M

i n i>

Tl+J.

HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY HOUSTON, TEXAS

m

ROlEMfl ET531

INDIAN

Depredations in Texas

EELIABLE ACCOUNTS

OF

BATTLES, WARS, ADVENTURES, FORAYS, MURDERS, MASSACRES, ETC., ETC, TOGETHER WITH BIO- GRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF THE MOST NOTED INDIAN FIGHTERS AND FRONTIERSMEN OF TEXAS.

BY

J. W. WILBARGER.

SOLD BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY.

SECOND EDITION.

j 1 5257

AUSTIN, TEXAS:

Hutchings Printing House,

1890.

'Dedicated

to the memory of the heroic

frontiersmen who by their sacrifices prepared the

way for the prosperity which texas now

enjoys, i dedicate this book.

The Author.

Entered according to act of Congress'^ they^ar* eighteen, hundred1 ,and eighty-eight,

BY J. W. WILBARGER,

In the office of tlte Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C.

Illustrated by Owen Engraving Co., Austiu.

PREFACE.

I FEEL that for those who will read the description of the conflicts and Indian cruelty contained in this volume some preface which will introduce the author to his read- ers and .which will explain the motives which inspired him to write this book is needed. I came to Texas over half a century ago, and am now an old man, the only sur- vivor of three brothers who served Texas in her early strug- gles. Josiah Wilbarger, who was scalped by the Indians a few miles east of where the capitol of Texas now is, was my brother. He survived, as this book relates, the massacre of his companions, but afterwards died from a disease of the skull caused by injuries. Having spent the prime of my life among the pioneers of Texas, and therefore knowing personally about many of the fights and massacres des- cribed in this volume, the idea occurred to me many years ago that when the early settlers were all dead their posterity would only know from tradition the perils and hardships encountered in the early settlement of Texas. When I found that no one else seemed inclined to preserve in his- tory the story of massacres and conflicts with Indians, I undertook the work myself. During some twenty years I have carefully obtained from the lips of those who knew most of the facts stated in this volume. For their general correctness I can vouch, for I knew personally most of the early settlers of Texas, and have relied on those only whom I believed to be trustworthy. Many of the articles con- tained in this book were written by others, who were either cognizant of the facts themselves or bad obtained their data from reliable sources. To those who have so kindly aided me in my arduous work I return my most grateful thanks. Through the courtesy of the publishing house of J. W. Burke & Co., of Macon, Georgia, who own the copyright

IV PREFACE.

of the book entitled "The Life and Adventures of Big Foot Wallace," I have been permitted to make some extracts from the same which I believed would be of interest to the reader. The present generation can at best have but a faint idea of the hardships, exposures and perils to which the pioneers of Texas were subjected. For ten years they con- tended with the Mexican nation on the west and roving bands of fierce savages on the north, when invasion of the frontier might be expected at any time. After annexation, the United States government afforded but poor protection against the Indians, and murders continued until quite re- cently. As one of the pioneers, I felt impelled to prepare and publish for the benefit of another generation this vol- ume, which shows something of the dangers and difficulties under which the peace that our people now enjoy has been secured, k

The Author.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page

Battleof Plum Creek 25

Burleson, General Edward 33

Crawford, Mrs., rescuing her child from a watery grave 16

Comanche Warrior dragging to death Mrs. Plummer's child 312

Cherokee Warrior defying the Wacos 177

Do you hear the owls hooting? Yes, but owls don't cough 277

Erath's, Captain, gun knocks down before and behind 248

Hays, Captain Jack 74

Hays, Captain Jack, and Chief Flacco charge the Comanches.... 80

He makes an unexpected tumble in the midst of the Indians 209

He carved his name upon a tree for a tombstone and then expired. 262

Here they are boys, come quick 272

He keeps his appointment, but drops dead at the gate 629

Indian smoke signals in the distance 656

Johnson's little boy following*the cows 440

Lockhart, Matilda — Burning the soles of her feet. ... 1

Lee, Joseph, coming to the rescue of Judge Jayne's family. 140

Lively tussle between a pack of dogs and an Indian 267

McCulloch, Captain Ben , 288

McCulloch, General Ben » 496

McCulloch, General Henry 609

Moody shot from an ambuscade 401

Mule sided with his master 56

Parker, Cynthia Ann 321

Parker, Chief Quanah 344

Placido, a Tonkawa chief 368

Please don't shoot at us, we are white children 528

Ross, Captain L. S 328

Ross, Lizzie 332

Ross, Captain S. P., slays Chief Big Foot 592

Running fight with Indians 492

Satanta and Big Tree firing a wagon train 560

Starving fugitives of Parker Fort Massacre 308

The farce before the tragedy 644

Wilbarger, J. W Frontispiece

Wilbarger, Josiah, scalping of 8

Willis, William, a fair race with no jockeying 468 i

^>Co^ JU^\ na)o£Q<

INDEX.

Names. County. Tear. Page

Adkisson, William Travis 1845 260>

Alexander, James Bastrop 1835 207

Anglin, Dauthet, Faulkenberry and Anderson Anderson 1837 347

All's Well that Ends Well ' Travis 1845 658

Baker and Souls Travis 1842 275-

Barry, Captain R. B Bosque 1857 439-

Bee, H. P., General, Extracts from his Journal 1843 42

Bowie, General San Saba river 1831 91

Brashear, W. P Lavaca 1839 10?

Burnam, Jesse , Fayette 1830 98

Bell, William, and Captain Coleman Travis 1843 142,

Battle of Brushy. ... Williamson 1839 47

Battle between Cherokees and Wacos McLennan 18^9 174

Battle— Cherokees Get Even Limestone 1830 177

Barton's, William, Stratagem Travis 1842 272

Boyce, James Travis 1842 277

Battle of Antelope Hills Canadian river 1858 320

Battle of the Wichita Wichita 1858 326

Battle of Pease River and Cynthia Ann Parker 1860 333.

Battle Creek Fight Navarro 1838 352

Brown, Colonel John Henry Dallas 1839 375

Battle of Plum Creek Caldwell 1840 28

Bear Fight arid Murder of John Denton Grayson 1839 393-

Brown, Rev. Mr., Methodist Preacher. Grayson 1844 418

Baggett's House, Attack on Comanche 1857 456

Brown, Lewis, Pierce and John Elam Coryell 1857 460

Battle of Lookout Point Hood 1869 466.

Baylor, General— Fight on Paint Creek Stevens 1860 517

Butcher Knife Fight Denton .... 584

Bird Creek Fight, the Famous Fort Griffin 1839 367

Boys, Two Captured .Fannin 1841 434

Burleson, Edward, General 33

Burleson, Ed., Fight with Foot Indians Nueces river 1850 616

Burnet County, Raids and Murders in 1859 622,

Blanco and Mason Counties, Murders in 1865 643-

Carter and Witcher. . , Hamilton 1860 478^

Cherokee War ♦- Nacogdoches 1839 167;

Names. County. Tear. Page

Children, Mrs. Simpson's Travis 1842 139

Cordova Fight, The , Guadalupe 1839 151

Caranchua Indians, The. Gulf Coast 1821 198

Cooper, William Red River 1830 208

Cavina, Charles Liv* Oak Bayou 1830 209

Coryell, James Coryell 1833 216

Coleman, Mrs , Bastrop 1839 147

Coleman, Colonel Navasota river 1835 218

Coleman and Bell ...Travis 1843 142

Crouch and Davidson Bell 1836 234

Ciopton's Negro Travis 1840 269

Camp Meeting, First in Grayson 1847 422

Clubz, Death of Fannin 1842 437

Crawfield, Captain Hamilton 1868 482

Chrisman, J. H Coryell 1861 485

Cedar Gap Raid Coryell 1866 493

Cameron and Mason Massacre Jack 1859 536

Curiton's, Captain, Fight Wolf creek 1860 582

Comanche Princess, A .On the plains 1843 186

Clemmons and Whisler , Collin 1842 436

Carmeans and Tankersley Brown 1861 488

Council House Fight Bexar 1840 22

Comanche Invasion Victoria 1840 25

Coulston, Nick, Mrs Kimble 1871 644

Dalrymple, Colonel. Williamson 1869 636

Doaovan and Pyron Travis 1843 282

Dolson, Captain George M. (should be 1840) Travis 1843 283

Dugan Family, Settlement of Grayson 1838 383

Daugherty, Murder of . . Grayson 1839 387

Dancer, Rev. Jonas Llano 1859 630

Dugan, Daniel V., and Wm. Kitchen, Murder of Grayson 1841 405

Dugan's House, Attack on Grayson 1841 411

Dillard Brothers, Heroic Defense of Young 1869 577

Denton, John, Murder of Grayson 1839 392

Durham, George, on Guard Travis 1842 661

Earthman, Henry Fayette 1840 50

Eagleston, John Bastrop 1838 88

Edwards,John Bastrop 1836 231

Erath, Captain George B .... McLennan 045

Erath, Captain George B .—Fight Milam 1837 248

Eldridge, Col. J. C- Hazardous Expedition to Wild Tribes. . 1843 40

Eubanks, Thomas Shackelford 1866 504

Eastland County 1861 507

Floyd, F EastTexas 1865 61

Flores Fight, The Williamson 1839 157

Fannin's First Campaign Fannin 1838 426

Fianagans, The Eastland 1858 503

Fxacco and Castro 79

Friend, Matilda S Llano 1868 633

INDEX. IX

Namea. County. Year. Page

Gilleland. Daniel Wharton 1833 214

Gonzales' Hordes Gonzales 1839 267

Green, Jeremiah . Hood 1863 465

Griffith and White Coryell 1858 484

Goacher, James Bastrop 1837 -15

Hays, Colonel Jack 71

Hibbins, Sarah Travis 1835 220

Hornsby, Daniel Travis 1815 260

Harris and Blakey , , Travis 1836 259

Hill, Captain William , San Gabriel river 1836 222

Harvey, Captain San Saba river 1836 227

Harvey, Captain John Bastrop 1834 263

Hotchkiss, William S Travis 1843 279

Hunter, Doctor, Wife and Daughter, Murder of Grayson 1840 397

Holt, Nathan Hood 1859 464

Hazlewood, George Stevens 1869 505

Harvey Massacre Robertson 1836 230

Incidents in Southwestern Texas 604

Indians Attack United States Mail Coach West Texas 1849 115

Italian Trader, The Gonzales 1835 216

Johnson's Station On the plains 1857 84

Jones, Mrs Western Texas 1867 100

Jaynes, Judge Travis 1842 141

Joy Family, The Kerr 1865 190

Indian Warfare on the Border Northwestern Texas 1857 439

Jenkins, William Hamilton 1866 481

Jackson, Mose, Murder of Family, Brown 1861 489

Indian Raids in Erath and Adjoining Counties 1858 498

Jack County, Murders in 1859 534

Jones, Major John B 574

Johnson, Brit, a Negro, His Thrilling Career 1871 579

Jack County, Murders in 1864 540

Johnson, Rebecca and Samantha Llano 1868 633

Kitchen's Station (see also p. 409) Fannin 1835 217

Kinney's Fort Travis 1840 265

Kuykendall and Splann Erath 1861 501

Kinney, Colonel H. L Corpus Christi 1838 65

Karnes, Colonel Near Arroyo Seco 1838 80

Keenon and Paschal Families, Massacre of Wise 1871 597

Killough Family and Woods, Massacre of Cherokee 1837 620

Kimble and Gillespie Counties, Murders in 1865 644

La whom, Jesse , Kendall 1854 660

Lance's, Mrs., Son Bastrop 1842 603

Lemley, Miss, Massacre of Eastland 1861 507

Linnville, Sacking of Lavaca Bay 1840 25

Loy, Alley and Clark Skull creek 1823 200

Lyons, DeWitt (should be Warren) ...Lavaca 1835 215

Xane, General Walter P , 1838 349

Xil INDEX.

Niim^s. Comity. Year. Pag&

Williams and Haggett Murdered Travis 1836 255

White, Gideon Travis 1842 275

White's Negro .Travis 1839 266

Wahrenberger, John .... City of Austin 1841 271

Williams, Leroy Bastrop 1843 281

Williams, Mrs. John Kimble 1871 644

Wasjiburn, Josiah Grayson 1838 38H

Woods, Mrs., and Miss Lemley, Massacre of Eastland 1861 507

Witcher amd Carter Eastland 1860 478

Williamson Killed Coryell 1863 487

Wallace's Fight with the Big Indian Head waters Llano 1842 123

Wallace's Maverick Wallace's ranch 1867 127

Wallace's, Big Foot, Old Stamping Grounds Travis 1889 668

Young, Michael Bastrop 1842 86

Yeargin, Mrs Fayette 1836 237

York's Captain, Fight , Gonzales 1848 60-

N JTICE Please do not write in this

book or t u 7 1 1 lie pages

'"" ' '■■,'M ' "■'■■ I ■■».- l-^».-,. irillMWiTi.Mii

imm Dep^ed^i@n^ in Wship.

fIDattlba &ockbart— Gbe Putnam Cbilbren,

5 HE Comanche Indians were to Texas what the Pequot Indians were to New England and what the Sioux were to the traders and trappers of the west. Their

incursions were for many years a terror to the border settlers of Texas, for they were a warlike, cruel and treach- erous tribe, and as they always traveled on horseback they

could swoop down unexpectedly from their distant 1838 stronghold upon the settlements, commit murders and

depredations, and retreat before any effective pursuit could be made. It was a party of this tribe of Indians who captured the young lady whose sad story we are about to relate. Her father, Andrew Lockhart, emigrated from the State of Illinois in the year 1828 and settled on the Guada- lupe river, in what is now DeWitt county — then De Witt's colony. It was in the fall or winter of 1838 that Matilda Lockhart, Rhoda Putnam, Elizabeth Putnam, Juda Put- nam and James Putnam left the houses of their parents one day and went to the woods to gather pecans. While they were thus engaged a party of Indians suddenly rushed upon them. They discovered the Indians too late to escape and were all captured. When the Indians first came in sight Miss Lockhart fled for the house, and possibly might have escaped had not the youngest Miss Putnam im- plored her not to leave her. The noble girl, pitying her youthful companion, turned to aid her and both were cap- tured. The Indians fastened these unfortunate captives

2 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

on horses with rawhide thongs and hurried off with them into the Guadalupe mountains. Captain John Tumlinson, who was out on a surveying expedition, encountered these Indians, but as he had but six men with him and the In- dians numbered at least fifty he was compelled to beat a hasty retreat. He did not know at that time that they had prisoners with them. The Indians followed Captain Tum- linson and his men about twenty-four hours, and probably would have killed them all if they had not accidentally dis- covered they were still in pursuit of them, long after they supposed the chase had been abandoned. The party, as they were traveling along leisurely, saw a black stump ahead of them, and, supposing it was a bear, the men halted for the purpose of killing it. Captain Tumlinson rode for- ward to shoot the supposed bear, and as he did so, one of the men behind happened to look back, and discovered the Indians still following their trail. The alarm was given, and the Cap fain and his men hastily continued their retreat. After running about half a mile through the prairie, they came to some timber, where they fell in with a large drove of mustang horses. The frightened animals divided into squads and ran off in various directions. Captain Tumlin- son and his men wisely followed one of these squads, there- by making it difficult for their pursuers to find their trail, and escaped.

