Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-11-01
A STRANGE HISTORY.

part or II ID WllQer Cnan HaWkius county' ~
is nearly hundred years now since it sent
forth an adventurer who achieved a career,
passed through world ofstirring events and
lived long life.
About the year 1901, Elias P. Bean, lad
of seventeen, started with party of raftsmen
bound from the Holston to the Mississippi.
They hoated down from Beans station, tra-
ding by the way, lost their raft upon the
Muscle shoals, and, having purchased drove
of horses, continued their journey overland
toward Natchez. Here young Bean met the
famous frontiersman, Captain Nolan, who
was about starting an expedition into Arkan'
sas. He joined this party, stealing away
from his brothers-whom he left to return
home without him-overnig ght. After many
UPS and downs the detachment of Noland's
command, embracing our hero, was captured
BY the Indians somewhere close upon the
Texan border. Bean and companion es.
capped from the Indians only to be recaptured
by the Spaniards, who took them prisoners to
the old town of San Antonio. Here, after
while, they were released on parole, and, hav'
ing turn for taking things easy and &C.
MUS for work, the younger of the two Amerl-
cans set himself to learning the trade of
halter. He succeeded so we'll that in three
years he became the fashion, began to make
money, fell in love with a native beauty, and
was making strides toward bis fortune, when,
in an unguarded moment, an opportunity to
escape presenting itself, he yielded to sud-
den fit of home.sickness, abandoned his busi-
ness, deserted his sweetheart, and He'd. he
was pursued, overtaken, brought back, and,
as penalty, sent across the Rio Grande and
over the Mexique mountains to the Pacific
seas. In other words, they took him to Aca-
pulco, where he was thrown into prison. He
occupied dungeon in the old fortress for six
years, his only comrade scorpion, which ne
tanned and took into his affections.
In 1912, the first Mexican insurrection
against the Spanish power broke out 1t was
led by Padre Morelos, dissolute priest, but a
patriot, a soldier and statesman. Reaching
the sad old seaport, where Bean was confined,
it released him, prisoner Of half q dozen
years, but man of undiminished strength
and ardor, a little into his thirties, and per-
haps all the better for his long confinement.
He sought the insurgent camp and leader.
Morelos, seeing before him an American, who
spoke two languages like native, stalwart,
soldery fellow, just out of prison and eager
for active employment, gave him first his con.
6dence and then his love. He became chief
of staff, next general Of brigade, next general
of division, and smote the Spaniards hip and
thigh. At length, the contest growing immi'
nent, more delicate, if not more danger.
GUS, business presented itself Morelos had
loved, seduced and cajoled from her home
noble Spanish damsel, whom, for many years.
he had concealed in the mountains. She had
borne him single child, SOD. In the midst
of the struggle, and at the critical point, she
died. The son was too young to 60 into the
field. He could not be left anywhere to take
care of himself There was really no safe
place in all Mexico. So Morelos sent for
Bean to counsel what should be done. Bean
represented that arms and munitions Of war
were wanted believed be could negotiate tor
these in the States, and proposed that he
should kill the two birds with one stone-car-
ry the lad out of harms way and bring back
the needed military supplies. Morelos was
delighted, and Bean was despatched on the
double mission. He succeeded admirably
but, when be got back, Morelos had been cap
ture and shot, and for the time being, the
revolution was at an end. The son of the
priest.president, as the Mexicans delighted to
call the great Padre Morelos, grew up to be
the famous General Almonte, his guardian
and friend to be field marshal, and the rich
est man in Mexico where, at Jalaps, in 1S4S.
our victorious army found him hale old
man, retired from active life and living in
vast splendor, surrounded by an extensive
progeny. Of his children but one rose to
nction-the black sheep of the family-a
fellow by the name of Cortinas, not unknown
to fame. Curious episodes, indeed !; but fit out
growth of the rock-ribbed lodges dark with
the silent horror of DEATH"