Congress--the
hero of the Alamo"--yet few know his
origin, his early struggles, and the general
current of his life. History he's but few
words concerning him, but tradition is gar
rulous over his many deeds.
David Crockett was born at the mouth of
the Limestone River, Green county, East
Tennessee, on the 7th of August, 1851
His father was of Scotch-Ir Irish descent, and
took prominent part in the war for Indepcn-
dence. 1t was all Wilderness around Da-
vd's birthplace, and his son communed with
nature in it's unbroken wilderness from the
beginning. He grew to young manhood with
out any education, from hooks other than
he received in his OVID rude home. When
only seven years of age, David's father was
stripped of most of his property by fire. He
opened tavern in Jefferson county, where
David was his main help until the age of
twelve years. This vagrant life, full of Incl
dent and adventure, suited young Crockett,
but becoming dissatisfied with his employer,
he deserted him, and made his way back to
his former home After tarrying there year,
he ran away Joined cattle merchant, and
at the end of the journey in Virginia, he was
dismissed, with precisely four dollars in his
pocket. For three years he was knocking
about" as he expressed it, and then he
sought his fathers home again. He now en-.
Joyed the advantages of a school for a few
weeks, and finally, after several unsuccessful
love adventures, he married an excellent girl,
and became a father in 1910, when he was
twcnty-four years of age. He settled on the
banks of Elk River, and was pursuing the
quiet avocation of n farmer in summer and
the more stirring one of hunter in Autumn,
when war was commenced with Great Britain
in 1872. Crockett was among the first to re-
spond to Gen. Jackson's call for volunteers
and under that brave leader he was engaged
in several skirmishes and battles He re-
ccived the commission of Colonel at the close
OF the war, as testimonial of his worth -
His wife had died while he was in the army
and several small children were left to his
care. The widow of deceased friend soon
came to his aid, and in his second wife he
found an excellent guardian for his children
Soon after his marriage he removed TO Lau-
rcns county, where he was made Justice Of
the Peace, and was chosen to represent the
district in the State Legislature. Generous,
full of fun, possessing great shrewdness, and
4" honest to fault" Crockett was very pop
ulor in the Legislature and among his con
stituents. In the course of few years he
removed to Western Tennessee, where he be-
came famous hunter. With the rough back
woodsmcn there he was man after our own
hearts and he was elected to scat in Congress
in 1928, and again in 1880. When the
Americans in Texas commenced their war
of independence, towards the close of the
year 1885, Crockett hastcncd thther to help
them, and at the storming of the Alamo, at
Bexar, on the 9th of March, 1896, that &C.
centric hero was killed lie was then Gftv
years Of age.