Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-01-22
COL. eowle AND HIS KNIFE.
The Exact Origin Of Inc Famous Weapon Some.
what Doubtful.

The Bowie knife. for many years The
most effective weapon ~ the Spulh' hnh
been attributed 10 the inventive genius
of Colonel james Bowie. one ot the
heroes iu the Texan war Tor iudePen
deucc. WHO was killed ut the Alamo
March %, 1886 The story ni the Ad-
vent of this remarkable blade, 80 fur us
the colonel Is concerned. h Ot doubtful
authenticity. There uip two versions ur
rent in thr Lone Star state One ~
that IN a bloody contest WITH the Mex
icntis prev ious Ia the revolution in Texas
his sword suddenly broke on within q
foot aud half of the hllt, upon which
he employed the fragment as knife
In his hand tO-hnnd contests during the
rest Of the battle.
Colonel Bowie settled with his parents
Ia Louisiana early in lSO2 and soon
Became ilutOrious for his participation IN
the many duels which bis Irritable temper
provoked. The most prominent nnd san
culinary Of these took place opposite
Matches, ON the Mississippi, In Auust,
1897. A meeting hui been arranged
between on, pr Maddox md samuel
Wells and the round selected low
snndbar near the city. but outside of
the state limits. After the difficulty hn}
nppnre4 tly brpn adjusted by the eX.
change of two shots without effect, the
principals were joined by parties Of
friends. and a encrh melee Ocourred
Ia which fifteen of the number were
wounded and six killed.
Bowie, who was one Of the pRrtici-
pants, had been shot early la the en-.
gagement lie drew his knife the story
rlr~,s hiCh had been made from Il black
smiths rusp or large file. with which he
killed Major Norris Wright.
After the conflict the weapon was sent
North 10 Philadelphia. where Ii was fash,
lnfnI lk "a HuIIru IfHft fIf az IA ItttF.t
which style OF weapon was immediately
nude famous us the Bowie knife"
When the original WIS received by the
colonel he was tuld 1T Is more trust
worthy in the hnbds of strong man
than pistol, for it will not snap" After
this g'tcrul fight he cmigrated 10 Texas
with his brother aud took an active mart
in the struggle against Mexico He
fought p the engagement near San Saba.
Nov 2,lS3l and Ia the hntiles with
the McKicnns near Nacogdoches aud at
Conception during 1875. lie attained
the grade Of colonel aud commander at
Grass Fight Oct % the same year. The
next season he was ordered 10 Bexar.
later joining Colonies Travis and Crock.
EFT aud with them was slain at the
taking OF the Alamo
The colonel was principal In another
famous duel, which may probably Ice re-
gardcd as the greatest on record aud
which h still remembered by few old
men who are living yet at a remarkably
ripe age. Bowie used to spend n great
deal Of his time ii Matches, where he
was challenged by gentleman rcidding
ia Alexandria, La, for some alleged
grievance The friends OF the later 10
the number of twenty or more necOmpn-
MED him 20 Matches 10 see fair play. well
aware that Colonel Bowie wax a dos.
perato man and had his own friends
about him. All the parties went together
upor the field the cOmhatnnts taking
their places In the center, separated FROM
their friends in the rear far enough not
10 endangar them with th 'ir balls The
twenty armed l4uuisiaidans were
fifty yards behind their cham
pi0n aud his secondhand surgeons
opposite them. as far behind Bowie and
his seconds and surgeons, were twenty
armed Mississippians, friends of the col
Onel
The heights Of Natchez were thronged
with spectators, aud steamer rounded
10 Ia the river, with its decks black with
passengers watching with a deep interest
~" exciting scene The plan Of the
light WAS to exchange shots twice with
pistols and 10 close with kDiyes Bowie
being nrued with his Jwn terrible weAp.
on. AZ the first iir both parties escaped
injury. Al the second. the LOuHiauian
was too quick ana took advantage OF
Colonel Bowie, who waited for the word.
AZ this BOwie's second cried out. "fOuI
pldyW aud shot the I.ouisianian dead.
The second Of the latter Instantly
Killed the slayer Of his prfdpal. Colonel
Bowie then drove his knife into the man,
finishing him in an instant The surgeons
now crossed bad - while, with defiant
battle cries came 0n the two p0rties Of
friends, the light OF battle IN their eyes.
In a moment the whole lumber was
engaged Ia a fearful conflict Dirks,
pistols, and knives were freely used
with fatal effect II WIS dreadful
slaughter Colonel Bowie fought like an
enrngpd lion. but fen covered with
wounds. For months be fingered IA I'M
hotel between life and DEATH finally
recoyerilw, owing TO his wonderful con.
stitutiom