James Bowie and His Famous Knife

by Shannon Garst

The fiercest indians of the whole hemisphere roamed the Texas plains in 1830. Comanches, Wacos, Caddos and the cannibalistic Karankahaus—the very names struck terror to men's hearts. One strong man rode among them on a mission aimed at healing the growing quarrel between Mexico and the United States.
James Bowie was that fearless man—a hero who looked like a hero. Six foot two, waves of reddish hair, a broad grin and steel blue eyes, Jim caught men's eyes wherever he strode. As a boy in the Louisiana swamp country, he explored the bayous practicing his skill at lariat throwing. Jim was so expert with the rope he could loop even a turtle, and one of his greatest adventure was roping and riding a ferocious bull alligator. In that snake-infested country he learned to throw a knife with deadly accuracy. While still young he invented the famous Bowie knife, the blade that later was to save his life in many a tight squeeze.

With the help of Jean Lafitte, the dread New Orleans privateer, Jim made a fortune before he was thirty. New adventures in half-wild young Texas called him, and he settled in San Antonio de Bexar after his marriage to the daughter of the Mexican Vice-governor. Bowie alone was in a position to know the American and Mexican sides in the coming argument over Texas and he made wise use of his knowledge.
The lost silver mines of San Saba appealed to Jim Bowie's imagination. He befriended Zolic, chief of the Lipan Indians, discovered the cache and out-maneuvered a war party of Caddos in the fiercest single Indian battle of the entire West.

In 1835 his old friend Sam Houston brought news that a showdown with Mexican General Santa Anna was inevitable. Jim Bowie decided to fortify the chapel known as the Alamo. The battle was world famous. Davy Crockett, William Travis, James Bowie and all but one man died during the bloody siege defending their nation.
James Bowie and his famous knife carved an empire in the exciting West. This is the adventure-filled story of those heroic days.

Genres: Biography, American History, History

192 pages

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Doris Garst was born July 24, 1894, in Ironwood, Michigan. She became a teacher and school principal, but quickly turned to writing full-time after her first book, "The Story of Wyoming," was published in 1938. She published under the name Shannon Garst (Shannon was her step-father's surname) because the publisher of her first book didn't believe anyone would read a Western-themed book written by a woman. She lived with her family, including her husband, attorney Joseph Garst, in Douglas, Wyoming. She co-authored three books with her son, Warren Garst. The children's reading room at the Converse County, Wyoming, library is named for her.
link: source

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, with politically incorrect (for today) language. This was a discarded library book from our school library. Slavery issues and the language of that period was accurate, but probably the reason for the discard. I am enjoying the final portion, reading it during silent reading time in my classroom. Sad to read some of the issues about Bowie's life. I would guess he should be a hero of today, as well as in the past.

[Laura Leilani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half stars for this old children’s book. Author lists fifty five primary sources including an article written by John Bowie in 1852. The writing itself is a bit innocent and starry eyed for today’s jaded audience but I’ll bet kids of the past were blown away by this story. I know I was. It’s hard to wrap my head around men who did these things when all I’ve ever known are modern men who seem to break into tears or a tantrum at the least sign of a problem.

Modern parents be aware that slavery is mentioned and discussed.