The weekly clarion., 1877-10-03
Portraits orDnvy Crockett

From the Memphis lTenuJ LodgcrI
CRoCKETr's BLUrE, Ark, Aug. %.
1857 In your issue of the goth inst.
! notice clipping from the Nashvilly
American of the 18th inst, followed ID
some remarks by yourself as 10 a portrait
Of Col. David Crockett In speaking or
the potrait on exhibition in the State
house in Texas, you say: 1T belongs, wo
understand, to a member Of the Crock
EFT family, who has offered il for sule
to the State of Texas" etc. This is Il
mistake. The painting 10 which you
allude was never the property Of any
member of the Crockett family
In fact, from its size eight feet by
ten, and the character Of the painting.
it would be out Of place in q private
parlor or drawing room, and was origin
ally painted for some gallery. The first
time ] ever saw this picture was iu Cooks
gallery Of paintings IN New Orleans,
about thirty years ago. My father, John
w. Crockett, Col. Davids eldest son,
carried me, then "A youth, 10 the gallery
to show me the picture. On entering
the room, and without taking a catalogue,
he led me directly in front of IT, Meth
painting-I for the first time-my father
had seen it before in Washington While
thus occupied an old gentleman and his
two daughters, catalogue IN hand, app
preached, and the gentleman, referring
to the number, read, "Full length p0r
trait Of Col David Crockett, Of Ten
nessee." My father aud myself stepped
back to give them a iull view. The old
gentleman, after many complimentary
remarks as to Col Crocketts character,
turned 10 my father, and, perceiyug that
we had no catalogue, said: "Sir, that"
pointing to the picture, ''is "a portrait oi
Col. Davy Crockett" "He was my la-
ther, sir" was the quiet reply. Mr..
Cook the artist came up at the moment,
and, knowing both, introduced them,
and it was the beginning Of d lifelong
friendship between the parties.
Your description accUrds with my rc-
collection Of the painting The old man
rests upon the right foot, the left thrown
slightly forward. The rifle lies iu tho
hollow Of the left arm, and the right
holds the coou-skin cap above the right
shoulder and behind the right car as IL
to catch the sound Of the hounds in The
chase. At his feet crouch three bear
dogs-half hound hall cur-full size.
In the distance is seen The Mississippi
river. Altogether it j. q magnificent
character painting and think If Frank
Mayo could see it he could get an idea
Of Davy Crocketts original costume, not
that ] mean to critIcise Mr.. MayOs
make up, for / have never had the pleas.
ure Of seeing him in his play Of "Dayy
Crockett"
And now, "friend Of my better days"
] have in my possession a half length,
life-size portrait of my grandfather, (thc
relationship Is purely accidental on my
partJ which the Historical Society of Ten
nessee can have for copying purposes M
they wish. il was painted in 1884, and
is said by the few now living who knew
him, 10 be an excellent likeness. III is
striking picture, and was
drawn by celebrated artist Of that day,
whose name ! have unfortunately forgot
ten Being painted while in Congress
the old gentleman had his "store clothes
on, and. Of course, the picture has nOth-
ing Of the hunter about IL.
Pardon me for stringing this commuui-
cation out so internationally. ! only iu-
tended 10 say that no Crockett OF OLD
DAVIS stock could, would or should sell
a portrait Of him to the State Of Texas
'or any other man"
Respectfully
Box H. CHOCKErr.