University of South Carolina Libraries
FAMOUS WEAPONS. ? I uerrjmger's Pistol and James Bowie's I WMk KnifeI * 'TwO'.of the must deadly weapons j weiViinyented are the derringer pistol and.ujhb bowie knife, and once they \ were, tflie most popular weapons in the ^southern states. l*rom 1S40 to 1805 the derringer ^Bjj^ part of every southern gcntleB^'s personal equipment. Usually he pair id' them and were called R^fonoV n oa^(>rSi" IIley were intended Spi1 clt'iV quarters, and at twenty feet !^Hftheu' would suiasJh an arm or ^Bfleir into splinters. Hardly more than H throe inclie^><i.Vnthe barrel, and carrvinu" ;?U?mt simv ^bullets to the pound, M bv ?\<ison ??f peculiarity in the V jjiaiMUM- of bovinjV and the arrangeM ment *>1' tho powdeAr chamber, no small pistol ever drove/, a bullet with such j H terrible power a$ul deadly effect. Igi 't'l,,. wonderful little derringer be Jg caiiic world renowned. Its history, if t>|oi|iicnlly told, wohld compare much I of interest and involve many historic H episodes. In every section of the Eg continent and every country of Kufja rope the derringer became a houseH hold symbol of safety, winch has giv Ion i n?* name a place in history. From tin* populous east to the wild western borders the trustiest friend of the pioneer was found in the small and inimitably perfect pistol whic'h the ingenious brain of Derringer gave to the world many years ago. Of all the weapons in modern warfare, or of those worn by the chivalrous defenders of honor, none is so effective and perfect as the derringer. It lias been t'lie unerring arbiter in duels and j encounters, the most fatal Nemesis in the hands of retribution, the most pit ilesfr harbinger of revenge and hate, J the most unfaltering ally of justice | or of crime, the world has ever soon. The bullets seek their victims with the speed of the sun's rays. Many a tall form and full brow of promise, I many a head honored among men and bearing laurels of fame above the ashen locks of age, has fallen prone to earth, red with blood, whose founts these 1 i 11 e balls have pierced. It was j a bullet from a derringer that crash- ; ed through the brain of President Lincoln and plunged the nation in i > grief. The assassin Bootfh selected < k' the derringer as the surest messenger ,| \ of death, and after he had fired the ft fatal shot the pistol dropped to the y floor in the box of the theatre. It is now in the possession of the war de- , HI partment. wr Wherever the derringer bas -been i* tne messenger or fate to man daily < Kf records bear witness to the irresisti- i L ble power which lurks in these light Kttwahd delicate servants of purple death. < BE Just behind the lines which separate ^ the District of Columbia from Maryland, near the town of Bladensfourg, f a secluded spot embowered with trees and known as "Blood Run," has wit- , nesscd many tragic scenes in which the derringer has figured conspicuously. Not only at the famous Bladenburg duelling grounds but throughout the entire south the derringer was the favorite weapon on the "field of honor." About 1830 there lived in Philadelphia a gunsmith named Derringer, who was noted for the exquisite fineness of his work on firearms, and its general excellence, especially in pistols. The flintlock was then used, and to insure its not missing fire th,o lock work had to be done with a great deal of care. In 1833 the contract was let by the government for pistols to arm the 1st reiment of Dragoons, just created by act of congress. Two thou- 1 sand holster pistols carrying thirty bullets to the pound, were wanted. Derringer had no difficulty in securing the contract, and also one for thirty-six pairs of officers pistols of n fillOl' niin'lUv Fvmvi Hint fimn iintil 18(50 he was the first small arm mak,er. in the United States in the matter of pistols, or, perhaps, of the ( world. General John Magruder, a famous .officer of the artillery in the old army, and a Confederate major general, owned the finest and most elaborate pair of pistols that Derringer ever made. They had two sets of barrels fitted to each stock. One set was four inches and the other six inches in length. Each carried sixty bullets to the pound. The .pistols were gold mounted, with beautiful inlaid work ; wherever it could bo placed in silver and gold. The locks wore made by Brazier, the most famous maker of ghn locks in England, and these cost '$60 alono. Capt. Magruder said that those pistol^ saved his lifo threo times. He could cut the spots out of , th6 four of spades at twelve paces. 