The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-11
COLONEL JIM BOWIE.
Some "reminiscences of the
Knife Inventor.
His Encounter with Sheriff Wright - A
Duel in a Dark Room-Adventures
in Texas.


Ione-Star State and the Red-river country at a
time before the refining influences which sur
rounded older and well established communi-
ties had overcome the wild lawessness that
there regned almost supreme, and his name is
linked with those of David Crockett, Govern
or Sam Houston, and others who assisted
Texas in the days when she was struggling to
be freed from Mexican masters Oh the one side
and a horde Of lawless desperadoes and GRIM
finals from all parts of tho world on the ether
Few arc the numbers of those now living who
had any participation in those exciting events,
and their ranks, like those of our pioneers, are
daily thinning ont.
James L. Parker, a white-haired old resident
of this city and pioneer of 1851, is one of the
number who, as he expressed it, has not
''cros ed over the range" and it was during
the course of conversation with him last
week that Call reporter gained the following
interesting facts regarding Colonel Bowie
Mr.. Parker is seventy-nine years of age and
he has had peculiarly adventurous career,
yet his frame is still vigorous and his health
excellent.
~ was born'' said Mr.. Parker. when pressed
to speak of Bowie, "in New Orleans, and from
the time | was youth the name of James
Bowie was as familiar to me and every one in
the south as that of Blaine is to every ono to-
day, though of course in different way. By
some Bowie was looked upon as q cold blooded
cruel man, who would not hesitate at any
crime. Others, and L am glad to say they were
In the majority, knew Bowie as he really was
genial, whole souled fellow, possessed of an
ungovernable temper, which frequently led
him into fierce disputes and bloody encounters.
met him often when l was Older and was
numbered among hundreds OF staunch friends
which he had.
BOwIE's CABIN.
"Bowie was Kentuckian by birth, and like
all the sons of that state, was tall and nuscu-
lar. He had keen, flashing eye and deter
mined cast of features which betokened his
disposition. When he first came to Louisiana
he located himself in a cabin near the Texas
border line and INDUCED in hunting and fish
ing. His many deeds of daring and reckless
ness soon made his name famous in the vicini-
ty of his home. AS you know, Texas then
belonged to Mexico and I can tell you it was
q paradise to live in. 1t was overrun with des-
peradoeS and adventures of all kinds, and
these wild fellows, who were more to be feared
than the Idans, infested the borders. 1t was
considered quite the right thing to every year
organize expeditions of tilbustering nature
and invade the territory. Bowie was attracted
By the promise of adventure which those ex-
peditions afforded and accompanied one led by
Tennessee man named James Long. 1t met
with dire disaster. The party was ambushed
by the MeXicans, and Long and the greater
part of his men were killed by the Greasers,'
as we called the Mexicans. Bowie managed to
escape and after many weary days and nights
of wandering reached home. He was sickened
of Texas fllibustering expeditions for some
slime after this"
''He then engaged in rather reprehensble
business together with his brothers. The Bow
les entered into an agreement with LATTE, the
Gulf pirate, whereby they smuggled slaves
into the country. The buccaEeer had sheltered
places along the Gulf shore in the vicinity of
Galveston. These were only known to HIM
self and his followers. He landed parties OF
negroes freshly torn from their African homes
et these points, where they were sold to Bowie
and others engaged in the business at the rate
Of 81 pound. The Bowies took their human
chattleS into the United States. They then
went directly to the federal authorities and
placed an information against themselves, as it
were, it being against the law to bring slaves
Into the state. OF course the slaves were seized,
and the Bowies were paid half of their value
Tor informing.
THE KNIFE INVENTED.
"a marshal's sale was then held and the
BowieS took good care to be on hand and pur-
chase the slaves at a low price. They in this
way became the legal owners of the negroes,
who were sold at greatly advanced figures In
In this kind of work Bowie accumulated a for
tune of $4,000 or $4,000. Ii was also at this
time that he devised the Bowie knife In the
course of the trip to Galveston he conceived
the idea of huge knife which could be used
Tor utility purposes in camp and as a weapon.
He communicated his plan to a blacksmith,
who made him knife. 1 saw the original
weapon, and l must agree with Davy Crock
ett's expression when he first saw Bowies
TO give timid man the collie. 1t was long
piece OF metal fixed i'll horn handle. The
blade was ground down to a sharp edge ON one
side and had heavy back. 1t could be used
like hachet for chopping wood. Bowie did not
carry his weapon with him all the time, nor
did 1t gain any special reputation in his hands
until after an encounter which he had in 1926
Parish.
"Bowie took an active part in the bitter
jackson campaign of the year mentioned. He
was then living at Alexandria, on the Red riv
er: After very heated dispute with Sheriff
wright one day the latter drew a pistol and
shot Bowie, who was unarmed, in the leg. AS
soon as he was around again Bowie had scab-
bard made for his knife, and attached it to his
belt
"'Pll wear that as long as I live,' he said to
Q friend, and no man will ever get the
drop on me again. And wear it he did up to
the day of his death.
THE next year saw the sequal to the first
meeting with the sheriff. 1t took place at
Natchez DIR. Maddox and Samuel Wells. two
citizens of that place, had had little differ
ence OF opinion about some trivial matter, and
as was the established law for gentleman in
those days, chellenge to duel was sont and
accepted. Pistols were chosen as the weapons
and sand-har in the Mississippi was the meet
Ing place. Several mutual friends were taken
along. The combatents exchanged several
shots, which took no effect and with the feel
ing that they had done all that was required of
TO Natchez the best of friends.
DEATH OF WRIGHT.
"Wels insisted that Maddox and his second,
Colonel Crane, should come into the woods
with him, where they could meet some other
friends and enjoy refreshments. Crane Oh
3ected, saying he would surely meet some per-
sons whom lie did not like, and that shooting
would only take place. So Wells then con-
sented to go with Maddox and meet party of
his friends. On the road three friends came
up. They were James Bowie, General Curry
and another man. Crane and Curry were old |
time enemies, and no sooner did they see one
another than their pistols were whipped out
and fred almost simultaneously. Crane first
fred at Bowie, woundng him, and then killed |
Curry. This was the preliminary TO a regular
battle, for the friends of Maddox, having heard
the firing, came mp Sheriff Wright was with /
them and seeing Bowie lying on the ground
apparently dead, he approached ambient over
him AS quick as a flash Bowie drew his long
knife, and, with a rapid movement drove it
through Wright's heart as he leaned over. Not
content with thus paying off an old score,
bowie, although wounded sorely and bleeding,
Jumped up and cut down another Of the Wells
Darfy.