The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-12-19
A DESPERATE FIGHTER
Courage and Daring Of Colonel
lanes Bowie.
HIS DEATH IN THE ALAMO.


the Fearless Fighter Once Protected
Preacher In Texas.
One Hue summer morning ln 1889
the year that Santa Anna seized the
presidency Of the new republic of Mex
leo "a small party Of horsemen crossed
the Sabine river about sixty miles
from its mouth aud entered Texas ter
ritory. Most Of them were clad IN
buckskn and armed with rifle pistol
and Snfe-a rough, determined look
ing crowd with two notable excep.
tions. one clean shaven, dark skinned.
with bright. restless eye that scan
ned the woods constantly, as If in
search OF an enemy. aud the other
small. mild manuered man, whose gen
eral appearance betokcned the preach
er. These two were riding ia trout
talking earnestly Of the convention
which had Just been held at Sun Fe
lpe 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 a memorable chorus
When other states toioct VA.
This 10 the one that always takes US.
From that iinglng rhyme some de-
rive the name Texas" Certain Il Is
that this great new land took IN and
sheltered many a fugitive "who left
his country for his countrys good.
That prince Of pirates LATTE had sail
l.f,
fore nnd his thousand freebootcrs
were scattered to the four winds. but
crowds OF adventurers from all parts
Of the world were pouring In, with
many Of the better class, 60 swell the
tide OF rexas immigration.
The lttle band logged on and finally
reached the municipality Of san Angus
tine. then mere collection Of rude log
F. huts. with one or two adobe structures
s built by Spanish missionaries Here
d the preacher posted notice that the
! Rev Henry Stephenson of the Metho-
, dist determination would hold IA meet.
ing in the evening AZ the hour named
? the house was crowded TO oyerflowing
!, with rough, desperate men. an armed
= and ready for any fun or fray that
|, might arise on such "A novel occasion.
: The minister gave ont hymn, aud IL
A WIS sung with spirit Then came the
d text. but not another word would the
n crowd hear They booted and yelled
t. shot off their pistols, crowed and bray
ed Ia derlsion The mmuit was deaf.
cnmg. The quiet little preacher stood
! his ground brayely though la his heart
u Wishing he were we'll ont Of IT, with
difficulty his travelling companion forced
his way 90 the front. still carrying his
rife 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 pack Of wolves or the yell'
1 of Indians hungry for scalps. But I'm
r stead of jumping upon him this strange
A man, with restless eyes flashing anc
) long black hair streaming over bis
shoulders. jumped on "a bench and
throwing his hat 70 the ground, shout
ed in stcntorian voice: Men, this
a man has come 20 preach to youl Not
2 need preaching to, and I'll be blankeC
a II he shant preach TO youl The mex
D man who disturbs him shall fight me
Y. My name 81 Jim Bowlew
Ie The effect was magical With quiet
- respectful attention the rough audienci
p listened TO the sermon. joined heartily
y ia the closing hymn. and not few
II persons came up to shake hands witt
Z the little man and apologize for th
Re rough reception they had given him. 2
y month later at the first camp meeting
le ever held Ia Texas some Of them be
N came members of the church and 4
1893 the cornerstone of the FIRST Prot
estant house of worship iu the republi
e, was laid in San Augustine.
- The man whose timely aid proved 81
~ effective was Colonel James Bowie, am
a the knife in his belt WAS the note
-y bowie kuife," given TO him 10y hi
m brother. Rein T. Bowie. 10 was mad
e. of large file, strong of admirabl
sh tcmper and gave its name 20 a famil
rs OF terrible weapons not yet eXtinc
nd Crockett met Bowie for the first tim
al in the Alamo. and he writes la hi
% journal "Whie we were conyersn
OF Colouel Bowie had occasion 20 dra'
p. DIS famous knife. ana / wish I may b
,i5 shot II the bare sight Of II WASH
IA enough 90 give q man OF q squeamis
~ stomach the collie lie saw / was at
mirng % and said he, Colonel 80
might tickle fellows ribs long tim
ID with this before you'd make hil
ge laugh
I'd Brave generous determined and el
terprising. james Bowie sought adyel
ture for lts hazards, ana he was nat
hs rally among the first 10 take up arm
~ ior Texas independence. Three moi
gs desperate msn were never brought I
gether than Travis. Crockett and Bow
MS they took their last stand with
~ the walls OF the Alamo. Sick and bel
- less in bed 0n that last terrible da
Jim Bowie died fighting As Me
Jean ran forward 10 kill him he rouse
himself by supreme effort caught ID
-. assallani by tie hair plunged the fat
in knife into bis heart aud fell back dea
1 When The story o. bis death WAS TO
~ 10 his mother in Louisiana. she sal
~ am sure Jim never uied with
n' wound in bis back" and, with qnl
!. %.