Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-09-12
A FAMOUS INDIAN FIGHT.

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Among the most conspicuous and
notable of the rangers and Indian
fighters who "blazed their way" along
100 trails between the Rio Grande
and the Colorado 70 years ago were
Rein and James Bowie-to whom,
jointly, belongs the questionable hon
er of the invention of the bowie knife.
These energetic and intrepid lads
were the sons of Rein Bowie, who
had migrated from Maryland to
Georgia, where the boys were born
in Burke county. There were three
other brothers - David, John, and
Stephen. In 1903 the family removed
to Catahoula parish, Louisiana. On
the 10Th Of September, 1927, James
Bowie was engaged on bar Of the
Mississippi in one of the bloodiest
afrays recorded in the fighting an
nails of the southwest, in which two
men were killed and Bowie wounded.
Soon after this affair James, with his
brother Rein, made his way into
Texas, where a career as dramatic as
it was Enthusiastically American
awaited them-at first among the hos
tile tribes, and later in desultory en-
counters with predatory bands Of Mex
leans.
In 1881, on the I'd of November,
James and Rein Bowie with seven
comrades and two boys as servants
set out from San Antonio in search OF
the old silver mines Of the San Saba
mission. They made their way with
out notable adventure until the morn
ing of the 10Th, when they were over
hauled by friendly Comanches, who
warned them that they were followed
by war party OF 124 Towokanas
and Wacos, as well as by 40 Caddos,
making in all 164 well-armed braves
who had sworn to take the scalps of
the white men then and there. The
Comanche chief invited the Texans
to join his party, and offered to make
stand with them, although he had
but 16 men, badly armed and short
of ammunition. But knowing that the
"hostiles lay between" and being
bent on reaching the old fort on the
Saba before night, the Texans de-
clined the generous offer and pushed
boldly on. But they soon came upon
rocky roads, their horses feet were
worn, and they were compelled to
encamp for the night in a small grove
Of live-oaks of the girth of a man s
body. To the north Of these, and near
by, was a thicket of young trees about
10 feet high; and on the west, 40
yards away, ran stream of water.
On every side was open prairie, In
terspersed with rocks and broken land,
and here and there a clump of trees.
Here, having prepared for defense
by cutting road inside the thicket
and clearing out the pricklY pears,
they hobbled their horses and posted
sentries. That night they were not
molested in the morning, as they
were preparing to start for the fort,
they discovered Indians on their trail
with footman so yards in advance Of
the party with his face to the ground,
tracking. All hands flew to arms;
those who were already in the saddle
dismounted, and the saddle and pack
horses were tethered to the trees. The
hostiles gave the war-whoOp, halted,
and began stripping for action. Some
mounted bucks reconnoitered the
ground, and among these were a few
Caddos, known "by the cut of their
hair" who until that day had been
counted among the friendly tribes.
In consideration of the disprOpor-
ton of numbers-164 to lit was
agreed that Rein Bowie should 60
out to parley with them, to avoid, if
possible, fight so unequal and so
desperate. He took David Buchanan
with him, walked TO within 40 yards
of the enemy's line, and invited them
to send out their chief to talk with
him. He addressed them in their own
tongue, but they replied with How
do How dol" followed by dozen
shots, one of which broke Buchanan's 6
leg. Bowie responded with the con-
tents Of double e-barreled gun and a
pistol, took Buchanan on his back,
and started for the camp. The Indians
opened FIRE again. Buchanan was hit
twice, but not mortally, and Bowie S
hunting-shirt was pierced by several