David Bowie & Judge Roy Bean + Giveaway

  By Tiffany Amber Stockton

In November, Kit Carson was the focus of my monthly post, and I shared about a man from both Kentucky and Colorado, two states where I have lived most recently. If you missed last month's post, you can read it here.

Today, we're wrapping up the year's collection on Kentucky pioneers by featuring two names to close out the series.

MORE TOUGH FOLKS FROM KENTUCKY

It's no secret that settling what is now the entire United States took a lot of grit and determination, a fighting spirit against the trials and tribulations accosting nearly everyone who attempted to strike out and forge a new trail where not many dared to go. Quite a few of these tough folks lived in or came from Kentucky.

Folks like Daniel Boone, who traversed the Cumberland Gap; James Bowie, the originator of the Bowie knife; Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the U.S.; Stephen Bishop, the former slave turned daredevil cave explorer; the McCoy half of the most famous feudists in American history (the Hatfield's were in West Virginia); Carrie Nation, the hatchet-wielding temperance advocate; Judge Roy Bean, iconic judge in the Old West; and even a guy named Muhammed Ali.

James Bowie was born in Mason County, Kentucky, but his family soon emigrated to Missouri and then Louisiana by the time Jim was 6 years old. So, although Kentucky was his birthplace, he was primarily raised in Louisiana. After clearing land and cutting timber for a living, plus operating a sugar plantation, he reportedly killed a man in a duel and fled to modern-day Texas, which was owned by Mexico at the time.

Jim befriended the Mexican vice governor, assumed Mexican citizenship, and married the man's daughter. It didn't take long before the fight by the non-Mexicans against the Mexicans drew Bowie's interest, and he joined the cause which eventually took him to the fight at The Alamo, where he led the Texas Army. He had fought with distinction in several battles prior to that, but unfortunately, an illness made Jim bedridden, and he died along with the other gallant fighters, Davy Crockett and William B. Travers.

Bowie’s daring and courageous acts have become immortalized through Western song and ballad. You might also be familiar with his name in association with the Bowie knife, a weapon invented by either him or his brother Rezin. I chuckled when I read the knife has also been called an "Arkansas toothpick." A toothpick that's 10 inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide, with a 5-inch handle? Certainly wouldn't want to pick your teeth with *that* blade!

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There is an abundance of stories and tales out there about Judge (Phantley) Roy Bean (Jr.). Described as having the looks and charm of Adonis, he was known for being a gambler, a duelist, and a rake with the ladies. He even repeatedly embellished his story about being imprisoned and visited by some of his paramours, who slipped him some knives tucked inside some tamales, and said he used the knives to dig through the concrete walls to escape. Crazy, right? Yet that story prevailed.

Born in Kentucky as the youngest of 5 children with two older brothers, he struck out and headed west at 15. After joining his brother Samuel on a wagon train headed for New Mexico, Roy escaped a mob after killing a man in a duel and ended up in San Diego with his other brother Joshua, who had become a prominent businessman and was elected mayor in 1850.

Bean's rabble-rousing eventually caused him to again flee after Joshua died, and he spent about 10 years living with Samuel in New Mexico before ending up in San Antonio during the Civil War. He married and worked various jobs, becoming known for finding creative ways around business competitors and the law. By the 1880's, he and his wife had separated, and he ended up near the Pecos River, where a Magistrate was needed, so he volunteered and became "the only law west of the Pecos." Ironic that a man who often circumvented the law was now in charge of enforcing it.

Due to his eccentric judicial antics and things like pocketing the monetary fines he assessed as "judge," he managed to cement his reputation as he carried out his odd manner of justice. Word of him spread, and there have been movies made and books written about him. With his low level of morality, I'm more inclined to consider him an "infamous" judge more than anything else. :)

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* What name from dime novels or Old West lore stands out in your mind, and why?

* Have you ever held a Bowie Knife? Do you own one? If yes, how have you used it?

* What was something new you learned from today's post?

Leave any comments or answers to any of these questions you might have on this post in the comment box below. For those of you who have stuck around this far, I've been sending a FREE autographed book to one person each and every month from the comments left on this blog. You never know when your comment will be a winner! So, post away!

Come back on the 9th of January in the new year to learn about some well-known colloquial sayings from American history.

For those interested in my "fictional" life as an author and industry news about other authors, subscribe to my quarterly newsletter. Receive a FREE omitted chapter from my book, A Grand Design, just for subscribing!

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BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those skills to become an award-winning, best-selling author and speaker who is also an advocate for literacy as an educational consultant with Usborne Books. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help improve their lives in a variety of ways.

She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children, two dogs, and two cats in Kentucky. In the 20 years she's been a professional writer, she has sold twenty-six (26) books so far and is represented by Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

A Texas Legend

Jim Bowie: Hero of the Alamo
Plus Give Away
by Martha Rogers

James “Jim” Bowie was a hero of the Alamo in the battle for Texas’ freedom from Mexico. Jim, a 19th-century pioneer, played a prominent role in Texas Revolution and gave his life for the cause at the Alamo. Tales about his heroism and exploits in the battle and as a man of the frontier have made him a legendary figure and folk hero in Texas history. Some of the stories are true, but some are from the imagination of people who knew him or about him and expanded on his heroics.

