The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-03

Perhaps all children are familiar with
certain historical data in the life of
David Crockett, that strangest of strange
figures that hourished in the United
States of America during the early part
of 1900.
And perhaps all children know that he
was a brave hunter, fearless Indian
fighter and courageous soldier; that he
was most unique character, possessing
eccentric traits; that he was unlettered
and reared like cub wolf by illiterate
parents In the trackless forests. They
must also know that his was life of
wildness and adventure in the midst of a
primitive environment which we, in this
age of enlightenment and luxury, cannot
conceive of; that he was elected to Con-
gress from Tennessee; that he became the
warm personal friend of General Jackson;
that he Joined the Texans in their revolt
against Mexico, was taken prisoner at
Fort Alamo and massacred by Santa Anna
in 1885,
But how many have read of the hard
ships and struggles of his boyhood? One
incident. from volume full of such, is
related here:
his father, John Crockett, hired him to a
German cattle drover, who was taking u
herd of half-wild cattle. from Kentucky
to Virginia, a distance of 400 miles, Can
you imagine the heavy heart of the boy
at thus being sent against his own wish
through trackless forests swarming with
wild beasts and the more formidable wild
Indians, in company with a strange for
eigner whose treatment of the boy might
be cruel?
But Dayids education in respect to pa
ternal obedience had not been neglected.
In fact, this training had been instilled
5 WhfeS poof peuid had felt laid fofcSiy
across his shoulders whenever his father
was reused to sense of his duty to
his offspring He found the stick could
talk palmer than words.
So, while fear and forebodings filed
his heart, the little woodsman made no
sign of disobedience to the parents order.
and accompanied the drover on the peril
Gus trip that occupied 80 days hard
travel.
David found himself a member of new
household, the customs OF which were
strange to him.. After few days rest
situated three miles from Natural Bridge,
Va, David became impatient to return to
his G gSt the as ene MILD 6sns
David reliable and industrious. wished
very much to retain him as hired boy,
S Snd giving n him present Of S.. But ali
ture could not prevail upon David to stay
the German assumed the role of master,
| forbidding David to leave the place and
movements to prevent his running away.
Thus several weeks went by, David 8
restlessness increasing every hour and
| such Injustice And every night he
| would lie in his straw pallet, covered by
| skins, and plan some way of escape.
| At last the day for his departure ar
| rived It was a sunday The German
home of a nefghbor. Soon after they had
| departed from the house two heavily
| ping to get water at the German drover' S
| wen. David boldly told them of his d.
company them, for they were bound for
| a place within days journey of his
| fathers home. After consulting together.
| told David that they could not allow him
| to go from the place with them, but that
| they would camp that night on a creek
| about seven miles distant. and, II he
| Joined them there by daybreak, he might
| follow their wagons.
After they were gone David ran into