The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-20
MAZEPPA IN REAL LIFE.
THE AWFUL FATE PREPARED FOR
DR.. GRANT BY MEXlCANS.
A Tragic Story of an Inhuman Incident
of the Early Struggles Between Mexico
and Texas-Brief History Of Grants
Life in Mexico and Texas.

of the Early Struggles Between Mexico
and Texas-Brief History Of Grants
| Life in Mexico and Texas.
Among the tragical events that, written
in blood upon the page Of the history of
Texas early struggle for liberty, make it
one Of the most glorious in the annals of
the world there Is none more thrilling or
terrible than the fate of Dr.. James Grant.
In the person of this unfortunate settler
was repeated the famous story of the ride
| Of the Pole, Mazeppa; but for Grant there
was no rescue, and he was torn 10 pieces
after a mile or two by the raging, mad
| dened animal to which he was bound
! Grant was a Scotchman by birth, and
/ had been educated for q physician, but
| owing to i'll health was obliged to leave
! Scotland for milder climate and finally
| settled in Mexico, Of which country he be-
came, for the sake of expediency, natu-
rallied citizen, and in 1925 bought large
! tract of land in the neighborhood of Par
| raS.
In the management of this property he
| gave great o1fense to the better class of the
| Mexicans by his advanced notions and
efforts to reform the condition of the poor
| laborers of the vicinity, and il is believed
that the cruelty practiced toward Grant is
| TO be attributed to the dislike he aroused.
| But it Is probable that while this in
| creased the feeling against him, his en-
| deavors to introduce American colonists
| into Texas was the real secret of this en-
| nifty.
WHY HE BECAME OBNOXIOUS.
In company with DR.. j. G. Beales he, in
| 1893. obtained an impressario contract for
settling 500 families between the Nueces
and Rio Grande rivers. Fifty-nine of these
colonists sailed from New York in the
schooner Amos Wright on Nov. II, 1888
and or Dec. the schooner entered Aran-
sas pass. Cumbered with children and
| women unused to the privations and ex-
ertions Of pioneers life, the party pro-
| ceeded with the greatest difficulty toward
the territory where their proposed settle
ment was to be. Their way led via Goliad
and San Antonio, and from the petty an
noyances TO which they were subjected at
the hands of the Mexicans it was evident
that the immigration was bitterly resented,
and an object of suspicion
The party arrived at a little stream
called the Las Moras on March 16, 1884,
where village was duly laid off into
streets, and with renewed hopes the colo
nists began the work of breaking the land
into little farms. But the name of the
village, which was Dolores, seemed pro-
phetic. The place was never built>up, and
the settlement was soon abandoned.
Grant then began to occupy himself with
politics. and was secretary of the executive .
council of Coahuila, and in 1885 member
of the Legislature dispersed by General Cos.
After this arbitrary measure he made his
way with few companions to San An
tonic, and in the command of company
of forty men assisted Milan in the can't
ure of the city, but he was opposed TO the
declaration of Texas independence, believ-
ing the measure imprudent and precipitate,
and advised patience until REINFORCED by
other settlers.
WHEN GRANT WAS CAPTURED.
Early in 1886 he projected an expedition
to the Rio Grande for the purpose of re-
establishing, at least temporarily, the con-
stitution of 1924. In this he associated with
himself Colonel P.W. johnson, the pioneer
hero and patriot, whom he sent by the way
of San Felipe, where he was successful in
obtaining the authority of the executive
council for their scheme, while Grant went
directly to Refugio. They arrived early in
February, with about seventy men, in San
Patricio, where Johnson established his
headquarters, while Grant, with Major
Morris and about forty men, went farther
west to collect supply of horses.
On Feb. % San Patricio was surprised
and captured by General Urea, who pro-
ceeded with such caution that the Texans
were kept in profound ignorance of the
movement.
In the meantime Colonel Grant with his
company was encamped on the Aqua Dulce
creek, twenty-six miles to the southwest,
on their way back to San Patricio with the
horses they had secured. Urea learned of
their whereabouts, and sent out large
body of Mexican dragons for their capt
ure short but decisive fight ensued,
when most of the Americans were killed
without quarter, MAJOR Morris killed,
Grant slightly wounded and Brown taken
prisoner by means of lasso.
Grant, known to be a surgeon. was prom
ised a passport to leave the country if he
would attend to the wounded Mexicans.
This he did with such fidelity that all,
without exception, recovered; but in the
meantime the captain left in command Of
the town after the departure of Urea
secretly dispatched eight men in search OF
a wild horse, which they succeeded In capt
uring after about three weeks.
HORRIBLE TREATMENT.
The unfortunate settler was then brought
forth, and by the order of the brutal cap
tain his feet were bound to those of the
horse and his hands 10 the tail He strug-
gled frantically, and after reminding the /
officer of his solemn promise, TO which no
attention was paid, he appealed TO tho |
men, recalling TO them his ministrations |
and devotion, but the only reply was in !
sulting imprecations and shouts Of hideous /
merriment- As the men stood ready 20 |
sever the cords that held the mustang the |
captain brought lash down upon the ami /
mails fanks, exclaiming, This is your /
passport-now 60"
The fiery, untamed hGrse sprang away /
with great violence, and was soon lost to /
sight The next day the Inaugled remains /
of poor Grant were discovered some dis /
lance from the town. but were left I'M /
buried
General Urea, 10 his account Of the |
capture of San Patricia, declares that 1
Grant was killed ia the action OF March 2 i
and the statement was confirmed by Colo 4
mel Reuben Brown, who saw him fall, /
wounded, on that occasion, and believed 4
him dead. but the story of bis fearful r16e 1
to death was told By his Mexican servant, /
who hsd been left in San Patrilia, who /
was Of course perfectly familiar with bis /
person
This servant, q boy Of about eighteen
years old, afterward made his way 70 Gen
eral Houston and, with every evidence Of
real grief, related the barbarous fate Of his