Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-05
------------------ --------
James BOWie's Knife.
How FORMIDABLE INSTRUMENT OF WEST
ERx WARFARE WAS Invented.

How FoRMIDAHLB lSsURUMESr OF WEST
ERS WARFARE WAS 1SvrNTEp.
James Bowie lay for months in his bed in
the city of Natchez before he recovered from
his wound He was man Of much mechan-
ical ingenuity, and while thus confined.
whitfield from piece of white pine the model
of a hunting knife, which he sent to two
brothers nam"d Blackrnan. in the city of
Natchez, and told them to spare no expense
in making a duplicate of it in steel. This
wss the origin of the dreaded knife. II was
made from a large sawmill file, and its temper
afterward improved upon by an Arkansas
blacksmith. This is all that can be told about
the origin of that death-dealing Implement.
Since Bowie became somewhat prominent in
his efforts to advance the spread of republican
institutions it is proper to speak Of what he
did. He seemed to have a natural disposition
to protect the weak from the strong. At one
time he was riding through the parish Of
Concordia, La. and a man lashing his
slave with his whip. He told the man to
desist, but he was 'ne. with curses He dis
mounted from his horse, wrested the whip
from the master. and laid it over his shoulders.
This led to a shooting match in which the
slave owner was badly wounded. Bowie
afterward submitted himself to the law, paid
the doctors BILL purchased the slave at
double his value, and gave him his freedom.
In after years a Methodist preacher told
the writer this He said he was one Of the
first Methodist ministers sent to Texas by the
Methodist Conference. He travelled on horse
back, crossing the Mississippi below Natchez:
that the first day after crossing the Mississ-
ippi river he was overtaken by horseman
dressed in buckskin, armed with rife, pistol
and knife. They entered into conversation.
and he found him TO be intelligent, pleasant.
and well acquainted with the geography Of
the country. Neither one inquired the name
or business Of the other. Both were aiming
at the same destination, Texas. Finally they
reached new town filed with wild, desperate
characters from other States. lie posted
notice that he would preach at the Court
House the first evening Of his arrival there.
At the hour named he found the rude structure
thronged TO overfiowing men only. He
gave out hymn, and all joined in singing,
and sung it we'll, but when he announced his
text and attempted to preach, one brayed in
imitation Of an ass. another h0oted like an
owl. etc. fle disliked to be driven from his
purpose, and attempted again to preach. but
was stopped by the same species Of inter-
ruption. lie stood silent and still, not know
ing whether to vscate the pulpit or not.
Finally his travelling companion, whom he
did not know was in the house, arose in the
midst. and nth stentorizn voice said men.
this man has come here to preach to you.
You need preaching to, and I'll be - II he
shan.t preach to you! The next man that
disturbs him shall fight me. My name Is
Jim Bowie" The preacher said that after
this announcement he never had more
attentive and respectful audience, 30 much
influence had Bowie over that reckless and
dangerous element. San Fraseiseo Chronicle.