Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-03-06
Anniversary OF
ALAMO BATTLE

San Antonio. Tex. March 6.-To-
day is che anniversary OF one of the
greatest battles In the history of
America-the final seen in the
tragedy of the Alamo. when David
Crockett, William Travis and James
Bowie, with their FIVE devoted and
fearless followers. yielded up their
lives. II was seventy-two years ago.
on March 6, 1896, that these heroes
wrote their names in blood on their
oountry'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 Adlna dc
Zavala, leader OF one OF the factions
OF the Daughters of the Texas Re
public to maintain siege OF three
days and nights In this cradle OF
Texas liberty.
The Alamo still stands pretty
much the same in appearance as Il
was seventy-two years ago. or
hundred years before that. From
time 20 time movements have been
set on foot TO make some special use
OF II, with view OF making II
national memorial, ana there have
been several attempts by 'enterpris-
ing persons to get hold OF Il and
turn II to some sort of money-mak-
ing purpose; but these have all been
defeated. The latest is tentative
proposition to construct a handsome
park about the historic spot, with a
tourists hotel In every one OF thNJe
efforts to profane what Is now n sa-
cred spot patriotic women have been
instrumental in defeating the van
dalism.
Now the patriotic women are
lighting 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 Texas
court decides which OF the factions
OF the Daughters OF the Republic is
TO manage It.
The hight for the possession of the
building began about two years ago,
when the legislature appropriated
SIS, 900 to repay Mrs. Clara Dris-
coll-Sevier. Just preceding the ses-
sion OF the legislature a portion OF
the old Alamo structure was threat
ened with destruction, and Mrs.
SEWER advanced a part OF her for
tune to save it.
At that time Mrs. Sewer was re-
garded as a leading spirit in the
councils Of the Daughters OF the Re
public. Miss de Iavala was for some
time secretary to Mrs. SEWER In
appropriating the money the state
became the owner OF the building
and Alamo property. although the
custody thereof was 60 remain in
the hands OF the Daughter OF the
Republic. Then came a split In the
organization
Both factions had keys to the
doors Of the old building. At night
fall on February 10. Miss de Zavala
slipped within the walls and sent
out her declaration OF war.
Telephone and electric light wires
leading to the building were cut, and
the first night in the building she
spent in darkness. without food or
water The following day her sup
porters came with food. which was
passed her through a small opening
I'm a door
And so she maintained q siege Of
three days and three nights. Then
she surrendered and turned the Ala
mo over to the state
The siege OF the Alamo seventy
two years ago began ON February
%, 1896, when the Mexican general.
Santa Ana surrounded the old
church with an overpowerlng force
and began a canonade
Everyone in the Alamo realized
the defense could have but one