We can only imagine some of the incredible things seen by the first pioneers on the American frontier. Untouched reservoirs, fields of meadows with no roads, and skylines made only from mountain tops.
Greater still is the excitement that came with experiencing new flora and fauna. But of all the documented wildlife encounters, nothing quite comes close to the harrowing claims by Davy Crockett.
Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett is well known in America as a national icon. In the 1800’s, he swooped into society with impeccable military prowess and maintained a respectable position in Congress for many years.
But the political lifestyle soon took its toll, and Davy decided to head west to Texas with a crew of his own. The team was determined to reach the new land, despite the ongoing territory dispute with Mexico.
It was on this journey that Davy Crockett encountered an incredible sight worth recounting in a letter to his brother-in-law.
The Encounter
Davy recounted events from the frightening experience. The men had been hard at work all day, toiling away in the infamous Texas heat. He was clearing brush from a thicket alongside William Patton. The two were exhausted and stopped for a well-deserved break.
Mr. Crockett put his tools down and began to wipe his brow. But no sooner had he cast his axe aside, a huge monster appeared before his eyes.
He described the creature as a large, ape-like monster. The beast was covered from head to toe with thick fur and had small beady eyes. He recalled huge rows of teeth, visible and towering above him. The monster had an incredibly foreboding presence. Davy Crockett claims to have spit out his food in fear at the sight.
But perhaps the strangest part of the entire encounter was what the beast did next. Instead of viciously attacking the men, the creature instead had a message.
Davy Crockett recounted the warning he received from the monster, “Return from Texas, flee this Fort and abandon this lost cause.”
He was at a loss. This was surely the strangest encounter of his entire journey. He spoke up to the monster, questioning his message—but it was to no avail.
Before he could indulge himself with the grace of an explanation, the monster disappeared before his eyes. He described the exit like “morning steam swirls off a frog pond.”
The experience left Davy unsettled. He described in his letter an inability to consume meat for a couple of days following the experience.
Was he telling the truth?
Davy Crockett had an honest reputation through years of loyalty to his country through military and political service. The man was also well known for his strong Christian values, which he outlined himself in the letter. Davy swears by the encounter, not once but twice in the letter to his brother-in-law.
Was it the Texas heat or something much bigger that tried to warn Davy and his men? Only Davy and William Patton can say definitively what happened on that Texas day.
One of Canada’s finest cartographers, setting out earlier than Lewis & Clark to map the overland link to the Pacific via the Columbia, recorded this experience when his group began to cross the Rockies over Athabasca Pass:
“January 7, 1811 Continuing our journey in the afternoon we came on the track of a large animal, the snow about six inches deep on the ice; I measured it; four large toes each of four inches in length; to each a short claw; the ball of the foot sunk three inches lower than the toes, the hinder part of the foot did not mark well, the length fourteen inches, by eight inches in breadth, walking from north to south, and having passed about six hours. We were in no humour to follow him; the Men and Indians would have it to be a young mammoth and I held it to be the track of a large old grizzled bear; yet the shortness of the nails, the ball of the foot, and its great size was not that of a Bear, otherwise that of a very large old Bear, his claws worn away; this the Indians would not allow.”
My Hubs Paternal Grandmother said “ole Davey” was a 2nd or 3rd cousin. But then again she said the same thing about Jesse James.
interesting
In all reality? This New Mexico and Texas Territory as well as Colorado and California? Belongs to the Mexicans. Big Foot gave a warning. What if they decided to take over because we are not listening? HUH? THAT could totally happen. Those District Managers can be as tall as 20 ft. Taller than some houses
To the victor go the spoils, if Mexico wants it back let them being an army across the border, not innocent people and drug smugglers.
So you condone theft? Wonderful… so much for any remaining Christian values left in the USA…
Where can one see this original letter? Library of Congress?
That would be my question. Thank you for asking.
As crockett dies at the alamo the timing of this alleged tail is suspect
WHY? He was in Texas.