Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-24
AUDUBON.
Interesting facts from the life
of the Great Naturalist

works Americans contemplate with more
Of pride and pleasure than that of John
James Audubon. His contributions to
Natural History will never be forgotten.
They form one of the most interesting
acquisitions of our libraries, public and
private. Born in America, We are sorry
TO see that the chronicle of his life and
adventures depended upon a foreigner,
one whose enthusiasm and pride Of birth
could not give him the same admiration
and delight as if he were an American.
A native of Louisiana, he travelled over
nearly every part of this country, spend
ing months and indeed years in Eng
land and France to promote the great
object to which be devoted his life.
Audubon came legitimately by that
restless, wandering disposition which
aided him so greatly in the production
of his lifelong studies. His father was
a son, the twentieth child of q fisher
man, poor in all save his progeny, Of
Nantes, in France. Beginning life as a
boy before the mast he was rated as an
able-bodied seaman at the age of seven
teen; at tRenty-one commanded q vessel
himself, and at twenty-five was the
owner and captain Of little craft which
was the FIRST Of a small feet with which
he voyaged to the West Indies, thus lay
ing the foundation of future which |
was subsequently augmented materially |
by his marriage in Louisiana with a lady |
of Spanish extraction. John James |
Audubon was the youngest Of three
sons. His mother perished miserably |
IN the insurrection in San Domingo, |
aud hls father, who had become a Com
modors IL the French Navy, found a
second wife, 10 whose care the boy was
left, while the eldey Audubon returned |
20 this country in the employment of
the French Government, where he finally |
became attached 10 the army under
Lafayette.
Early in life John James removed to
the vicinity of Philadelphia, where he
met Miss BakeWell, whom be afterwards
married. Later he returned to France,
and spent year in the paternal home,
completing during that time 200 draw
ings Of European birds, but was not
content, and came again to America.
He had great skill in stufing and
preserving animals Of all sorts. He
had also trick of training dogs with
great perfection, of which art his famous
dog, Zephyr, was q wonderful example.
He was an admirable marksman, an ex-
pert swimmer, clever rider, possessed
great activity, prodigious strength, and
was notable for the elegance of his figure |
and the beauty Of his features, and he
aided nature by a careful attendance TO
his dress. Besides other accomplish |
ments, he was musical, q good fencer,
danced well, had some acquaintance Of
Iegerdemain tricks, worked in hair, and |
could plat willow baskets. After Q sea-
son in mercantile pursuits in New York, |
IN which he showed his utter incapacity
for commercial affairs, be determined to |
settle in Louisville, and married Miss |
Bakewell on April Sth, 1903, and en-
barking on q fat boat at Pittsburg With /
a quantity Of merchandise and house
hold goods, made his wedding trip to |
Louisville in this primitive manner.
Here he gave his merchandise in charge /
of his friend Raster, and gave himself
Hp to bird hunting. He journeyed about |
in various ways, and meeting with many |
adventures in the then new Indian |
country.
One night as he was making his way |
across prairie near the Upper Missis-
sippi, be sought shelter in log hut, the
only inmates Of which were q muscular |
and repulsive-looking woman and a
young Indian who had sought assistance
there after having, By accident, nearly |
put out one of his eyes. Audubon |
CHANGED to let the woman get a glimpse
Of his watch, which was Of rare work |
manship, and the sight of it at once
aroused her eupidity. Letting her take
IL to examine, he only managed to get |
possession Of it quietly by ruse, and
not until the Indian had endeavOred by |
Pantomine 10 draw his attention 10 GER
tain suspicious actions on the part of |
their hostess. Going out of the hut |
Audubon slipped ball into each bar
rel of his rife, picked the locks. and |
returning, called his faithful dog to his
side, threw himself down upon few
bear skins, and feigned sleep The rest
Of the story shall be told in his own
words:
a short time had elasped when some
voices were heard, and from the corner
Of Ey eyes saw two athletic youths
making their entrance, bearing a dead |
stag on pole They disposed of their
burden, aud, asking for whisky, helped |
themselves freely TO it. Observing me |
and the wonderful Indian, they asked |
who / was, and why the ID that rascal
(mesning the Indian, who, they knew.
understood not a word Of English was
in she house2 The mother, for 50 she
proved TO be, bads them speak less
loudly, made mention Of my watch, and |
took them to q corner, where eonyer- |
sation took place, the purport of which |
it required little shrewdness in me to
guess. ! tapped my dog gently, be