The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-09-28


The Memphis (Tenn.) Ledger pub
fishes the following letter from Bob II
Crockett, Crockctt's Bluff, Ark, ii
which he says:
tice clipping from the Nashville amer.
team Of the 18th inst, followed BY some
remarks by yourself as to portrait Of
Col David Crockett. In speaking OF
the portrait on exhibition In the State,
house in Texas, you say: Ii belongs
we understand, 10 member Of ths
Crockett family, who has offered il fol
sale TO the State Of Tcxas, etc. This /,
mistake. The painting to which You
allude was never the property of an,
member Of the Crockett family. Ia fact
from its size, eight feet by ten, and IN,
character of the painting, il would be
out of place in a private parlor or draw
ing-room,a and was originally painted for
some public gallery. The first time
ever saw this picture was in Cooks gal
lery Of paintings in New Orleans, about
80 years ago. My father, John w
Crockett, Col. David's eldest son, ear.
ried me, then a youth, to the gallery q
show me the picture. On. entering the
room, and without taking catalogue
he led me directly in front Of H. Neither
Of us spoke, but stood looking at tho
painting for the first time my father
had seen ii before in Washington
While thus occupied, an old gentle
man and his two daughters
catalogue in hand, approached
and the gentleman, referring to the
number, read, Full-length portrait oi
Col. David Crockett, Of Tennessee.
My father and myself stepped back "a
give them full view. The old gentle
man, after many complimentary re-
marks rs TO Col. Crockett's character,
turned to my father, and, perceiyng
that we had no catalogue, said Sir,
that, pointing to the picture, is por-
trait Of Col. Davy Crockett He was
my father, sir, was the quiet reply
Mr.. Cook, the artist, came up at the
moment. and, knowing both, introduced
them. and il was the beginning 81
lifelong friendship between the parties
"Your description accords with my
recollection Of the painting The old
man rests upon the right foot, the left
thrown slightly forward. he rifle lies
in the hollow Of the left arm, and the
right holds the coon-skin cap above the
right shoulder and behind the ear as il
10 catch the sound Of the hounds in the
chase At his feet crouch three bear
dogs-half hound, half cur--full size.
In the distance is seen the Mississippi
River. Altogether il is a magnificent
character painting, and ! think If Frank
Mayo could see ii he could get an idea
Of Davy Crockett's original costume,
not that mean TO criticise Mr.. Mayo's
makeup, for have never had the pleas
nre Of seeing him in his play Of Davy
Crockett
"And now, friends Of my better
days. have in my possession half
length, life-size portrait Of my grand
father (the relationship is purely acct
dental on my part), which the Histori-
cal Society of Tennessee can have for
copying purposes if they wish. II was
painted in 1884, and il said BY the few
now living who knew him to be an ex-
cellent likeness II is certainly strik-
ing picture, and was drawn by cele-
brated artist Of that day, whose name
| have unfortunately forgotten. Being
painted while in Congress, the old gem
tleman had his store clothes on, and,
Of course, the picture has nothing Of the
hunter about IL.
"pardon me for stringing this out so
Internationally. only intended q say
that no Crockett Of old Davy's stock
could, would or should sell portrait d
him TO the State of Texas, 'or any 9TH
er man. Respectfully,
ssBOB II. CROCKETT"