Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-01-20
ST DENIS.

Texas is an ancient stone mouse,
said to have been the home, nearly
200 years ago, of Jugerean 81.
Denis, French explorer and adj
venturer and bis wife, DOna
Maria, the beautiful daughter of a
Spanish officer.
No more gallant figure than st.
Denis steps out from the shadows
of the past. He was born in Can
ada, spent his childhood and early
youth in France, where he was
educated and had for his cOmpau-
ions young men of the better class.
He returned to Canada, and tor
some years took an active part IN
affairs there.
He is described as Of majestic
| figure. trained in the French mill.
tary schools, of manners the most
courteous, Of strong character,
warm heart, of power of speech
peculiarly winning and ofundaunt-
ed bravery.
In 1il4 he led a band Of hunters
and traDpers from Canada down
into Louisiana. We know be built
fort at Nacogdoches and left The
greater part Of his followers to
garrison 1t. With - men ard a
nnmbor of Indian guides be crossed
the Sabine river and penetrated
into what is now Texas. AS he
iOurneyed he met with various
Indian tribes, and seems to have
had no trouble in making all OF
them his friends.
At last be reached the Spanish
posts on the Rio GraDde. At San
Juap Baplista he announced to
VillesecaS, the commander there,
that be came to buy beeves horses
and supplies, and also to establish
closer and more friendly relations
between the French and Spanish
territories.
THIS was all very well, but St.
Denis most probable object was to
acquire all the country over which
he bad marched for bic king, Louis
XIV, who had a shadoGy claim tC
it by virtue of some early ex-
plorations OF La Sale,
How to deal with the newcomers
bothered Villesecas great deal
Alter many DAYS Of waiting ana of
those exasperating delays we OF
the present day know so we'll In
our intercourse with Spaniards:
st. Denis sent message to the
governor of COahulla, telling his
mission and asking the privilege
of trade.
Now, Villesecas bad a daughter,
a very beautiful daughter, named
Maria. Giyen a handsome, viva
ciOus young Frenchman and a
beautiful Spanish girl daily meet
Ing, and all who read know what
came of 1t. st. Denis fell In love
with her-an honest and sincere
passion 1t was-and she in turn
loved him. The beginning OF love
was the beginning of trouble.
For at the same time S : Denis
sent his message to the governor,
IVilIesecas sent a letter to the same
parsonage. This letter expressed
suspicious as to the Object Of ST
Denis visit and also told OF the
love affair of the Frenchman and
Dona Maria. The governor was
in love with her himself and
suitor for her hand. 1t was for St
Denis a case of putting his head III
the lions mouth aud then twisting
his tail.
Back came the messengers and
back also came a troop of cavalry
with orders 10 seize s.. Denis and
bring him to the governors seat
MontOloya, forthwith. AT Monte
Iova st. Denis was heavily lroned
aud thrown into prison. When he
E had few days experience OF the
. horrors and cruelties of Spanish
prison, the governor, GaspardO de
Anaya, come to see him, expecting
no doubt to find bin worn out
broken spirited and quite ractable
, willing to grant anything fol
freedom.
{ The Spaniard told his captive
that If he would give up Dons
Nara he would be free. st. Denl'
Indignantly scorned the proposal
His position was as desperate as
mans could we'll be, alone where
: It was impossible to appeal to any
one. a stranger IN a land Away
heartless and cruel to strangers
, suspected of designs against th'
state, and, worse than that in tb'
power of a man who loved the wo