Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-03-06
ALAMO BATTLE ADVERSARY
Was One Of the Great Fights of
America.

louay is the anniversary OF one OF
the greatest battles in the history of
America-the final scene in the trag-
edy Of the Alamo, when David Crock
EFT, William Travis and James Bow
ie, with their few devoted and fear
less followers, yielded up their lives.
1t was seventy-two years ago, on
March 6, 1886, that these heroes
wrote their names in blood on their
country's roll OF honor In letters
that time and change will never dim.
Interest in today's anniversary
is heightened by the warfare that is
being waged over the custody of the
historic old church building, and
which recently led Miss Adina de Ia
vala, leader of one of the factions of
the Daughters of the Texas Repub-
lie to maintain siege of three days
and three nights in this cradle OF
Texas liberty.
The Alamo still stands pretty
much the same In appearance as 1t
was seventy-two years ago, or a hum
dred years before that. From time
to time movements have been set on
foot to make some special use Of it,
with a view to making 1t national
memorial, and there have been sew
eral attempts by "enterprising" per-
sons to get hold of 1t and turn it to
some sort of money making purpose;
but these have all been defeated.
The latest is a tentative proposition
to construct handsome park about
the historic spot, with tourists ho-
tel. In every one OF these efforts to
profane what is now a sacred spot
patriotic women have been instru-
mental in deafeating the vandalism.
Now the patriotic women are fight
Ing among themselves, and the end
of the battle is not yet in sight.
The Alamo is now in the hands OF
w. G. Day, state superintendent OF
buildings and grounds, who Will hold
the property until a Texas court de.
cides which of the factions Of the
Daughters of the Republic is to man.
age 1t.
The fight for the possession of the
building was begun about two years
ago, when. the Legislature appro
priated $4,000 to repay Mrs. Glare
Driscoll-Sevier. Just preceding thC
session of this Legislature portion
of the old Alamo structure wa.
threatened with destruction and Mrs
Sewer advanced part of her fortune
to save 1t.
At that time Mrs. Sewer was re
garded as a leading spirit in the
councils of the Daughters of the Re
public. Miss de zavala was for som,
time secretary to Mrs. Sewer. In ap
propriating the money the state be
came the owner of the building ant
Alamo property, although the Gus
tody thereof was to remain in the
hands of the Daughters of the Repub
lie. Then came split in the or
ganization.
| Both factions had keys to tbs
doors of the old building. AT night
fall, on February 10. Miss de zavals
slipped within the walls and sent ou
her declaration of war.
| Telephone and electric light wires
leading to the building were cut, ant
the first night in the building sh,
spent in darkness without food OF
water. The following day her sup
porters came with food. which wal
passed through small opening in {
door.
And so she maintained siege o
three days and three nights. TheI
she surrendered and turned the Ala
mo over to the state.
The siege OF the Alamo seventy
two years ago began on February 2s
1886. when the Mexican general
Santa Anna, surrounding the oil,
church with an oyerpowering fore,
and began cannonade.
Everyone In the Alamo realize,
the defense could have but one end
Yet none would yield. They kney
what mercy they might expect iron
Santa Anna. At last, on March 6
the cannon tore a breach in the wall
and the Mexieans rushed In. wori
out as they were with fatigue an,
constant lighting, the American
twice drove back their assailant
with heavy losses. But at the thir,
charge the Mexicans. by sheer weigh
of numbers. gained foothold insid,
the Enclosure. There was no surren