James Bowie

BOWIE, James, soldier, born in Burke County, Georgia, about 1790; died in Alamo, Texas, 6 March, 1836. He settled in 1802 in Chatahoula parish, Louisiana, with his parents, and became notorious from his participation in a severe contest that took place opposite Natchez, on the Mississippi, in August, 1827. A duel having been arranged between Dr. Maddox and Samuel Wells, they met on a low sandbar near the city, outside the state limits. After the difficulty had been adjusted by the exchange of two shots without effect, the principals were joined by parties of friends, and a general melee took place, in which fifteen of the number were wounded and six killed.

Bowie, who had been shot early in the engagement, drew his knife, which had been made from a blacksmith's rasp or large file, and killed Major Norris Wright with it. After the conflict, the weapon was sent to Philadelphia, where it was fashioned by a cutler into the form of a knife, which style of weapon has since become famous as the "Bowie knife." When the original was received by Bowie, he was told: " It is more trustworthy in the hands of a strong man than a pistol, for it will not snap."

Later Bowie emigrated to Texas with his brother, and took a prominent part in the Texan revolution. He fought in the engagement near San Saba, 2 November, 1831, and in the battles with the Mexicans near Nacogdoches and at Concepcion during 1835. He attained the grade of colonel and commanded at Grass Fight, 25 October 1835. In January, 1836, he was ordered to Bexar ; later he joined Cols. Travis and Crockett, and was killed with them at the taking of the Alamo. Edited Appleton's American Biography Copyright© 2001 by Virtualology^TM

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James Bowie's Lab
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James Bowie (1796-1836)
James Bowie (1796-1836). Known for his famous "Bowie
knife" and a sometimes reckless adventurer ...

James Bowie
James Bowie. (Circa 1795 to March 6, 1836). No, he
did not invent that Bowie knife -- that was his ...

Handbook of Texas Online: BOWIE, JAMES
... the TSHA home page], format this article to print. BOWIE, JAMES (1796-1836). James
Bowie was born near Terrapin Creek (now Spring Creek) where it crosses Bowie's ...

James Bowie (1795-1836)
James Bowie (1795-1836). Known for his famous "Bowie
knife" and a sometimes reckless adventurer ...

JAMES BOWIE
JAMES BOWIE. In 1795 in Elliot Springs, Tennessee,
Rezin and Elve Apcatesby Jones Bowie welcomed ...

James Bowie
JAMES BOWIE "Greatest Fighter in the Southwest". One of the most popular characters
of the old Southwest was the legendary Jim Bowie. He was born in Tennessee ...

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Legendary Texan Detail Information
James Bowie, Born: James Bowie. Date of Birth: 1795.
Date of Death: 03/06/1836. History: Jim Bowie ...

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