This raid of the Indians so terrified the settlers on the west side of the Guadalupe river that they abandoned their homes and forted together on the east side. When Captain Tumlinson arrived at the west side of the river, he found that all the houses in the settlement were deserted. Ho knew nothing of the capture of Miss Lockhart and the young Putnams until he crossed the river and reached thfc house of Mr. William Taylor, where he first heard thersad story. A company of men was immediately raised, who went in pursuit of the Indians, but all to no purpose. They had got too far ahead to be overtaken. The poor captives were carried far into the Indian country, where they suf- fered terribly from hunger, hardships and exposure to the inclemencies of the weather.

During her captivity Miss Lockhart said that sometimes she had to travel from fifty to seventy-five miles a day on a

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 6

bare back horse, and that seldom a day passed that she was not severely flogged. In the winter of 1839 a party of these same Indians took up their quarters on the San Saba river, about one hundred miles above where the city of Austin now stands. Information of this rendezvous was given to Colonel John H. Moore, of Fayette county, who raised a party of about sixty men, and, accompanied by a party of Lipan Indians, he went to their encampment and attacked them, when a desperate fight ensued.

Miss Lockhart was in the Indian camp when this attack was made, and knowing it was made by white men, she screamed as loud as she could, hoping they would hear her and come to her rescue. The Indians, suspecting the cause of her screaming, drowned her cries with their still louder yells, and when she persisted one of them near by became so exasperated that he seized her by the hair of her head and tore out a large part of it. The father of the un- fortunate girl was with the attacking party under Colonel Moore, and it was with a heavy heart that he returned to the settlement without his daughter, who had been a pris- oner for over a year, and whom he felt quite sure was in the Indian village.

Upon one occasion a party of Indians who had Miss Lock- hart in possession came within one or two days travel of San Antonio and pitched their camp. As they knew she was aware of their proximity to the white settlements, and fearing she might attempt to escape, they severely burned the soles of her feet to keep her from running away.

Not a great while after this a treaty was made with the Comanche Indians, under which Miss Lockhart was deliv- ered up to the Texas Commissioners at San Antonio and subsequently sent back to her family. But the once sprightly, joyous young girl, whose presence had been everywhere like a gleam of sunshine penetrating the gloom of the wilderness, was a mere wreck of her former self. Her health was almost utterly ruined by the privations and hardships she had undergone and the brutal treatment to which she had been subjected by her savage captors.

When captured by the Indians, Miss Lockhart was only about thirteen or fourteen years of age. She was given over to the squaws, whom she served in the capacity of a slave.

4 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

Their treatment of her was much more cruel than that of the bucks. The numerous scars upon her body and limbs bore silent testimony of savage cruelty. The ladies who examined her wounds after her reclamation (some of whom are yet alive) stated that there was not a place on her body as large as the palm of the hand which had not been burned with hot irons. After lingering some two or three years, she died. Her father was a brother of Bird Lockhart, for whom the town of Lockhart, in Caldwell county, was named. As to the Putnam children, the son was reclaimed many years afterwards. He had acquired many of the habits of the Indians and spoke their language. We have been in- formed that Khoda became the wife of a chief and refused to return home. Elizabeth was finally reclaimed, but J uda Putnam remained a captive among the Indians for about fourteen years. She was several times sold, and once was purchased by a party of Missouri traders, who, after retain- ing her for some time, sold her to a man by the name of Chinault, who subsequently moved to Texas and settled in Gonzales county, the same section in which Miss Putnam had been captured by the Indians. With this man she had lived seven years. The citizens of Gonzales county, know- ing she had been an Indian captive, and seeing the strong resemblance she bore to the Putnam family, came to the conclusion that possibly she might be the long lost Juda Putnam. After a time the Putnam family began to look into the matter, and questioned her in regard to her parent- age and former life. She had forgotten her own name, and could tell nothing of her life prior to the time the Indians captured her; and of that event she had but a dim and uncertain recollection, as she was only about seven years of age when captured. A sister of hers said on ojie occasion, when speaking of the matter, that if this lady was really her long lost sister she could be identified by a most singular mark on her person. An examination was made by this sister and some other ladies, and the mark was found precisely as it had been described. This, together with her striking likeness to the family, left no doubt in the mind of any one that she was the identical Juda Putnam who had been captured by the Indians in Gonzales county twenty -one years before.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 5

Thus, after fourteen years captivity among the Indians and seven years with Mr. Chinault, was this young lady by a train of circumstances brought back to the very spot from whence she had been stolen, and by the merest chance was recognized and restored to her relatives. Verily, truth is often stranger than fiction.

There is a certain class of maudlin, sentimental writers who are forever bewailing the rapid disappearance of the Indian tribes from the American continent. We must confess we don't fraternize with our brother scribblers on this point. They have evidently taken their ideas of the Indian char- acter from Coopers novels and similar productions, which give about as correct delineation of it as are the grotesque figures a school boy draws on his slate of the animals or objects he intends to represent. There may have been, and no doubt there have been, some individuals among the In- dians like those described by Cooper, et id ornne genus, but they have been like angels' visits, few and far between. His general character may be summarily stated in Byron's words, when speaking of his hero, the Corsair: "He had' one virtue linked to a thousand crimes." This solitary vir- tue may have been physical courage, hospitality or some- thing else, but among his unquestionable vices may be reck- oned cruelty, treachery, vindictiveness, brutality, indolence (except when spurred to action by his thirst for rapine and blood) and his utter inability to advance beyond the condition in which nature had originally placed him. There is, how- ever, one notable exception to this general rule, which is most singular and difficult to account for. We mean the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, who physically are similar to all the other North American tribes, but differ from them as widely in all other respects as any of the Caucasian races.

It is true there are a few remnants of tribes, as the Chero- kees and Choctaws in the Indian Territory, who have made some advances towards civilization, but this is largely, if not wholly, owing to the fact that their blood has been mingled to a great extent with that of the whites. In our opinion, the aborigines of the American continent, pure and simple, were all naturally incapable of progress, and that their existence was only intended to be a temporary one, and that

6 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

it should cease as soon as their places could be flflled by a progressive people, such as the Anglo-Saxon race. The very fact of their rapid disappearance, that they are fast fading away under the action of that inexorable law, the "survival of the fittest," is the best proof of this.

The "old Texans" have not unfrequently been censured by some of the maudlin, sentimental writers before referred to for having treated poor Lo in a few isolated cases in a barbarous manner. Such writers probably never saw a wild Indian in their lives — never had their fathers, mothers, brothers or sisters butchered by them in cold blood; never had their little sons and daughters carried away by them into captivity, to be brought up as savages, and taught to believe that robbery was meritorious, and cold blooded mur- der a praiseworthy act, and certainly they never themselves had their own limbs beaten, bruised, burnt and tortured with fiendish ingenuity by "ye gentle salvages," nor their scalps ruthlessly torn from their bleeding heads, for if the latter experience had been theirs, and they had survived the pleasant operation (as some have done in Texas) we are inclined to think the exposure of their naked skulls to the influences of wind and weather might have so softened them as to permit the entrance of a little common sense.

To all such we have only to say, read over the long list of cold blooded, cowardly, inhuman murders perpetrated on innocent children and defenseless women chronicled in this book, and when you get through, our "basnet to a prentice cap," your only wonder will be that the old Texans did not always pay them back in their own coin whenever the op- portunity offered, instead of doing so only in a few isolated cases.

But, now that Mr. Lo has "left his country for his coun- try's good," we sincerely hope that in the spirit land he has found those happy hunting grounds so often referred to by his sensational chroniclers, but which were seldom alluded to by Mr. Lo himself, where he may still amuse himself with his innocent pastimes of braining phantom infants and tearing the scalps from the heads of phantom enemies — where his congeners, the bison and the elk exist in countless shadowy herds, and where he may feast him- self upon intangible juicy humps and unsubstantial marrow

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 7

bones until even his Indian stomach shall cry out enough! Nevertheless, we are glad he is gone, and that there are no Indians now in Texas except "good ones," who are as dead as Julius Csesar.

Lo! the poor Indian whose untutored mind Sees God in clouds and hears him in the wind,

Sounds well enough in poetry but don't "pan out" worth a cent in prose. The Indian never saw anything in clouds but clouds, but when it came to seeing a white man when he was anxious for scalps, or a horse he wanted to steal, his efes were as keen as a hawk's.

3o6iab WiHbarger*

IN the spring of 1830, Stephen F. Austin came to his new colony, located on the upper Colorado, with two survey- ors and the advance guard of emigrants for the purpose of establishing the surveys of those who had made their selections. Josiah Wilbarger and Reuben Hornsby were among those who had previously been over the ground and picked out locations for their headright leagues. Wil- 1833 barger had come to Texas from the State of Missouri as early as 1828 and first settled in Matagorda county, where he remained about one year and then moved up the Colorado. It was in about the month of March, 1830, that he selected for his headright survey a beautiful tract of land sit- uated at the mouth of what is now known as Wilbarger creek, about ten miles above where the San Antonio and Naco- doches road crosses the river where the town of Bastrop now is. After making his selection he immediately moved on his headright league with his family and two or three transient young men and built his occupation house, his nearest neighbor being about seventy-five miles down the river. In the month of April, Austin, with his surveying

8 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

party, accompanied by Reuben Hornsby, Webber, Duty and others, who had also previously made their selections, ar- rived, and commenced work on the Colorado at the crossing of the San Antonio and Nacogdoches road. The river was meandered to the upper corner of the Jesse Tannehill league, when the party stopped work in the month of May. Wil- barger was the first and outside settler in Austin's new colony until July, 1832, when Reuben Hornsby came up from Bastrop (where he had stopped for a year or two) and occu- pied his league on the east bank of the Colorado river, some nine miles below the site of Austin.

Hornsby's house was always noted for hospitality, and he, like his neighbor Wilbarger, was remarkable for those virtues and that personal courage which made them both marked men among the early settlers. Young men who from time to time came up to the frontier to look at the country made Hornsby's house a stopping place, and were always gladly welcomed, for it was chiefly through such visits that news from the States was obtained. A more beautiful tract of land, even now, can nowhere be found than the league of land granted to Reuben Hornsby. Washed on the west by the Colorado, it stretches over a level valley about three miles wide to the east, and was, at the time of which we write, covered with wild rye, and looking like one vast green wheat field. Such was the valley in its virgin state which tempted Hornsby to build and risk his family outside of the settlements. Until a few years ago not an acre of that league of land had ever been sold, but it was all occupied by the children and grand chil- dren of the old pioneer, who lived out his four score years and died without a blemish on his character.

In the month of August, 1833, a man named Christian and his wife were living with Hornsby. Several young un- married men were also stopping there. This was customary in those days, and the settlers were glad to have them for protection. Two young men, Standifer and Haynie, had just come to the settlement from Missouri to look at the country. Early in August, Josiah Wilbarger came up to Hornsby's, and in company with Christian, Strother, Stan- difer and Haynie, rode out in a northwest direction to look at the country. When riding up Walnut creek, some five

SCALPING OF JOSIAH WILBARGER.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 9

or six miles northwest of where the city of Austin stands, they discovered an Indian. He was hailed, but refused to parley with them, and made off in the direction of the mountains covered with cedar to the west of them. They gave chase and pursued him until he escaped to cover in the mountains near the head of Walnut creek, about where James Rogers afterwards settled.

Returning from the chase, they stopped to noon and re- fresh themselves, about one-half a mile up the branch above Pecan spring, and four miles east of where Austin after- wards was established, in sight of the road now leading from Austin to Manor. Wilbarger, Christian and Strother unsaddled and hoppled their horses, but Haynie and Stand- difer left their horses saddled and staked them to graze. While the men were eating they were suddenly fired on by Indians. The trees near them were not large and offered poor cover. Each man sprang to a tree and promptly re- turned the fire of the savages, who had stolen up afoot un- der cover of the brush and timber, having left their horses out of sight. Wilbarger's party had fired a couple of rounds when a ball struck Christian, breaking his thigh bone. Strother had already been mortally wounded. Wilbarger sprang to the side of Christian and set him up against his tree. Christian's gun was loaded but not primed. A ball from an Indian had bursted Christian's powder horn. Wilbarger primed his gun and then jumped again behind his own tree. At this time Wilbarger had an arrow through the calf of his leg and had received a flesh wound in the hip. Scarcely had Wilbarger regained the cover of the small tree, from which he fought, until his other leg was pierced with an arrow. Until this time Haynie and Standifer had helped sustain the fight, but when they saw Strother mortally wounded and Christian disabled, they made for their horses, which were yet saddled, and mounted them. Wilbarger finding himself deserted, hailed the fugitives and asked to be permitted to mount behind one of them if they would not stop and help fight. He ran to overtake them, wounded, as he was, for some little distance, when he was struck from behind by a ball which penetrated about the center of his neck and came out on the left side of his chin. He fell apparently dead, but though unable to move or speak, did not lose

10 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

consciousness. He knew when the Indians came around him — when they stripped him naked and tore the scalp from his head. He says that though paralyzed and unable to move, he knew what was being done, and that when his scalp was torn from his skull it created no pain from which he could flinch, but sounded like distant thunder. The In- dians cut the throats of Strother and Christian, but the character of Wilbarger's wound, no doubt, made them be- lieve his neck was broken, and that he was surely dead. This saved his life.

When Wilbarger recovered consciousness the evening was far advanced. He had lost much blood, and the blood was still slowly ebbing from his wounds. He was alone in the wilderness, desperately wounded, naked and still bleeding. Consumed by an intolerable thirst, he dragged himself to a pool of water and lay down in it for an hour, when he be- came so chilled and numb that with difficulty he crawled out to dry land. Being warmed by the sun and exhausted by loss of blood, he fell into a profound sleep. When awakened, the blood had ceased to flow from the wound in his neok, but he was again consumed with thirst and hun- ger.

After going back to the pool and drinking, he crawled over the grass and devoured such snails as he could find, which appeased his hunger. The green flies had blown his wounds while he slept, and the maggots were at work, which pained and gave him fresh alarm. As night approached he- determined to go as iaar as he could toward Keuben Horns- by's, about six miles distant. He had gone about six hun- dred yards when he sank to the ground exhausted, under a large post oak tree, and well nigh despairing of life. Those who have ever spent a summer in Austin know that in that climate the nights in summer are always cool, and before daybreak some covering is needed for comfort. Wilbarger, naked, wounded and feeble, suffered after midnight intensely from cold. No sound fell on his ear but the hooting of owls and the bark of the cayote wolf, while above him the bright silent stars seemed to mock his agony. We are now about to relate two incidents so mysterious that they would excite our incredulity were it not for the high character of those who to their dying day vouched for their truth.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 11

As Wilbarger lay under the old oak tree, prone on the ground he distinctly saw, standing near him, the spirit of his sister Margaret Clifton, who had died the day before in Florisant, St. Louis county, Missouri. She said to him: "Brother Josiah, you are too weak to go by yourself. Re- main here, and friends will come to take care of you before the setting of the sun." When she had said this she moved away in the direction of Hornsby's house. In vain he be- sought her to remain with him until help would come.

