Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-03-03
TIE BOWIE KNIFE.
Zee IHventien saa Eirst Uae-A Dosper-
ate Combat.


Miss, on Red River. The principals
were DIR. Maddox, Major Wright and
the Blanchsrds en- the one part, the Cur
reys, the Wellses and Bowies on the
other. A challenge had passed between
DIR. Maddox and Samuel Wells.a meet
ing was arranged to take place near
Natchez, Miss. in September, 1927. 1t
was agreed that no persons should be
present but the combatants, their
seconds and surgeons. The place of
meeting was large sand bar, i'm
mediately below the upper bluff, near
Natchez. The sand bar at low water is of
considerable width, bordered above and
below with forest growth: on the oppo-
site side of this bar were stationed the
friends of each party; one of these par
ties was something nearer the combat
ants than the other. Colonel Crane WIS
the second of Maddox. Between him
and james Bowie and General Currey
there had long existed deadly feud,
and some months before this affair
General Currey shot Colonel Crane with
n shotgun, on Bayou Rapides, disabling
one of his arms.
The parties to the duel approached the
spot selected for the combat from diff
ierent directions. The preliminaries
were soon arranged. The combatants
took their positions and exchanged two
shots without effect, and the difficulty
was amicably adjusted.
Bowie was just in the edge of the
woods with Generals Wells and Currey,
armed with pistols. Bowie carrying n
huge knife. AS the dueling party
started to leave the grounds Bowie and
party started to meet them. The friends
of Maddox and Crane on the opposite
side of the sand-bar seeing this, and
being furthest from the party, started in
run to meet them as soon as they
should reach the retiring comLatants.
General Currey was the first on the
ground, closely followed by Bowie.
Currey Immediately advanced upon
Colonel Crane and remarked: Colo
mel Crane, this is a good time to
settle our difficulty" and commenced
drawing his pistol. Bowie did the
same. Crane was armed with brace
of dueling pistols, and standing awaited
the attack of Currey. At this moment
Currey was seized by his brother and
begged to desist. Bowie and Crane
fred at each other, it was said without
effect. There were those who said
Bowie WIS wounded. This latter state.
ment think most probable. for Bowie
stopped, felt of his hip and then draw
ing his knife limped toward Crane, who
was watching General Curran. Re-
leased from the hold of his brother
Currey was advancing. At this moment
Crane leaped across q small ravine cut
through the sand by the rain-water
flowing from the activities above and,
resting his pistol upon his crippled arm,
fred at Currey, wounding him fatally.
He fell.
Crane was row disarmed and Bowie
advanced cautiously upon him. Club
bing his pistol he struck Bowie over
the head, as he avoided his knife
adroitly, and felIed him to the ground.
Crane retreated step, as his friend
Major Wright approached. Bowie, in
the meantime. had risen, and was
sustaining himself by holding on to q
snag which the river when at food had
left sticking firmly in the sand. Major
Wright advanced upon him, and WITH
a long, slender spear, drawn from a
walking cane which he carried attacked
Bowie, who made a pass to parry the
spear with his knife, in which he failed.
The spear was OF cold iron. and striking
the breast-bone, bent and went round
upon the rib. Bowie at this moment
seized Wright and fell, pulling Wright
down with and on :op of him and
holding him strongly to his person.
Wright wss n slender, and by no mea s
strong man, and was powerless in the
hands OF Bowie, who coolly said o him /:
Now, major. you diei" and plunging
the knife into his heart killed him In
stantly.
This knife was made by Resin p.
Bowie out OF a blacksmith's rasp, or
large file, and was the original of the
famous Bowie knife. When James
Bowie received It from bis brother he
was told by him that 1t was "strong
and Of admirable temper. II is more
trustworthy in the hands of strong
man than pistol, for 1t will not snap.
Crane and Wright are both your
enemies; they are from Maryland, the
birthplace Of our ancestors, and are as
brave as you are, but not so cool. They
are both inferior in strength to your
self, and therefore not your equal in n
close fight. They are both dangerous.
but Wright the most so. Keep this
knife always with you. twill be your
friend in a last resort and may save
your life" After this conflict Resin T.
Bowie carried this knife to Philadel-