This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.
It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.
Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.
Usage guidelines
Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:
+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.
+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.
+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.
+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe.
About Google Book Search
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web
at http : //books . google . com/|
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
THE UFE OF
DAVID CROCKETT
The Original Humorist and Irrepressible
Backwoodsman
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY
To which it added An Acooant of His Glorious Death
at ibe Alamo while Fighting in Defense
of Texan Independence
A. L. BURT COMPANY, > j» > ^
j» j» j» PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
Bf E. A. BBAINEBD.
F
191^
UC7
pri
nOMTSD IN U. 8. A.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
PREFACE BY THE EDITOB.
CoLOKEL David Cbookbtt was one of the most re»
markable men of the times in which he lived. Bom
in humble life, bat gifted with a strong will, an in-
domitable coorage, and unremitting perseverance,
as well as an aptitude for accumulating information,
from his intercourse with men of superior education,
he rose to posts of high honor and distinction. His
talent for original humor caused his sayings to be
admired and quoted, reported in newspapers, and
received with applause throughout America and
Europe.
In his military career, which was confined to the
Greek war of 1813-1814, he served in the ranks as a
private soldier ; and although in these circumstances,
he never had an extensive separate command,
he was frequently sent upon scouting and hunting
expeditions in which he acquitted himself with
credit. His entrance into public life was unsought
on his own part, and was entirely the result of that
ascendency which an able and independent mind
asserts over the masses in the troubles and turmoils
of politics. The stand which he took in Congress
against those measures, which he disapproved, of his
old C!ommander, General Jackson, when President
•*•
lU
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
1y preface bt the editor.
of the United States, was recognized throughout the
country as the evidence of a high degr^ of political
integrity, and rendered him extremely popular with
the party at that time opposed to the administration
of the Genera] Gh>vernmenL When this popularity
was at its height, Colonel Crockett made the tour
of the Middle and Northern States ; and was every
where received with the greatest enthusiasm.
His odd maxims and original remarks had for a
long time been circulating in the newspapers, and
the greatest curiosity prevailed to hear him speak
on political affairs. Under these circumstances^
although it was not an easy matter to satisfy tb^
public, his speeches gave general satisfaction and
he returned to his constituents crowned with fresh
honors.
But the fiat of power had gone forth against him ;
and every nerve was strained by the administration
to defeat his re-election. As usual with General
Jackson, he succeeded in preventing the return of
his adversary to Congress; and Colonel Crockett
waQ constrained to return to private life.
But private life had lost its charms for the Colonel ;
and as the struggle for the independence of Texas
was then going forward, although the cause was
apparently in a hopeless state, and the whole band
of patriots but a handful of men. Colonel Crockett
witii his usual ardor and determination threw him.
self into the contest^ and perished gloriously at the
siege of the Alamo. Had he survived that siege^
and participated in the subsequent glories of San
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
PREFACE BY THE EDITOB. y
Jacinto, it is not easy to imagine to what honors he
might not have been advanced by his compatriots
after the independence of Texas was seonred, and
her admission as one of the states of the Union had
been accomplished.
The life of Colonel Crockett was written by him-
self, is entirely without literary pretensions ; but it
is fall of interest as well as instruction. It shows
how much may be accomplished by a right aim, a
strong will, and an indomitable spirit of perseve-
ranoe»
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
Fashion is a thing I care mighty little about,
except when it happens to run just exactly according
to my own notion : and I was mighty nigh sending
out my book without any preface at all, until a
notion struck me, that perhaps it was necessary to
explain a little the reason why and wherefore I
had written it.
Most of authors seek fame, but I seek for justice^
— a holier impulse than ever entered into the am
bitious struggles of the votaries of that ficlde^ jlvrt
«fi^ goddess.
