Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-22
Romance of Early Texas.


There is a love story mixed up with
the early military history of Texas In
lila a young Frenchman. named St
Denis, left Mobile with small party
of men to explore the Spanish settle
ment His excuse for being in the dis
puted territory was that he was buying
horses and cattle for the French colony
in Louisiana. The Spanish officers were
surprised at his bold invasion. and Capt.
Diego Ramon. the commander, treated
him kindly. but held him a prisoner until
he could communicate with the vice-oy
at the City of Mexico. The latter re-
piled with instructions to send St. Denis
to the capital and after thorough ex-
animation sent the intruder cut Of the
country. ST. Denis, however, had made
good use of his time while a prisoner
by counting the pretty granada lighter of
Capt. Diego Ramon, and. as soon as he
reached Mobile. began preparations to
return to San Antonio to marry his
sweetheart. He secured stock of goods
to trade with the Indians and succeeded
in reaching that place. He married the
girl, but the successor of his father-in-
law was suspicious of him and banished
him from Mexico. st. Denis and his
wife escaped to Natchitoches, La, and
he was afterward given command OF the
garrison at that place.
San Antonio was founded by Capt
Ramon, who built a fort about three
quarters of a mile from the main plaza
of the city, and named 1t San Antonio de
Valero. in honor of one of his former
commanders. In 1922 the preside was
removed to what is now called the mill
tary plaza, adjoining the Alamo, and
the church, a hospital, barracks for the
dams. who were kept very busy by the
enterprlsing padres. surrounded the
Sqaure. The admirable location and the
opportunities for trading brought a good
Ant4
came the most important town i'm Texas
So that when the Texans began their
struggle for independence il was the OBJ
ject of great anxiety to the Mexican
government
Fight for Texan Independence.
In October. 1894. the first public revo-
lutionary meeting in Texas was held at
San Antonio. and the movement for in
dependence actually began there. In
October, 1885, the Texans decided to at
tack the city, and marced to the main
plaza, where Gen. Cos. the Mexican com.
mander. had thrown up breastworks and
planted batteries. Col. Ben Milan, COM
mander OF the Texans. was struck by a
rifle ball during the ASSAULT and fell dead
in the street. The command fell unon
Gen. Burleson. to whom Gen Cos s,,r
rendered This was the first battle of the
war for Texas independence, and San
Antonio became the center of operations
Shortly after the largest part of the
garrison was sent on an expedition to
capture Matamoras. leaving behind only
few men. Col. w. B. Travis, who was
command of a small party at San
rison. where ne found Col. James Bowie
in command of about thirty men.
William Barrett Travis was born in
Edsefield county. s. c.. in 1905. Of an
Old and honored family. He received the
best education that could be furnished
in those days, became a lawyer, and
emigrated to Texas. where he settled
at the mouth of Trinity river to practice
his profession. He became involved in
the liberal movement for independence
Among them was James Butler Bonham
the son OF a neighbor and his boyhood
friend in South Carolina.
Col Bowie became very i'll shortly after
Travis arrived at San Antonio, and, the
latter being next in rank. took command
of the garrison. At the approach of the
Mexican army he sent several messen-
gers for aid. without avail and finally
Bonham. his cherished friend. under
| took to secure achievements and sue
ceeded in persuading Capt Albert Mar
| tin Of Gonzales. with thirty-two men, To
| fight their way into the Alamo. Bonham
| went elsewhere In search of more rein
forcements. but was unable to secure
March 3. where he found thousands of
Mexicahs besieging the Alamo. Mounted
upon a beautiful cream-colored horse.
with white handkerchief floating from
| his hat. as previously arranged with
Travis. he dashed through the Mexican
lines under shower of bullets, and the
gate Of the Alamo few open to receive
| him.
| Appeal to Texans.
| On the second day of the siege Col