Haynie and Standifer, on reaching Hornsby's, had re- ported the death of their three companions, stating that they saw Wilbarger fall and about fifty Indians around him, and knew that he was dead. That night Mrs. Hornsb}^ started from her sleep and waked her husband. She told him confidently that Wilbarger was alive; that she had seen him vividly in a dream, naked, scalped and wounded, but that she knew he lived. Soon she fell asleep and again Wilbarger appeared to her alive, but wounded, naked and scalped, so vividly that she again woke Mr. Hornsby and told him of her dream, saying: "I know that Wilbarger is not dead." So confi- dent was she that she would not permit the men to sleep longer, but had their coffee and breakfast ready by day break and urged the men at the house to start to Wilbar- ger's relief.

The relief party consisted of Joseph Rogers, Reuben Hornsby, Webber, John Walters and others. As they ap- proached the tree under which Wilbarger had passed the night, Rogers, who was in advance, saw Wilbarger, who was sitting at the root of a tree. He presented a ghastly sight, for his body was almost red with blood. Rogers, mistaking him for an Indian, said: "Here they are, boys.*' Then Wilbarger rose up and spoke, saying: "Don't shoot, it is Wilbarger." When the relief party started Mrs. Hornsby gave her husband three sheets, two of them were left over the bodies of Christian and Strother until the next day, when the men returned and buried them, and one was wrapped around Wilbarger, who was placed on Roger's horse. Hornsby being lighter than the rest mounted behind Wilbarger, and with his arms around him, sustained him in the saddle. The next day Wm. Hornsby (who is still living).

12 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

Joseph Rogers, Walters and one or two others returned and buried Christian and Strother.

When Wilbarger was found the only particle of his cloth- ing left by the savages was one sock. He had torn that from his foot, which was much swollen from an arrow wound in his leg, and had placed it on his naked skull from wrhich the scalp had been taken. He was tenderly nursed at Hornby's for some days. His scalp wound was dressed with bear's oil, and when recovered sufficiently to move, he was placed in a sled, made by Billy Hornsby and Leman Barker (the father-in-law of Wilbarger) because he could not endure the motion of a wagon, and was thus conveyed sev- eral miles down the river to his own cabin. Josiah Wilbar- ger recovered and lived for eleven years. The scalp never grew entirely over the bone. A small spot in the middle of the wound remained bare, over which he always wore a covering. The bone became diseased and exfoliated, fin- ally exposing the brain. His death was hastened, as Doctor Anderson, his physician, thought, by accidentally striking his head against the upper portion of a low door frame of his gin house many years after he was scalped. We have stated the facts as received from the lips of Josiah Wilbar- ger, who was the brother of the author of this book, and confirmed by Wm. Hornsby, who still lives, and others who are now dead.

The vision which so impressed Mrs. Hornsby was spoken of far and wide through the colony fifty years ago; for her earnest manner and perfect confidence that Wilbarger was alive, made, in connection with her vision and its realiza- tion, a profound impression on the men present, who spoke of it everywhere. There were no telegraphs in those days, and no means of knowing that Margaret, the sister, had died seven hundred miles away only the day before*~her brother was wounded. The story of her apparition, related before he knew that she was dead — her going in the direc- tion of Hornsby's, and Mrs. Hornsby's strange vision, re- curring after slumber, present a mystery that made then a deep impression and created a feeling of awe which, after the lapse of half a century, it still inspires. No man who knew them ever questioned the veracity of either Wilbarger

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 13

or the Hornsbys, and Mrs. Hornsby was loved and rever- enced by all who knew her.

We leave to those more learned the task of explaining the strange coincidence of the visions of Wilbarger and Mrs. Hornsby. It must remain a marvel and a mystery. Such things are not accidents; they tell us of a spirit world and of a God who "moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform." Josiah Wilbarger left a wife and five children. His widow, who afterwards married Talbert Chambers, was the second time left a widow, and resided, in 1888, in Bas- trop county, about thirty-five miles below the city of Austin.

The eldest son, John, was killed many years after the death of his father by the Indians in west Texas, as related elsewhere in this book. Harvey, another son of Josiah, lived to raise a large family, when he died. His widow and only son live in Bastrop county. One married daughter lives at Georgetown and another at Belton, Texas. Of the brothers and sisters of Josiah Wilbarger who came to Texas in 1837, the author, and Sallie W'ilbarger (who resides in Georgetown), are the only survivors. Matthias Wilbar- ger, a brother, and a sister, Mrs. W. C. Dalrymple, died many years ago. Mrs. Lewis Jones, another sister, died on the way to Texas.

So far as our knowledge extends, this was the first blood shed in Travis county at the hands of the implacable sav- ages. It was but the beginning, however, of a bloody era which was soon to dawn upon the people of the Colorado.

Owing to the sparsely settled condition of the country, the Indians could slip in, commit murders, then slip out and return to their mountain homes with impunity. However, when the rich valleys of the Colorado became known, im- migrants began to flock into Austin's new colony, and it was not long until the settlers grew sufficiently strong to organize for protection into minute companies which were placed under the command of Colonel Edward Burleson. These companies afforded great protection to the families, and no doubt saved many women and children from being murdered or carried off into a captivity worse than death. The settlers over on the Brazos, the Guadalupe and Lavaca had likewise formed similar organizations, but notwith- standing the vigilance and untiring efforts of these com-

14 INDTAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

panies in trying to protect the advance guard of civiliza tion from the toraakawk and scalping knife of the hostih savages, the bloody traces of these demons could be seen here to-day. several miles distant to-morrow; and before theycquld be overtaken they would be far into the cedar brakes of the mountains, where they could not well be pur- sued.

Such was the unsettled condition of affairs in Travis county even as late as 1846, when with annexation came peace and happiness to a people who bad been harraseed upon one hand by the Mexican government and warlike tribes on the other, until their means had well nigh been spent and their patience exhausted.

To-day we enjoy the blessings of prosperity, purchased with the blood and heroism of a sturdy class of pioneers whom any nation would delight to honor. There are but few of them left, but they stand like the giant oaks of the forest, storm beaten but living evidences of the distant past.

[Note. — The tree under which Wilbarger was sitting when found by the relief party stood just at the foot of the hill, on the east side of Pecan spring branch, about one hundred and fifty yards above where Pecan spring school house now stands, and about where the road leading from Austin to Manor leads up the hill beyond the crossing on the branch. Reuben Hornsby and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Hornsby, were the grand parents of M. M. Hornsby, whose term of office as sheriff of Travis county expired in 1888. When Mrs. Sarah Hibbins's son was captured from the Indians in 1836, near Austin, the barrel of the gun which Wilbarger had when he was scalped was also recovered. The stock had been broken.]

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 15

3ame0 (Boacber.

5 HIS venerable pioneer was a native of the State of Ala- bama. He emigrated to Texas in the year 1835. He it was who opened the first traveled trace to Austin's new colony. He had several persons with him to assist in marking out this trail, which is to this day known as Goacher's Trace. In the performance of this work he en- countered many difficulties and dangers. He after- 1837 wards settled in what is now Bastrop county. Being an enterprising man of industrious habits, it was not 'ong until he had built comfortable log cabins for the pro- tection and safety of his family and had opened a good farm for cultivation. The new county in which he had settled was an excellent one for raising stock, and he soon had a large stock of cattle and horses around him. Fortune seemed to smile on all his efforts. Others soon moved in and settled in his vicinity, and the country where a short time before nothing was heard but the war whoop of the savage, the tramp of the buffalo and the howling of wolves, resounded with the hum of a busy and prosperous people, pursuing in peace their various avocations.

Alas! how soon were they to be rudely awakened from their dream of peaceful security by the war whoop of a mer- ciless foe.

In 1837, while Mr. Goacher, his son-in-law and one of his sons were away from the house, cutting and hauling fire wood, a large party of Indians surrounded it, approaching it from two directions. One of these parties came across two of Mr. Goacher's eldest children who were playing near the house, and fearing they might give the alarm the brutal wretches thrust a long steel spear through the little boy's body, killing him instantly. After scalping the little fellow they seized the other child, the little girl, and made her a prisoner. After this both parties united and made a furious onslaught on the house. The inmates at the time were Mrs.

16 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

Nancy Goacher, her daughter Jane, and one or two small children. The Indians seeing there was no man on the premises made a vigorous assault, expecting, of course, an easy victory, but Mrs. Goacher was a lady of great courage and determination, and as there were several loaded guns in the house she resolved to sell the lives of herself and children as dearly as possible. She seized one gun after an- other and emptied their contents among her assailants. This made the Indians more furious than ever, as they had expected no resistence to their diabolical work. They shot Mrs. Goacher until she was almost literally covered with arrows. Still this brave and. heroic woman stood at the door and defended her helpless children to the last. At length one of the savages who was armed with a gun fired upon her and she fell dead upon the floor. Brave, noble woman! A monument should be raised to her memory, on which should be inscribed, "A mother's deathless valor and devotion."

Mr. Goacher and his party heard the firing of the guns and hastened with all possible speed to the assistance of his family. In the hurry and anxietv of the moment they for- got to bring the arms they had with them in the woods, and when they reached the scene of disaster they were unable to render any assitance to the family or even to defend themselves. Their only chance was to make a bold rush for the house, get possession of the guns inside and then defend themselves as best they could. This they attempted to do, but alas! the Indians were too strong for them. Mr. Goacher and his son in-law were shot down and killed. His little son endeavored to make his escape by flight, but as he turned a corner of the house he was met by an Indian who seized him and gave him a terrible shaking. This little fel- low caught one of the Indian's thumbs in his mouth and bit it severely. The Indian endeavored to extricate his thumb from the boy's mouth, but failing to do so, he drew liis ram- rod from his gun and beat him terribly before the little fel- low would let go his hold. Another son of Mr. Goacher, after he had been mortally wounded, crawled away unper- ceived by the Indians, to some trees, where he laid his head upon a stone and breathed his last. This was indeed one of the bloodiest tragedies that had

■■ =	3===^^-
^========-i	— : -^zi______
==^^^=	=~— -^=EEE
— -— ~~"=	~^=— -— -~—
■
-
lilill
.;: :
5 . ;
'.	;
1

MRS. CRAWFORD, WIDOWED DAUGHTER OF MR. GOACHER, RESCUES HER CHILD FROM A WATERY GRA\ E. —

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 17

ever occurred up to that time in the settlement. A father, wife, son and son in-law and two children lay cold in death, and mingled together their kindred blood, where but a few hours previously they had assembled in fancied security, within the walls of their once happy home.

But, gentle reader, the sad story stops not here. Mrs. Craw- ford, the now widowed daughter of Mr. Goacher — the wife of his son-in-law who had just been murdered — her two children, and the little girl who was captured by the In- dians before they attacked the house, as previously stated, were all carried off captives. They suffered, as the prison- ers of Indians usually do, all the insults and indignities their barbarous captors could heap upon them. One of this lady's children was a little daughter about two months old, and as the Indians were tired of hearing it cry, they deter- mined to kill it. Accordingly one day when the famished lit- tle creature was fretting and crying for something to eat, an Indian snatched it from the arms of its mother and threw it in a deep pool of water with the intention of drowning the poor little innocent. The heroic mother, caring more for her ten- der offspring than her own safety, dashed boldly into the stream to save it from a watery grave. The Indians were amused by her frantic efforts to save her child from drown- ing, and as soon as she reached the bank with it they threw it in again, and continued the sport until the child was nearly drowned and the poor woman was almost exhausted. At last one of them seized the child, drew back its head and told another to cut its throat. The frantic mother seeing the dreadful order was about to be executed, caught up a heavy billet of wood, and with the strength born of desperation, with one blow she laid the Indian who held the knife in his hand prostrate upon the ground. The poor woman expected that instant death would be her fate, but on the contrary the Indians seemed to be favorably impressed by her heroic defense of her child. They laughed loudly at their fallen comrade, and one of them stepped forward, picked up the child and gave it to her, saying: "Squaw too much brave. Damn you, take your papoose and carry it yourself — we will not do it." They never attempted jto injure the child after- wards. Thus by her heroic bravery the lady preserved the life of her infant. No doubt the Indians would have killed

18 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS

both mother and child had it not been that they hoped to get a good ransom for them when they reached the trading house.

After having been a prisoner among the Indians for nearly two years, and treated by them in a manner too shameful to relate, she and her little children were taken to Coffee's trading house, on Red river, and bartered off for four hun- dred yards of calico, a large number of blankets, a quantity of beads and some other articles.

These goods were all furnished by Mr. Coffee, the trading agent. Having released the unfortunate lady from her brutal captors, and also her two children, Mr. Coffee furn- ished them an escort under the control of a Mr. Spaulding, who conducted them safely to Texas. On the journey to Texas, Mr. Spaulding became much attached to the lady and eventually married her.

This brave and heroic woman has long since passed "be- yond the river," but her memory still lives fresh and green in the hearts of all who knew her. Mr. Spaulding also ha» been dead for many years. Her children, born to hear aftei* her marriage to Mr: Spaulding, are still living in Fastrop county on or near the old Goacher Trace.

Reader, think of it! What indignities, hardships, priva- tions and sufferings this poor woman, tenderly raised as she had been, had to endure. Her hands were tied fast behind her every night and in that condition she was fastened to a tree to prevent her from escaping. Her children also had their little hands and feet tied together every night, and were left upon the ground without any covering to protect them from the inclemencies of the weather, and scarcely received sufficient food to keep them alive. But He who notes the sufferings of all His creatures, preserved her and her children and restored them to their friends and relatives. This lady has two sons now living on the identical placis where she was captured. They are worthy descendants of a heroic mother.

The writer recently visited the locality where this terrible tragedy occurred. What a change has come over it I As he looked around on that Sabbath morn, and saw in every direction comfortable homes and cultivated fields and peo- ple everywhere wending their way to "meeting," in perfect

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 19

security to the sound of the "church going bells," he could but contrast the present peaceful scene with the one pre- sented in those stormy days when the rude log huts of the pioneers were the only evidences of civilization, when on these same smiling fields, the war whoop of the savage, the scream of the panther and the howling of wolves were the only sounds to greet the ears of the terror stricken settler in his lonely home.

3ame6 Webster,

fY\ R. WEBSTER was a native of the tftate of Virginia,

III and came to Texas at an early day. The writer be-

| I came acquainted with him in Travis county in the

r \ year 1838. He was an enterprising, adventurous

man, and could not remain idle while there was so much

rich and unoccupied country to be settled. Accordingly, in

the latter part of the summer of 1838 he loaded up his

1838 wagons, and with his family and several transient

men, he made his way to the forks of the San Gabriel

river with the intention of settling on his headright league.

They had reached what is known as the dividing ridge between south and north San Gabriel, when they discovered a body of Comanche Indians making their way in the direc- tion of the settlements. This caused Mr. Webster to turn his own course back to the settlements, and, as he thought, undiscovered by the Indians. But in this he was mistaken. The keen sighted savages had seen his company, and after following them all night, about sunrise of the next morning made an attack upon them.

The whites arranged their wagons in a hollow square to protect themselves, and from within they fought despe- rately, even until the last man had fallen. The conflict continued from sunrise in the morning until ten or eleven o'clock. The men, thirteen in number, were all killed The Indians robbed the wagons, rolled them together and set

20 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

them on fire. Satisfied with the booty they had obtained from this unfortunate party, they retreated to the moun- tains, taking Mrs. Webster and her little daughter pris- oners.