A publication has been made to the world, which
has done me much injustice; and the catchpenny
errors which it contains, have been already too long
sanctioned by my silence. I don't know the author
of the book — and indeed I don't want to know him :
for after he has taken such a liberty with my name,
and made such an effort to hold me up to public
ridicule, he cannot calculate on anything but my
displeasure. If he had been content to have written
his opinions about me, however contemptuous they
might have been, I should have less reason to com-
plain. But when he professes to give my narrative
(as he often does) in my own language, and then
vii
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
Vlii AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
pats into my moath such language as would disgrace
even an outlandish African, he must himself be sen*
sible of the injustice he has done me, and the trick
he has played off on the public. I have met with
hundreds, if not with thousands of people, who have
formed their opinions of my appearance, habits,
I'^S^^^^^g^ ^^^ everything else from that deceptive
work.
They have almost in every instance expressed the
most profound astonishment at finding me in human
shape, and with the countencmoe^ appearance^ and
common fedinga of a human being. It is to correct
all these false notions, and to do justice to myself
that I have written.
It is certain that the writer of the book alluded
to has gathered up many imperfect scraps of infor-
mation concerning me, as in parts of his work there
is some little semblance of truth. But I ask him, if
this notice should ever reach his eye, how would he
have liked it, if I had treated hvn^ so t — if I had put
together such a bundle of ridiculous stuff, and headed
it with hie name, and sent it out upon the world
without ever even condescending to ask his permis-
sion ! To these questions, all upright men must
give the same answer. It was wrong ; and tha
desire to make money by it, is no apology for such
injustice to a fellow-man.
But I let him pass ; as my wish is greatly more
to vindicate myself, than to condemn hinu
In the following pages I have endeavored to give
the reader a plain, honesty homespun account of my
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
AXTTHOR'S PREFACE. fx
state in life, and some few of the difficulties which
have attended me along its journey, down to this
time. I am perfectly aware, that I have related
many small and, as I fear, uninteresting circum-
stances ; but if so, my apology is, that it was ren-
dered necessary by a desire to link the different
periods of my life together, as they have passed,
from my childhood onward, and thereby to enable
the reader to select such parts of it as he may relish
most, if, indeed, there is anything in it which may
suit his palate.
I have also been operated on by another consider-
atk>n« It is this : — I know, that obscure as I am,
my name is making a considerable deal of fuss in
ihe world* I can't tell why it is, nor in what it is to
end« Go where I will, everybody seems anxious to
get a peep at me ; and it would be hard to tell
which would have the advantage, if I, and the
** Gk)vemment,^ and " Black Hawk,** and a great
eternal big caravan of wild varminU were all to be
showed at the same time in four different parts of
any of the big cities in the nation. I am not so sure
that I shouldn't get the most custom of any of the
crew. There must therefore be something in me,
or about me, that attracts attention, which is even
mysterious to myself. I can't understand it, and I
tiierefore put all the facts down, leaving the reader
free to take his choice of them.
On the subject of my style, it is bad enough, in
all conscience, to please critics, if that is what they
are af ten They are a sort of vermin, though^ that
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
X AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
I sha'n't even so muoh as stop to brash off. If they
want to work on my book, just let them go ahead;
and after they are done, they had better blot ont all
their criticisms, than to know what opinion I wonld
express of them^ and by what sort of a carions name
I would call ihem^ if I was standing near them, and
looking over their shoulders. They will, at most|
have only their trouble for their pay. But I rather
expect I shall have them on my side.
But I don't know of anything in my book to be
criticised on by honorable men. Is it on my spell-
ingt— that's not my trade. Is it on my grammar!
— I hadn't time to learn it, and make no pretensions
to it. Is it on the order and arrangement of my
book I — I never wrote one before, and never read
very many ; and, of course, know mighty little about
that. Will it be on the authorship of the book ! —
this I claim, and I'll hang on to it like a wax plaster.
The whole book is my own, and every sentiment
and sentence in it. I would not be such a fool, or
knave either, as to deny that I have bad it run has-
tily over by a friend or so, and that some little alter-
ations have been made in the spelling and gram-
mar ; and I am not so sure that it is not the worse
of even that, for I despise this way of spelling con-
trary to nature. And as for grammar, it's pretty
much a thing of nothing at last, after all the fuss
that's made about it. In some places, I wouldn't
suffer either the spelling, or grammar, or anything
else to be touched ; and therefore it will be found
in my own way.
