Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1908-08-13
A DESPERATE FIGHTER
Courage and Daring Of Colonel
James Bowie.
HIS DEATH IN THE ALAMO.
Dramatic End q This osavs, Generous
and Determined Spirit The Way
the Fearless Fighter Once presssssd
. Preacher In Texas.

the year that santa Anna seized the
presidency Of the new republic of Mex
Eo |. small party Of horsemen crossed
the Sabine river about sixty miles
fros.i its mouth and entered Texas ter.
ritory. Most Of them were clad In
buckskin and armed with rife, pistol
aud snifea rough, determined look.
ing crowd. with two notable excep-
tons. one clean shaven, dark skinned.
with u bright. restless eye that scan.
ned the woods constantly, as II In
search OF an enemy, and the other q
small, mild hammered man. whose gen
eraI appearance betokened the preach
er. These two were riding In trent,
talking earnestly OF the convention
which had just been held at San Fee
Iipe De Austin and OF the possibility
tina Texas might one day become an
independent state. Suddenly some one
in the party behind them started {
sons With a memorable chorus
VIXEN other states reject us,
THIS Is the one that always takes W
From that jingling rhyme some de-
rive The name Texas" Certain 1t ID
thai iiiis great new land took In and
sheltered many a fugitive who left
his; country for his country's good.
That prince Of pirates LATTE had sail
ed away from Galveston ten years be-
fore. and his thousand freebooter
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
time. then mere collection Of rude l0G
huts, With oie or two adobe structures
built b: Spanish missionaries. Here
the preacher posted 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 overfiowina
with rough, desperate men, all armed
and ready for any fun or fray that
might arise on such novel occasion.
The minister gave out q hymn, and II
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 derision. The tumult was deaf
|ening. The quiet little preacher stood
his ground bravely, though In his heart
wishing lie were we'll out Of 1t. With
difficulty his travelling companion forced
his way to the front, still carrying hia
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 pack Of wolves or the yells
of Indians hungry for scalps. But I'm
stead Of jumping upon him this strange
man, with restless eyes flashing and
long black hair streaming over hia
shoulders, jumped on bench and.
throwing his hat to the ground, shout.
ed in stentorian voice: Men. this
man has come to preach to you! You
need preaching to. and I'll be BANKED
II he shan't preach to you! The next
man who disturbs him shall fight me!
My name Is Jim Bowie"
The effect was magical. With quiet,
respectful attention the rough audience
listened to the sermon. Joined heartily
In the closing hymn, and not few
persons came up to shake hands with
the little man and apologize for the
rough reception they had given him. 4
month later ut the first camp meeting
ever held In Texas some OF them be-
came members Of the church. and IN
1898 the cornerstone Of the first Prot
estant house Of worship in the republic
was laid in San Augustine.
The man whose timely aid proved q
effective was Colonel James Bowie, ana
the knife In his belt was the noted
''bowie knife" given to him by his
brother, Rein r. Bowie. 1t was made
OF large file. strong, OF admirable
temper aud gave Its name to a 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 Howie had occasion to draw
his famous knife, and wish may he
shot II the bare sight Of It wasn't
enough to give man IT sqneamisll
stomach the collie He saw wos nd
mirlng II and said he. Colonel. you
might tickle fellows ribs II long time
with this before you'd make him
laugh"
Brave. generous. determined and en-
terprisiMg. James Rowic sought a.lvcn.
turc for It's hazards. and he was natl-
rally Mnlnng tho first to take up arms
Tor Texas Independence, Three more
desperate men wore never brought to-
gctlcr tilnM Travis. Crockett aud Bowie
nA they took their last stand within
tn" waits Ut tho Alamo Sick and help
lcHn IN he'd On that lnst terrible .lay.
I'm Howl" died lighting. Az u Mex.
tenn van forward I" XIII him no roassxl
himself i'y n supreme effort. caught his
nssni'nnt w shr hnlr. plunged tho fatal
khife ihto Ills l,rnrt nut foil hnck .lcu.l
When the st"ry IT hts ,lrMlh wnn told
w his mother IN l,uWlstnhn. nhe xnil,
y IN. sue atm Msver tlicl with .
tveWnd IN hts tart." nut. with uuics
stHsle. tWvAsA Aa~tm I" her Avuschul,l
duties Exchange
tttAtlttsda IL Y NNa virtue, auN yel n
= wrat's''t'e When pNtt,ed lseyaMA due
s,s's'Nds W HuHe
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