The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-12-11
The LAMBERTVILLE RECORD
A DESPERATE FIGHTER
Courage and Daring of Colonel
James Bowie.
HIS DEATH IN THE ALAMO.
Dramatic End of This Brave, Generous
and Determined Spirit - The Way
the Fearless Fighter Once Protected
Preacher In Texas.

and Determined Spirit - The Way
the Fearless Fighter Once Protected
Preacher In Texas.
One fine summer morning in 1893
the year that Santa Anna seized the
presidency of the new republic of Mex
ico-a small party of horsemen crossed
the Sabine river about sixty miles
from It's mouth and entered Texas ter
ritory. Most of them were clad In
buckskin and armed with rifle, pistol
and knife-a rough, determined look
Ing crowd, with two notable excep-
tions. one clean sbayen, dark skinned,
with bright. restless eye that scan
ned the woods constantly, as IL in
search of an enemy, and the other
small, mild hammered man, whose gen
eral appearance betokened the preach
err These two were riding In front,
talking earnestly of the convention
which had just been held ut San Fe-
lipe de Austin and of the possibility
that Texas might one day become an
Independent state. Suddenly some one
In the party behind them started a
song with n memorable chorus.
When other states reject u.s.
This is the one that always takes us.
From that jingling rhyme some de-
rive the name Texas" Certain 1t is
that this great new land took iii and
sheltered many fugitive who left
his country for his country's good.
That prince of pirates Laiitte had sail
ed away from Galveston ten years be-
fore, and his thousand freebooters
were scattered to the four winds. but
crowds Of adventurers from all parts
of the world We're pouring III, with
many of the better class, 10 swell the
tide of Texas immigration.
The little band logged on and finally
reached the municipality of San Angus
tine, then mere collection of rude log
huts, with one or two adobe structures
built by Spanish missionaries. Here
the preacher posted II notice that the
Rev. Henry Stephenson of the Metho
dist denomination would hold a meet
Ing In the evening. At the hour named
the house was crowded TO overiiowing
with rough, desperate men, all armed
and ready for any fun or fray that
might arise on such novel occasion.
The minister gave out Il hymn, and 1t
was sung with spirit. Then came the
text, but not another word would the
crowd hear, They hooted and yelled,
shot off their pistols, crowed and bray
ed IN derislen. The tumult WAS deaf
ening The quiet little preacher stood
his ground bravely, though In his heart
wishing he We're well out of 1t. With
difficulty his travelling companion forced
his way 10 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 Il pack of wolves or the yells
of Indians hungry for scalps. But in
stead of jumping upon him this strange
man, with restless eyes flashing and
long black hair streaming over his
shoulders, jumped on II bench and
throwing his hat TO the ground, shout
cd in Il steutorian voice: Men, this
man has come To preach to you! You
need preaching to, and I'll be BANKED
If he shan't preach to you. The next
man who dlsturbs him shall fight me!
My name Is Jim Bowle!"
The effect was magical. With quiet,
respectful attention the rough audience
listened TO the sermon, joined heartily
In the closing hymn, and not Il few
ia shake hunIS with
the little man and apologize for the
rough reception they had given him. a
month later mt the first camp meeting
ever held In Texas some of them be-
came members of the church, and In
1888 the cornerstone of the first Prot
estant house of worship In the republic
WAS laid in San Augustine.
The man whose timely aid proved so
effective was Colonel James Bowie, and
the knife In his belt was the noted
"bowle knife" given to him by his
brother, Rein T. Bowie. Ii was made
Of large file. strong of admirable
temper and gave its name to family
OF terrible weapons not yet extinct.
Crockett met Bowie for the first time
IN the Alamo. and he writes In his
journal: while we were conversing
Colonel Bowie had occasion to draw
his famous knife. and wish | may be
shot II the bare sight of II wasn't
stomach the collie. He saw was ad.
mirlng II and said he, Colonel, you
might tickle a fellows ribs long time