Mrs. Webster's account of her two years captivity among these Indians is very interesting. She was often compelled to ride sixty or seventy-five miles a day, without any food or water — sometimes for two or three days in succession. They begged her frequently to teach them the art of* mak- ing gunpowder, insisting that she knew how to make it, or if she did not, that she could explain the process by which the white people manufactured it.

To get rid of their importunities, she told the Indians that the white people made it of fire coals and sand. They soon had a large number of kettles on the fire rilled with char- coal and sand, which they boiled a long time, after which they dried it and carefully pulverized it at a safe distance from their fires. The mixture had somewhat the appear- ance of gunpowder, but unfortunately it would not explode when a burning firebrand was applied to it. Finding the experiment was a failure, they at length came to the con- clusion that the manufacture of gunpowder was kept a secret from the squaws of the white people.

The Indians would frequently bring paper money to her and ask her what it was. To prevent them from trading it for guns and munitions of war to white scoundrels who would not hesitate to sell them a butcher knife to scalp their own people, she told them it was of no value, and by so doing she caused them to destroy thousands of dollars.

In her narrative Mrs. Webster gives an account of many rich gold and silver mines she had seen, and she says lihat she saw in certain localities stones that resembled diamonds of great brilliancy, but that the Indians would not permit her to touch one of them.

[Note. — These stones that Mrs. Webster supposed to be diamonds were probably crystals of quartz or the white topaz, as diamonds, except in a few sporadic instances, have never been found on the continent of North America.]

Mrs. Webster and her little daughter were held prisoners by the Indians for nearly two years. In the spring of 1840 there was an agreement entered into between the Republic

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 2'i

*f Texas and the Comanche nation for an exchange of prisoners. The place for this exchange was at San Antonio. Accordingly at the appointed time and place the parties met to carry out the terms of this agreement. The gallant Colonel Fisher, with his battalion, together w ith the Commis- sioners, Colonel Wm. G. Cooke and General H. D. McLeod, represented the Texas government, and a number of their principal chiefs, the Comanche nation. The agreement be- tween these parties was to the effect that both were to de- liver up all the prisoners then living in their possession. The Indians, however, only brought in Miss Matilda Lock- hart, when it was well known that they had several others, especially, Mrs. Webster. The chiefs were then informed that they were acting in bad faith, and would be held as hostages until all the white prisoners had been brought in. This information enraged the chiefs, who at once brought on the engagement known as the "Council House Fight," 3*n account of which will be given later on. The Indians, when on their way to San Antonio, had left their families back about sixty miles in charge of a few warriors and Mrs. Webster and her children were with them.

The night after the chiefs left camp for San Antonio, Mrs. Webster learned from some of the squaws that they did not i atend to give her up. She therefore determined, if possible, to make her escape from them. The following night she took her daughter, and watching a favorable opportunity, B he stole off under cover of darkness. She found the trail ^he Indians had made going to San Antonio, and as it was quite plain, she had no difficulty in following it until the next morning, when, fearing pursuit, she hid herself and re- mained in her place of concealment all day.

It was well that she- did so; f oro the , Indians in the cemp came out in pursuit, of -her/ SI13, ,sawt;them from the hill where she had concealed herself, following the trail, and late in the evening she saw them returning completely baf- fled. When iigh/b came on she resume^ her journey, al- though from being barefooted her ^eeii were terribly bruised and lacerated by thorny shrubs* -Thus she continued her perilous journey, concealing herself in the brush during the day time and traveling by night, until she finally reached San Antonio, a few days after the Council House Fight, in a

22 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

perfectly nude condition. She lay concealed in the outskirts of town until dark, when she ventured up to a Mexican hut. Poor woman. There she stood, half starved, her limbs bleeding from being lacerated by thorns and briars. She must have been a horrible sight to gaze upon. She was now among friends again, however, who supplied her with cloth- ing, and she was soon rejoicing over her escape from a cap tivity worse than death.

Council Ibouae jfigbt in San Hntonio*

1 f / E have compiled the history of this desperate hand

1 i | to hand conflict chiefly from Yoakum and Thrall's

^^ histories of Texas and from the official report of Gen -

eral H. D. McLeod to President Lamar, March 20, 1&40.

Some minor incidents, however, have been obtained from

old veteran pioneers, familiar with the fight. In the early

part of February, ]840, some Comanche chiefs sent 1840 word to Colonel H. W. Karnes, who was then at San

Antonio, that they wished to come into town and make a treaty with the whites. This was not the first time the Comanches had feigned friendship and expressed a de- sire to cease hostilities towards the whites in order to throw the settlers off their guard so that they might more effect- ually raid the country, commit murders and then suddenly return to their mountain homes, carrying into captivity women and children and driving off all the horses they could conveniently carry with them. Our people along the border settlements had su'ffereci so much at the hands of the red devils for the last' four 'or" five' years previous that the government was disposed to give the Comanches another trial and thus jfcest their pretended desire for peace; but, as will be seen further* otf, all necessary precautions were taken before the appointed iimo % or the treaty *to' take place. The Indians who had been deputised to' convey this message to Colonel Karnes were informed by him that if they would

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 23

bring in the white captives they had — some thirteen in all — peace would be granted. The Indians promised that at the next full moon they would do so. This in- formation having been communicated to the govern- ment, Colonel William S. Fisher was ordered to San An- tonio with a force sufficiently strong to meet any emer- gency which might arise during the progress of the treaty. In due time Colonel William G. Cooke and Gen- eral H. D. McLeod were sent forward as commissioners to treat with the Indians. According to previous appointment, on the nineteenth of March, 1840, sixty-five Comanches, in- cluding warriors, women and children, came into San An- tonio to treat for peace. As stated above, they had agreed to bring in all the white prisoners whom they held as hos- tages. They, however, brought in but one, Miss Matilda Lockhart, whose sad history has already been recorded in the first part of this work. They were known to have sev- eral others, especially Mrs. Jane Webster, whose captivity and marvelous escape we have just- narrated. Twelve chiefs, leaders of the deputation, were met by our commis- sioners, Colonel Cooke and General McLeod, with an in- terpreter in the old court house, when the question was at once asked by our commissioners: " Where are the prison- ers you were to bring?" Mukwarrah, the chief who had made the promise at the former interview, replied: "We have brought the only one we had, the others are with other tribes." This was known to be a deliberate falsehood, for Miss Lockhart said she had seen several prisoners at the camp a few days before, and that they intended to bring in only one or two at a time in order to extort a greater ran- som. A pause ensued, after which the chief asked in a de- fiant tone: " How do you like the answer?" No reply was made, but a messenger was sent to Captain Howard with orders to bring his company of soldiers into the council room. The soldiers having filed in the interpreter was then directed to inform the chief that they would be held as hos- tages until the other prisoners were brought in. The inter- preter at first refused to tell them, saying that if he did so they would instantly fight; but the commissioners insisted, -and placing himself near the door he told them and left. As he had predicted, the chiefs immediately prepared for

PA INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

action. Some strung their bows and drew their arrows while others drew their scalping knives. As the commissioners were retiring from the room one of the chiefs attempted to escape by leaping past the sentinel, who, in attempting to prevent him, was stabbed by the Indian. Captain Howard was also wounded in a similar manner. The fight by this tine had become general, and it was not until the last chief in the council house was slain that the conflict ended. The Indians, who were on the outside, upon hearing the report of fire arms in the council rooms, immediately attacked the soldiers, who were stationed around the house, and fought with savage fierceness. Captain Mathew(01d Paint) Caldwell was attacked by a powerful Indian, and being unarmed, was forced to defend himself with rocks until a bullet from the rifle of one of the soldiers laid the Indian low. In an ad- joining room Mr. Morgan was attacked by two Indians, but he succeeded in killing both of them. Lieutenant Dun ington was killed by a squaw, who shot an arrow en- tirely through his body. Judge Thompson was in the yard amusing himself setting up pieces of money for the little Indians to knock out. While thus engaged he was killed by an arrow before he even suspected danger. Judge Hood was killed inside the council house. Colonel Lysander Wells rode into the plaza just as the fight commenced when a powerful savage vaulted on behind him and first at- tempted to unhorse him, but failing in this he tried to guide the horse out of the plaza. The colonel attempted to draw his pistol, but owing to the fast hold the Indian had upon him was unable to do so. Finally, after circling around the plaza two or three times, one of the soldiers shot the In- dian, who tumbled off upon the ground, very much to- the satisfaction of Colonel Wells, who, no doubt, did not very much relish being hugged by a savage warrior. The In- dians, after fighting with a desperation which evinced great courage, were finally forced by a company of soldiers under Captain Redd to take shelter in a stone house nearby, where all were cut down except one warrior, who secreted himself within the walls of the building. Every inducement was offered him if he would come out. He was assured if he would surrender that he would not be hurt, but all to no pur- pose. Finally in order to make him leave the house, the

•"ifllllllSf::-^

■ '■'■"■■■■•"■

•■■ ■ ■

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 25

whites made a large ball of cotton rags and saturated it thoroughly with turpentine. They then made an opening m the roof, set the ball on fire and threw it down on the In- dian's head. This routed him from his lair, and as he came out he was shot dead. During the engagement a party of the savages made their way across the San Antonio river, but they were pursued and all killed except a renegade Mexican, who made his escape. All the warriors, thirty- two in number, together with three women and two chil- dren, were killed. Twenty-seven women and children were made prisoners. The Texans had seven killed and eight wounded. After the fight one of the squaws dispatched to inform the Comanches that if they would bring in all of their prisoners an exchange would be made. Several days elapsed when finally all the white prisoners were brought in and the exchange was made. Thus ended the attempt upon this occasion to patch up friendly relations with the power- ful and warlike tribe of Comanches, and for some time afterwards they waged a ceaseless and bloody warfare upon the frontier settlers of Texas. Returning to their mountain homes they began planning a regular invasion upon the set- tlements, and it was not many months before an army of several hundred strong were on the march to avenge the death of their fallen chiefs.

(Breat Comanche Invasion— Httacft on IDictoiia- gadung of Xinmnlle,

1^1 Of until the summer of 1840 had>he unfriendly Indians I\| ever made a regular invasion of the white settlements I ■ in Texas. The settlers had been constantly harrassed P by small bands of marauding Indians, who stole horses, killed cattle, and frequently killed and scalped such settlers as were caught out from home and were unprepared for re- sistance. At this time there were but few settlements 1840 between Gaudalupe and the Colorado river, and in fact, the entire country west of the Colorado river, extending to the Eio Grande, and on down to the coast.

26 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

with the exception of San Antonio, Gonzales, and a few other small towns, was one vast expanse of uninhabited! country, and offered an easy ingress to the settlements for the savages in this well prepared and equipped invasion. Early in August, 1840, in the light of the moon, an army variously estimated at from five hundred to one thousand Indian warriors, mostly Comanches, besides a few squaws and old men, passed southward over the territory, to the set- tlements near the coast, committing occasional murders on their route.

It was on the afternoon of the sixth of August that this en- tire body of fiendish savages, thirsting to avenge the sad fate of their fallen chiefs who fell in the fight at San Antonio, known as the "Council House Fight," suddenly came upon the town of Victoria, dealing death and destruction upon every hand. The attack was totally unexpected — the citizens wholly unprepared to resist such a formidable force, and the consternation and confusion which prevailed, can better be imagined than described. Several persons were killed and wounded. Among those who lost their lives in defense of the terror stricken inhabitants of the little town of Victoria, was Doctor Gray; the names of the balance who fell at the hands of the savages we do not remember. Those who were not killed were only saved by barricading themselves iu such houses as offered shelter or protection. After having driven the citizens into their f orted houses the Indians withdrew from the town, carrying with them all the horses and mules which they could find in and around town, numbering be- tween two and three thousand head, and camped that night within a few miles of Victoria. No doubt gloating over their successful raid upon the town, and rejoicing over the large amount of property captured, they conceived the bold idea of surprising and sacking the town of Linnville, after murdering its inhabitants. Flushed with victory, and sev- eral thousand dollars worth of horses and mules; they at once proceeded on their way to the little seaport town of Linnville, situated some fifty miles from Victoria. In their line of march they came upon Mrs. Crosby and child, both of whom were captured and taken prisoners. Early in the morning of August 8, some few of the inhabitants of Linn- ville observed in the distance a perfect cloud of dust, caused,

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 27

as they supposed, by a vast caballada of horses, being brought in from Mexico for trading purposes. By throwing themselves on the sides of their horses, and riding in this way, the Indians had completely concealed themselves from the vision of the unsuspecting denizens of the village. Imagine their consternation and utter dismay, when one thousand red savages, suddenly rising in their saddles, dashed upon the defenseless town, when many of the inhabi- tants were fast asleep. The alarm was given as soon as the discovery was made. Resistence was not thought of, and panic stricken, men, women and children, young and old, rushed for the boats which were anchored near by in the shallow water. The scene amid the confusion which pre- vailed was.one never to be forgotten by the survivors of that terror stricken people. The war whoop of the wild Comanche commingled with the screaming of the women, the crying wf the children, and the groans of the dying and wounded julmost beggars description. The blood thirsty savages pur- sued the inhabitants into the water and captured and killed sieveral of the fleeing and terrified populace. Among the number who met his death between the shore and the boats, was young Captain H. O. Watts, collector of customs, his young bride was captured in the water, dragged back to the shore and made a captive. Several negroes were cap- tured and killed. Most of the inhabitants reached the boats and pulling out to sea escaped the tomahawk and scalping knife. All who failed to reach the boats were either carried away captive or ruthlessly killed by the Indians. The little town was unusually well supplied with merchandise, and the Indians sacked all the stores and private houses, taking away every imaginable kind of merchandise. They packed several hundred mules and horses with their plunder, and gathering many loose horses, they had now an immense herd, which they gaily caparisoned and bedecked with red streamers torn from the bales of merchadise, and also with ribbons, which streamed from their heads and the heads of their horses in gay profusion. Having taken every thing they could carry away, they set fire to the town and burnt it.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

ftbe Battle of plum Creek*

THE Indians had now between three and four thousand horses and mules, several hundred of them being heavily laden with merchandise which had been pillaged from the stores before the burning of the town of Linnville. During the following night, this savage army of red skins moved off with all their booty in the direction from whence they had come. Expressmen were at once, despatched 1840 to notify the citizens of the Guadalupe, Gonzales, La- vaca and Colorado settlements, and it was not long- before the Texans were rallying in companies from every direction. Of course an invasion upon such a large scale could not be made by the Indians without their sign attract- ing the attention of the whites, who might perchance be passing through the country from one settlement to an- other.

The Rev, Z. N. Morrel, a noted Baptist minister of that day, whose courage upon the field of battle was ever equal to that exhibited from the pulpit stand, happened to be re- turning to the town of Bastrop in an ox wagon from the Guadalupe, where he had purchased a tract of land and was improving it. While passing over the divide between the Guadalupe and Lavaca rivers, at 12 o'clock on or about the tenth of August, he crossed the trail made by the Indians on their way down to Victoria and Linnville. Although driving an ox team, he made thirty miles in twelve hours, so eager was he to communicate this intelligence to Colonel Ed. Burleson and the citizens of Colorado valley. By sunrise, the morning after crossing the trail, he was in the town of LaGrange, beside the gallant old Indian fighter, Colonel Ed. Burleson. The story was quickly told, and in a few mo- ments Burleson was mounted on his favorite war horse, ready to set out at once to organize a force to meet the enemy. Says the Rev. Mr. Morrel (Flowers and Fruit, p. 128): "By

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 29

the time we were mounted, a man was in sight, his horse running rapidly, a paper in his hand fluttering in the breeze. The expressman presented the paper, which read about as follows:"

"General: The Indians have sacked and burned the town of Linnville; carried off several prisoners. We made a draw fight with them at Casa Blanca. Could not stop them. We want to fight them before they get to the mountains. We have sent expresssman up the Guadalupe.