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
AUTHOR'S FRBFACB. xl
But if anybody ooroplains that I have had it looked
over, I can only say to him, her, or them — as the
case may be — that while critics were learning gram-
mar, and learning to spell, I and ^^ Doctor Jackson,
ULD.^ were fighting in the wars ; and if our books,
and messages, and proclamations, and cabinet writ-
ings, and so forth, and so on, shoald need a little
looking over, and a little correcting of the spelling
and the grammar to make them fit for use, it's just
nobody's business. Big men have more important
matters to attend to than crossing their ^s — , and
dotting their t's — y and such like small things. But
the ^ Government's" name is to the proclamation,
and my name's to the book ; and if I didn't write
the book, the ** Government " didn't write the proc-
iamation, which no man dares to deny!
But just read for yourself, and my ears for a heel
tap, if before you get through you don't say, with
many a good-natured smile and hearty laugh, ^ This
is truly the very thing itself — the exact image of its
Author,
DAVID CROCKETT-
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
CrookeiVs deseent— His father a soldier in the Bevotntioii-
ary War— Foa^^t at the battle of KiDg*8 Mountain-
Settles in Tennessee— Crockett's grandparents murdered
by the Indians — One unde wounded and anotlier cap-
tured by the Indians— Birth of David Crockett— Early
recollections— Narrow escape of his brothers from
drowning— Shooting a man instead of a deer— His
father's removals— Keeps a tavern — David hired to a
Dutchman — Escapes from him in a snow storm— Bir.
Dunn*s kindness— David returns home ]
CHAPTER IL
Uavid goes to school— Flogs a schoolmate and plays
truant— Qets found out— Runs away— Hires himself to
Jesse Cheek— Leaves him— (Joes with Myers— Afraid to
go home — Works for John Gray — Goes to Baltimore —
Agrees to go to sea— Made prisoner— Escapes— Befriend-
ed by a wagoner— His kindness— David " hires out **
to Caldwell— Works for Griffith, the hatter— His master
l»eaks— He starts for home— Perilous adventure in a
canoe— Meets his brother^Reaches home— His reoep-
tkm 14
CHAPTER HI.
David at home— Works out a debt for his father— Hires
out with an old Quaker— Gets paid in a Note of his
IMherV-Dwid ftOUi in love with a Qua ke r e ss B is*
xiii
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
XiT OONTENTB.
appointed— Ooef to w^iodl— FVUls in lore agalii-<3oaB
toaSbootingMatcli— Gets jiited-8ick at heart. 8?
CHAPTER IV.
Crockett goes a huntin^^The Dutoh widow— Ugly daug^
ter— Crockett goes to a leaping— The old Irish woman
—Crockett danoeft with her daughter— Makes love to
her— A rival— Crockett lost in the woods— Meets his
lady-love— Opposition of her mother to the marriage-
Crockett married- Mother-in-law reconciled— Two sons
horn— Removal to Lincoln connty— Removal to Ftank*
lincounty 8S
CHAPTER V.
The Creek war— Mansacre at Fort Mimms— Crockett
volunteers— Joins Captain Jones* company of mounted
volunteers— Beaty*s Spring— Major Gibson— Crockett
goes out ar a soout with Qecrge Russel— Scouting ad*
ventures— Crockett returns, and reports to General
Coffee— Blxpress sent to (General Jackson — ^His arrival
incamp 49
CHAPTER VL
Crockett sent off with a detachment— Burning of Black
Warrior's town— Crockett goes a hunting to supply
provision for the detachment — ^His success — ^Rejoins
the main army — Battle with the Indians — Rotum to
Fort Strother— Famine in the camp— Expedition to Fort
Taladega— Battle of Taladega — Famine— Mutiny —
Crockett goes home with the other volunteers — 1^ joins
the army — Skirmish near Horso Shoe Bend — Another
battle— Courage and rkill of General Carroll 01
CHAPTER Vn.
Crockett joins the army for the Florida campaign — ^Passes
near Fort Mimms— Arrival at Pensaoola— General Jaok-
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
X?
