| Six Hundred Sixth in the Famous People (FP) Series
- |
 |
James "Jim" Bowie
(April 10, 1796 – March 6, 1836) became internationally
famous as a result of a feud with Norris Wright, the sheriff of
Rapides Parish. Bowie had supported Wright's opponent in the race
for sheriff, and Wright, a bank director, had been instrumental in
turning down Bowie's loan application. After a confrontation in
Alexandria one afternoon, Wright fired a shot at Bowie. The
uninjured Bowie was enraged and tried to kill Wright with his bare
hands. Wright's friends intervened and stopped the attack, after
which Bowie resolved to carry his hunting knife at all times.
The following year, on September
19, 1827, Bowie and Wright attended a duel on a sandbar outside of
Natchez, Mississippi. Bowie supported duelist Samuel Levi Wells
III, while Wright supported Wells's opponent, Dr. Thomas Harris
Maddox. The duelists each fired two shots, and, as neither man had
been injured, resolved their duel with a handshake. Other members
of the groups, who had various reasons for disliking each other,
began fighting. Bowie was shot in the hip; after regaining his feet
he drew a knife and charged his attacker. The attacker hit Bowie
over the head with his empty pistol, breaking the pistol and
knocking Bowie to the ground. Wright shot at and missed the prone
Bowie, who returned fire and possibly hit Wright. Wright then drew
his sword cane and impaled Bowie. When Wright attempted to retrieve
his blade by placing his foot on Bowie's chest and tugging, Bowie
pulled him down and disemboweled Wright with his large knife.
Wright died instantly, and Bowie, with Wright's sword still
protruding from his chest, was shot again and stabbed by another
member of the group. The doctors who had been present for the duel
retrieved the bullets and patched Bowie's other wounds.
Field Cemetery in Van Zandt county is home to another Bowie family
who suffered through hard times in the late 1800's. The posted
coordinates lead to a beautiful marker memorializing two small
children of J.A. & A.C. Bowie. When their son Eddie was just 6
years old, Mom gave birth to his baby brother. Just 3 weeks later,
Eddie died, and then before the newborn was even 1 year old, he too
passed away. Such a sad sight to see these markers for young
children like this. So to pay respect, this 3 stage cache will take
you by their marker and ask you to read the inscriptions on it. The
answers will lead to the next stage while you enjoy exploring the
grounds.
|
| Stage I |
| How old was
Baby Bowie when he died? |
| 8 Months 5 Days |
N32 30.874 |
W096 04.153 |
 |
| 8 Months 22 Days |
N32 30.866 |
W096 04.147 |
| 11 Months 22 Days |
N32 30.858 |
W096 04.176 |
|
| Stage II |
| This marker
bears the same name of a famous singer from the 1960's. |
| Jackie Wilson |
N32 30.863 |
W096 04.145 |
 |
| Mary Wells |
N32 30.882 |
W096 04.176 |
| Martha Reeves |
N32 30.880 |
W096 04.154 |
|
| Stage III - Final |
| Is that a
hidden matchstick container? |
| A. It sure is. Found it! |
 |
|
 |
| B. How would I know? |
 |
FP
cemetery caches are always placed with regards to the location, so
please be mindful of your presence here, watch where you step and
be respectful of the residents interred here. Please carefully
re-hide the container better to maintain the integrity of the
cache.
|
GPSr Accuracy @
Final 7.8' |
|
Avoid the use of acronym logs and cut 'n paste logs. You must sign
the log to claim the find. No exceptions.