(Signed) "Ben McCulloch."

It seems that a few companies had hastily rallied from the Gonzales, Guadalupe and Lavaca settlements and had en- gaged the Indians on their retreat, but the superior number of the latter caused the Texans to withdraw. Ben McCul- loch, however, was not one, as will be seen later on, to per- mit the wily savages to swoop down upon our people with the tomahawk and scalping knife, and then stand hj and see them quietly retreat to their mountain homes without giving them battle. He immediately set out for Gonzales, whipped around the enemy and joined Captain Mathew (Old Paint) Caldwell, who was in charge of a company of thirty-seven men, while Captains Ward and Bird each commanded a small company — the entire force numbering some eighty or ninety all told. These three companies camped at Plum creek on the night of the eleventh, that being the place of rendezvous agreed upon by the leaders of the respective settlements, to intercept the enemy.

The Rev. Mr. Morrell, in speaking of the movements of himself and Colonel Burleson after receiving the dispatch from McCulloch, says: "We made our way up the Colo- rado valley as rapidly as we could to Bastrop, notifying every one as we went. Here Colonel Burleson called a council and it was agreed that the Indians should be inter- cepted on their retreat at Good's, on Plum creek, twenty- seven miles below Austin." As stated above, on the night of the eleventh the three companies had gone into camp on Plum creek and were keeping a sharp lookout for the enemy. Early on the morning of the twelfth Caldwell was informed by his spies that the Indians were approaching within sight. Up to this time Colonel Burleson, with his one hundred Texans and thirteen Tonka wa Indians, under

30 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

their gallant old chief, Placido, had not yet arrived on the ground, but "Old Paint" was there, and wherever he was found in close proximity to Indians there was sure to be a fight, it mattered not how much the latter outnumbered him. Old Texans, when assembled together, living over the events of the early history of Texas, not unfrequently ask each other the question: "Do you remember 'Old Paint's' speech at the battle of Pium creek?" In order that the few, but impressive and inspiring words of the grand old warrior may not be forgotten, we reproduce them here as nearly as we can. Said he: "Boys, the Indians number about one thousand. They have our women and children captives. We are only eighty-seven strong, but I believe we can whip h — 11 out of 'em. What shall we do boys; shall we fight?" It is useless to say that the answer all along the line was "Yes! yes! fight!" On the previous evening, however, Felix Hous- ton, general of the militia, had arrived upon the ground, and being senior officer, was given the command. While the plan of attack was being arranged Colonel Ed Burleson came up with his forces and the men were soon thrown into line. The Indians were now marching across the prairie within full view. It must have been a novel sight to see one thousand red warriors with their vast caballado of horses and mules gorgeously arrayed in the goods pillaged from Linn- ville as they passed within full review of the Texans. There were too many of the old Indian fighters, however, upon the ground for this imposing band of savage warriors to create terror in the ranks of the little Texan army of two hundred. No sooner had Burleson arrived with his forces from the Colorado, supplemented by Placido and his Tonka - wa Indians, than he was ordered to command the right wing, Captain Mathew Caldwell the left, while Monroe Har- deman (brother of the venerable General William P., "Old Gotch" Hardeman) was to bring up the rear. The Indians were at once thrown into line of battle by their gallant chief, who led the invading host. "The enemy," says, the Rev. Z. N". Morrel, from whom we again quote, "was disposed to keep at a distance and delay the fight in order that the packed mules might be driven ahead with the spoils. During this delay several of their chiefs performed some daring feats, According to a previous understanding, our men waited for

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 31

the Indians, in the retreat, to get beyond the timber before the general charge was made. One of these daring chiefs attracted my attention especially. He was riding a very fine horse, held in by a fine American bridle, with a red ribbon eight or ten feet long, tied to the tail of the horse. He was dressed in elegant style, from the goods stolen . at Linnville, with a high top silk hat, fine pair of boots and leather gloves, an elegant broadcloth coat, hind part before, with brass buttons shining brightly up and down his back. When he first made his appearance he was carrying a large umbrella stretched. This Indian and others would charge towards us and shoot their arrows, then wheel and run away, doing no damage. This was done several times in range of some of our guns. Soon the discovery was made that he wore a shield, and although our men took good aim, the balls glanced. An old Texan living on the Lavaca asked me to hold his horse, and getting as near the place where they wheeled as was safe, waited patiently till they came; and as the Indian checked his horse and the shield flew up, he fired and brought him to the ground. Several had fallen before, but without checking their demonstrations.

"Now, although some of them had lost their lives in carry- ing him away, yet they did not cease their efforts till he was carried to the rear."

General Houston, who had caused the delay in making the attack, and whose men were now suffering under the con- stant fire of the enemy, whilst the chiefs were performing their wonderful feats, was admonished by the gallant Ben McCulloch that "that was not the way to fight Indians;" whereupon Houston ordered an immediate charge. The heroic little band of two hundred, fired with the zeal of their cause, and burning within to avenge the sad fate of those who had fallen beneath the tomahawk and scalping knife at Victoria and Linnville, now dashed forward under their respective leaders with a wild yell which fairly made the welkin ring. In the midst of the hottest part of the conflict could be seen brave old Placido (the ever faithful friend of the whites), dealing death upon every hand, while the arrows and balls of the enemy were flying thick and fast around him. Before going into the fight he had taken the precaution to tie a white rag around his arm in order

32 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

that, in the heat of battle, he might not be mistaken for the enemy.

The Indians could not long withstand the furious attack of the determined Texans, and the rout soon became gen- eral. It was a running fight for twelve or fifteen miles. The pack animals and loose horses were in part abandoned, and in the flight that ensued each Indian only looked after taking care of his own scalp. Ben and Henry McCulloch, Alsey Miller and C. C. DeWitt pursued a squad of five In- dians, killing all of them before they abandoned the chase. John Henry Brown (now our Colonel John Henry Brown, of Dallas, Texas), crowned himself with the honor of slaying, in a hand-to-hand engagement, the second chief in com- mand, who wore a buffalo head with polished horns for a cap.

\ General Houston estimated that they killed from fifty to eighty Indians during the engagement, and captured several hundred horses and mules, with packs and baggage; while the Texans had noue killed and only a few wounded. Among

the latter were Doctor Sweitzer and Reid, Doctor

Sweitzer had his right arm pinned to his body with an arrow, and was being hotly pursued by several Indians, when he was rescued from death by the gallant Henry Mc- Culloch. Reid, who was riding a very spirited animal and was one of the last to abandon the chase, seeing an Indian about to let fly an arrow at him, threw himself flat on his horse's neck, but too late to avoid the missile. The arrow penetrated his body and was with great difficulty with- drawn. Reid, however, recovered from the wound.

Before the retreat, the Indians killed Mrs. Crosby, who, it will be remembered, was captured by them between Victoria and Linnville. Her body was found near that of a dead negro. Mrs. Watts was shot in the breast with an arrow, and was found soon afterwards, by the Rev. Mr. Morrel, whose language we quote:

" Just as the retreat commenced I heard the scream of a female voice in a bunch of bushes close by. Approaching the spot I discovered a lady endeavoring to pull an arrow out that was lodged firmly in her breast. This proved to be Mrs. Watts, whose husband was killed at Linnville. Doctor Brown, of Gonzales, was at once summoned to the spot.

GENERAL EDWARD BURLESON.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 33

Kear by we soon discovered a white woman and a negro ' roman, both dead. These were all shot with arrows when the howl was raised and the retreat commenced. While the doctor was approaching I succeeded in loosening her hands from the arrow. The dress and flesh on each side of the arrow were cut, and an effort was made to extract it. The poor sufferer seized the doctor's hand and screamed so violently that he desisted. A second effort was made with success. My blanket was spread upon the ground, and as She rested on this, with my saddle for a pillow, she was soon composed and rejoicing at her escape. Death would have been preferable to crossing the mountains with the savages. She had ridden a pack mule all the way from the coast, and when they stopped she was required to read the stolen books. for their amusement. I received many letters from Mrs. Watts in after years, but never saw her again."

[Note. Mrs. Watts died in 1878, while keeping the San Antonio House in Port Lavaca. See Thrall's History of Texas, p. 466.]

Thus ended the battle of Plum Creek, fought on the twelfth day of August, 1840. After the battle the Tonkawa [ndians who had fought so nobly under their trusted Chief Placido, as was their custom, busied themselves in fleecing the flesh and cutting off the feet and hands of their inveter- ate enemies — the Comanches. These trophies they carried home with which to celebrate the war dance.

Sfceteb of tbe Xife of (Beneral lEbwarb Burleson

IT would seem to be almost superfluous to give in such a book as this, even a sketch of the life of one whose career is a portion of the history of our State, and of course known to all. And yet a sketch of the life of one so noted as an Indian fighter and frontiersman, certainly

34 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

comes within the legitimate scope and purpose of this book. We therefore give the following outlines as briefly as possi- ble, which have been taken chiefly from a biographical sketch of General Burleson published in 1859, to which have been added extracts from an eulogy pronounced at his fun- eral by the Hon. Edward Tarver.

General Burleson was born in Buncombe county, North Carolina, in 1798. When but a lad he served in a company commanded by his father under General Jackson, in what is known as the Creek War. In March, 1831, he emigrated to Texas and settled upon a place eleven miles below the> town of Bastrop, where he soon rendered himself conspicu- ous by his readiness when called on to repel the inroads of savages, then of frequent occurrence. His unflinching cour- age and perseverance on such occasions brought him into favorable notice, and in 1832 he was elected lieutenant colo- nel of the principality of Austin.

No portion of Texas suffered more from Indian outrages than that part now known as Bastrop county, and on no part of her long suffering frontier were their forays repelled with more constant valor and firmness. Burleson, by his activity, promptness and courage, soon rose to be an ac- knowledged leader, while his plain and unpretending de- portment and natural dignity won friends as fast as he made acquaintances.

In the battle with the Mexicans under General Cos at San Antonio he was conspicuous for his gallantry and rendered important services.

As colonel of a regiment he participated in the final bat- tle at San Jacinto, which secured the independence of Texas. We quote here from one of his biographers: "On that bloody field Burleson added new honors to his fame as a brave soldier and tried officer. His regiment stormed the breastwork and captured the artillery and contributed its honorable share to the victory. The morning of the day on which the battle was fought General Houston ordered Burleson to detail one hundred men from his regiment to build a bridge across the bayou in case a retreat should be necessary. Burleson replied ' that he could make the detail but he had no idea the bridge would be built; that they had no axes or tools of any description, or teams to haul the

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 35

timber.' Houston asked him if he intended to disobey or- ders. Burleson replied 'that he was not disposed to disobey orders, but that his men had much rather fight than to work.' ' Then,' said Houston, 'if you are so anxious to fight you shall have your fill before night,' and immediately made out his plan of battle. After the battle of San Jacinto, Gen- eral Burleson returned to his home and was elected to the Senate of the first Congress of the Republic.

In what is known as the Cherokee war Burleson moved against the Indians at the head of five hundred men, de- feated them in a hard fought battle, killing many (among them their head chief, Bowles) and drove the remainder be- yond the limits of the Republic.

In the great Indian raid in 1840 General Burleson was second in command of the forces that met the Indians on Plum Creek, which defeated them with great slaughter, and recaptured a vast amount of plunder. The full details of this battle and the conspicuous part taken by Colonel Bur- leson we have already given to the reader.

He was in a number of hotly contested fights with the In- dians, a full account of which will appear later on. It was in one of these stuborn contests — the battle of Brushy — that he lost his brother, Jacob Burleson, who had engaged the enemy before the General arrived.

Upon one occasion a party of forty-five or fifty Indians came into the settlements below the town of Bastrop, and stole a lot of horses while the people were at church. A man who had remained at home discovered them, ran to church and gave the alarm. General Burleson, with only ten men, started in immediate pursuit, and followed the trail that evening to Piney creek, near town. Next morning he was reinforced by eight men, the pursuit was continued and the enemy overtaken near the Yegua, a small sluggish stream now in Lee county. When within about two hundred yards of them, Burleson called out to the Indians in Spanish to halt; they immediately did so, and forming themselves in regular order, like disciplined troops, commenced firing by squads or platoons. When within sixty yards, the bat- tle was opened on the part of the Texans by the discharge of Burleson's double barrel shot gun. The conflict was but of short duration. Six Indians were killed and the balance

36 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS..

fled into a deep ravine, enveloped in thickets, and made their escape.

In 1841, General Burleson was elected vice president of the Kepublicby a considerable majority over General Memucan Hunt. At Monterey he was appointed by Governor Hender- son— then in personal command of the Texas division, one of his aids-de-camp, and in that capacity bore a distinguished and honored part in the fierce conflicts before that city.

He died on the twenty-sixth of December, 185 1, at the capital of the State, while a member of the senate then in session, and his death produced a profound sensation throughout the country, where his name had become as familiar as a house- hold word. Eloquent eulogies were pronounced in both houses of the Legislature at his death. Says the writer of his biographical sketch. ' ' A purer character than that of General Burleson is not to be found delineated in the annals of any country. His reputation as a soldier, not won in a single victory or single enterprise, but built up by years of service and success, was left behind him without a stain, while the purity of his conduct as a legislator escaped even the breath of suspicion. No unha llowed ambition prompted him to brave the dangers of the battle field. No petty jealousy at the laurels won by others ever found lodgement for a single moment in his noble and generous bosom. Brave,- yet un- ambitious—modest, yet firm of purpose; simple in his manner, yet dignified — he won the friendship of the worthiest of the land, and never lost it. In him were happily blended the attributes of a succes-ful warrior, with the republican and patriarchal simplicity of a quiet and unassuming country gentlemen, whose bravery was un- surpassed by his open and cordial hospitality. In his per- sonal intercourse with society, whether in the camp among his comrades in arms or among his countrymen in the walks of private life, perhaps the most prominent trait of charac- ter, which was every where developed, was an inflexible love of justice, in its most extensive and significant sense. He seemed to be scarcely aware of the honors which crowded upon him as he passed through life." We will close this sketch with an extract from an eulogy pronounced by the Hon. Edward Tarver, of Washington county, at the funeral of General Burleson, which shows the high estimate placed upon him by his fellow countrymen.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 37

"These are the departing days of the present day; this is the time when most reflecting minds are disposed to take a general retrospect of the events of the outgoing year; and I imagine that the latter days of this will be remembered as the most gloomy which have fallen upon the land for many years. To-day, Nature herself seems shrouded in mourning. All is blackness, darkness and desolation, as though she herself participated in our national sorrow and sympathized with us in our bereavement."

There is a tear for all who die,

A mourner o'er the htxmblest grave, But nations swell the f uneral cry.

And triumph weeps above the brave.

