The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1886-11-06
COL. BOWIE HIS KNIFE.

the axiom laid down by the genial
i" Autocrat of the Breakfast Table
=" the race that shortens its weap-
ons lengthens the boundaries" He
remarks that we are the Romans
Of the modern world, and that the
American bowie knife is a form of
the Roman gladius, modified to
meet the wants of society. Time
was when in certain sections of our
beloved country the bowie knife
was the daily companion of large
numbers of our fellow citizens.
Even congressman have been
known to carry them. and the large
muscular Potter. of Winconsin. won
no end of fame more than quarter
of a centuary ago by offering to
fight a duel with the rather dimin-
utive Roger Pryor, armed with this
weapon.
In these, our more peaceful days,
the exigencies of society no longer
require the genial influence of this
famous weapon and it is quite like
lv that many young readers have
never seen one. A gentleman from
the north many years ago had busi-
ness which required him to stay
some time in Arkansas and the In
dian territory. 1t was in the wild
davs of the southwest when it was
the universal custom to go armed.
This gentleman purchased bowie
knife. but never carried it except
in his trunk. On his return north
he brought it with him, where after
serving as curiosity in the house
hold for a time it finally got into
use in the kitchen as a butcher
and bread knife. 1t was of finely
tempered steel, easily sharpened,
and became a favorite weapon to
attack a loaf of bread with. More
than one visitor to that household
was startled by the blood curdling
cry of one of the children to his
mother. Mother, where is the
bowie knife?" Mercy" would be
the ejaculation of the visitor.
What does that child want with
A bowie knife?" "Oh, he only
wants to cut a piece of bread for
himself" and then the terrible
knife would be produced amid
much merriment.
Quine different were its uses in
the south. There it was never de-
based to more domestic objects,
but served its legitimate purpose OF
maintaining order and decorum In
society. During session OF the
Arkansas legislature in 1897, the
speaker of the house had occasion
to call member to order. The
member insisted on keeping the
door for the purpose of making an
explanation, whereupon Mr.. Speak
er drew an immense bowie knife
and advanced toward the offending
member for the purpose OF bring
ing him to order. The member
also drew his bowie knife, and as
The speaker advanced, threw it at
him. expecting to disable him, a
feat he had performed more than
once. Unfortunately he missed
his aim, and the kife fell ringing
on the floor thirty PAGES away. The
member Strengthened himself in
front of his foe, who, advancing
deliberately, cut him down with one
dreadful cash. killing him instant
ly. The gentleman having thus
been called to order, Mr.. Speaker
resumed his seat, and the house ad-
journed for three days to attend
the funeral. We are told that Mr.
Speaker was tried for the murder but
was acquitted. Another story that
had considerable credence at one
time was that, at the battle OF
Buena Vista, regiment of Mlssls-
sipians, under the command OF JET.
ferson Davis, received charge OF
Mexican cavalry in the shape OF a
V, with the open end toward the
enemy. The cavalry, riding into
the open end. were first greeted
a deadly fire from the rifles, after