Oxford eagle., 1888-05-17
SKETCHES or TRAVEL OVER
THE SUNSET ROUTE.

That terrible ordeal the court
Of InauisitiOn. was introduced
into the West. AntOr da ie
were held in Mexico, long after
they we're abolished in Spain
and Portugal
I, would BE an easy matter 10
terrify a credulous or timid per
son in this dismal place, by in
struments of physical torture,
or by representations OF death,
Satan. or tormenting demons.
| almost shudder, as the
thought arises. that, perhaps,
some such horrible deeds as
those that made the Inquisition
so famous and infamous. may
have been committed where we
now stand.
THERNOPHYLEA OF AMERICA
The Alamo is renowned for
being the scene of one OF the
fiercest battles and saddest
tragedies, that ever occurred
on American soil. "It is the
ThermOphylea of America, with
this exceptions: Thermophylea
had its messenger of defeat; the
Alamo had none"
In 1896, when Texas was
struggling for her independence
+ Col. Travis with I4i men held
this fort eleven days against a
fo:ce of 5000 Nexicans com
manded by Santa Anna. With
Spartan-lIke valor, the little
band determined never to sur
render or retreat. Col. Bonham
was sent ont for reinforcement:
bat finding none, returned to
share the fate of his comrades
For ten days, q bOmbardment
was continued. During this time
many Hexicans we're slain, yet
no. one American hurt.
On the eleventh day, Santa
Anna stormed the fort. having
given orders for every man that
turaed back TO he Immediately
shot. The attacking party and
the besieged were 10th. on this
last day, actuated by the same
determination. that of victory
or DEATH
Col Travis with about one
hundred men defended the walls
Col Davy Crockett with the re-
mainder was stationed in the
Alamo. Thirty-two patriotic
Texans had made their way into
the fort and joined the heroes
in their last struggle.
The Aexlcans, appearing uDou
the ramparts, were attacked
with desperate energy. Twice
were the yard and walls cleared
of the foe by missiles of death
in the hands of the Texans.
The Americans fought, until.
covered with wounds, they sank
down with wesriness aud loss of
blc cd, into the embrace of death.
There was but one of the
brave defenaers alive, when il1e
Mexicans obtained possession
OF tue fort. BY order of Santa
Anna. he was Immediately shot
The disastrous battle ended
IN the death of every American.
except "a woman. a baby aud q
negro servant. The wife and
child of Lieut.. Dickinson were
found by the Mexicans In the
hrst cell here, on the right of
the entrance door. Sam. the
devoted servaGt of Col. Travis.
was also unhurt.
Mrs. ID. with her baby in her
arms, accompanied by Sam. was
Epe-mitted to leave and find
refuge among the Texans.
i A Dragging proclamation made
by the Mexican General left in
command of the fort, was given
them TO be delivered to the peo
pie of Texas. The vieto.y was
a dear one to the foe. Sixteen
hundred OF their men were slain,
In succeeding battles. the war.
lery that inspired the Texans
and led them to victory was
Remember the Alamo
Our guide points out a spot
near the door where Col. Crock.
ett fell. Ii is marked by dark
stains. which, in Imagination we
look upon as faint traces of the
patriots blood.
On exhibition here. is a writ
of execution given by Col.
Crockett in 1878. when he wa.
masist-ate of Lawrence county.
Tennessee. The preservation
of this little relic exhibits the
, nigh estimation held of him by
the people. who enjoy the free
dom for which he died.
j The Alamo is a monumental
pile, commemorative of the
brave men, whe fell here in the
defense of Texas.
i MISSION CONCEPTION.
Desiring to visit other old
mission buildings In the vicinity
OF San Antonio, we enter a car.
rage and are soon bowling along
streets lined with China umbrel
Ia trees. After crossing a bridge
We enter a quiet country road
bordered in some places hy ne.
can groves. Our carriage stops
al the gate ola wall that sur