Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-11-18
Salt River.

~ 10 tuS Ou'y W vuoAio Jo"'u~'Aoso w ~S'-~S
in enlighteuiug the people on all matters Of
general interest, large as we'll as small; and
. as misapprehension so wide spread as to
be worthy Of the appelation universal, pre-
walls, respecting the Salt River status of
a defeated political party We shall pro.
coed to tell an'ower true tale explaining the
manner in which the Salt River idea origin
ated from which it will appear that when
o party is defeated it is at once supposed to
be located at the head of Salt River, and
there is no subsequent rowing up about it,
Read and be wise.
Once upon time, to commence this true
history in fairy tale style, David Crockett was
q candidate, in the district Of his home,fin
Texas, for Congress. As the fashion in the
south west was, before the days of carpet
baggers and scallawass, competing candi-
dates met each other on the stump and di&.
cussed before the people the prevailing po-
litical questions Of the day. Crockett made
an engagement with his opponent to meet
him at given point in remote part Of the
district, on certain day, to appear before
the men Of long rifles ami steru views, for
such discussion. The place of appointment
was in the wilderness, many miles distant
from the more settled portion of the country
where the two candidates lived. OF rail-
roads there were none and Of common roads
few in that then wild country. The streams
Of water were many, and their currents
sluggish; and common mode Of progress
from one section of the State to another
was by row boats, usually propelled by ne.
grocs. Crockett on this occasion adopted
this plan of reaching the place Of discussion.
He hired him negro who knew the ground,
(for he never uouM own one Of the "bars
ted critters to ROW him up" This came
TO the ears of his opponent, and, !ouicst Of
foul election frauds, the villainous compe,i-
tor for the office of trust aud profit Jriied
the negro, and the consequence was, Crock
cit was taken away up to the head waters
of side stream known as Salt River, and
deserted in the woods by his Intelligent
Sable companion-hoat, niger, oil gone
Crockett was ipan not easily pu: down,
but this was too much To make his way
to the place Of meeting in time to say no. H.
ing Of the want Of guide, was simply inn
possible. That idea was not entertained,
and our hero betook himself to hunting UP
q sauatter, in which in due time he succeed
cd, and himself made as comfortable as pos.
sible. In the mean time the meeting was
held, his opponent triumphanty took the
stump, denounced Crockett as a political
coward, the friends of the latter first hung
their heads, then revolted, the story Of his
DETECTION spread, and his opponent was
elected ly tremendous majority.
But mark the scqual. Crockett, finding
himself thus situated le,hought him that
an honest penny might be turned pecuaiarily
if not politically. lie examined this CON-
para,ively new country, selected lands good
and rich, induced settlers, who always rcmcm.
bercd him with gratitude, to occupy them,
aid when another election came round the
voters of the Salt River settlement in con-
nection with his other numerous friends Of
the district triumphantly returned him to
Congress, of which body he remained a
member thereafter during his pleasure.
The moral which this little history con-
veys is easily perceived. 1t was disadvau.
tageous to neither himself nor to the coun'
try that David Crockett was once surrepti.
tiousy landed at the Lead waters Of Salt
River. An honest, faithful representative
was thereafter secured, and the chicauery Of
his opponent duly rebuked.