OOHTEKTEL
•on leaTes for New Orleaii»— Crookett retoriis with his
legiment to Fort Mirnms— Deecripticm of the Fort and
the masBaore— March towards Pensacola— PreparaUons
for a battle— Creeks killed— Expedition of Major Eossell
—Return to Pensaoola. Tf
CHAPTER VUL
Start for Chatahaohj— l^amino in camp— Burning <^ town
on the Chatahachy— x'amine again - Crockett goes a
hunting— His success— Arrival at Fort Decatur— Crock-
ett buys com with bullets— March to Fort Williams—
Pass the battleground of Taladega— Pass the Coosa
riyer— Crockett starts for home— Returns home— Joy
of his family— Crockett's sentiments on the warrior
career— Close of the war 8i
CHAPTER EL
Death of Mrs. Crockett— His family— Crockett courts a
soldier's widow— ? tarries again— New ftunily— EmI*
grates— Perilous journey-sickness— Returns home—
Second :ckness— Crockett settles on Shoal Creek—
R^^uLtor& v^Toc! c:t a magistrate — Amusing account
of his prooeedLigs— Learning ho\7 to make out written
warrantLt and keep a docket— His success as a magis-
trate , »
CHAPTER X,
Captain Matthew's intrigue— Crockett a candidate for
military office— Matthew's artful dodge— Detected by
Crockett, who defeats him, and is elected Colonel —
Crockett a candidate for the Legislature — On the stump
—Electioneering — Hunting party — Speech-making
tough work— Tells anecdotes— Gains his election— Col-
onel Polk— The judiciary— Loss of property— Failure—
Gives up all to his creditors. ^ 108
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
2vi OONTENTS.
CHAPTEBZL
Colonel Crockett emigrates again— DMfUmlt joom^—
Visit to Mr. Owens— Boating— Hunting— lianting— The
Fkll*s hunt^Perilous winter journey to get a cask of
powder— Success IW
CHAPTER Xn,
All hands turn out for a hunt— Colonel Crockett goes
after bear— Kills two wild turkeys— Encounters a Tery
big bear— Three shots fired— Bear killed— Weighs 000
lbs. — ^Difficulty in getting him home— Colonel Oockett
supplies his family with provisions by hunting 1S3
CHAPTER Xra.
Colonel Crockett sells his peltry— Meets influential poli-
ticians at Jackson— Is invited to become a candidate for
the Leglslaturo— Declines— Is advertised for the office
without his consent— Determinos to run— Meets his op-
ponent—His amusing and characteristic description of
his manner of electioneering— Two other candidates
proposed— Colonel Crockett is elected— Votes ag:;.inst
General Jackson for Senator— Colonel Crockett pro-
p-ksed as a candidate for Congress— He is defeated —
Proposed again for t!ie next Congress 118
CHAPTER XIV.
Colonel Crockett engages in a Lumber Speculation-
Boatbuilding— Bear hunting— The grubber— More bear-
hunting — Bear attacked in a cane brake — B<>ar attacked
in a hollow tree — Three bears killed — Cutting up the
bears and salting them 138
CHAPTER XV.
More bear-hunting— Shooting a bear— Crockett benight-
ed in the woods— Night encounter with a bear- -Crock*
ett nearly frozen to death — Dreadful earthquakt^— Ten
bears killed during this hunt 148
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
OONTEMIBl xrii
pAoa
CHAPTEE XVL
Ockm/A OeoekiM sttends to his lumber speoulatknis—
QoM down the Miwiflaippi with his lumber— Difflooit^
oavigatioii— Boats swmmped— Narrow eeoape of the
Colonel from drowning— Reenlt ci the Bpeonlationa
total kw m
CHAPTER XVTL
Cokmel Crockett enters on a new canTaes for Congreas—
A friend Boppliee ** the sinewe of war **— Electioneer-
ing—A Stmnp speech— Incident of the Guinea-fowls
turned to a good account— Crockett elected— Berres in
Congrees during Adams' administration— Re-elected
to Copgrens Votes against the Indian bill*-Political
perseoutimi— Crockett proposed for Congress again —
Defeated— Crockett's district Gerrymandered to keep
himoiitofCongreeB— He is elected 156
CHAPTER xym.
