The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-07-17
A Texas MAzEPPA


tory 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 un-
fortunate settler was repeated the IA
nous story of the ride of the Pole Ma
zeppa, but for Grant there was no res
cue, and he was torn to pieces after a
mile two by the raging, maddened
animal to which he was bound.
Grant was a Scotchman by birth, and
had been educated for a physician, but,
owing to ill-heaIth, was obliged to leave
Scotland for u Inilder climate, and final
Iy settled in Mexico, of which country
he became, for the sake OF ezPediency,
a naturalized citizen, and in 1928 bought
a large tract of land in the neighbOr~
hood Of Parras. In the management of
this property he gave great Offense 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 it is believed that the cru
city practiced toward Grant is to be at
tributed to the dislike he aroused at this
tine.
But it is probable that while this in
creased the feeling against his endeav-
Ors to introduce American cO1Onists into
Texas was the real secret of this en-
nifty. In company with DIR. J. c.
BeaIes he, in 1888, obtained an tmpre-
sario contract for settling eight hun
dred families between the Nueces and
Rio Grande rivera Fifty-nine of these
coionists sailed from New York in the
schooner Amos Wright on November
II, 1888, and on December the schoon-
er entered Aransas Pass. Cumbered
with children and women unused to the
privations and exertions of a pioneer q
life, the party proceeded with the
greatest difficulty towards the ter
ritory where their proposed set
tlement was to be. Their way
led via GOliad and San Antonio, and
from the petty annOyances to which
they were subjected at the hands OF the
Mexicans, it was evident that the inmi-
grafton was bitterly resented, and an
object OF suspicion to the authorities
The party arrived at little stream
called the Las Moras March 10, 1884,
where a village was duly laid off into
streets, and, with renewed hopes, the
cOiOnists began the work of breaking
the land into little farms. But the
name of the village, which was Dolores,
seemed prophetic 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
1855 member of the legislature dis
persed by Gen. Cos After this arbi-
trary measure he made his way with a
few companions to San Antonio, and in
the command of a company of forty
men assisted Milan in the capture of
the city, but he was opposed to the
declaration of Texas independence, be-
ieving the measure imprudent and pre-
cipitate, and advised patience until re-
enforced by other settlers.
Early in 1886 he projected an expedi-
ton to the Rio Grande for the purpose
of re-esta blishing, at least temporarily,
the constitution of 1924. In this he as
sociated with himself Col. F. W. John
son, 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 di-
rectiy to Refugio. They arrived early
in February with about seventy men in
San PatriciO, where Johnson establish
ed his headquarters, while Grant, with
Mai. Morris and about forty men, went
west to collect supply of horses.
On the 2Sth of February San Patricic
was surprised and captured by Gen
Urea, who proceeded with such caution
that the Texans We're kept in profound
ignorance of the movement The Mex
lean citizens had notice of the approach
of the troops. and were instructed K
keep their houses illuminated SO tina
their friends would know and respect
johnson was writing until a late hour
and before the light was extinguisheC
received through Il Aiexican servant the
news that the town was in the posses
sion of Urea and was able with fOuI
companions-Toler, Miller, Tone anc
ISeclS-tO make his escape.
In the meantime Col. Grant with nj
company was encamped on the Agus
Dulee creek, tvventY-siX miles to the
southwest, on their way back to SaI
PatriciO with the horses they had Sc
cured. Urea learned of their where
abouts and sent out a large body o
Mexican Dragons for their capture Z
short but decisive fight ensued, yvheI
most of the Americans were kille,
= without quarter, Mag Morris killed
Grant slightly wounded. and Brow
taken prisoner by means OF a lasso tina
was thrown over him. and by which h
SFas dragged to the ground.
Grant known to be a surgeon. va