"The deceased has filled for many years a prominent place among the citizens of Texas, and Western Texas in partic- lar. In relation to her history and its soul stirring events, he might truly say, cujus pars magnafui. He discharged the duties of the many important stations which he was chosen to fill in the councils of his country with a single- ness of heart and purity of purpose that did honor alike to him and his country. Sir, I know his history from the be- ginning. His life has been one continued scene of peril, of suffering, and of the most trying vicissitudes. Yet, he has passed through all with a stainless and blameless reputa- tion, unsullied by the imputation of wrong, either in his public or private capacity."

a C. Xove's tmnfc) to 1bant> jfigbt

DURING the year 1879 Major H. D. Prendergast (now deceased) contributed to the American Sketch Book the following interesting account of a fight in Robert- son county. We reproduce the same here, in the Ma- jor's own language: In the year 1840 there occurred, near

38 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

the center of Robertson county, and not far from where the town of Englewood now stands, one of the most des- 1840 perate personal conflicts that ever took place between heroes of opposing clans. Since the Scottish bard cel- ebrated the hand to hand fight between Fitz James and Roderick Dim, at Coilan Kogle's ford, perhaps no real com- bat lias ever so nearly resembled the imaginary battle of the poet's heroes in all essential particulars. It was the general practice of the Indians to make their raids about the full moon. On one occasion they had made a raid and stolen several horses. The thefts were quickly discovered, and a party made up to pursue them from Franklin, the then county seat of Robertson county. The pursuers numbered some six or seven. Among them were G. H. Love, now living at Whelock, in this county, and Judge S. R. Killough, who died about two years ago, at Whelock; Harvey Math- ews, now living in Navarro county, and A. 0. Love, and D. Hill, two medical students. The pursuing party overtook the Indians in the early morning, between and at the junc- tion of two deep ravines. A charge was immediately made, and the savages, abandoning their horses and camp, scat- tered into the adjacent thickets, excepting one warrior, who could not find it in his heart to give up the splendid horse he had captured the night before, but prepared to run the gauntlet. So, mounting his horse, rifle in hand, and with his faithful squaw mounted behind him, he made a dash to pass between his enemies.

The first shot from A. 0. Love's gun brought down the hindmost Indian, which proved to be the squaw. Almost at the same instant a shot from Hill's rifle disabled the horse of the Indian, who now abandoned the idea of escape in that way, and, leaping down from his wounded horse, ran by Hill and fired the gun, almost touching the face of—Hill, who fell to the ground, his jaw bone shattered by the ball. The savage now turned to flight, and being cut off from the ravine he started across the open woods, pursued by A. C. Love, each carrying his empty rifle. Love was a man about twenty years old, six feet high, weighing about one hundred and sixty pounds, and active as a panther. The Indian, a giant of his race, was about the same height and something heavier. The distance between them

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 39

gradually closed, until at the end of about two hundred yards the savage stopped short, turned around, and gazing fiercely a moment, sprang back to meet his foe. As they met, each clubbed his gun and aimed a murderous blow at the head of the other. The ring of their gun barrels as they clashed together could be heard for hundreds of yards. Love's collarbone was broken and one finger on his left hand crushed. After a few blows the combatants mutually threw down their guns and closed in a real Indian hug, Love's ob- ject being to make a prisoner of his brave foe. But in this contest he met with an unexpected difficulty. The Indian's arms and shoulders were entirely naked, and as Love has told the writer, he would slip through his arms like an eel. Suddenly a chill of horror ran through Love's frame as he felt the Indian's finger grappling for his (Love's) bowie- knife at his side and which he had entirely forgotten. Now came, in one terrible moment, the issue of life or death. Quick as thought Love's right hand was on the handle of his knife, when the savage changed his tactics, and throw- ing his arms entirely around Love, endeavored to prevent his drawing the knife.

Now, gallant Saxon, hold thine own, No maiden arm around thee thrown.

In this last death struggle Love finally disengaged his left hand, and seizing the long hair of the savage, so confused him by this unexpected mode of attack that he secured a momentary advantage, and then one quick flash of the glit- tering steel, and the soul of the brave Indian had taken its flight to his happy hunting grounds. Just then Love's brother and other comrades returned from the pursuit of the other Indians, to find him standing erect, but exhausted, over his fallen foe.

40 WNDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

Colonel £R>pR>0e'£ ftmjarboue Eypebition to tbe

mm mites.

DURING the administration of General Sam Houston in the spring of 1843 he dispatched Colonel J. C. Eld- ridge, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and Thomas

Torrey, Indian agent, to visit all the wild tribes on the frontier for the purpose of getting them to enter into a treaty of peace with the Republic of Texas, and to accomplish

this object, instructions were given the commissioners 1843 to use their utmost skill in inducing the chiefs of the

different tribes to meet the commissioners represent- ing the Republic of Texas, at Bird's Fort, on the Trinity river, on the tenth of August. General Ham P. Bee, who was then quite a young man, accompanied the expedition at the instance of his old friend, Colonel Eldridge. The three principal chiefs of the Delawares, to wit, Jim Shaw, John Connor and Jim Second Eye, were selected by President Houston to accompany the commissioners on this hazard- ous expedition to aid them in their undertaking. Many of the Delawares could not only speak English, but the lan- guage of all, or nearly all, of the different wild tribes. The party was finally made up, consisting of the commissioners, the three chiefs above named and several other Indians, who accompanied the party in the capacity of guides, hun- ters, etc., and set out from the old town of Washington, then the seat of government, in the month of March, 1843, on their perilous journey. We should have stated that Ace- quosh, a Waco chief, also accompanied the party. ^The principal village of the Comanches was situated further out on the plains than were the villages of any of the other tribes, and as will be seen later on, this fact very much de- layed the progress of the expedition. The commissioners took along two Comanche children who had been captured by our people during the year 1840. These were to be re- turned to their people. One of them was a boy fourteen years old, named Bill Hockley, in honor of Colonel Hockley,

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 41

who had taken care of him. The other was a girl eleven years of age, named Maria. The parting of this girl, who had now become civilized and accustomed to the habits of our people, from the commissioners, was one of the most heartrending scenes ever witnessed, and will appear in this volume further on under the head of "A Comanche Prin- cess."

The expedition was fraught with many difficulties, dan- gers, privations and hardships. On their way Jim Shaw be- came exasperated when he found that he and the two Dela- ware chiefs were not the commissioners, but had been sent along simply to aid Colonel Eldridge, who was the duly au- thorized commissioner. He and the other two chiefs threaten- ed to abandon the party and Colonel Eldridge was just on the eve of returning home when the chiefs reconsidered the matter and agreed to go on. The journey was then con- tinued until the head village of the Wacos had been reached, and while delayed here the wife of Chief Acequosh was taken very sick. At the instance of the old chief the com- missioners rendered her such medical aid as lay within their power, and she finally recovered — a most fortunate circum- stance, as the sequel will show. Several tribes were visited and many promised to attend the council at Bird's Fort. But the Comanche village, as before stated, lay far out on the plains, and being especially desirous to visit this tribe the march was continued. General H. P. Bee kept a journal of their wanderings in the wilderness in search of the head chief of the nation, and some years ago, at the request of the writer, he furnished him with an extract from his journal, with permission to make such use of it as he might see proper. The writer still has in his possession this man- uscript in General Bee's own hand writing, and prefers giv- ing the extract without alteration. It is to be regretted that the entire journal can not be published, for it is all in- teresting. The foregoing remarks have been made by way of preface that the reader might better understand the na- ture and object of the expedition. It is well known to the historian that General Houston always favored a pacific course towards the Indians, and it was for the purpose of carrying out this policy that commissioners were sent out.

42 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

{Treaty fiypebitton to tbe THM& bribes.

Extract from Journal of General H. P. Bee.

¥ ONG before this we had exhausted the supplies we

brought from the settlements. Our rice was the last

*L to give out, and for some time we had been living

^ upon buffalo and deer meat alone, without bread of any description, and some times without salt. Yet the diet seemed to be nourishing, owing to the fact, perhaps, that we made up in quantity what was lacking in variety and 1843 quality. Two or three pounds of buffalo meat at a meal was our usual allowance. The tallow of the buffalo is not as greasy as that of beeves. A piece of dried buffalo meat in the one hand and a good size lump of the tallow in the other are tolerably fair substitutes for bread and but- ter. We always carried a piece of dried buffalo meat tied to our saddles on which at any time, we could make a "hasty snack" as we rode along.

After wandering for many days over the vast prairies of Northwest Texas, in search of the head chief of the Co- manche nation, but without success, we halted one morning in an immense plum patch to regale ourselves upon the de- licious fruit with which the bushes were covered. Whilst busily engaged in this pleasant occupation, our attention was drawn to fresh plum skins on the ground, evidently quite recently pulled, and telling us that others besides our- selves were some where in the vicinity, who were as fond of plums as we were. This incident, like Crusoe's discovery of the foot prints in the sand by the sea shore, alarmed us a good deal and destroyed our appetite for plums, for we knew very well that any band of Indians we might encounter would be much more likely to prove enemies than friends.

Before we had come to any conclusion as to what was best to be done, an object approaching us was discovered. It proved to be a Comanche Indian, with a boy seven or eight years old, riding in front of him upon a magnificent

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 43

horse. He came in right amongst us, and at first we were at a loss to understand why such a large, powerful man, as lie evidently was, should be riding behind a little boy, but he informed us that he was totally blind, and that the little boy was his guide. He told us also of our near proximity to a large village of the Comanches (of which he was one of the chiefs), and to our great joy he told us it was also the village of Pa-ha-yu-co, the head chief of the Comanche Na- tion, the one we had been vainly looking for during the last three months. After the little boy (who was really quite handsome, dressed in his buck skin hunting shirt and leg- Hfins ornamented with beads) had gathered as many plums as he wanted, the blind chief started back to the village, ac- companied by our Delaware Indian interpreters.

Towards evening we were waited upon by a delegation from the village, who invited us to visit the place. Of course it did not take us long to saddle up, and after a couple of hours ride, escorted by fully two hundred Comanche war- riors, we came to the village, where we were received with much rude but impressive ceremony. We were then con- ducted to the tent of the chief, Pa ha-yu-co, who was absent, but the honors were done by Mrs. Pa-ha-yu-co No. 1, who turned out all the other Mrs. Pa-ha-yu-cos, together with their numerous children, from the tent, and placed it at our disposal. Our expressions of regret at disturbing the ladies were evidently not appreciated because not understood.

As soon as we were settled in our spacious apartments, every apperture in the lodge to admit light and air, was darkened by the copper colored visages of the crowds that thronged around to get a peep at the "pale faces" — the first that the most of them had ever seen. The thermometer was ranging probably at about one hundred and ten de- grees (it was in August) and fearing suffocation, we sug- gested that our own tent should be stretched, which was done, and as it was open at both ends we had plenty of air, and the crowd could stare at us to their satisfaction.

As I have stated, Pa-ha-yu-co, the head chief, was absent, and we were informed that he was not expected back for a week. So we had to be patient, and settled down to our surroundings as best we could. We were a never failing source of curiosity to the Indians, who thronged our camp

44 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

day and night. The women would turn back the sleeves of our shirts to show the white skin to* their children, for it may readily be supposed that those parts of our persons ex- posed to the sun were by this time bronzed almost to the color of the Indians themselves.

As the Comanches lived entirely upon meat, we moved camp twice during the week we were with them, and the system and regularity which marked the striking of the tent (all made of buffalo skins) and the precision with which each family took up the line of march, the tent poles attached to the pommels of their saddles trees, and drag- ging behind, whilst the pack mules carried the women and children and dogs — and the coming into position in the new camp — the magic, as it were, by which at a signal, all the tents on all the streets went up in their proper places, would not have disgraced the tactics of Scott or Hardee.

On one occasion I accompanied some of the braves on a buffalo hunt, and noticed the skill and dexterity with which they sent the quivering arrow into the sides of the ponder- ous animals. Their aim was very accurate — rarely failing with the first arrow — and they always pursued a wounded buffalo until he was dispatched; for their tradition is, "that when the buffalo are exterminated the Comanche nation will cease to exist also," in which probably there is much truth, for when the supply of meat fails them, on the prai- rie, the Indian must live by tilling the soil, and the Co- manches are so entirely nomadic in their mode of life, it is not likely they will ever be able to subsist by agriculture, hence, they are economical in the use of their "live stock." They follow the immense herds of buffalo north in summer and south in winter, as the instinct of the animal teaches it to change its pastureage. The women always accompany the warriors on their hunts, and as the buffolos are dis- patched, they follow on behind to butcher the slaughtered animals, cutting the meat up into long strings, which they hang up on the bushes to dry in the wind and sun. The women also dress the skins, some of which they ornament on the inside with figures and devices in paint. Indian women perform all the drudgery. They saddle and unsaddle* the horses of their lords — do not have much cooking, wash- ing or darning to do, but they are always busy dressing

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 45

buck skins, of which their clothing is made, or in orna- menting their robes. Every warrior has more or less cap- tives, generally Mexicans, to wait upon him, and his squaws also generally have one or more captives (girls or women) to aid them in their work. I saw Mexican prisoners in their camp of all ages, from sucking babes, to grown men and women. They were of the lower or "Peon" class and their color was very similar to that of the Indians, to whom they were but little, if any, superior as far as civilization was concered, yet all I talked to wanted to return home to their own people.

The Comanches owned immense herds of horses, requir- ing a strong guard constantly with them, as they graze them frequently miles from their camp, and this, with the neces- sity of obtaining meat, is the reason why they move camp so often. When buffalos are scarce, they sometimes live upon horse meat, which I have eaten myself on several oc- casions. It is really very good, both dried and fresh, if you will only ignore the fact that it is horse meat. Mule meat is not so good — too much like the living animal — tough, and hard to manage.

We had now passed a week with the Comanches, and al- though the chief had neither smoked nor eaten with us, we felt no uneasiness, as we knew that such was their custom until peace was made, and, of course, no "treaty" could be entered into until the head chief was present to ratify pro- ceedings. Besides, we had been so long amongst the wild tribes, we had lost any little apprehension we might have had when we first started out for the safety our scalps.

At this time the Comanche Nation was divided into ten tribes, each with their own chief and government, and once a year delegates from all the tribes met in a general coun- cil, when one of the ten chiefs was selected as head chief of the nation until the next general assembly. Pa-ha-yu-co was the last chosen — hence the necessity of meeting him before any thing definite could be done in the way of a "treaty."

On the ninth of August, about sun set, he arrived at camp, and occupied the tent adjoining our own. We were soon after presented to him, and received with courtesy. The in- terview was informal and short, and no clue as to the feel-

46 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

ings entertained by the chief towards us could be had from it, but the impression made was favorable. At sun rise the next morning the council met in a large circular tent, made of buffalo skins. I suppose there were one hundred war- riors in the council. They were seated on the ground in a cir- cle, diminishing in circumference as they neared the center in which was the old chief.

After taking a look at them, for we were neither invited nor expected at the meeting, we returned to our tent, leaving our Delaware interpreters to do our talking, as they had been invited, and occupied seats on the ground.

