Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-03-18
REMEMBER THE ALAMO
Texan Cry for Vengeance is Recalled
BY Present Trouble on Border.

BY Present Trouble on Border.
When the massacre of the Alamo
occurred on March 6. 1886, there was
a cry for vengeance over the entire
country. Hardly an American in
Texas able to bear arms but who pre-
scented himself TO avenge this crime.
Remember the Alamo" was the battle
cry when Sam Houston and his largely
augmented army ment out TO meet
the MeXicans.
Sam Houston of Tennessee had
served with General jackson in the
Indian wars. He had gone TO Texas
with the distinct object of wrestling
that country from Mexico. Rcvolu-
tionary commissions in Mexico gave
the American colonists welcome op-
portunities for complaints, which led
TO collisions with the Mexican aurhori-
ties.
General Santa Anna, who, by Il sue
cessful revolutionary stroke, had put
himself at the head OF the Mexican
government, attempted to reduce the
unruly Americans 10 obedience. In
1885 armed conflicts took place in
which the Americans frequently had
the advantage. The Texans declared
their independence from Mexico on
March 2, 1886. The declaration was
signed by about sixty men. among
whom there were only two of McXi-
can nationality.
Meantime Santa Anna advanced at
the head of q Mexican army, entered
Texas, and February ed laid siege TO
the Alamo fort at San Antonio.
Atrocious butchery marked the pro-
gress of his soldiery. The Mexican
general made frequent assaults upon
the fort to rout the defenders. The
small handful OF Americans, however,
were able to withstand the siege for
eleven days. They were starving, but,
in spite OF this, they were able TO in
flict death upon about 1900 of the
enemy.
When the siege was at its height,
Davey Crockett, with about thirty
frontiersmen, cut his way through the
Mexican forces, and rushing into the
fort shouted, Boys. were here to die
with YOU" Finally the day came
when the little band could withstand
the assault no longer. II was the
memorable 9th of March. II was a
hdnd-to-hand struggle, but each Ameri
can before he gave up his life made
the enemy pay an awful toll.
Colonel james Bowie was one of the
bravest of the Americans, and when
his body was discovered it lay in the
center of circle of slain Mexicans
At last only six defenders remained
alive. among whom was Davy Crock
EFT. Santa Anna promised them pro
lection if they would surrender, but
the moment they laid down their arms
they were butchered like sheep. More
than dozen sword wounds pierced
Crockett before he fell.
| Mad with rage at the Alamo tragedy
Sam Houston gathered the settlers to
gether. He showed an unusual amount
of strategy, knowing that his band o.
followers would not be able TO com
pete with the McXicans, as he retreat
| cd i'm order to scatter the pursuing
Mexican force, until San Jacinto was
reached.
At San Jacinto the American;
charged the Mexican force. which was
much superior in number, but through
out the roar of the cannonading ant
the rattle of musketry that wild yell
Remember Alamo" could be con
stantly heard above the din. 1t stirred
the patriots and made them fight lik,
demons. In barely twenty minutes
after the first onslaught, the Mexican,
were flying in every direction, witt
Houston had his horse shot from
under him. and q bullet had smashed
his own ankle. This made no impres
sion on him, for he paused not for
moment until tho entire Mexican fore
was destroyed. The Mexican loss wa
1900 killed and captured. and anon
the latter was Santa Anna.
II was the battle of San Jacinto tha
secured for Texas her independence
and for his valor Sam Houston T,
ceiyed as his pay the honor of bein
the first president of the new republi,
which was later to become the largef
, state in the Union. II was throug
HoustonS influence that ten year
) later Texas became a member of tn
: United states--with the result, tn