The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-13

about thirteen feet thick. The stones were
put together without much regard for the
rules Of masonry, but they were welded SOL
idly with mortar, Nothing less than can
nonade could batter them down. When this
old fort was built there is no means of
determining. but there are various tradl-
tons concerning its origin and history.
one OF the largest and smoothest stones
in the front wall bears the inscription.
1853. Ammo Domini." Nacogdoches felix,
who venerate ancient things as much as
people in other parts OF the world are dis
posed 10 accept this Inscription as the truth,
although none of them is positive about it,
AT any rate, they know that the old fort
mas stood almost since La Sales time.
Many think that 1t was built by the hardy
priest himself as one of his chain of for
tresses stretching from Cana TO New Or
leahs, designed TO protect the territories of
France from the Spaniards OF Mexico.
Another tradition says that it was built
by young Frenchman named ST. Denis
who is believed to have established a re-
pubic in the Western wilds and maintained
himself against the French on one side
Tue 1paniarus on the other and the ,ndians
en- all sides. until he was killed In battle
rms st. Denis, the tradition runs. fled
from France in the last decade of the sew
enteenth century because of some political
oifense. and took refuge with the French
colonists at New Orleans. He was forced
TO ieaVe New Orleans for similar olfense.
ana TINS time he sought q retreat aronp
the friendly Natche2 Indians. whose o,sist .
ahce ne secured pnrtly because he WAS heip-
TESS ana partly because he always dealt
larry with them. He attracted to his side
many restless spirits from the French col
onles AT New orleans and along the Texas
/ shole OF the gulf, and many buccaneers vii ,
meIc forced TO give up their piratital prac-
tees in the gulf and take TO the woods +,
escape French and Spanish men-of- war
re ruied these men with a rod of iron and
succeeded in resisting the power of The
N.eFlcan Viceroy and the French governor
OF louisiana until his death when for want
VI F." icdue' as capable as himself his little
government dissolved,
rms legend is not very well ,utbon.
licated, because St. Denis left uo t~.,.,e
N the shape OF documents behind hi,,,
mere are however, numerous inscriptiohs
on he walls, some in French and some in
Latn' which, in the absence OF better
proof OF ST. Denis occupancy. are accented
as evidence that ne really lived there +, 10
said That ST. Denis body was buried IN
me tort, but his bones were never dis
covered. While the war for Texas iude-
pehuehce was in progress two cd ARGUE
| buses OF seventeenth century pattern and
.he siiVor seabbard of an old broadsword
we're uhearthed by man who was dig
g'hS near the walls OF the fort These relies
are now in the possess on Of an sged citi-
zen OF Nacogdoches who won't into Texas
rom Tennessee back in tire 20s.
The first Texas pioneers who crossed
Arkansas from Tennessee before the battle
OF New orleans was fought found tie old
! iort roofless yellow ruin, and built their
/ settlement about IT, They patched 1t up
ana made II their arsenal and place of ra-
fnge in times OF trouble. The Indians, In
cited by tho HeXicans of the South. were
/ OFTEN hostile, and many time tho pioneers
hustled their women and children within
us protecting walls while they went out
INTO the forests to beat off hostile band
on kckapoos " Comauches. Years before
houston or Austin went to Texas the old
Tort was the scene Of furious rattles and
ifriliing tragedies. The Pioneers held their
own until their numbers had been IN
creased to thousands by the arrival OF new
corners rom the East and South, and they
were able to begin iheu Wal for independ-
oncc
Nacogdoohes was for while the sat
OF the new government and the scene q
struggles fercer than any which marked
its earlier history. While Houston, Austin
Crockett and Fannin were fighting the
Mexicans at San Antonio and along the
Trinity and Colorado rivers. another band
OF Americans was holding Nacogdoches