The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-03-12
EPISODE OF OLD TEXAS.
The Government Set Up by Count
st. Denis in 1714
A Romantic Fragment OF Southwestern
History-The Counts Meeting with
the Man He Thought He
Had Slain.

soon pass beyond the reach of all writ
ers. Few people know anything of the
very first settlements in Texas. and,
doubtless. many will be astonIShcd To
learn that the business of creating re-
publics in that country commenced
nearly 200 years ago There were fill
busters Who dreamed of carving out for
themselves an empire in the great south
west long before even Aaron Barr was
born. Others in the ranks OF the most
careful readers of history viii possibly
he surprised to learn that the old San
Antonio road, which is one of the best
known landmarks in the southwest
Was laid of and carefully mapped just
ls2 years ago. II was AT one time re
garled as the longest highway IN the
world. 1t was longer than any of the
old Roman roadS--longer than the great
military road that led from the gates OF
the Eternal City To ConstantinopIc and
the Asiatic provinces. The San An
tonic road proper ran from san Au-
@ustine to San Antonio. and the long
road extending south OF the Alamo mis-
sion across the Rio Grande to the City
of Mexico "A distance of more than l.oOG
miles, was also called the san Antoni,
road. 1t was originally laid OFT 100 feet
wide. II is road yet. This great road.
over which Spanish viceroyS and richly
laden caravans traveled-over which
countless thousands crowded their
way to battle fields for more than 100
wears. was laid Off by men who were
tall,in" of republican institutions be
fore the idea of jefferson or the tri-
umphs of Washington had ever en-
tered the minds of the widest dream
crs.
Spain and France both claimed the
country. France based her claims on
the discoveries of La Sale. This great
explorer. in searching for the mouth OF
the Mississippi. sailed too far west. and
finally landed on the shores of Mata-
rOrda bay. Here he built Il for. and
galIcd il Fort st. Louis. in honor Of
Louis NV. of France. Realizing that
ho had made a mistake, La Sale ac-
rompanied 10y his followers. attempted
To march across the country. hoping to
reach a French fort on the Arkansas
river. where he had instructed De Tonti
to keep Il small body of soldiers He
lost his life through the treachery OF
MS own comrades, and il is supposed
he shores of the Neches river. ENa@-
-scratcd reports concerning the rich
country west of the Mississippi river.
which bordcred on the Gulf of Mexico,
reached France. The soil WAS said to
be the richest in the world. the climats
.,as salubriouS. like that of southern
spain. the mountains were full cf gold
and silver. and the rivers ran over gold
en- sand. Among the hundreds of ad-
,cnturous and warlike spirits that sur
rounded the throne of Louis NIN- none
listened To these stories with more ca
.rerneSS than Count st. Denis. He was
a brave, energetic. and handsome youth.
who had inherited great name and
many heavily mortgaged estates. Th,
opportunity which lac eagerly sought,
10 draw his sword and make an effort
to fill his purse on the plains of the
Rio Grande. soon presented itself
The bare cold facts of the story of
This young mans adventures read 50
much like the dreams of a Tcmancer
that they would be rejected 10y all his
torianS if they were not supported 10y
indubitable records. Count st. Denis
urtl young Frenchman of equal rank
of the name of Belisle were both vio-
lently in love with the same youn"
lady. Their rivalry ended in quarrel
which led TO a duel. The antagonists
met and fought terrible battle with
swords. which terminated. as st. Denis
supposed, in the death of his rival He
at once fled from France. and after a
series of narrow escapes from arrest
and death he finally landed in America
and joined the great Louisiana com
pany. His countrymen received him
with open arms, and Immediately of
fered him employment. All Spanish
territory AT that time north of the Rio
Grande was ruled by Il governor ap-
pointed by the Viceroy of Mexico The
Louisiana company was anxious to pos
sess the country. and the authorities
rcnt Count St. Denis at the head of a
little army of less than 100 men TO plant
The flag of France upon the domes of
the Spanish forts and missions. He
marched through n region of country
that literally swarmed with hostile saw
ages and established himself in north
crn Texas without ever firing shot
lie must have been an extraordinary
Young man. possessing many of the
traits of n leader. not the least among
which were his mastery accomplish
mentS as a diplomat. for he not only
made an alliance offensive and defen-
Sive with the powerful. warlike NatcheZ.
nut he soon won the friendship of the
Spanish settlers who lived in the terri
tory. Intoxicated with his success. he
boldly cut loose from the Louisiana
company and set up government of his
own. This was i'm -he year l71i. and
il was the very first attempt to establish
an indeDendent government ever made
ON the North American continent.
1t was a curious kind of a govern
ment. ST. Denis was At the head of it
ur,ler the modest title of governor. and
hv the provisions of the constitution.
which he drafted himself. he possessed
in his limited realm just about as much
1ower as the autocrat of all the RuSsias.
Leaving a trusted subaltern in COM
fnan1. ST. Denis set out for the Citv of
Mexico on a mission that has never
been thoroughly understood. He either
hoped through his Shrewd powers of
diplomacy 10 get the Spanish viceroy
recognize his government. or. failing
this. he expected to turn everything
over to Spain and get himself appointed
governor of the territory. When he ar
rived at the Preside San Juan. near the
lilo Grande, the governor received and
entertained him in a most hospitable
manner. The polished address and
courtly military bearing of the bold
young adventurer almost instantly wen
the head of the old governor, and AT the
Same time the heart of his beautiful
daughter. 1t was case of mutual love