The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-09
James Bowie.

On one occasion Bowie whose rcputa-
ton reached Memphis, arrived by bont
at that city, or rather at what was then
known as the Third Chickasaw Bluffs.
The bank from the boat landing to the
top was about one hundred and fifty feet
high and large number of people were
watching the arrival of the strangers.
Looking down ono of them recognized
Bowie as he stepped over tho gang
plank and made the remark, "rhcrc
comes Jim Bowie"
"What /" shouted big fatboatman,
then known as the "Memphis Terror, "
as he looked down the bluff; "what jim
Bowie? That's the fellow I've been
looking for months. Jim Bowie Why,
--- him, I'll whip him 80 quick he
won't know what hurt him. I'll whip
him if / never whip another man as long
rs live Stand by, boys, and SEQ the
| fun !"
Bowie came slowly up the bank. In
| his hand he carried M old umbrella. Ho
had no pistols and was evidently not cx-
pccting or i'll fact prepared for fight.
This fact did not escape the now
thoroughly interested spectators. Up
went the tlatboatman promptly, as Bowie
reached the top of the bluff. els your
name jim Bowie ?" he asked.
Bowie replied that it was.
'Then," shouted tho hatboatman, rs
he squared off, "r think you are o.
rascal and I'm going to whip you right
here and now"
Bowie was man of few words. He
stood and gazcd at his adversary, who
was moro emboldened than over. 81
think you're n -- coward" he yell
ed, "and I'm going to knock your head
off," and 50 saying tho "NIemphis Ter
ror" advanced to the conflict. 4
Bowie never ilinchcd. His .Kccn eye
was fixed on the "Tcrror," Wig Mt this
moment was face to face with lam. But
as the man of Memphis drewSa dirk from
his breast, Bowie stepped bakk foot
and N thrust out his umbrella as i to keep
his antagonist at bay.
'.The ''Memphis Terror" seiging the
umbrella with one hand, made 4 pass at
the inventor of the famous knife with
the other. In 50 doing he pulled the
umbrella to himself, leaving free in the
right hand Of Bowie his mrrdcrous
weapon, which to this. moment had been
concealed in the folds of tho impromptu
sheath. The sight of Bowie standing
there, with the knife in his hand and the
CLEAN of vengeance in his eye, was too
much for '"rhe Terror"
From the bouncing bully he became
transformed into q craven coward i'll Il
second. His face turned pale and his
knees trembled, while tho dirk dropped
from his hands rs he gazed on Bowie's
weapon with staring eyes. "Put it up, put
away that SoYTME, for Gods sake, Bowie.
| was mistaken in my man"
Bowie advanced step.
"Don't-don't kill meT bcseeched
the bully stfor Gods sake, man don't
go for mo with that scythc and I swoar
to you I'll never attack another man as
long as l live"
Bowie looked at his now thoroughly
dcmoralizcd opponent for moment, and
then turning Oh his heel with the ex-
preston, "Coward," walked rapidly
away. Thenceforth the Mcmphis "Ter-
ror" was changed man, and until the
day Of his death he never lost the sobri
quct of ''Put-up-that scythc."
Bowie was very fond of music and
dancing and on occasions where he could
enjoy both he invariably appeared in the
best of humor, and the reserve which
had begun to characterize him at this
time appeared to thaw out. 1t was Oh
one OCCASION at II dance, when he was in
such favorable conditions, that had an
opportunity for frce-andcasy chat with
him about some of tho encounters in
which he had been engaged. Referring
to the disparity in size between himself
and some of the men whom he had mot
in conflict, asked him how he regarded
his chances under such circumstances.
"Suppose," said T, referring to man
of hcrculean build, who stood near, sup
pose you were attacked by snch man
rs Hob johnson there What then?"
"Oh," dryly responded Bowie, CT
would cut him down to my size p