Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-10
R0BBING TENNESSEE OF ONE OF
HEX HEROES.

We find the following going the rounds
of the press credited to the New York
Post:
There is to be seen at the rooms of the
Historical Society, Second avenue, corner
of Eleventh street, an original portrait Of
exceptional interest, 3 likeness from life of
the celebrated Davy Crockett, Of Kentucky,
painted by 4. L. DeRose, and subsequent
ly engraved by a. b. Durand. 1t is in
water color, but is done with wonderful
holiness and spirit and is one Of those pic
lures in which the beholdeT feels sure be
sees the faithful image of the person repre-
seDtad. This is Dayy Crockett, beyond all
IeT&dventure; every lineament is his, the
whole man is before US, and for its accura-
cy Of portraiture We do not need the auto
graph authorization of it which the car
toCa hears
81 leave this rule for others when I am dead.
Be always sure you're right, then go ahead
But undoubtedly the famous distich and
agothegn of Crockett in his own handwrit-
ing gives a great additional value 10 this
powerful presentment of tie man, and for q
genuine American interest we know of no
other picture extaut which is of greater
value than his The thought inlerposes,
however, that it is not in its right
place in the New York Historical Society,
hospitahle as Mr.. Moore certainly is, and
honorable custody as he gives to the many
treasures Of the Historical Society Building.
The work, indeed, does not belong to the
Society and is only left in its rooms tenn
porarily. The proper owner of
his picture is the State of Kentucky,
and the place where it should be kept is in
the capitol at Frankfort. Kentucky has a
very ardent State pride (she took it natU-
rally from her mother, ViTginia), and does
herself credit in honoring her distinguished
soDs, and Kentucky never had son more
distinctly American, of q more original type
Of character, than Davy Crockett. He was
a rou2h bewn specimen; but be was fear
less, honest, warm. hearted, clear-headed,
who acted on his motto and adhered to
principle, while he contemned the exactions
of etiquette. The only harm he did in life
was to grammar; but he respected truth
while be outraged convendOnality, and bis
picture should be hung up in the Kentucky
capitol as a precious treasure.
This will be news to most of Tennessee
ans. David Crockett was born at Lime
stone, on the Nolachucky river, in Tennes-
see, Aug. II, 1855, and bis father, of Irish
birth, afterwards kept an Inn on the road
from Abingdon to Knoxville, where David
passed bis youth from seven to twelve years
Of age. He was sent to school, but on the
fourth day quarreled with the schOolmaster,
played truant in the woods and finally fed
from home 10 escape double fogging from
master and father. For five years he roamed
about the Middle States with cattle drovers,
and very likely traversed Kentucky during
that period; and that is we believe all the
title to him which Kentucky can claim. He
returned home at the age Of eighteen, and
in 1913 he served in the Creek war under
Gen. jackson, settling after the war on
Shoal Creek in this State. Two years after,
be was made Magistrate, and soon became
a candidate for the Legislature. Though he
had scarcely yetread newspaper, he made
successful canvass with his companioHable
habits and wonderful faculty of story-tell.
ing. He was twice reelected TO the Ten
nessee Legislature, and in 1927 was elect
ed Congressman on the Jackson ticket. At
Washington he was. the ''observed of all
observers" on account of his eccentric
manners and language, and was universally
voted genial and gifted bsck-wcodsmsn.
He again went to Congress in 1929, and
becoming an opponent of Gen. Jackson, it
required all his personal popularity TO Sc.
cure reelection in 1881. But Jackson's
influence ultimately drove him out of
politics and he sought a new field in Texas,
then in revolt against Mexico, and after
series of military exploits met his death on
March 6, 1886, while brayely defending the
Alamo.