The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-03-12
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Seventy-third Anniversary Of the Fall
of the Historical Alamo.

OF the Historical Alamo.
Austin, Tex, March 2.-Seventy-
three years ago today three of the
most heroic figures in American his
tory wrote their names on their coun-
try's scroll of fame in letters that
time will never fade. On the 9Th
day of March, 1886, was enacted the
final scene in the tragedy of the Ala
mo, i'm which David Crockett, William
Travis and James Bowls, with their
handful of devoted and fearless fol-
lowers, yielded up their lives. There
were less than 200 of these daring
spirits within the walls of the an
Gent mission at San Antonio, Tex,
and they were opposed by an army
of more than 5000 Mexicans, under
command OF General Santa Anna.
The Alamo, the old Spanish church
edifice, wherein was enacted one of
the sublimest tragedies in the en-
tire history of the American CONT
nent, is now little more than a splen-
did ruin at San Antonio, but around
1t have been written song and story
that will never die. Every one of
the heroes of the Alamo was an
American frontiersman. On Feb
ruary %, Santa Anna crossed the
Rio Grande at the head of an army
for the purpose of putting down the
revolt that threatened to sever Tex
as from Mexico. This invasion of
Texas stirred up all the fighting blood
in the gallant spirits. Gen. Houston,
commander in chief, thought it best
to retire across the Colorado river
and await reenforcements. Col. VIM.
Travis did not agree with him,
and in command of the regular gar
rison, took possession of the old
Spanish Mission at San Antonio, and
determined to make a last stand
against the MeXicans. Col. James
Bowie, famous as a dueMst and the
maker of the Bowie knife, agreed
with his plans. David Crockett
Joined them almost Immediately
The three intrepid commanders had
mere handful of men and only one
small cannon. Against this company
came the great Mexican army. The
doors of the makeshift fortress were
'barricaded, and when on the last day
of February messenger came from
Santa Anna demanding surrender he
was sent back with words of defiance.
The Mexican army surrounded the
old stone building, and a big gun
was wheeled into position and open
ed fire. Crockett was asleep when
cannon ball announced that the
opening of the last fight had COM
menced. Col. Bowie was belfast
from a wound, but Travis was in ac-
tive command. Crockett sprang
from his bunk, and saw in minute
that the gun was within rife range.
Crockett was a dead shot and he
picked off five Mexican gunners with
rifles loaded and handed him as fast
as the Mexicans attempted to use
their cannon. Finally they were
actually driven back by Crockett's
accurate aim. Then the Mexicans
let things settle down to state of
siege. This the Alamo seemed we'll
calculated to stand. The walls were
thick, and though built more than a
century previous, were solid and
could withstand the long range fir
ing Of the Mexicans. The windows
were high and very narrow, and
there were few doors. For five days
the siege continued, and then Santa
Anna decided to try to carry the
~So
ing was surrounded by high adobe
wall, since torn down. The dawn of
March 9Th saw the Texans guarding
this WALL which was strong on three
sides, but weak on the north. The
place was entirely surrounded and
the devoted souls in that old church
building knew that their fate was
sealed. The storming parties were
held at bay by the Texas riflemen on
three sides, but column under COM
mand of General Castrillon attacked
the weak north wall and made a
breach. Then came the most des-
parate hand to hand fight of which
history makes record, as the MeXi-
cans came pouring in. The MeXicans
were beaten back again and again,
but at. each time they renewed the
attack they made better Roadway.
The outer wall was carried and the
Texans retired within the church.
It was butchery then, and no slaugh-
ter, house was ever more blood soak
ed. Into the very last part of the
old building the Texans were crowd
ed, and separated from each other
in different parts of the structure
Still they fought on, with dubbed
guns. Crockett was still on his feet
and with him a band Of five or six
He had nothing left but the barrel
of his rife, and with this he laid
Mexicans all about him. General
Castrillon wanted to spare the lives
of the remaining Texans, and be
sought his commanding general tc
do so. Crockett heard Santa Anna s
refusal, and, dropping his gun bar
rel and clutching his knife he tried
to break through the Gordon that
surrounded him and reach the Mex
ican general, but fell, riddled with
bullets. Meantime Col. Bowie, who
lay on his bed in another room with
out being able to take hand in The
fght, assumed command of the
wounded in the hospital room, ano
ordered them to sell their lives a.
dearly as possible. The doorway
to this hospital room was very mar
row-so small that scarcely mor'
than a single person could ge
through it at time.
I ,.;x,oe an HE he'd RnWie used hi