Davy Crockett
Legendary American folk hero David “Davy” Crockett was the subject of much myth-making during his own lifetime. And the myths and legends associated with the frontiersman, soldier and politician only continued to grow and even become more elaborate in the years and decades following his death. Indeed, even his death continues to be the subject of some speculation. This includes his final resting place. Americans have never had, and likely never will have, a spot where they can pay their respects at the exact spot where one of their great heroes lies.
According to some, the San Fernando Cathedral is the best place to start. Here, at the back of the building, which opened its doors to the faithful in 1728, lies a tomb. And next to the tomb is a stone. One the stone it states that the remains of Travis, Bowie and Crockett, as well as other ‘heroes of the Alamo’ are interred there. Quite how accurate this claim is, however, remains the source of much debate. While some believe the statement, others maintain that Crockett’s remains never left the exact place where he achieved immortality: the Alamo itself.
The story starts in 1888. It was then that Colonel Juan Seguin – who had visited the Alamo a month after the famous battle – wrote a letter claiming to have taken the remains of the outpost’s heroic defenders and buried them beneath the alter of San Fernando Cathedral. To begin with, most people simply dismissed his claims. But then, some 50 years later, in 1938, things changed. Workmen digging in the cathedral found charred human remains. Could they really belong to Crockett and his fellow Alamo defenders? The cathedral certainly believed so, hence the plaque. They also rushed out a history book to ‘prove’ this was the case.
Even this wasn’t enough for most historians, however. According to almost all accounts, Santa Ana had all of the bodies of those killed at the Alamo, Crockett included, cremated. So, it’s far more likely that he was burned alongside Mexican soldiers and his comrades in arms and then the ashes scattered close to the site of the battle. Nevertheless, some romantics and amateur historians still believe that Crockett was given a proper Christian burial and now rests under a cathedral alter, a spot fitting for a true American hero.