The Forrest City times., 1891-06-26
A MAZEPPA IN TEXAS.
ONE OF THE TRAGIC INCIDENTS
 OF MEXICAN RULE.
Tied ts . Wild Horss and Then Dragged to Death After Haviag Drssssd the WounAs of His Mer-
 elless Captors.

eilsss Csptors.
 Among the tragical events that,
 written in blood upon the page of the history of Texas early struggle for liberty, there is none more thrilling or terrible than the fate of Dr. James Grant In the person of this unfort- unate settler was repeated the famous story of the ride of the Pole Mazeppa but for Grant there was no rescue and he was torn to pieces after a mile or two by the raging, maddened animal to which he was bound.
 Grant was Scotchman by birth and had been educated for physician, but owing to ill-health, was obliged to leave Scotland for a milder climate. and finally settled in Mexico. of which country he became, for the sake of expediency, a naturalized citizen. and in 1925 bought a large tract of land in the neighborhood of Parras. In the management of this property he gave great offence to the better class of the Mexicans by his advanced notions and efforts to reform the condition of the poor laborers of tho vicinity and it is believed that the cruelty practised toward Grant is to be attributed to the dislike he aroused at this time.
 Early in 1886 he projected an expedi- tion to the Rio Grande for the purpose of re- establishing, at least temporari- ly the constitution of 1924. In this he associated with himself Colonel F. 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 ex- ecutiyo 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 Norris and about forty men, went further west to collect a supply of horses.
 Or the 2Sth of February San Patri- cio WIS surprised and captured by General Urea who proceeded with such caution that the Texans were kepH in profound ignorance of the movement. The Mexican citizens had notice of the approach of the troops anG were instructed to keep their hoiTsos illuminated, so that their friends would know and respect them. By g fortunate accident Colonel John son was writing until late hour, and before the light was extinguished re- ceived through Mexican servant the nows that the town was in possession o' Urrea, and was able with four com pm ions-Toler. Miller Tone and Beck-to make his escape.
 In the meantime Colonel Grant with bis company was encampad on the Agua Dulce creek, twenty-six mile. ta the southwest, on their way bach to San Patrieio with the horses they had secured Urea learned of their whereabouts and sent out large body of Mexican dragons for their capture. A short but decisive fight ensued. when most of the Americans wore killed without quarter. Major Morria killed. Grant slightly wounded, and Brown taken prisoner by means of lasso that was thrown over him, and Ey which he was dragged to the ground.
 Gran. known to be a surgeon, wac promised passport to leave the country if he would attend to the wounded Mexicans. This he did with such fidelity that all, without excep- Ilon, recovered; but in the meantime ba 4aty 1nff i,1 town after the departure of Urea secretly dispatched eight mon in search If a wild horse. which they succeeded Ia capturing after about three weeks.
 The unfortunate settler was then brought forth, and, by tho order of the brutal captain. his feet was bound to those of the horse, and his hands to the tail. He struggled frantically, and after reminding the officer of his solemn promise to which no attention was paid. he appealed to the mon, recalling to them his ministrations and devotion, but tho only reply was insult ing imprecations and shouts of hideous merriment
 As the men stood ready to sever tho cords that held the mustang the cap tain brought lash down upon the an- imars Hanks, exclaiming: This is your passport now go."
 The fiery untamed horse sprang away with great violence. and was soou lost to sight. The next day the remains of poor Grant were some distance from the town. but were left unburied.
 The story of his fearful ride to death va, told by his Mexican servant. who had been left in San Patricio. and who was of course perfectly familiar with his person. This servant boy of about IS years old, afterwards made his way to General Houston, and with every evidence of real grief related the barbarous fate of his master He declared that he made several attempts to secure the remains and bury them. but was warned by the Mexicans not to interfere on peril of his life.