Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-16
COL. BOWIE AND HIS KNIFE.
The Exact Origin of the Famous Weapon
Somewhat Doubtful.
From the y. y. Times.

FROM the " L. lines
The Bowie knife. for many years the most
effective weapon in the south, has been .attrib-
uted to the inventive genius of Col. James
Bowie. one of the heroes in the Texan for
independence, who was killed at the Alamo.
March 6, 1886. The story of the advent of this
remarkable blade, SO far as the colonel ia con-
cerned. is of doubtful authenticity. There are
two versions current in the lone star state.
One is that in bloody contest with the Next
cans. previous to the revolution in Texas. his
sword suddenly broke off within foot and a
half of the hilt. upon which he employed the
fragment a knife in his hand-to-hand con-
tests during the rest of the battle.
Col Bowie settled with his parents in Louisi-
ana early in 1902 and soon became notorious
for his participation in the many duels which
his irritable temper provoked. The most prom
inent and sanguinaIy of these took place oppo-
site Natchez. the Mississippi. in August,
1927. meeting had been arranged between
one DIR. Maddox and Samuel Wells and the
ground selected, low sandbar near the city,
but outside of the state limits. After the diffi-
Guilty had apparently been adjusted by the ex
change of two shots without effect the prin-
cipal- were joined by parties of friends and a
general melee occurred. in which fifteen of the
number were wounded and SIX killed.
Bowie. who one of the participants. had
his knife-the story runs-which had been
made from blacksmith's rasp or large file,
with which he killed Maj. Norris Wright.
After the conflict the weapon was sent north
TO Philadelphia. where it was fashioned by a
cutler into the form of knife. which style of
weapon was Immediately made famous as the
Bowie knife" When the original was re-
ceived by the colonel he was told: 1T is more
Trustworthy in the hands of a strong man than
pistol. for i: will not snap" After this gen.
eral fight he emigrated to Texas with his
brother and took an active part in the struggle
agains: Mexico. He fought in the engagement
near San Saba. November 2. 1881, and in the
battles with the Mexicans near Nacogdoches
and at Conception during 1885. He attained
the grade o: colonel and commanded at Grass
Fight, October 20. the same year. The next
season he ordered to Bexar, later joining
Colonies Travis and Crockett, and with them
was slain at the taking of the Alamo.
The colonel was principal IN another famous
duel. which may probably be regarded as the
greatest on record. and which is still remem-
bered By few old men who are living yet at a
remarkably ripe age. Bowie used to spend a
challenged by gentleman residing in Alexan-
dria. La. for some alleged grievance. The
friends o. the latter TO the number of twenty or
more accompanied him to NatcheZ to see fair
play. well aware that Col. Bowie was desper-
ate man and had his own friends about him.
the combatants taking their places in the center,
separated from their friends in the rear far
enough not to endsnger them with their balls
The twenty armed Louisianians were fifty yards
behind their champion ard his seconds and
surgeons Opposite them. as far behind Bowie
and his seconds and surgeons. were the twenty
armed Missis-ippians, friends of the colonel.
The heights of Natchez were thronged with
spectators. and steamer rounded to in the
river. with its decks black with passengers
watching with a deep interest the exciting
scene. The Plan of the fight was to exchange
shots twice with pistols and to close with
knives. Bowie being armed with his own ter
rible weapon. At the first fire both parties
escaped injury. At the second the Louisianian
too quick and took advantage of Col
Bowie. who waited for the word. At this
Bowie's second cried ont, Foul play,' and
shot the Louisianian dead.
The second of the latter instantly killed the
slayer of his principal. Col. Bowie then drove
his knife into the man. finishing him in an in
| slant. The surgeons now crossed blades. while
with defiant battle cries came on the two par
ties of friends. the light of battle in their ewes
In a moment the whole number was engaged in
fearful conflict. Dirks, pistols and knives
were freely used with fatal effect. Ii was a
dreadful slaughter. Col Bowie fought like
an enraged lion. but fell covered with wounds
For months he fingered in his hotel between
life and death, finally recovering, owing to his
wonderful constitution.