The Philadelphia Saturday Courier. Vol. VI, No. 267. Philadelphia: Woodward & Clarke, 7 May 1836. Folio, 4 pages, disbound, approx. 19 3/4 x 25 7/8 in. 

A Texas Revolution-era newspaper featuring a curious and spurious article falsely proclaiming that Colonel Davy Crockett survived the legendary Battle of the Alamo.

The article, printed on page 3, titled "Col. Crockett Not Dead Yet" reads in part: "We are much gratified in being able to inform our readers that Col. Crockett, the hero and patriot, it is said is not yet dead. This cheering news is brought by a gentleman now in this city, directly from Texas, and who left the Colonel, as he states, three weeks ago, at the house of his brother-in-law in Texas, where the Colonel was lying quite ill, but gradually though slowly recovering from his wounds. The gentleman who brings this news is known to a number of our citizens, who believe him to be a man of veracity. He states that Crockett was left upon the battle ground at St. Antonio covered with wounds, and as the Mexicans supposed, dead. That after the Mexicans had abandoned the place, Crockett was discovered by some of his acquaintances to be lying among the slain, still exhibiting signs of life. He was immediately taken care of, and conveyed to comfortable lodgings, (as before stated) where his wounds were dressed, and every attention necessary to his recovery paid him. He had received a severe gash with a tomahawk on the upper part of his forehead, a ball in his left arm, and another through one of his thighs, besides several other minor wounds."

The author, clearly cognizant of the remarkable claims, continues: "Candour compels us to say that there are many improbabilities in relation to the truth of this report but the respectable character of the gentleman who says he saw him with his own eyes in the condition and under the circumstances above stated, induces us to give him credit. We have, nevertheless, some [doubts] of its truth." 

Already a folk hero, the legends surrounding Davy Crockett's death were immediately proliferated, as is evidenced by this interesting article. Rumors swirled, varying from the claim that he was the last man standing, taking down Mexican soldiers to his last breath, to tales that he surrendered to Santa Anna's troops and was later executed. 

An interesting article that encourages more speculation on the death of "the King of the Wild Frontier." 

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