The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-06-12
NATURES NOBLEMAN.
LudicrOus Anecdotes Concerning
DaEy CrOcket-The EcceHtri-
cities of the Famous Back
WOOdsman.
St. LIQUID alObe-pemOerat.

80
4 Houston. Texas, April 26.-To
day, a Globe Democrat correspondent
called upon Mr.. Asa Jarman, al
aged resident of Houston and one o.
the early pioneers of Texas. In hi:
early boyhoOd he was acquainted
with the celebrated David Crockett
both natives of Tennessee. in the
mountains OF which Crockett first
saw the light. Mr.. Jarman evinced
great pleasure in speaking of a
frontiersman whose name is premi-
nently associated with the early his.
tory of the southwest. a y
| Up to the age of eighteen, said
| Mr.. Jarman, Crockett was unable to
read or write. and his beyhsod was
passed in the solitude of the wilder
ness, hunting bears and raccoons,
which was his sole occupation and
delight. Removing into West Ten
nessee at time when il was howl
!. ing wilderness, untenanted save by
bruin and the wild beasts, the young
David found an ample field fer the
pursuit of a Nimrod-like life. Lo-
eating on small river, the forests
along whose banks had never known
an ak. he built log cabin and car
peted his floor with bear skins. He
was now happy. With none to mo-
lest, and with gun-the eld.fashion-
ed flint lock-and dogs Daniel
Boon like-he sailed forth to catch
or kill his favorite coon or savage
bear. .--...s - -. .-
The youthful'pioneer was not long
to remain undisturbed. for the coun-
try soon settled up. the wilderness
was taken possession of by the emf
grant and adventurer, the country
was laid off into counties, and Crock
ett's occupation was partially gone.
In course of time Crockett was elect
ed by his fellow-citizens to the Leg
islature at Nashville. So such a
man as he, who had spent his life
among the wild scenes of the border,
beyond the pale of civilization, get
ting into the Legislature was a con-
siderable event, and many anecdotes
are related by Mr.. lamar of Crock
EFT during his first entrance on pub
lie life.
1t was during his first session as q
Legislator that Davy met with
James X. Polk, afterwards Preside MT
of the United States. but then only
an unnoticed lawyer. Both happen
ed one day to be standing in crowd
of members. Polk remarked that q
bill wenld be Immediately introduced
to alter the judiciary. Crockett, who
did not know what the deuce the
word judiciary meant, briefly replied
"I s'pOse so" and to cover up his ig-
norance hastily slipped away from
the crowd. Soon after he got. to
Nashville, never having been in
town before, Col. Crockett became
the here of another experience,
which, afterwards. when member
of Congress, he was fond of relating
to his friends. - z.-.-zs -. -.
He was invited to pay visit to
billiard saloon-the best in Nash
vile. He had never heard of bill
liards much, and had never seen
them played. Arriving at the sa.
loon his curiosity was greatly ex-
cited at seeing some men with long
sticks showing and punching at pret
ty red and white balls. The bsck-
woodsman keenly watched the men
as they poked and hit the balls.
which would -oll into their proper
receptacles. He left highly pleased.
1t was during the same period
that Crockett was invited to spIen-
did supper and banquet, at the fine
and aristocratic mansion of Mr.. r.
win, in Nashville. Col. Crockett ar.
rived at the house. strobe across the
gallery or piazza to the door. Look
| ing in, he was surprised to see the
table cloths spread all over the floor,
never having before seen carpet,
except the one Of bear-skin which he
had used on his cabin door in the
woods. Not knowing what the car
pet was. and seeing ne way to get
10 the fireplace except by crossing
what he believed to be the table
cloth. Col. Crockett, in full view of
other guests. cautiously looked this
way aud that to see If there was any
chance except by crossing. At last
he muttered to himself. "Who in the
hell's afraid ?" He crept around the
carpet till the fireplace was reached.
Before supper was announced, Col.
Irwin and the 's boys had high
old time listening to Davy's bar sto-
ries. Now. he had never been at.
banquet before. and after the guests
We're seated at the table negro
waiting boy came up to the back OF
his chair and asked If he would have
tea or coffee. Crockett replied.
Coffee, though / have plenty of sas-
noriIla at home.n Up.stepned. the