The Red Cloud chief., 1907-12-27
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,


the Fearless Fighter Once Protected
Preacher In Texas.
one fine uminer morning III iccJ-
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 its 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-
tons. one clean shaven. dark skinned,
with n bright. restless eye that scan
ned the woods constantly. as If In
search Of an enemy. and the other a
small, mild hammered man, whose gen.
eral appearance betOkened the preach
or. These two were riding In front,
talking earnestly Of the convention
which had just been held at San Fe-
lipe de Austin and Of the possibility
that Texas might one day become an
independent state. Suddenly some II
In the party behind them started a
song with a memorable chorus
When other states reject us,
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 in and
sheltered many il fugitive who left
his country for his country's good"
That prince of pirates Lafitte had sail
ed away from Galveston ten years be-
fore. and his thousand ~freebooters
were scattered to 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 Al 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 MethO-
dist denomination would hold Il meet
ing in the evening. At the hour named
the house was crowded to Overfowing
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 n 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
Ell in dcrision. The tumult was deaf.
enins. The quiet little preacher stood
IL, 5000. ,,l, tha,,rl, 10 btg lan ~
wishing he were well out of It,. With
difficulty his ira Yelling companion forced
his way to the front, still carrying his
rifle and a 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
bowls of a 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 hi'
shoulders. jumped on n bench and
throwing his hat to the ground, shout
ed in n stentorian voice: Men, thi!
man has come to preach to you! You
need preaching to, and III be blanket
II he shan't preach to you! The mex
man who disturbs him shall fight me
My name Is jim Bowie!'
The effect was magical. With quiet
respectful attention the rough audienc,
listened to the sermon, Joined hearth.
in the closing hymn, and not n fey
persons came up to shake hands wit
the little man and apologize for tn
rough reception they had given him. !
month later at the first camp meetln
ever held In Texas some of them be
came members of the church, and
1888 the cornerstone of the first Pro-