Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1891 — MAZEPPA IN REAL LIFE. [ARTICLE]

MAZEPPA IN REAL LIFE.

IThe Awful Fate Prepared for Dr. Grant by Mexican Cruelty. | St Louis Republic. I Among the tragical events that, written in blood upon the pages of 'the history of Texas’early struggle ' for liberty” make it one of the most ■ glorious in the annals of the world, | there Is none more thrilling or terrible than the fate of Dr. James Grant. !In the person of this unfortunate ! settler was repeated the famous story | Df the ride of the Pole, Mazeppajbut •for Grant there was no rescue, and jhe was torn to pieces after a mile of ' two by the raging, maddened animal ‘ to which he was bound. Grant was a Scotchman by birth ind had been educated lor a physician, but, owing to ill health, was obliged to leave Scotland fora milder dimate, and finally settled in Mexico, of which country he for the sake of expediency, a naturalized citizen, and in 1825 bought a large tract of land in the neighborhood of Parras. In- the management, of this property he gave great offense to the better class of the Mexicans by his advanced notions and efforts to reform the condition of the poor laborers of che vicinity, and it is believed that the cruelty practised toward Grant is to be attributed to the dislike he aroused.

But it is probable that, while this increased the feeling against him, his endeavors to introduce American colonists into Texas was the real secret •>f this enmity. In company with Dr. J. C. Beals, in 1833 he obtained an impressario contract for settling SOO families between the Nuc-ces and and Rio Grande rivers. Fifty-nine of these colonists sailed from* New York in the schooner Amos Wright on Nov. 11, 1833, and on Dec. 6 the schooner entered Aransas Pass. Cum- 1 tiered with women and children unused to the privations and exertions of a pioneer's life, the party proceeded with the greatest difficulty toward the territory where their proposed settlement was to be. Their way led via Goliad and San Antonio, and from the petty annoyances to which chey were subjected at the hands of the Mexicans it was evident that the immigration was bitterly resented, and an object of suspicion. The party arrived at a little stream called the Las Moras on March 16. 1834, where a village was duly laid off into streets, and, with renewed hopes, the colonists began the work of breaking the land into little fai*ms. But the name of the village, which was Dolores, seemed prohetie. The place was never built up, and the settljif&nt was soon abandoned. Gtjgift then began to occupy himself twlli politics, and was secretary of the Executive Council of Coahuila. and in 1835 a member of the Legislature dispersed Joy Gen. Cos—After this arbitrary measure he made his way with a few companions to San Antonio and in the command of a company of forty men assissted Mil-am-in the capture of the city, but he was opposed to the declaration of Texas independence, believing the imprudent and precipitate, and advised the patience until reenforeed by other settlers. Early in 1836 he projected an expedition to the Rio Grande for the purpose of reestablishing at least, temporarily, the Constitution of 1824. In this he associated with himself Col. F. W. Johnson, the pioneer hero and i patriot, whom he sent by the way of San Felipe. Where he was successful in obtaining the authority of the Executive: G&uneH for their scheme, while Grant went directly to Refugio. They arrived early in February with about seventy men in San Patriciof where Johnson established his headquarters while Grant with Major Morris and about forty men went further West to collect a supply of -horses.—,— On Feb. 28 San Patrico was surprised and captured by General Urrea, who proceeded with such caution that the Texans were kept in profound ignorance of the movement. The Mexican citizens had notice of the t roops and were instructed to keep their house illuminated, so that their friends would know and respect them. By a fortunate accident Colonel Johnson was writing until a late hour, and before the ligh t was ex tin guished received through a Mexican servant the news that, the town was in the possession of .Urrea. and was able, with four companions—Toler, Miller, Tone, and Beck to make his escape. In the meantime Col. Grant with his company was encamped on the Agua Dulce Creek, twenty-six miles to the southwest on their way back to San Patrico with the horses they had secured. Urrea learned of their where abouts and sent out a large body of Mexican dragoons for their capture. A short but decisive fight ensued, when most of the Americans were killed without quarter, Major Morris killed. Grant slightly wounded aud Brown taken prisoner by mean of a lasso. Grant, known to be a surgeon, was promised a passport to leave the country if he would attend to the wounded Mexicans. This he did with such fidelity that all, without exception, recovered; but in the meantime the Captain left in command of the town after the departure of Urrea secretly dispatched eight men in search of a wild horse, which they succeeded in capturing after about three weeks. The unfortunate settler was then brought forth, and, b'y the orders of the brutal Captain, his feet were bound to those of the horse aud his hands to the tail. He struggled frantically, and after reminding the officer of his solemn promise, to which no j attention was paid, he appealed to the men, recalling to them his minis-

Itrations and devotion, but the only reply was insulting imprecations an 4 shouts of hideous merriment. As the men stood ready to sever the cords that held the mustang the Captain brought a lash down upon the animal’s flanks, exclaiming: is your passport" now go. ” ' - The fiery, untamed horse sprang away with great violence and was soon lost to sight, The next* day the mangled remains of poor Grant were discovered some distance from the town, but were left unburied. Gen. Mrrea, in his account of the capture of San Patricia, declares that Grant was killed in the action of March 2, and the statement was confirmed by Col. Reuben Brown, who saw him fall, wounded, on that occasion. and believed him. dead, but the story of his fearful ride to death was told by his Mexican servant, who had ,been left in San Patricia, who was, of course, perfectly familiar with his person. This servant, sC boy of about 18 years old, afterward made his way to Gen. Houston, and with every evidence of real grief related the barbarous fate of his master. He declared that he made several attempts to secure the remains and bury them, but was warned by the Mexicans hot to interfere on peril of his life.