About ten o'clock a sort of committee waited upon us, in- forming us that couriers from the Waco village, some two hundred miles distant, where we had staid nearly a month, had arrived, saying "that since we had left their village a great many of their people had died; that we doubtless had given them poison, were bad men, and that the Comancheis must kill us," and that the council wished to know what we had to say about it. Without being much disturbed by this statement, for it was too preposterous for belief, we referred them to Acequosh, a Waco chief, who had accompanied us from Texas, and eat with us at every meal, even when we were in his own village (for our rations were better than his), that his wife had been sick and we had cured her, and that we were willing to abide by the testimony he might give (Memorandum. Now suppose the squaw had died, no doubt the harmless dose of rhubarb we had administered to her with the humane intention of relieving her sufferings would have been regarded as a poison, and as the cause of her death, hence, I make a note never to give physic to ignor- ant and superstitious people.) I have no idea that any courier really had been sent from the Waco village, and be- lieve the statement was a mere trick to create feeling against us.

About an hour later a runaway negro from the Choctaw Nation who had escaped and found shelter among the Co- manches, and who had been with us a great deal while in their camp, came into our camp and said: "I don't under- stand much Comanche, but I tink dem Injuns out yonder talk 'bout killin' you fellers, maybe so dey will skin you heads." (Alluding to the scalping operation.) Of course

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 47

this somewhat startled us, and we sent for our Delaware in- terpreters, who were at the council, and when they came we told them what the negro had said, but they ridiculed the idea; said the negro did not understand Comanche; there was nothing wrong; that the Indians were talking about making peace, etc. This satisfied us and they returned to the council. Half an hour or so afterwards one of our Delaware hunters, and one we were much attached to, came into our tent, and in that cooi, unexcited, stoical manner that marks the Indian character, told us the Comanches were going to kill us. In great alarm we again sent for our Delaware interpreters, and telling them that we were men and not children, de- manded to know the truth. Jim Shaw, the chief, replied that they had been desirous to conceal the peril of our situa- tion from us as long as possible, but that what we had heard was true; that all the chiefs who had a right to speak had spoken and that they were unanimous and clamorous for our death; that they, the Delaware interpreters, had made every appeal possible in our behalf; that Acequosh, the Waco chief, had done so likewise; that they had told the council they would die with us; if the Comanches killed us they must kill them too, for that they had promised the Great White Father to take us safely back to Texas; that Texas was their home and they could not return without us. They added that the head chief had not yet spoken; that they did not know how he would go, but even should he be in our favor that his influence would not: suffice to save us. We disked them when they thought we would be slaughtered, ..•ut they could give us no information on this, and they re- lumed to the council to watch and to give us notice of what might be their final determination.

Soon afterwards our old friend, Acequosh (Old Squash we called him for short) came into the tent where we three lone white men were sitting awaiting our doom, with the big tears rolling down his dear old face, and told us we would shortly be on our way to the happy hunting grounds of the white man; that he had said all he could in our favor; that he had reminded them that his father was once a great chief, the head of a nation who were lords of the prairies, but al- ways the friends of the Comanches; that they used to listen to the counsel of his father, for it was always good, and

48 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

that they should listen to him even as their fathers had lis- tened to his; that he had told them we were messengers of peace, bore the white flag which all good Indians held to be sacred; that the face of the Great Spirit would be turned away from them and his vengeance follow them should they kill us; but that it was all in vain, we would have to die; that he loved us as his own children and would die with us. God bless the poor old Indian, my heart yearns towards him even after this lapse of time.

It is impossible to describe my feelings and those of my companions. For a moment I was unmanned, weak with a weight on my heart that crushed me. The shock to the nervous system, now that excitement was over, and we were left alone to realize our situation, paralyzed our senses. But with me this did not last long, and I soon rallied, and with the reaction came strength and will, which prepared me to meet the horrible fate awaiting me. The thought, however, was dreadful to die in that lone prairie in the bloom of youth, for I was scarcely twenty-two, and so far from those I loved.

Then came the terrible reflection that I would be tortured to death, and all the stories I had read of the devilish inge- nuity of the savage in inflicting tortures upon his victim came fresh to mind, and it was horrible. After some time we began to talk to each other, and found that each had experienced similar feelings. We then calmly discussed our situation; thought of escape — but our horses were miles away, grazing on the prairie; and if saddled before us, how could we hope to escape from a thousand warriors, when we were five hundred miles from the nearest white settlements? Flight was simply impossible. What was left to us? To die like men of our race; and such was our determination. We still had our belt pistols, and we determined to fire one into the advancing crowd that should come to take us — the other into our own brains. Such was our resolve, and I for one would most assuredly have carried it into effect. My pulse beat calmly; the bitterness of death was over, and the man, strong in the attributes of his nature, was ready.

The hours passed slowly. From twelve till four o'clock not a word was spoken in that council; but still they sat, silent and fixed in their determination to execute their help*

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 49

less visitors, and waiting for the head chief to talk. At last he began. His stentorian voice reached our lonely tent, but no one came to tell us what he said, and of course we could not understand him. Soon other voices were heard, and now and then the voices of our Delaware friends. Then all was confusion — sounds of many voices together. And you may readily imagine how intently we listened to these sounds, not as bringing even for one moment a hope of escape — that was gone — but every nerve was strung to its highest pitch, anticipating the rush and fearful yells that would precede our deaths. I turned to Eldridge and said: "See the setting sun, old fellow — the last we shall see on earth."

Just then steps were heard rapidly approaching. In an instant I was on my feet, a pistol in each hand. Nearer, still nearer, they came. Suspense was overpowering. Ace- quosh burst into the tent and threw himself into the arms of Eldridge. I stood by, feeling sure that the old warrior had come to redeem his promise to die with us. He spoke to us in his native language, of which we did not understand a word. But in a moment I saw that it was joyful, not sorrowful, news he had come to tell us. The next instant our Delawares came in and told us we were saved! Can I ever forget that moment? The news was like- the announce- ment of a reprieve to the criminal around whose neck the halter has been fixed. The scene that ensued might be por- trayed, but no language can describe it.

Prostrate upon the earth were the red and white men — ereatures of a common brotherhood, typified and made evi- dent that day in that tent in the wilderness. Not a word was spoken — each bowed to the earth; brothers in danger, brothers by that holy electric spark which caused each in that moment, in his own way, to thank the God of his fathers for this great deliverance. Our Delawares told us that the head chief had spoken in our favor; his influence had brought over those of importance, and at the proper time the vote was taken and we were saved.

50 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

Ibenrp £artbman.

f\ MONG those who settled in Fayette county at an early LA date, was Henry Earthman, the father of the young I * man who bears the same name, and whose sad death / we are about to relate. The early traveler well re- members the old log house which stood some eight miles north of the town of LaGrange, near the public road, lead- ing out from that place in a northerly direction to the 1840 settlements on the Brazos, and now the direct road from the town of Lagrange to Ledbetter. We say he well remembers this old structure, for the reason that it was well known in those times, that it was here that the weary traveler could find food and shelter for the night for him- self and horse, and enjoy in good old country style the hos- pitality of a generous pioneer. It was under this hospit- able roof that Henry Earthman— the father of the subject of this sketch — lived. The family consisted of husband and wife and several children. It was, we think, during the spring or summer of 1840, that Henry and his brother, Field Earthman, went out on the range horse hunting. It seems that some, if not all of the horses, were hoppled, but had strayed several miles from home, and being seen by some of the neighbors, they notified the Earthman boys where they would likely find them. Among the horses which had strayed off, there was an old gray mare with a bell on.

The animal being hoppled, made it an easy matter for the Indians to catch her. When Henry and Fields had gotten some six or eight miles from home on Long Prairie, and in the neighborhood of where Ashen's store now stands, they heard the rattling of the old gray mare's bell, and looking across the prairie in the direction from whence the sound came, they discovered "old gray" lying down in the tall sedge grass, as they supposed, to take a rest. One of the boys re- marked: "Yonder is old gray," and immediately turned

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 51

their course in that direction. When they had approached within a few yards of the animal, imagine their surprise when up sprang a lot of Indians with bows and arrows, which they wielded with telling effect. Henry was killed, whereupon Fields wheeled his horse and ran for life. Wo one understands the habits and customs of frontier people better than the wily red man. They had discovered that the horses were hoppled, and that they had strayed off from home; and knowing full well that when the owners should ascertain this fact, they would soon be out to hunt them, they conceived the idea of killing the old mare, taking off the bell, and when they discovered the owners hunting them on the prairie, they would rattle the bell to attract their at- tention. The plan worked well, for the Indians, who, after killing the animal, concealed themselves near by in the tall sedge grass and patiently awaited the approach of the "pale faces." Poor Henry, as we have stated, fell a victim to their well laid trap, but Fields made good his escape. Par- ties went out in pursuit upon being notified by the brother who made his escape, but the Indians by this time had got- ten too much the start to be overtaken. Many of the Earth- man family still reside in Fayette county, honored and re- spected citizens. Isaac Earthman now resides in the little town of Winchester, Fayette county; William, at Hooker- ville, and Mrs. Gus Kennedy, sister of Isaac, William, Hen- ry and Fields Earthman, resides in Rabbs Pinery, Fayette county.

Colonel Snivel^ lEypebition

IN the spring of 1843, Colonel Jacob Snively obtained per- mission from the government to raise a force for the purpose of intercepting Armijo, the Governor of New Mexico, who was on his way from Independence, Mis- souri, to Santa Fe, with a large train loaded with valuable

52 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

merchandise. This Armijo was the same villain who had captured the " Santa Fe expedition " in 184-1, and who 1843 had treated with such inhuman barbarity the Texan prisoners taken on that occasion. The object of the expedition was to seize him and his train by way of retalia- tion, for the cruelties and indignities he had heaped upon the Texans when he had them in his power.

Colonel Snively left Austin with fifty-six men, and pro- ceeded to Georgetown on Red River, where his force was increased to one hundred and eighty-five. From there he marched to where the road leading from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe crosses the Red river, and from thence to the crossing of the Arkansas river, where he halted and sent out scouts to keep him advised of Armijo's approach.

While at this place Colonel Snively obtained information to the effect that a large Mexican force was above, intended as an escort for Armijo, after the caravan should cross the river. Snively at once sent out scouts to ascertain the local- ity and strength of this force. His scouts found the en- campment of the Mexicans, and on their return reported their number to be between five and six hundred. Some time afterwards a part of Snively's command encountered a detachment from this force, killing seventeen or eighteen, and capturing seventy or eighty prisoners, besides a num- ber of horses, saddles, arms, etc.

As time passed on and nothing was heard from the scouts sent out by Colonel Snively to notify him of Armijo's ap- proach, the men became discontented, and when they finally came and reported they had made no discovery, about seventy of Colonel Snively's men, under command of Cap- tain Eli Chandler, left for home. Colonel Snively then lib erated all the Mexican prisoners he had taken at the" fight before mentioned, and furnished their wounded with horses. He then moved his camp some distance above, on the river, where he determined to await the arrival of Armijo's cara- van and capture it, if possible, after it should cross the river into Texas. About the thirtieth of June, the scouts he had sent out to notify him of its approach, came into camp and reported that Armijo's train was near at hand, escorted by about two hundred United States dragoons with two pieces

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 53

of artillery, under the command of Captain Philip St. George Cook'e. The same day Captain Cooke and his com- mand crossed the river (although he had been instructed by the United States government to escort Armijo to the Arkan- sas river and no further) and planted his artillery in such a po- sition as to sweep the camp occupied by Colonel Snively and his men. He demanded their unconditional surrender in spite of Colonel Snively's protestation that they were upon Texas soil, and as he was anxious to avoid any conflict with United States troops, even if there had been any chance of defend- ing himself, he complied with the demand. Captain Cooke then ordered them to deliver up their arms, but graciously allowed them to retain ten or fifteen guns for their defense in a country filled with hostile Indians and several hundred miles from home. Fortunately, however, before the arms were given up, some of Snively's men were smart enough to conceal their rifles and turn in a number of old scopels and muskets in place of them, taken from the Mexicans in the fight heretofore mentioned. After this gallant achievemen fc Captain Cooke recrossed the river and encamped. Subse- quently, however, no doubt realizing the fact, that he had acted in a manner that was not only harsh but unwarranted by the orders of his government, he sent a me -sage to Colonel Snively to the effect that he would escort his men to Independence, Missouri, should they desire to go there. About forty of Colonel Snively's men accepted this gracious invitation and left. A courier was immediately dispatched by Snively to Captain Chandler, requesting him to wait for them. He did so, and a day or so afterwards the two par- ties were reunited. At that point they encamped and sent out scouts to watch the movements of Armijo's caravan. Three or four days afterwards these scouts returned to camp and stated that the caravan had crossed the river. Some of the men were in favor of pursuing the caravan, while others thought it best to abandon the enterprise altogether and re- turn home. Colonel Snively and about sixty-five others de- termined to continue the pursuit. They followed the cara- van for some days, but when they came up with it they found the escort was too strong to be attacked with any hopes of success by their small force, badly armed as it was, and they turned their course homeward. On their way

54 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

home Colonel Snively and his men encamped on a little stream called Owl creek. He had sixty-three men with him, but only about one-half of them were armed, and while en- camped at this place he was attacked by one or two hundred Comanches, who stampeded fifty-one head of his horses and killed two men. The determined resistance of the Texans, however, soon forced the Indians to fall back. Thirty men, or all that had arms, mounted and followed them. After a chase of several miles the Texans overtook the Indians and a furious contest ensued, which lasted until night put an end to it. The Texans were then compelled to return to camp, with the loss of several horses killed and several men wounded. The loss of the Indians were some ten or fifteen killed and several wounded. This unlucky affair put an end to all hopes of capturing Armijo. Had it not been for the unwarranted interference of Captain Cooke there is no doubt that Armijo would have been captured and dealt with as he deserved.

Colonel Snivels'* f igbt at Hntelope (Lveen.

jf\ FTER the fight on Owl creek, Colonel Snively and party LJ started on back, homeward bound. As previously f * stated, he only had sixty-three men in his company, / but only about half of them were armed. After trav- eling eight or ten days, they halted on Antelope creek, a small tributary of the Canadian river, for the purpose of grazing and resting their animals. When they were 1843 to move oq again, Colonel Snively ordered his guide, Mr. James 0. Rice, who was an experienced frontiers- man, to ride on ahead and keep a sharp lookout for Indians. Rice was mounted on a little mule about three and a half feet high He had gone but a few hundred yards when he came to a deep, boggy ravine. He had a long staking rope tied to the mule's neck. He dismounted, and holding the end of the rope in his hand he drove the animal across, and

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 55

then began to look for a place where he could cross himself. "While thus occupied he discovered five Indians coming down the path he had just traveled. They did not observe Rice, and four of them crossed over on a log below him, and the fifth, in attempting to cross at another place bogged down and was unable, at least for a time, to extricate himself. As soon as the four Indians who crossed over on the log discovered the mule, they ran forward and caught hold of the rope, while Rice was holding on to the other end of it. Both parties struggled to get possession of the mule, and no doubt the superior numbers of the Indians would have pre- vailed if the mule, with the perversity of its kind, had not sided with the weaker party. With a sudden plunge it broke loose from the Indians and started back towards Rice. The moment the mule broke away from them, the Indians began to let drive their arrows at Rice as thick as hail, and at the same instant he heard a volley of firearms in the direction of camp, and he knew that an attack had been made upon the company. With Indians behind and Indians shooting at him in front, Rice was compelled to let go his mule, which he did, and fly to a small dogwood thicket about a hundred yards distant. This he succeeded in reach- ing unhurt, although the arrows were whizzing past his head every step he took.