'iMio cost of these pistols could not have been less thAn $276, and ware ' presented to the captain when he went ; io Mexico to tako command of his battery of the iSrst artillery. < : The. fame of the howie knife is as ; ' lS WnS l!:l1 0t Two status?Tennessee and Maryland?claim the birthplace of the inventor, James Bowie, and the question has never been quite definitely settled. But he gave tlu? name to a weapon as deadly as aiiy that has ever been forged from steel. When Louisiana became a state the old Spanish and French records created a great deal of trouble. It frequently happened that a planter who had taken up a large tract of land and fairly opened it out as plantation would learn that it was claimed by some one under an old Colonial rant. James Bowie was a very frequent claimant under these old laws. Several capitalists of the time had sent him to Havana, where the old papers of the Spanish colony of Louisiana were kept, and caused careful transcripts of them to be made. They appointed as their agent to put them in possession of these properties James Bowie. In these early days it did not take much provocation to bring on a personal encounter, as a nignt to tlie deaili was euphoniously entitled. A man who had hecn to the trouble and expense of opening up an estate only to find it claimed by a l<?t of people he did not know was generally pretty ready to fight for it, whether a fight would settle the question or not. The consequence of this state of things was that James Howie and his t.wo brothers, Stephen and Ha/in, had on hand almost constantly some sort or "difficulty" that had to be fought out with deadly weapons.' This was before the days when per-1 cussion caps were in general use, and i the smaller pistols of the period were flintlocks?inconvenient to carry and not very reliable. So the knife had to be used when one wanted a really trusty weapon. .James Howie set to work and with a pocket knife and shingle he made a model of the kind of knife that he believed wa? a>boul the proper thing fori Hie business lie liacl on hand. The first "bowie" was made by the local blacksmith at Shrevoporl, La., after the model furnished by James Bowie and it was used by him for several years. About 1S;5(), however, Bowie heard of a Xeiw Orleans culler, a Spaniard named l'edro, w*ho was making knives of a wonderful kind and Lemper. They could ibe driven through [i silver dollar without damage to point or edge. This artist made Bowie a knife which was a marvel of beauty and temper. The blade was nine inches long, and, with the handle, measured fifteen inches. This weapon was used with telling effect by Bowie in nineteen different encounters and it was the one in his stiffened hand when, with six dead Mexicans about him showing the evidence of his fatal skill, he was found dead at the Alamo. Bowie's method of using the knife was one peculiar to himself. He di.l not hold it in his Hi and with the point downward, but grasped the handle as a swordsman would giiasp the hilt of his sword. He always struck at the neck of liie mnn nv>/-l P? -- ...... <1 much xur iiit? jugular, and seldom missed hsi coup. In the most famous of his barttles, FOR 5 43 Seven-room Jresiclenc on Boi the business portion of the city. 45. One lot extending from Frien 200 feet. This is a corner lot in a niently located, within five minutes city. Very convenient to the Chnn has brick walls just ready to be finii terms I consider this one of the m 46. Nine room residence in Brook extending from one street to anothe 47. New six-room Residence, - con of the city, at a reasonable price. 25 shares National Bank Stock. 10 shares Land and Security Com Other valuable farm land and city J ''The Man Between" the Sel NEWBERR\ Class Sciei T* _ - I i ecn Expenses very modera surpassed. For catalo dent, JA IMIIE CIH ri POINTS OF EXCEUvENCI Thorough instruction. University n library. Excellent laboratories. E fulness. Honor system, Full litei courses. Degrees of A. B. and B. I Next session opens September i8tli, ' IvKK DAVIS IA i nil, 1-liiKALL) A the one fought on the sand bar at I Natchez Islan.l, Mississippi river, he j nil two men's heads almost oil', giv| ing each only one sweeping blow. In this fearl'uI light there were twelve i men engaged. One oL' them was James I Mladison Wells, known Uhroug'hout the I country as president of the Louisiana returning board of 1870-77. Bowie wafii very dangerously wounded, but managed to recover. While down on tUe ground with an antagonist on to]) of him who weighed thirty pounds more than did Bowie, Uhe indomintable fighter managed to get his left arm around his enemy's neck and then with a sudden right hand cut lie severed llhe ot'her man's jugular with an awful slash and was almost smothered by the terrible ontgnsh of blood 'that poured from the wound. flames Bowie only weighed 110 pounds when at his prime. lie was a quiet, soft voiced man, who never drank nor dissipated in any way. lie? possessed enormous physical strength for his size, and was as quick au.I lithe as a wildcat and as game. Howie was the terror of all the hard leases from Louisville to New Orleans. I a j^reat author siaid: "'Pile nation which shortens its weapons lengthens ils boundaries." The derringer and tlie education and civilization have rele-bowie are j^hort weapons and our honndaries have been lengthened.? Washington Post. Schedule of Fanners' Union Rally 1 Meetings Arranged by State Executive Committee. Clreenwood, 8. (.' July 25 Laurens, S. C\, July 30 Newberry, S. C., July 31 Lexington, S. C., Aug. 1 ! Kd-etield, S. C., Aug. 3. Union, S. C., Aug. 5 Spartanburg, 8. C., Aug. G Cherokee, S. C., Aug. 7 York, S. C Aug. 8 Chester, 8. ('., Aug. 0 ! Chesterfield, S. C., Vug. 10 Kershaw, 8. C., Aug. 13 j Sumter, 8. C., Aug. 14 Lee, S. C., Aug. 15 Marion, S. C Aug. 16 | Marlboro, 8. C., Aug. 17 Saluda, 8. C., Aug. 20 viraugeonrg, L' Aug:. 