The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-23

the first male birth in the Stephen A.
Austin colony of the Brazos river, and
at the time of his advent into this world
there was not white settlement between
his birthplace westward to the shores
of the Pacific ocean; only a boundless
Wilderness. From that day he has been
9 soldier of strange fortune, and his life
almost without parallel in the annals of
recorded history, From the day when
he was three years old his school train
ing was at the hands of an old Polish
exile, a German Baron by birth, who was
banished from the continent of Europe
for the part he had played in the Polish
rebellion.
His preceptor trained him in all the
manly arts of fencing, boxing, wrestling,
in the broard sword exercise. horseback
riding, and in rifle and pistol shooting
until he was master of them all. The
wild, the real nomadic tent life of these
early colonists on the boundless, unin-
habitated prairie OF Texas, suited the
spirit, the blood of his favored boy and
gave him a vigor, power of endurance
that fitted him well for the life that
lay before him. At this early period he
became the best shot in the colony ana
the most daring rider and expert horse
man and was the envy of his less favored
companions.
Where Austin Now Stands
A few weeks after the colony moved to
where the city of Austin now stands La
mar Fontaine was captured by a rowing
band of camanehe Indians and for near
afafiE
tribe. roaming and hunting with them
from the valley of the Rio Grande on the
south to the Black Hill region of the
Dakotas on the north, following the buf-
falo in their annual migrations. This lie
among the Indians gave him added en-
durance, vigor and wonderful eyesight
For four years not vestige of a gar
ment did he wear except moccasins, mits,
and ear protectors This exercise made
his skin as impervious to the plural ac-
ton of the climate as was his face.
"On the dividing line between Arizona
and Mexico, on what is now known as
the Zuni plateau, on the headquarters of
the ella river that flows into the Gulf of
trackless waste to the city of Austin
where he rejoined his own people"
Enlisted in American Navy
This much of the early life of this sol
der of fortune served only to render
him better fitted for the more strenuous
activities that lay beyond. A few years
after his escape from the Indians. and
Just prior to the beginning of the war
with Mexico. he enlisted in the American
navy. 1t was during this struggle that
he received his first baptism of fire when
he took part in the battle of Vera Cruz
After the Mexican war he remained
in the navy until shortly after the out
break OF the Crimean war. The vessel
upon which Fontaine was serving hap
pened to be in the Black sea shortly
after this struggle began. He was un-
able to resist the call of adventure that
lay before him in the camps of the Rlis-
slams and British, and, taking advantage
of his expiring term of service. he left
the navy and enlisted as private sol
dier in the Russian army. This was in
1S49
AS a member of Prince KioslSi's cos
sacks which composed the bodyguard of
Prince Gortschyhoff, he saw considerable
service on the plains of Russia. taking
part in the siege of Sebastopol. 1t was
after this battle that Major Fontaine as
a representative. of the Russian govern
ment treated with the English authorities
in an unsuccessful attempt to end the
war. Here he met the MARQUIS of Leth-
ian who afterward became his stauch
friend
Leaves for Holy Land
Leaving the Russian service in 1855, he
went to Egypt. where until 1859 he sur
veyed in the Holy land.
When first the rumors of the secession
of the southern states reached him, he
left for America, and enlisted in the
ranks of the Confederates as private
soldier.
1t was during this struggle that Major
Fontaine first came into prominence. His
early training among the Indians and his
experience in the Russian service, made
him invaluable both as a scout and as
soon appointed him to a position on his
staff and made him scout of his division.
His Unerfing Workmanship
With Jackson he saw service at the
first battle of Manassas and during the
famous Shenandoah valley campaign. 1t
was during these engagements that his
unerring craftsmanship gained him the
attention of the whole army. As sharp
shooter. his exploits were little less than
marvellous. At Waterloo bridge, in Far
quar- county, Virginia, In 1862. just prior