Born in Kentucky in 1796, Bowie spent most of his life in Louisiana until he moved to Texas. Some of his exploits in Louisiana involved land speculation and the purchase of a plantation in Alexandria where he and his brother established the first steam mill for grinding sugar cane. They sold that in 1831.

 Many of Bowie’s exploits involved defending himself with a large knife which led to stories of his prowess with the knife. This in turn led to the widespread popularity of the knife which became known as the Bowie knife. One of those battles was known as the “Sandbar Fight” and furthered the popularity of his knife. It became so popular that British manufacturers produced the knives and shipped them to the United States. The design evolved over the years, but

generally remained like the one Bowie used and is pictured here.

While recuperating from his wounds in the Sandbar Fight, Bowie moved to Texas and became a Mexican citizen and married Maria Ursala Veramendi, the daughter of the Mexican vice-governor of the province. In 1830, Texas then became his permanent residence. He and Maria had two children, but unfortunately, Maria and the children died of cholera in 1833.

He became well-known in Mexican politics for his land speculation, his expeditions for the Mexican government, and Indian battles. Bowie never boasted of his exploits despite his growing reputation and fame. He was described as a humble man who never used profanity or vulgarities.

In 1835, the president of Mexico ordered the arrests of all Texans doing business in the area of Monclova. This forced Bowie to flee the province and return to the Anglo areas of Texas.

Bowie then joined the Texas Militia when Stephen F. Austin formed the “Texian Army.” Before the Alamo, Bowie was involved in other battles along with William B. Travis and James Fannin. When Sam Houston became chief of the Texas army, he offered Bowie a commission as an officer on his staff, but Bowie declined. He said he’d rather be in the midst of the fighting.

After several battles with the Mexicans in which they were defeated, the Texans believed the war was over and many returned to their families. Bowie didn’t and instead went to San Felipe to ask the Texas council to allow him to recruit his own regiment but was denied.

When Sam Houston learned that Santa Anna was leading a large force to attack San Antonio, Bowie offered to lead the volunteers to defend the Alamo Mission from attack. He arrived in late January, 1836, with thirty men and found one hundred and four men there to defend it. 

In February, Davy Crockett arrived with thirty Tennesseans. Then Bowie commanded the volunteers and Travis commanded the regular army and the volunteer cavalry.

On  February 24, 1836, the siege of the Alamo began. Although Bowie was too ill to join in much of the active battle, he gave a valiant effort. One story goes that when it became evident the Mexican army would prevail, Travis drew a line in the sand and asked those willing to die for Texas to cross the line. At Bowie’s request, Crockett and several others carried Bowie’s cot across the line. There were no survivors to authenticate the account, and it believed to have been known to embellish his articles. Even so, it became a famous scene in the John Wayne movie about the Alamo.

Accounts of his death are as varied as the reputation of the man himself. Some say he died fighting on his cot with his guns blazing and wielding his knife. Others say his tongue was cut out while he was alive because he cursed a Mexican soldier. Other stories claim Bowie shot himself or was killed by Mexican soldiers because he was too weak to defend himself. Texans like their heroes and believe the first story of his going out with a fight to be the most accurate one.

Bowie’s body, along with Travis and Crockett’s were burned. One year after the battle, Juan Seguin returned to the Alamo, retrieved the remaining ashes from the pyre and placed them in a coffin. The coffin with the ashes was interred at the Cathedral of San Fernando. This is a replica of the Bowie knife and is on display at the Alamo today.

Bowie has been immortalized in both movies and TV shows. For two years, Bowie was the subject of a series, The Adventures of Jim Bowie.

All movies about the Alamo include the heroics of Jim Bowie. A county in Texas is named for him as are many elementary schools in the state. To Texans, he is hero right along with the likes of Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. The Bowie Knife remains as another part of his legacy.  


Because there were not enough posts to have a good drawing, I've extended it to include this month. So, leave a comment below and tell me who is a great  or legend in your state. You will have a choice of the gift of an e-book version or a hard copy of Bride on the Run or the paperback copy of Christmas at Stony Creek.

Kelly Morgan looks forward to her marriage to Darrell, but something isn't right and her childhood friend, Tyler, sees it. When a domineering soon to be mother-in-law takes over, changes honeymoon plans and dashes all hopes of Kelly decorating her own home, she falls apart and runs away from the ceremony. Who will be there to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and bring her home?

News reporter Tom Whiteman befriends a homeless man, Joe, and brings him home to Stoney Creek. Tom’s journalistic instincts suggest there’s more to the old man than appearances tell. A carpenter by trade, Joe works at odd jobs around town and makes many new friends including Faith Delmont, a girl who grew up with Tom. Contradictions in the man’s manners and way of speaking whet Tom’s nose for news and raises even more questions. As he and Faith seek the truth, they learn that God’s love can turn tragedy and loss to triumph and true love comes to those who seek it.     

Martha Rogers is a multi-published author and writes a weekly devotional for ACFW. Martha and her husband Rex live in Houston, Texas where they are active members of First Baptist Church. They are the parents of three sons and grandparents to eleven grandchildren and great-grandparents to four. Martha is a retired teacher with twenty-eight years teaching Home Economics and English at the secondary level and eight years at the college level supervising student teachers and teaching freshman English. She is the Director of the Houston Christian Writers Conference held in Houston in August each year, a member of ACFW, ACFW WOTS chapter in Houston, and a member of the writers’ group, Inspirational Writers Alive.

Find Martha at:  www.marthawrogers.com