The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-08-28
David. Crockett.

.Be sure you are right, and then go
ahead" is q wise maxim attributed to one
whose life was u continual illustration Of
the sentiment Every one has heard of
Davy Crocllett," the immortal back
woodsman nofTenncssce-th of "cracll shot" :"
of the ilderncss-eccentri but honest
member of Con!5ress-the "hero of the
Alamo yet few know his origin, his
early struggles, and the general current
Of his life History has but few words
concerning him, but tradition is garrulous
over his many deeds.
David Crockett was born at the mouth
of the Limestone River, Green County,
East Tennessee, on the 7th of August,
1887. His father was of Scotch-Irish de-
scent, and took q prominent part in the
war for Independence 1t was all will
dcrness around David's birthplace, and
his son conlmuncd with nature in its un-
broken Wilderness, from tue beginning.
Hc grew to young manhood without any
education, from books other than he re-
ceived in his own 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,
ell 20 ;,,.;Jo,4 o,,1 ,J,-o,, trro c,,;+o,1
young Crockett, but becoming dissatisfied
with his employer, he deserted him, and
made his way back to his former home.
After talrying there a year, he ran away,
joined cattle merchant, and at the end
of the journey in Virginia, he was dis
missed, with precisely four dollars in his
pocket. For three years he was "lSnock-
ing about" as he expressed it, and then
he sought his fathers home again. lie
now enjoyed the advantages of school
for few weeks, and finally, after several
unsuccessful love adventures, he married
an excellent girl, and became a father in
1910, when he was twenty-four years Of
age. He settled on the banks of Elk
River. and was pursuing the quiet avoca-
ton Of 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
respond to Gen. Jacksons call for volun-
tcers, and unter that brave leader he was
engaged in several sllirmishes and BATTLES
lie received the commission of Colonel at
the close of the war, as Il testimonial Of
his worth. His wife had died while he
was in the army, and several small chill
drcn were left to his care. The widow of
a deceased friend soon came to his aid,
and in his second wife he found an excel
lent guardian for his children. Soon af-
ter his marriage he removed to Laurens
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
shrcwdncss, and "honest to a fault"
Crockett was, very popular in the Legis-
laturc and among his constituents. In
the course of a few years he removed to
Western Tennessee, where he became
famous hunter. With the rough back
woodsmen there he was man after our
own hearts, and he was elected to q seat
in Congress in 1928, and again in 1880.
When the Americans in Texas commenced
their war Of independence, towards the
: