The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-08-22
AN OLD TEXAS FORT.
A RUIN THAT RECALLS ADVENTURES
OF PIONEER DAYS.
A Brush Covered Fertilization Discovered
by Veteran Texas Ranger Who In His
Younger Days Heard nn Interesting story
About Colonel Bowie.

py veteran Texas Ranger Who In His
Younger Days Heard nm Interesting story
About Colonel Bowie.
A. ]. Lowell of Utopia, Uvalde county,
is an old Texas ranger, and in a couversn-
tion with number of gentlemen at 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 30 miles
west of Utopia, noticed on the side of a
hill circular pile of rocks, resembling an
old fertilization. Being interested in such
Things L 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 a hill, making a complete
circle, except gap at the lower end, which
mad been left open as place of entrance.
some OF the stones were very large aud
would have required the united efforts of
dozen men to put them in place. The
height of the rock wall when first hnilt
would have covered 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 if
could discover anything by which l could
uetermine what caused the presence of the
men who built the fort, although l had
guessed they were gold hunters.
noticed the entrance to the fortinca-
ton was on the lower side toward the foot
Of the hill and opposite a small cedar brake.
as II men would come from that point in
case of danger. As soon as l entered the
cedar brake the problem was solved at once.
saw an immense pile of earth banked up,
and near it u shaft. 1t was at the base of a
hill, not hundred yards from Che fort.
hear the head of O ravine. 1t was an old
mine, either of gold, silver or lead, and had
been worked many yearsago. The entrance
TO the mine was down flight of 10 or l2
steps cut In the soil, which time and the
action OF the water pouring into it during
heavy rains had not ellaced. 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 IL mans
body, indicating period prior to the ad-
vent OF the Texas pioneers into these noun
talns, 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 We're Spaniards or Mexicans,
but finally connected the place with the cele-
brated Texan, Colonel James Bowie. 1 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 Ind a
tOlCa of HO Will, hin, ,,l
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.
WI hlle engaged working this mine they
were suddenly attacked one morning by n
large body of Comanche Indians. Bowie
ana his men at once took refuge in the
fortitication, and the battle commenced
with great fury. The Indians, however,
were soon driven to cover in the lqlyiues
and behind the rocks by the deadly fire of
Bowie's 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
the spring, and it was almost
certain death for any one to venture. II the
men all sailed from the fort, they were
likely to be overwhelmed by the superior
Iorce oil the sayages, but something had to
be done.
Now, Bowie owned a strong Young ne
gro named Jim, who was one Of the party.
I'M says Bowie turning to the negro,
won't you take the gourds and bring us
ome water from the spring?'
No, sar, marse; Jim couldn't think of
ueh thing. Them Injuns is a-layin dar
dat brush and rocks, and dey could get
Up and Kill dis nigger befo' You could say
scat" twice, and befo' could half fill dem
sourds. No, sah; can't co.
Bowie looked at the negro with bis
ieen, piercing eye, and said:
Jim, which are you most afraid of-1ne
i the lndians?'
Well, now,' replied Jim, If you 'sist on
ne gwlne OF course I'll go; if dc boys is
ound to have some water befo they can
whip the lnjuns and you 'sist on me
-gwine, why den I'll volunteer my sarv-
;es. Hunt up dem gourds. I'm off,
bowie now told Jim he need not fear. as
ley could protect him with their rifles
rom the fort while he was getting the wa
ef. 1t appears that the Indians were not
xpectinS any one to attempt to come from
he Tort Tor water and evidently did not see
ne negro-in fact, they had to keep well
III themselves, as every exposure of their
ersons would bring whizzing rifle ball
ON the hill. The negro advanced to the
pring, filled the gourds and was starting
ack before the Indians discovered him,
hey now, however, set up terrible veil
lg and commenced firing at him. which
Iso drew the fire Of the fort, as several of
he Indians had shown themselves. The
fSfo now commenced running as best he
'Hld with several gourds dangling about
ia, with number of Indians in close pur-
it, notwithstanding the fact that several
their number had fallen before the dead
aim of Bowie's rifles One burlv savage
ropPed his empty gun, and drawing his
ran close to the negro, intend
g to strike him down with that.
"A rifle cracked from the lower end of
le inclosure, and the Indian fell back
ard.
Jim soon arrived, putting and blowing,
lhging the water gourds with him. st.
ouis Globe-Democrat.
Miles of Thread without a Break.