22 Btamberg, S. C., Aug. 23 Barnwell, S. C., Aug", 24 Greenville, S. C., Aug*. 13 Pickens, S. C., Vug. 14 Oconee, S. C., Aug". .15 These dates are subject to change provided the Executive Committee is Inotiiyd "in Uiine. The iCommittee would I'c glad to correspond with any fannev in any of the counties named in revord to place best suited for holdi): v these meetings, and any other m:V.tor looking to the success of the meetings. The speakers will be named later. Any correspondence in refc e to above should be addre^crt,d to Y\ L. Anderson, Secretary, Exivuiive Committee, Ninety Six, S. C. J. B. Pickett, Chairman. W. L. Anderson, Secty., Ex. Com. SALE. mdary street, very convenient to cl street to Johnstone street, 120 x good neighborhood, very convewalk to the business portion of the ;hes and the Graded School. This shed. Can be bought on reasonable ost desirable lots for sale in the city, lyn, good large garden and orchard, :r. iveniently located to business part pany Stock. ' property for sale. I. A. BURTON, ler and Buyer. ' college? sicall itificl inicall ' te. Health record ungue address the Presir% a ^ - * ? ? o. A. a. bUHCRER, Newberry, S. C. IH hiki S. C. $:?Hiigh Standard. Able faculty, lethods. Fine equipment. Splendid teautiful site. , Unsurpassed healthrary, scientific, musical and artistic Winnie Davis School of History. 1907. Send for catalogue. 3DGK. A. M., Ph. D. President. XD ,\FAYS. All Summ The Big Cu Cope % off on all Clothing aiul ocld \\7"p pvr Pants for Men and lloys Now is y??nr time to buy cheap. <111(1 TCfl so have decided Our sale has been wondei many goods to move, and il Those of you who did no week, as we will have some I ~ ivemember, everything w half of original price. Youi you take advantage of this s S All Straw Hats at All Lawns an* All COlO! i NOTICE.?No goods will I l I r. rv ^ in ire ivicuou New Market. I 1 have opened a first class Meat Market on Friend street, next door to the Observer office, and am prepared to furnish choice meats of all kinds. All orcer.j entrusted to rne will receive nr* personal at- " tention. ^ Come to see my market. , It is the cleanest and most up- ] to-date market in Newberry. J. A. WRIGHT, ' Friend Street. Phone 232. MEETING'JOINT COUNCIL. The church councils of Colony, Beth Eden, and Mayer Memorial will meet at Mayer Memorial next Saturday, 20th inst., at 2 o'clock, p. m. Full attendance requested. H. H. Folk, Secretary. Barbecue. The members of Bachman Chapel church will furnish a first class barbecue on the church grounds on Friday, July 26, for the benefit of the church. Refreshments will be served and will bo in Charge of Mrs. Jimmie Epps. Dinner 35 cents for ladies and 40 cents for gentlemen. NOTICE OF ELECTION. In consideration'of a petition sufficiently signed by the freeholders and electors of Excelsior school district vr? a axu. ?, ?u*mng ior an cieeuion 10 organize a high school. in connection with tho Prosperity school 'district No, 14, as provided for J>y a recent Act of the legislature. An election will bo held at Excelsior schoolhouse Saturday, July 27,r^-, ginning at S r. hi., and closing at 4 p. m., under tlie supervision of ?he district board of tntsteos of said district. Tlvoso favoring the proposition wll vote "For High Sclwoil/V t)Uo?e opposing will vote "Against High School." Registration certificate and tax rccepit nre requirements of electors 'to vote, : Z J. S. Wheeler, E. 0. County, Co. Bd. Education. v-''- '' I ' ' ' ; j# v; *&&/ ler Goods I t Price Sale Co )ect to have our new store fit dy to move into by Septemt to continue our big sale un fully successful the past wc t is much easier to move the >t attend our sale last week j rare bargains to offer you. ill be cut in price, and some r saving will be at least froir ;ale. P E CI A LS half price. i Organdies, col'< red and white Pa All White Slipper and ( I be charged or sent on app] grhrin RnilrHnrv C o"' *a *?* M1 lv| 11 '6 J *? Newberry, S. C. CONDEl Statements of th THE COMMEI Newberrj At the Close of Busiti ?? RESOURCES. Loans $402,728 55 Overdrafts 3,107.87, Furniture and , fixtures 3,116.93 Cash and sight exchange 21,333.82 $430,287.17 -Sfc -M Paid on Savir JNO. M. KINARD, Pres.' J. Y. McFAL ii ii ii f Money A person buying two | will receive one piece fr* for the cost of two. China and | Don't buy seconds Wh quality at the same pric I have 500 paper an going very cheap; alto f Stationery and Crepe P est price. If you are lo the Book Store is the on you can find all of the ne elsewhere and then cor and see if 1 can't save y< FIVB intinued to lished '' on 'ow cul ^'U)L*S ^or Mm, Ladies au?l Children. Get >er 15, pair before your si/.e is jjoue. til August 1st. ;ek, but we still have too i ? - ; casn, nence the sacrifice, must be sure to come this i of them will be cut just 1 25 to 50c. on the dollar if at 1-3 off. rasols at cost, s for Ladies Children at cost. roval during this sale. W1 W ?oyce Street, NSED ie Condition of ICIAL BANK