Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-01-29
EPISODE OF OLD TEXAS.
Tho Government Set Up by Count
St Denis in TIA.
Romantic Fragment of Southwestern
uistory-Tho Counts Meeting with
the Man Iic Thought Ho
Had Slain.

There is much well-authenticate ma
terial for the historian in the minds of
the old veterans OF The border that will
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 astonished to
learn that the business OF creating re-
publics in that country commenced
nearly 200 years ago. There were fili-
busters who dreamed OF carving out for
themselves an empire in the great south
west long before even Aaron Burr was
born. Others in the ranks of the most
careful readers of history will possibly
be surprised to learn that the old San
Antonio road, which is one OF the best
known landmarks in the southwest,
was laid off and carefully mapped just
1872 years ago. 1t was at one time re-
gnrded 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 Constantinople and
the Asiatic provinces. The San An
tonic road proper ran from San Au-
gustine to San Antonio, and the long
road extending south of the Alamo mis-
sion across the Rio Grande to the City
OF Mexico, distance of more than 1000
miles, was also called the San Antonio
road. 1t was originally laid off 100 feet
wide. 1t is a road yet. This great road,
over which Spanish viceroys and richly
laden caravans traveied-over which
countless thousands crowded their
way to battle fields for more than 100
years, was laid off by men who were
talking 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-
gorda bay. Here he built fort, and
called it Fort st. Louis, in honor of
Louis XIV. of France. Realizing that
he had made mistake, La Sale nc
companied by his followers, attempted
TO march across the country, hoping to
reach French fort on the Arkansas
river, where he had instructed De Tonti
to keep small body of soldiers. He
lost his life through the treachery of
his own comrades, and 1t is supposed
that his bones repose somewhere on
the shores of the Neches river. Exag-
gerated reports concerning the rich
country west of the Mississippi river,
which bordered on the Gulf of Mexico,
reached France. The soil was said to
be the richest in the world, the climate
was salubrious, like that OF southern
Spain, the mountains were full Of gold
and silver, and the rivers ran over gold
en- sand. Among the hundreds of adj
venturous and warlike spirits that sur
rounded the throne of Louis XIV. none
listened to these stories with more ca
gerness than Count St. Denis. He was
brave, energetic, and handsome youth,
who had inherited great name and
many heavily mortgaged estates. The
opportunity which he 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 80