The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-07-08

carried him over all intrigue and
money, and he took his seat in the Ses-
sion of lS33-i, a strong, because wholly
lmletterch man.
Despite his early Ignorance, Crockett
became Il power aS \ man. He was
shrewd, intelligent by nature, full of {,
ready Wit, which he used like Il weap-
on, stu,liouS to get nj the merits of
every question, and perfectly fearless
in expressing his convictions and
wishes. This independence, III those
days of intense partisanship and detest
able corruption, was So rarca virtue As
to render him doubly noted; and when,
in the spring of 1884, he made his well
remembered Northern tour he had
:: ''rcal triumphal procession tugging
ON behind all the way.' His recep-
tionS ON that tour, by the Wings of
Philahelpha, New York, Boston, etc.,
read like an odd romance. Every
where thousands of people turned out
to see and hear the great bear hunter.
1t was an ovation of which the honest
back woouSman was justly proud. His
speeches and stories became the sstOWn'S
talk,' and were copied in every paper
in the land. Crockett joke books and
almin:icS were immensely popular for
years after.
cd canvass for Congress in 1888, Crock
cit WAS beaten, the Jackson party leav-
ing no artiiice or dodge untried which
could impair his popularity. lie was
beaten by fraud, now very openly
used. This defeat greatly mortified
Colonel CrOckett; and, diSguSted with
politics, broken in fortune by his long
inattention to his own private affairs,
he resolved to leave Tennessee altogeth-
or, and strike for TeN:,s, whose strug-
giles for independence were then enlist
ing the sEmpathirS of the United States.
Rejected by his own State, he could yet
command glory in Il higher and nobler
cause. 1t was Il resolve worthy of Il
nobler soul. Alas! that Santa Annals
blood dyed hands had the power to
drive to butcherN such Il hero!
Bidding adieu to his many friends,
and tearing himself from the embraces
of wife and children, whom he loved
With all the tenderness of his true soul,
he started October, 1850 overland for
San Antonio. His journey was long,
! exciting, full of the Str:tngeSt episodes
and adventures. AS narrated in his
rcmarkablc autobiography, it reads
like an invention of the romance
writer lie finally reached the little
Texan garrison of the san Antonio
River, where the brave Colonel Travis,
and the removed Colonel Bowie were
awaiting the assault Of Santa Annals
army sixteen hundred strong, then
coming in to redeem the defeats of Cen
cral Cox, from whom san Antonio, and
the fortress called the Nl%ai1,o, had b, ,.n
wrenched by the Texan patriots. ODE
cembcr lO.)
! This force, under Immediate com
| rnand of Santa Anna, reached the vi
cinity of Bexar late ia February, 1926,
when Il series of bloody struggles fol-
lowed, until M last, the heroic Texans
We're wholly driven into their works.
The Alamo was assaulted on the morn
in" Of March 9Th, and when finally cap
turrn, only ~iN of rhr garrison Of one
hundred tnf fifty were left alive
Crockett one of that number. "Flc
stood alone in the angle of the fort, the
barrel of his shattered rifle in his right
hand; in his left, his large bowie knife,
dripping blood. There was 4 hightiul
cash across his forehead, whii,-.lround
him there was Il complete barrier Of
ahou, twenty McNiranS, lying pell
NELL, dead and hying.'
An appnlin" sight truly, but one
mad" NOR" appalling by tn" scene
which soon friluWrd--thc slaughter of
lilt' SIN ll\intr men, bN SANTA Anna)S
orders. Crockett and his companions.
having surrendered as prisoners of war
to General Ca~trillon, We're led to Santa
Anna, who at once ordered them to he
put to the sword. "Colonrl Crockett,
seeing the act Of tr:,chcry, instantly
spr:nG like Il tiger ut the rul1ian chief;
but, before he could reach him, Il loZ-
ON swords were ShrathrH in his in.lon-
liable heart; and he fell, and died with
out Il %roaIl, Il frOwn on his brow, and
4 smile of Scorn and defiance ON his
lips
Out OF such scenes of carnage and
martyrdom did Texas finally emerge
into the glory of independence. She
truly owes Il monument to these grand
souls who pcrishcd in her cause; and to
none more than to the chivalric David
trockrtt.-N. J.. IIrrkIy.