The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1876-11-30
COLONEL DAVID CROCK EFT.
BY r. RICHARDSON.

I first saw Col. David Crockett, il
1925, i'll Paris, Henry county, Tennessee,
He was candidate for Congress in
what was called the "Western District, y
which included the county Of Henry.
I heard his speech, and had an oppor-
tunity Of beholding the backwoodsman.
who, few years afterwards. caused his
name 10 be known and echoed from Que
end of Union to the other. His speech
was not long one, not exceeding ten
minutes. Among ths claims which he
urged for the suffrages of his hearers
was tho fact that he had gone to school
in his boyhood only eight days; er
rather, it was given as an excuse fUr tie
absence Of othsr claims.
Colonel Crockett WAS then about for
ty years old. 1 decm it unnecessary to
say much about his previous history.
even il l wsA knsw his antecedents. Il.
was born in Pennsylvania aud, at an early
age, his father removed to East Ten
nessee, where David was reared. Ar
rived at mans estate and married, he
settled in ons of the counties which lies
east of the Tennessee river, in Middle
Tennessee where he resided many
years. The county was very poor and
thinly populated. and the people were
very ignorant. David 80 conducted him
self that he won their esteem and con-
& ilence. He was elected Militia Colonel
first, aud afterwards member H the
lower branch of the Legislature, Muir
freesboro beng then the seat of govern
ment. To reach the capital he had to
pass through Columbia, where he was
to James K. Polk The ques-
ii N OF recognizing the courts of ths
State being then agitated. Mr.. Polk ad-
dressed him thus: Colonel, l sup
pose We will have a change in the Judi
ciary this session." Crockett replied:
II suppose So" As he did not know
what judiciary meant, and fearing other
iuterrogatories that might expose his
ignorance. he left. Years afterwards
he told the anecdote on himself.
About this tins the "Western Dis
trict" was purchased from the Chick
asaw Indians, and immigrants commenc-
Ell pouring into it. Crockett served his
term in the Legislature. and immedia-
tely afterwards emigrated to the "New
Purchase" He settled in Gibson coun-
ty.
A that time the whole OF tho Western
District aboun led with game and feroc.
o,s wild beasts. The squatter, in his
log cabin at uight. could hear the howl
of the wolf, tn, cry of tho panther and
the nav Of thu catam, ,unt. Tie spirit
which actuated Nimrod WAS i'm
bibed by Davy, and being bets
ter armed e flint rock rih,) than
that IN m,narch was, fss boldly and
81 ,cessfully invaded with his dogs the
jungles and hiding places Of wild
beasts. H,5+ being thea so,sc, in that
section, bear maat Was nssd for pork
AMI bacon. Crockett soon becans, in the
region, famous as hunter
and bear killer. He again ran for the
lower branch of the Legislature, md
the voters of Gibson county, appreciat-
ing his achievements as hunter and
skill AMI humor as tale teller, elected
him. This occurred in 1892. He at
tended the session of the Legislature.
He bad thus laid the foundation for
the superstructurs of which l ann about
to speak. As have before stated. he
was induced. in 1925, to becoms
can nliiate for Congress, and there was
a very fair prospect for his election.
He was defeated. however, according to
the returus by fourteen votes in as many
counties He was urged to contest,
but declined, saying, ''Ill win next
time"
Two years afterwaris-to-wis, In
1S27-shree notable events occurred n
Tennessee: The election Of Sam Hous-
ton to the guosrnatorial chair; the de-
feat. IN the Nash nile tlstxict, OF Felix
Gruly by John B,ll, the latter's first
to Congress; and the success OF
Col David Crockett, in the Western
District, by . large maiority-his frss
election to Congress-
A hgvs bsunSht nsy hsro Yromin-