Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-09-16
Scenes from the Life Of Col. Jas. Bowie
AN INCIDENT IN HIS LIFE.

In the year 1884 business carried
me to New Orleans, where | remained
several weeks. In company with
friend, the night preceding my depar-
ture, | visited celebrated gambling
hell, kept by Harvey Lang, a well
known gambler and duelist. 1t was
midnight when we entered, and the
room was about half full. My friend
directed my attention to table which
stood in the middle of the room, and
around which were standing a num-
Der Of we'll dressed men, all of them
armed to the teeth Several were
subsequently pointed out to me by
my friend as men whose names | had
often heard mentioned, and who acted
as a body guard of Lang; for every
duelst of note then, as now, had a
party Of men whose weapons were
ready to do his bidding, and who al.
ways accompanied him when he went
forth to meet foe. Before this table
stood Harvey Lang, the renowned du-
elist, whose fearful deeds had made
him for years the terror of the city.
gazed upon him with the same curios-
ity that man would feel when gazing
upon a lion, and wondered that so
small frame could hold so great a
heart. For Lang was not over five
feet six inches in height, but his ex-
IRENE thinness made him appear some
what taller. SO far as | was able to
Judge, he appeared to be about thir'
ty { years Of age, but dissipation was
rapidly doing its work upon him, and
his wrinkled forehead and bloodshot
ewes told of the sleepless nights
and days spent in debauchery and
at the gaming table. Ever and
anon he turned his head and gazed
quickly up and down the room, scan
ming rapidly the face Of every new
conner. Occasionally frown would
gather around the corners Of his mouth,
and his hand, unconsciously perhaps,
would grasp the handle of the huge
bowie knife, and then drop listlessly
to his side. In belt, buckled tight
ly around his waist, were two dueling
pistols of the largest size, and bowie
knife, the blade of which was hacked
in several places. From this descrip-
ton of the man, the reader will feel
surprised to hear me state that have
never, before or since, gazed upon a
more gentlemanly looking man; and |
felt more confirmed in my theory, that
the best looking are generally the
greatest villains, or to speak more tru-
", Satan takes care that his followers
lack not a graceful exterior and fine
features. After gazing at him few
moments, | turned to my friend, whose
name | may as we'll state here was
Dawson, and asked
"Can it be possible, that this man
is the renowned duelist P
The reply was in the affirmative.
II say" said a man who had enter
ed a few moments before, "have you
heard the news ?"
"No what is TT" exclaimed sew
eral.
Henry Rogers has been shot, was
the reply.
by whom {? exclaimed Lang, throw
ing down the cards, and sinking into
a chair.
by Colonel Bowie.
The gambler started to his feet, and
the look of hate that passed over his
features was fearful to behold. For a
moment his hand touched his bowie
knife, and he gazed at his informant
as if about to annihilate him. Sud
denly, however, his muscles relaxed,
and he sank into the chair.
who told you this?' he asked hoarse,
ly.
No one, for l was present
AS his second ?
The other nodded.
Who was the challenger
Colonel Bowie.
4 thought so, said Lang and for a
few moments he appeared to be lost in
thought.
4 say, said a man by the name of
Thompson, is it true that you are en-
gagged to fight Jack Prince !?
1T is SO, said Lang, playing with
the handle Of his knife
We'll, continued the other, if
was in your place I'd let him alone.
Why ? asked Lang, his features az
suming an expression Of surprise.