Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-06-10
MAZEPPA IN REAL LIFE.
THE AWFUL FATE PREPARED FOR
DR.. GRANT BY nEIlckMS

/ A Tragic story OF All inhumau Incident
of the Early struggles Between Mexico
aud TeSss-Brief History Of Grants
Life Ia Mexico and Texas,
Among the tragical events that, written
IN blood upon the page Of the history Of
'~txAs' early struggle for liberty, make II
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 To pieces
after mile or two by the raging. mad
dened animal TO which he was bound
Grant was Scotchman hy birth, and
had been educated Tor physician, but
owing to III health was obliged TO leave
Scotland Tor milder climate, aud finally
settled Ia Mexico, OF which country he he
came, foS the sake OF expcdieucy, "A natu
rallied citizen, and tn ISIS bought large
tract Of land ia tha neighborhood uf Par
ras.
In the management OF this property he
gave great cfieuse to the better class OF the
Mexicans by his advanced notions and
effoI = To reform the condition Of the poor
laborers OF the vicinity, aud 1t is believed
that the cruelty practiced toward Grant Is
TO he attributed TO the dislike he aroused
But IL is probable that while this in
creased the feeling against him, his en-
deayors TO introduce American colouists
into Texas was the real secret Of this en-
nifty
WHY HE BECAME OBNOXIOUS.
In company with DIR. j c Beaies he. In
1893. obtained an impressario contract for
settling 500 families between the Nueces
| ia. 81,
colonists sailed from New York 10 the
schooner Amos Wright on Nov II, 1893,
and on Dec. the schooner entered Aran.
sas pass Cumbered with children and
women unused To the privatluns and OK
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 Rn.
noynnces To which they were subjected at
the hands OF the Mexicaus it was evident
that the immigration was bitterly resented.
and an object Of suspicion
The party arrived at little stream
called the Las Moras on March 10, 1884.
where "A village was duly laid off into
streets, and with renewed hopes the colo.
nlsts 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, aud was secretary u the executive
council OF Coahuila, and In lsa5 member
Of the legislature dispersed by General Cos,
After this arbitrary measure he made his
way with n few companions 10 san An
tonic, aud In the command Of u company
Of forty men assisted Milan in the capt.
| - ~ Il 81,
declaration OF Texas independence believ
ing the measure imprudent aud prccipitate,
and advised patience until re enforced by
other settlers.
WHEN GRANT WAS CAPTURED
Early in 1926 hc projected an expedition
to the Rio Graude for the purpose OF re.
establishing, at least temporarily, the con
stitut ion Of 1924. In this he associated with
himself Culc-s-l T. w johnson. tue pioneer
herr aud patriot, whom he sent by the way
OF San Felipe where he was successful in
obtaining the authority 81 the executive
council for their scheme, while Grant went
directly To Refugio They arrived early ia
February, with about seventy men. Ia 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 putricio 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 Patreio with the
horses they had secured Urea learned Of
their whereabouts, and sent ont large
] ~ a
ure short but decisive fight ensued
when most Of the Americans were killed
without quarter. Major Morris killed,
Grant slightly wounded aud Brown taken
prisoner by means OF u lassn
Grant, known 10 he "A surgeon. was prom
Used a passport to leave tile country II he
would attend 10 the wounded Mexieans
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
u 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 tie tail lie strug
Rled FINANCIALLY, aud after reminding tho
officer Of bis solemn promise. to which no
attention was paid, he appealed to the
men, recalling to them his ministrations
and devotion. but the only reply was it,
sulting impreeationS and shouts VI hideou,
merrimenL As the men stood ready TO
sever the cords that held the mustang the
captain brought lash down upon the aui
malls nauks. rxclaiming. This is your
passport-uow go
The fiery, uatamed horse spraug away
with great violence. and WAS soon lost to
sight The ueNt day the mankled remains
of poor Grant were discovered some dis
tance from the town. but were left un
buried
General Urea Ia his account OF the
capture OF san Patricia. declares that
Grant was killed In the action OF March .
and the statement was confirmed by Colo
mel Reuben Brown, who saw him fall
wounded, on that occasion, and believed
him dead, but the story OF his fearful ride
to death was told by his Mexican servant,
who had been left In san Patricia, who
WAS Of course perfectly familiar with his
person.
This servant, boy u about eighteen
years old, AiterHard made his way 10 Gen
eral Houston, aud, with every evidence Of
real grief, related he barbaroas fate Of his
master. lie declared that he made several
attempts to secure the remains aud bury
them, but was warned by the MexicAns