C<donel Crockett commences his tour to the Northern
Statee— Entertained at Bamum's Hotel in Baltimore-
Passage to Phihidelphia— Crockett's toast— Grand re-
c^tion at Philadelphia— Arrival at United States Hotel
—Crockett's cpeech— Walk round the Quaker City at
night— Vuited by distinguished citizens— Visit to the
Water-Works, tho Mint, and the Asylum for the Insane
—Crockett's speech at the exchange— Great applause —
Goes to the Walnut Street Theater— Crockett presented
with a watch-seal, and rifle— Visits the Navy Yard-
Takes a ride with Colonel Reeside— Takes a supper
with Mr. Dorrance, and makes a call on Colonel Saint. 165
CHAPTER XIX.
Colonel Crockett starts for New York— The panongc
Grand reception— Committee of young Whigs invite
him to go to the American Hotel— Goes to the Park
Theater— Sees Fanny Kemble— His opinion of that
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
xviii CONTENTS.
aotresB— The Colonel goes to a fire— liakes a speech at
the Ezohange— Goes to Peale's Museum and the d'ij
Hall— Dines with CoL Draper— Invited to a supper by
the young Whigs— Has a ride with Col. Jackson-—
Visits the Five Points— His opinion of the strange sights
there— Introduced to Albert Gallatin— Preparations for
building the Astor House— Celebration at the Battery-^
General Morton— Gideon Lee— Castle Garden— Goes to
the Bowery Theater— Colonel Mapee— Grant Thorbum
— ^Riile shooting— The Colonel giyes a specimen 178
CHAPTER XZ.
The Colonel starts for Boston— Passes Hell Gate, and
Point Juda— First impressions of New England scenery
—Captain Silsbee-'ArriTes at Tremont House— Mr.
Boyden— Visit to the gallery ci the artist, Chester
Harding— Sits for his portrait— Faneuil Hall— General
DaTis— <2uinoy Market— India-rubber factory— Colonel
Perkins-^-Carpet factory— Sups with the young Whigs
—Bunker Hill— Whig dinnei^-Chantrey's statue of
Washington— Asylum for the Blind 19|
CHAPTER XXI.
Colonel Crockett is invited to visit Harvard University-
Is afraid they will make him a Doctor of Laws, and
declines going there— Visits the Tremont Theater-
Visit to Lowell— The Colonel is delighted with the
factories and the factory girls — His remarks on Free
Labor— The sea-serpent— The Tariff— The South— Mr.
Lawrence presents the Colonel with a suit of broad-
cloth of Lowell manuf^icture, from Mississippi wool—
The Colonel dines with the young gentlemen of Lowell
— ^New England hospitality— The Colonel returns to
Boston— Spends an evening with Lieutenant-Governor
Armstrong— Returns to Providence, New York, and
Philadelphia— Visit to Camden, New Jersey— Loses
his pocketbook and money— Returns to Baltimore
nd Washington 806
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
ODNTJfiNItk zU
CHAPTER XXn
Bk«aklng up of CongreaB— Crockett at Philadelpliia— >
Preientatioii <^ the rifle— The Colonel's speech— Visit
to the Fish House— Celebration oi the Fourth of July
—The Colonel's speech at Chestnut Street Theater-
Present of gunpowder from Mr. Dupont— Crockett at
Pittsburg— His adyice to Tennessee— Conversation wHh
Captain Stone— Passage to Cincinnati and Louisville-
Speech at Louisville— Betum home— Shooting for
beef 9m
CHAPTER XXnL
Electioneering— Stump speech— Price of popularity—
Treating— The co(m-ekin trick— The Yankee merchant
outwitted— OfFer <^ compensatioD on the part of the
Colonel refused— Adam Huntsman the Colonel's op-
ponent 988
CHAPTER XXIV.
the Colonel loses his election - How it happened— P6li*
tical persecution and corruption— The Colonel's (pinions
and sentiments on political affairs— Where the public
money goes— Anecdote— The Colonel's parting blessing