The Helena independent., 1893-08-21
in OLD FORT IN TEXAS.
The Crumbling Ruin That Recalls
the Adventures Of the Plo-
nesr Days.
A Brush Covered Defense Dis
covered by a Veteran Lone
Star Ranger.
In Hts Younger Days Hs Had Heard an
Interesting Story About tho Re
nowHed Bowie.

A. J. Lowell Of Utopia, UvaIde county,
Is an old Texas ranger, and i'll CONVERSE
ton with number of gentlemen ut Calves
ton the other day he gave an account OF
his visit to the old fort erected by the cele-
brated James Bowie.
"A short time ago." remarked Captain
Lowell, while crossing the divide between
the Main and Dry Frio, about 80 miles
west of Utopia, noticed on the side of
hill circular pile of rocks, resembling an
old fortitcation. Being interested in shch
things turned aside to investigate On
arriving at the place discovered that the
rocks had been placed there by the hand Of
man at an early day. The fort, which will
now call this rude structure, was built on
the south side Of hill. making complete
circle, except gap at the lower end, which
had been left open as place Of entrance
Some of the stones We're very large and
would have required the united efforts Of
a dozen men to put them in elace. The
height Of the rock wall when first built
would have covered q man to the neck, and
the place would have made an admirable
spot to stand off band of Indians, which
have no doubt it had been built for. The
next thing was to look around and see IL
could discover anything by which could
determine what caused the presence Of the
men who built the fort, although / had
guessed they were gold hunters.
II noticed the entrance to the fOrtifica-
tion was on the lower side toward the foot
of the hill and opposite a small cedar brake,
as II 1nen would come from that point In
case OF danger. AS soon as I entered the
cedar brake the problem was solved at once.
saw an immense pile of earth banked up,
and near it shaft. It was at the base Of a
hill, not hundred yards from the fort,
near the head of ravine. It was an old
mine, either of gold. silver or lead, and had
been worked many years ago. The entrance
to the mine was down fight of 10 or 12
steps cut in the soil, which time and the
action of the water pouring into it during
heavy rains had not effaced. At the bot
tom of the steps the excavations extended
west under the hill upon which the fort was
built. did not penetrate it far, as had
no light. On the mound of soil near the
shaft grew cedar trees as large as mans
body, indicating a period prior to the adj
tains when the country was full Of hostile
Indians. The fort on the side of the hill
commanded all approaches to the mine.
"In surmising in regard to the people who
formerly worked this mine at first conclud-
ed that they were Spaniards or Mexicans,
but finally connected the place with the cele-
| brated Texan, Colonel James Bowie. rec
objected hearing my father relate a circum-
| stance which he heard from Colonel Bowie
in Gonzales before the Texan revolution.
Colonel Bowie said that on one occasion,
while prospecting for gold or silver in the
mountains west of San Antonio, he had
sunk shaft in search of silver. He had a
force of 80 men with him, and anticipating
an attack by the Indians fortified the camp
by piling up large rocks. Their position
commanded every approach to their camp
and shaft, and also to spring of water
something over 100 yards distant.
"While engaged working this mine they
were suddenly attacked one morning by a
large body of Comanche Indians. Bowie
and his men at once took refuge In the
fortiflcation, and the battle commenced
with great fury. The Indians, however,
were soon driven to cover in the ravines
Bowels men. The fight lasted all day, each
party firing as opportunity offered. Dur
ing the day, however, Bowie's men drank
up all their water and began to suffer in
tensely with thirst. The Indians, however
from their position in the rocks and gullies
commanded the spring, and it was almost
certain death for any one to venture. 1T the
men all sailed from tho fort, they were
likely to be overwhelmed by the superior
force of the savages, but something had tt
be done.
Nov, Bowie owned a strong young ne
gro named jim, who was one of the party
"Jim,' says Bowie, turning to the negro
won't you take the gourds and bring VI
some water from the spring"
"No, sar, marse; Jim couldn't think o
such thing. Them lnjuns IL a-layin da
In dat brush and rocks, and dey could ge
up and kill dis nigger befo' you could So.
"scat" twice, and befo' could half fill den
gourds. No, sab; can't go
Bowie looked at the negro with hi
keen, piercing eye, and said:
"'Jim, which are you most afraid of--m
Or the Indians3'
"'Well, now replied Jim, III you 'sist o.
me gwine of course I'll go; If de boys j
bound to have some water befo' they cal
whip the Injuns and You 'sist on IN
a-gwine, why den Pll volunteer my sarv
ices. Hunt up dem gourds. I'm off,
Bowie now told Jim he neod not fear, a
they could protect him with their rifle
from the fort while he was getting the wa
ter. 1t appears that the Indians were no
expecting any one to attempt 10 come from
the fort for water and evidently did not sc
the negro-in fact, they had to keep wei
hid themselves, as every exposure of thei
: persons would bring whizzing rifle ba
from the hill. The negro advanced to tn
spring, filled the gourds and was startin
back before the Indians discovered hin
- They now, however, set up terrible yel
d ing and commenced firing at him, whic
also drew the fire of the fort, as several {
the Indians had shown themselves. Ih
: negro now commenced running as best L
could with several gourds dangling abor
: him, with number of Indians In close pu
2 uuit, notwithstanding the fact that sever;
! ut their number had fallen before the deas
ly aim of Bowie's rifles. One burly saval
dropped his empty gun. ana drawing h
,omahawk ran close to tho negro, inten(
ing to strike him down with that.
"A rifle cracked from the lower end I
: the inclosure and tho Indian fell bacl
: ward.
z Jim soon arrived, putting and blowing
< lr; pinrr h, ~ ot er pourlS with him ~,