The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-24

possibility that Texas might one day be-
come an independent State. Suddenly
some one in the party behind them start
ed a song with a memorable chorus:
when the other States reject Us.
This i the that always takes
From that jingIing rhyme some derive
the name Texas" Certain il is that this
great. new land took in and sheltered
many a fugitive who left his country for
his cOuntry's good. That prince of pi-
rates, LATTE. had sailed away from CAL
weston ten years before. and his thou
sand freebOOters were scattered 10 the
four winds. but crowds Of Adventures
from all parts of the world were pouring
in. with many of the better class, TO swell
the tide of Texas immigration.
The little band logged on. and finally
reached the municipality OF San Angus
tine. then "a mere collection Of rude log
huts with one or two adobe structures
built by Spanish missionaries. Here the
preacher posted a notice that the Rev.
Henry Stephenson. of the Methodist de-
nomination. would hold a meeting in the
evening At the hour named the house
was crowded 10 overlooking with rough.
desperate men. all armed and ready for
any fun or fray that might arise on such
"A novel occasion. The minister gave out
hymn, and il was sung with spirit. Then
came the text. but not another word
yelled. shot off their pistols. crowed and
brayed in derision. The tumult was deaf
ening. The little quiet preacher stood his
ground braVely. though in his heart wish
ing he We're well out Of il. With difficulty
his travelling companion forced his way
to the front. still carrying his rifle. and
huge knife in his belt The wild cheer
that broke from the crowd sounded in
the ears of the preacher-nOw thoroughly
alarmed-like the hOwls of a pack OF
wolves or the yells Of Indians hungry for
scalps. But instead of jumping upon him
this strange man, with restless eyes fash
ing and long black hair streaming over
his shoulders. jumped on a bench. and.
throwing his hat TO the ground. shouted
in a stentorian voice: men. this man
has come TO preach to yOui You need
preaching to. and I'll be --- II he shant
preach to you. The next man who dis
turbs him shall fight me. My name is
Jim BOwier'
The effect was magical. With quiet.
respectful attention the rough audience
listened to the sermon. joined heartily in
the closing hymn. and not a few of them
came up TO shake hands with the little
man and apologize for the rough recep-
ton they had given him. A month later.
at the first camp-meeting ever held in
Texas, some of them became members of
the church, and in 1865 the cornerstone of
the first Protestant house Of worship in
the republic was laid in San Augustine.
The man whose timely aid proved so ef-
fective was Colonel James Bowie. and
the knife in his belt was the noted
''bOwie knife. given to him by his broth
er. Rezen p. Bowie II was made of a
large file, strong. of admirable temper
and gave its name 70 a family of terrible
weapons not vet extinct. Crockett met
Bowie for the first time in the Alamo
and he writes in his journal: While we
were cOnversing Colonel Bowie had Oc-
casion 70 draw his famous knife, and I
1 wish / may be shot If the bare
sight Of il wasn't enough 20 give a man
of a squeamish stomach the collie. He
saw j was admiring il. and said he. COL
onel. you might tickle fellows ribs
long time with this before you'd make
him laugh p"
Brave. generous. determined and enter
prising, James Bowie sought adventure
for its hazards, and he was naturally
among the first to take up arms for Tex
as Independence. Three more desperate
men We're never brought together than
Travis. Croker and Bowie, as they took
their last stand within the walls of the
Alamo Sick and helpless in bed on that
last terrible day. Jim Bowie died fight
ing. As Mexican ran forward 10 kill
him. he reused himself by q supreme ef-
fort. caught his assaiiant by the hair.
plunged the fatal knife into his heart and
fell back dead.
When the story of his death was told 10
his old mother in Louisiana, she said.
II am sure Jim never died with wound
in his back, and with quiet smile turn
ell again to her household duties.