Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-10
Bold Deeds of Even Cameron

Grande Valley has revealed the fact
that the county was named for Cap
tain Even Cameron, a Scotch high
lander.
Even Cameron was born among
the hills Of Scotland in 1911. True
to the Scotch type, his hair was
dark, eyes a clear grey o%verhung
with heavy brows. He wore a broad
brimmed hat, a buckskin shirt, and
breeches worn from long riding. his
powder horn was slung by his side,
and in his belt a bowie knife. With
a band Of riders he made his living
for 4 time on the plains between the
Rio Grande and Nueces rivers, by
rounding up and driving to market
the cattle which grazed on the
abundant grass in that region.
On the afternoon OF Sunday, Sep
TENDER 25. 1912. Even Cameron and
his men stood among one thousand
Texans before the ruins of the Al
amo. The call to arms had brought
farmer boys, border rangers, high
officials, lawyers, ministers. school
teachers, and gamblers together in a
fighting mass. They were not train
ed to be soldiers. and they had no
uniforms; but daily peril on the
frontier had trained them to endure
hardships, TO rely upon themselves,
and to fight until their last breath
was drawn. They were planning an
invasion of Mexico. Not only to
avenge the attack on San Antonio a
few days before. but 20 render the
border Of Texas free from terror
iziHg raids by the Mexicans and IN
dians. Politically speaking, this
invasion, il successful, would
Jeopardize the plans of the leaders
Of Texas TO have Texas annexed to
the United States because the peo-
, pie Of the north and east would not
sanction an invasion into Mexico at
this time.
President Sam Houston appointed
General Alexander Somerville lead
er of the invasion into Mexico.
Judging from his actions, General
probably had orders not to cross the
Rio Grande. He marched southwest
from San Antonio and after many
delays, which appeared to Be need
less. he reached the Rio Grande.
where at length he ordered his men
10 80 home. Two hundred men went
home. while three hundred elected
William Fisher to be their leader
and continued the invasion into
Mexico.
Mier, q little village, was their
first point Of attack. This adobe
town was located on the Alcantra
river about seven miles from its
junction with the Rio Grande. On
Christmas day the Texans learned
that 2,400 Mexicans had entered the
village Of Mier. The Texans unani-
mously decided TO attack Mier. They
advanced 20 Mier in a drizzling rain.
"hile they were marching down a
pain near Mier they heard a COM
pany OF Mexicans advancing toward
them. Three captains spoke at once
win the same sharp order: "Fire!"
Nhen the smoke cleared away not a
dozen Mexicans stood where a mo-
ment before 100 men awaited their
generals command. When the Tex
n reached Mier they fought their
way from house to house until they
reached the plaza. They became d.
Vlded. half on one side of the street
n half on the other. They fought
this way until noon the next day
when the Texan surrendered.
Five days later they started for
Mexico City, under guard. After
many days Of marching the Texans
made their escape at Hacienda Sala-
do, at a village which was in a mar
row valley. On their long march
back to the Rio Grande the Texans
left the main road and became lost.
Alter marching three DAYS without
2 drink Of water they reached the
road. but were soon r~ecaptured bv
the Mexicans.
At first Santa Anna ordered eli
the Texans TO be killed. This caused
so much disturbance that he was
forced TO modify the order so that
only y out of every ten should be
Ailled and those were to be chosen
~ lot Seventeen black beans and
I9S white beans were placed in a lar.
Inc men were bl~ind-folded and their
nahd was placed into the jar. Those
craving black beans were to he
Killed. Cameron drew a white bean
and escaped for a time. But one
nlgnt when TREY were only 100 miles
from the capital of Mexico he was
taken from his Dor and shot.
Months went BY. At last vieId;r1
70 the plea Of the American ana
BRUSH ministers, and his wife. San
ia Anna released those men still re-
naming in custody. SorrowfuIlv
they returned to Texas and told
their story.
The grave Of Even Cameron -
mains unmarked He sleeps like
many Of the bold young riders who
succeeded him, without 50 much ~
q h~eadboard to remind men Of his
resting place. Yet he is not for
name.
(BIBLIOGRAPHY: Pierce's Brief
History Of the Rio Grande Valley:
Bechdolt's Tales OF the Old Timer:
Personal Letters from the Oblate
Fathers at Brownsville. Mission and
Point Isabel; Photostate copies U. s.
Army Records Of Capt. Even Cam
eron's Reports).