Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-12-27
DEFENSE Of ALAMO;
HOW HEROES DIED

(The following interesting account
of the Alamo corrects some errors of
legend that have grown up around
that historic defense. The story of
the last survivor published on De
cember 81. he says is at variance with
the fact. The author, constable OF
Reno. refers especially to the history
OF Texas, written by Mrs. Anna J. II.
PennypaCker. AS to any possible
Surrender" by the heroes in the AL
amo, he says history had taught them
that the Memicans' word was a mere
scrap of paper" so no quarter was
asked or expected from such n foe).
BY CHARLES ED BULL
The Mexicans, 5000 strong. under
the leadership of the self.styled INA
poleon OF the West" Gen. Santa Ana,
arrived at Bejar, now San Antonio, on
the 23rd day OF February, 1886, and
the Texans under the command o:
Col. William Barrett Travis (who was
States army, retired to the Alamo
and its defenses. Col. James Bowie
was second in command. Santa Ana
Immediately sent a demand for the
surrender of the Alamo and its de-
tenders, which was answered. in un.
mistakable terms by the Texans firing
a cannon shot at the .hexican camp.
The investment OF the place began at
once, and the MeXicans commenced n
bombardment and cannonade of the
place with their howitzers and long
ten-pound field pieces.
Travis had l45 men at the begin.
ming of the siege. This force was aug.
mented by six men from the town, and
on the first day of March by thirty
two men from Gonzales, who cut their
way through the Mexican lines, under
the leadership of Bonham, the "Chiyal.
rou South Carolinian." Messengers
had been dispatched TO Golaid for
assistance before the investment of
the town, and but for the expectation
OF aid from this source the garrison
would have no doubt, retreated. As
the conflict grew fiercer, and hope OF
achievements was given up by Ira
Wis, and indications showed that the
following day would be the ending OF
the conflict, Travis, on the eve of the
5th day of March, called the garrison
about him. and told them in ringing
words that he had caused false hopes
in their breasts by assuring t.cm that
reinforcements would surely arrive:
that he blamed himself for having
done so. He told them, however, that
IL there were a man among then
who yet wanted to retreat and thought
he could elude the enemy and get
away he was welcome to leave and
try to do so. Then, driving his sworC
he drew a line across the court yard
stepped across and said: 81 shall re
main until the end. All who wish tC
remain with me and die like men eros.
that line Ever man save one
Ralph Rose. stepped qu.ckly aCros.
the line, Jim Bowie. lying on his co
sick with pneumonia where he hac
been carried that he might hear tn,
words OF HIS leader. said: Boys lii
me tother side the line" Such WI
the spirit of the men who died tina
Texas might be free.
BY the 9th of March the enemy!
forces had grown 10 1000 men. A
dawn OF this day. Palm Sunday. 1886
the terrible air OF the "duguelio.
throatcutting, the Signrl for the at
tack, was struck M by the entire Mex
lean field music. The Alamo built as q
mission, not as fort. was not con
structed to withstand cannon shot. BY
which the Mexicans were enabled Il
make breaches in the walls. They
were met by whitening fire, and
hundreds of them were added to The
hundreds that already strewed The
ground. tn" and Cgdm they broke
under the terrible fusiladc of the Tex
ans, who were all marksmcn, how
ever. Santa Ana had given orders Il
his officers TO kill every soldier who
refused to advance to the attack. and
thus they were herded back to the at.
tack. where finally with the aid Of
ladders they scaled the walls and
killed those who guarded the breaches
in the walls. Then commenced ser.
ies of death struggles which extended
10 every part Of the enclosure. Every
room became a morgue. Travis was
killed early In the action while man.
ming one OF the cannons on the wall
Brave Bowie, who was being support.
ed in bed By the old negro NANNY
who was administering stimulant
10 him, killed. two fends with his two
pistols before he was dispatched. Gro.
,kett retired TO the room that had been