By this time the four Indians had recrossed the ravine, and they watched the thicket for more than an hour, ex- pecting to catch Rice as he came out, but knowing he was armed, they were afraid to enter it. All this while a furi- ous battle was going on at camp between three or four hun- dred Comanches, and the little band of Texans under the command of Colonel Snively, but the Indians finding they could not drive them from their position, at length with- drew, for a time.

When the firing ceased, Rice crept cautiously from the thicket, and seeing no Indians, he started towards camp. On his way he discovered an Indian boy sitting on his pony, and evidently acting the part of a spy. Rice concluded he would stop long enough to put an end to the existence of this young warrior. He raised his gun to his shoulder — one of the old flintlock style, took deliberate aim — and didn't fire. The young Indian hearing the gun snap, looked around and

56 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

discovered Rice. He immediately put whip to his animal and went off at a speed that was quite astonishing, consid- ering the broken character of the ground. Captain Rice then proceeded to camp, where he was met by his comrades with shouts of welcome, for his mule had returned riderless, and they supposed he had been killed. A little while after- wards, the Indians renewed their attack on the camp with greater fury than ever, but finally they were so much worsted that they ceased firing, and their chief advanced alone in front of their lines, and called out "popatino," meaning Americans. Colonel Snively answered him in Spanish, and asked him what he wanted. The chief re- plied they wanted to quit fighting, make friends, and have a big smoke. To this Colonel Snively agreed, and proposed that four from each side should meet half way between their positions for the purpose of having the desired "talk." The proposition was accepted, and Colonel Snively and three others went out and had a "confab" with the like num- ber of Indians. They professed a wish to cease Ifighting and be good friends, and Colonel Snively told them that he was perfectly willing to be friends, and would only fight in self defense. They all then had a "big smoke" together, and separated. But the Texans had not much more than reached their camp, when the treacherous Indians made a sudden charge upon them, hoping, no doubt, that their pro- fessions of friendship had thrown them off their guard. But the Texans stood firm, and made every shot count one more of the enemy slain. The Indians were again repulsed with heavy loss and withdrew, carrying their dead and wounded with them. The cry of "popatino" was again heard, and answered by Colonel Snively. Another parley ensued, after which another treacherous onset was made upon the Texans, but was once more gallantly~~repulsed. The Indians then went off out of sight, and did not make their appearance again until sunset, when the Indian chief bailed the Texans, and said: "We all now go to sleep — you go to sleep, and in the morning we get up — all have big smoke and all go home."

To this Colonel Snively agreed. After a little while the chief called out, "All your men asleep?" "No, answered

THE MULE SIDED WITH HIS MASTER.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 57

Colonel Snively, *'but they soon will be." "My men all asleep," replied the chief.

Colonel Snively knowing well that the object of the In- dians was to delay him until they could receive reinforce- ments, for which, no doubt, they had despatched couriers, determined to leave the dangerous locality as soon as possi- ble. He therefore ordered his men to mount their horses and march off as quietly as they could. But at the crossing of the creek the ground was very rocky, and the Ind ans heard the rattling of the horses hoofs as they passed over.

The Indians knew at once that Colonel Snively and his men were retreating, and they made a final charge on them; but by the time they came up, the Texans had taken a strong position, and drove them back out of gun shot.

When all became quiet once more, Colonel Snively or- dered his faithful guide, Captain Rice, to pass over the creek alone at the best crossing he could find, and that each mm should follow him one at a time, until all were over. The strictest silence was enjoined while the movement was go- ing on. Colonel Snively stood sentinel himself whilst his men were crossing the creek. As soon as they had gained the opposite side of Antelope creek, where the ground was smooth and free from stone, Colonel Snively ordered the men to follow Captain Rice at double quick time. When they had gone, perhaps, a mile, they heard the chief calling out to them again, but this time there was no answering voice, and the Indians then discovered that they had been out generaled — that the birds had flown.

When they realized the fact that their coveted prey had escaped, they made the night hideous with their terrific yells, and scattered around in every direction trying to find the route the fugitives had taken.

Captain Rice led the men into a deep, narrow canon, hav- ing a smooth surface well coated with ■ grass, over which they could pass swiftly without making any noise. When the Texans reached the head of this canon, about two miles from where they started, they could hear the Indians thun- dering down the valley of the creek, in hot pursuit of them —but all to no purpose. Colonel Snively and his men traveled all night, and at day light they reached a place called Cotton Wood Island, where they halted in a strong

5$ INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

position. But the Indians did not follow them — at least they saw nothing more of them.

The loss of the Indians in the many charges they made upon the Texans in the fight, must have been very great, for although the Texans had but one gun for every two men, they were far superior to the bows and arrows of the Indians.

The Texans' loss, owing to the" strength of the position they held, was exceedingly small — only a few being wounded and none seriously.

ftbe San flDarcos f igbt of Wbc Burleaona,

THE traveler who passes San Marcos will see north of the road, perched on the high bluff which overlooks the San Marcos head spring a rude log house, built by General Burleson when he was at that place, the outside settler. Hither came, from time to time, Pla- cido, the Tonkawa chief, and his son, who were the friends of Burleson. Placido was a lithe, active Indian, every 1848 inch a warrior, who boasted that he had never shed the blood of a white man. When Placido made with his squaws his annual visit, General Burleson, who valued his services to Austin's early settlers, always made him presents of ammunition and sometimes of ponies. During one of his visits in 1848 Placido and his son were sitting down in Burleson's family room at his San Marcosjspring house, conversing, with General Burleson and his son Ed, who was about the age of the younger Indian. About nine o'clock at night what seemed to be the hooting of an owl was heard. Placido, whose quick ear detected the cheat, rose instantly and covered up the blazing fire with ashes, at the same time whispering the word "Comanche." As soon as all had been made dark he crawled upon the floor to the door and disappeared in the darkness. Quickly returning he whispered to Burleson: " Scurry stole, Comanche steal 'em."

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 59

Scurry was the name of a splendid horse presented to Gen- eral Burleson by his friend, General Dick Scurry, a horse ridden by Scurry at the battle of Monterey. Fortunately, in a small stockade adjoining the house, were the horses of Placido and two other horses belonging to the General. Though it was quite dark these were quickly saddled and the Burlesons, with young Placido. followed the old Indian chief noiseies-ly around the mountain. Those who have been on that mountain will remember the level space near its summit, which belted it for more than a mile, varying from twenty to sixty feet wide, on which no bushes grew, while on each side was the dense cedar brake, through which no horseman could ride at night. Placido led the way in this open space, for he knew every foot of the mountain and the openings that led to the head of the Blanco as well as the Comanches. In about half an hour the moon rose and Placido quickened the pursuit, sometimes through dense brush, where the rider could not see an arm's length before him and then suddenly emerging in an open glade. The pursuit was continued without a word being spoken until after day break. The Comanches never dreaming that pursuers were on their trail had gone leisurely along until just before sun up, when they were crossing an open prairie, the pursuers were discovered close behind them. Then be- gan the race for life. There were three Indians, one rode Scurry and the others were mounted on ponies. Burleson's heavy weight, for he had then become corpulent, gave Pla- cido and the two boys an advantage in the race, for he fell behind. The rider of Scurry could have escaped, but he re- mained in the chase close by his companions, though in the lead. As Placido and the two young men approached near the Comanches General Burleson shouted, " big beef for Scurry, Placido, big beef for Scurry." Placido was slightly wounded by an arrow from one of the rear Indians, both of whom were quickly slain, when the rider of Scurry stood at bay and was killed by a lance thrust by the Tonka wa chief, when the horse was taken back unhurt. The combatants were few, but seldom was ever a race ridden on Texas soil with more desperate resolve or more tragic end.

60 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS

Captain fork's fiobt

ON the eighth of October, 1848, a party of Indians came down the Cibolo river and entered Gonzales county. On their way down the Cibolo they came across and

murdered the little son of the Reverend John S. Mc- Gehee, a Methodist minister. Near the settlements on the Sandies in the wrestern part of the county they encountered

Doctor George Barnett, who was out deer hunting, 1848 and finally succeeded in killing him, though it was

evident he had made a determined resistance. It ap- pears he had only been wounded at first, and afterwards that he had taken his position in some thick brush, from which the Indians were unable to dislodge him, and there subsequently died from the effects of the wound he had re- ceived. It was evident the Indians had retreated before he died, as otherwise they would have scalped him and taken his gun. He had apparently been dead about two days when his body was found. About this time another party of Indians, probably belonging to the same band, crossed the San Antonio river and struck the Cibolo lower down the country. On their route they had killed Mr. Lockhart and a young man by the name of Yivian near where the road from San Antonio to Goliad crosses the Ecleto creek. Sub- sequently this upper and lower band formed a junction, and the entire force then amounted to about forty warriors.

To pursue and chastise this band of raiders and mur- derers, a company was raised in DeWitt county, consisting mainly of inexperienced young men and boys, and pTaced under the command of Captain John York, an old soldier who had distinguished himself at the storming of San An- tonio in 1835. Some thirty miles above Goliad Captain York struck the Indian trail going in a southerly course to- wards the mouth of the Escondido creek, one of the tribu- taries of the San Antonio river. This trail they followed as rapidly as possible, and after a forced march of about twenty hours, their intrepid spy, Captain Tumlinson, who

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 61

had bbtti* «ent ahead to reconnoiter, returned and reporter, that the Indians were encamped on the Escondido creek.

Hoping to take them by surprise, Captain York and his men pushed ahead, but the Indians discovered their ap- proach in time to take a strong position in some thick brush from whence they opened fire upon Captain Tumlinson, who, with a few men, was in advance of the others. They returned the fire, but Captain Tumlinson called out to Cap- tain York, telling him it was impossible to hold his position against the Indians, protected, as they were, by the thick brush in which they were concealed. Captain York then ordered him to fall back to a mott of timber about sixty yards from where the Indians had taken position. This was done, but the retrograde movement, together with the dia- bolical yells of the Indians, caused a panic among the inex- perienced young men, who had never before been under fire, and it was with difficulty that a portion of them were rallied at the mott. A fight at "long taw" then ensued, lasting about an hour, during which three brave Texans lost their lives — Captain York, James Bell, his son-in-law, and a man by the name of Sykes. The latter was killed in open ground whilst advancing upon the thicket where the Indians were concealed, and two of them rushed out for the purpose of scalping him, but both were immediatly shot down. Finally, however, it seems that both parties got tired of fighting about the same time, the Indians leaving their position in the thicket and going up the creek, whilst the Texans moved a short distance below.

3* 3fl0£t>-

SOME time in the year 1835, Mr. Floyd in company with two others were traversing a section of country be- tween the Trinity and Sabine rivers. On their way they discovered a small party of In- dians some distance in their rear, who were evidently fol-

62 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

lowing them, The Indians very gradually approached them, no doubt to induce Floyd and his companions 1835 ^° believe they were not in pursuit of them until they were in a short distance, when on looking both to their right and left they discovered they were flanked by other parties of Indians they had not previonsly noticed.

As soon as they made this discovery Floyd and his com- panions put spurs to their horses and went off at full speed. Before them there was a long level prairie, on which, about three miles distant, was the house to which they were going. The Indians who were flanking them endeavored to get ahead of them to prevent them from reaching the house. Floyd alone was riding a good horse. His two companions were mounted on very inferior animals, which, when within at mile of the house, began to fail rapidly.

Floyd, seeing there was no chance for them to escape, re- luctantly left his two companions and urged his horse as tfast as possible towards the house. At the foot of the hill on which the house was situated there was a deep ravine, and when he came to it he drove the spurs into his horse, J japed it and gained the opposite bank in safety — a feat, he said, he could not possibly have performed if a troop of yell- ing savages had not been following closely at his heels.

After he had crossed the ravine the Indians fired at him a n amber of times but without effect and Floyd made his way safely to the house. There was no person in the house but a woman and he asked her if she had any bullets. "No," said she, "but I can soon run some," and she did. Floyd said he never saw bullets moulded as fast in his life as they were by this woman when she heard the Indians shooting and yelling outside.

One of Floyd's companions reached the ravine a little ahead of the Indians, and knowing it would be impossible f or his wearied animal to leap it, he quickly dismounted and made his way across on foot. As he rose to the opposite bank the Indians fired a volley at him but fortunately none of their shots took effect and he also made his way safely to the house. But the other poor fellow's horse failed completely bnfore he reached the ravine. He was overtaken, sur- rounded and shot and speared to death. The Indians did

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 63

not venture to cross the ravine, as they knew it would bring them within rifle range of the house. \ Whilst Floyd and his companion were watching their maneuvers around the man they had killed, they were startled by cries for help from some one in the distance, and looking in the direction of the sounds, they discovered a white man coming at full speed on horseback, closely fol- lowed by half a dozen Indians. Seeing the perilous condi- tion of this man, they quickly remounted their wearied horses and started out as fast as the poor animals could go to his assistance. As soon as the Indians saw the two me i coming from the house, armed with guns, they came to i halt, and the man they were pursuing reached the ravhi 9 dismounted and gained the opposite bank in safety. ] fc seems he was riding the range in search of stock when th 3 Indians discovered him, and he also had turned his coursB towards the house; but the Indians no doubt would hav-) overtaken and killed him if Floyd and his companion ha I not come to his assistance.

The three men returned to the house to prepare for its de- fense, supposing the Indians were in such force that they would make an attack on it; but they did not venture to do so, and finally went off with the three horses they had cap» tured and the scalp of the poor fellow they had killed.

Captain 3obn ©♦ Sutton,

/"^APTAIN SUTTON was a native of the State of New 1 York. About 1836, whilst yet but a youth, he came to ^Texas, and from that time until his death, at the battle ▼ of Yal Verde, in New Mexico, he was almost contin- uously in the service of the State. During what is known as the Cherokee war he commanded a company, and was

present at the last decisive battle with the Cherokees, 1836 in which the head chief, Bowles, and many of his men

were slain, and the survivors driven beyond the limits of the Republic.

64 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

Captain Sutton subsequently settled at the city of Austba, which was his home for a number of years. In every ex- pedition that was organized at Austin to protect the fron- tier against Indians and Mexicans he was always among the first to proffer his services.

When it was determined by the authorities to send a force to take possession of New Mexico, Sutton obtained a com- mission as captain and raised a company for the expedition. On their way to Santa Fe the Texans were surrounded by a large body of Mexican cavalry, and finally surrendered. Previous to the surrender, the Texan officers held a consul- tation, in which the majority, believing it impossible to contend successfully against such odds, were in favor of capitulating. Sutton was strenuously opposed to surrender- ing upon any terms, but his advice was overruled. Tho Texans were taken prisoners, marched to Santa Fe, and from thence to the City of Mexico. Many died on the way from hardships and exposure and want of sufficient food and clothing. Several were brutally bayoneted by their guard, merely because they were unable from physical weakness to keep up with their more robust companions.

On their arrival at the City of Mexico, the prisoners were set to work on the public buildings and fortifications. Whilst at work, one day, Sutton said or did something that dis- pleased the sergeant of the guard, who struck him a severe blow with the flat of his sabre. He instantly grasped the sword, wrenched it from the sergeant's hand and broke it across his knee. This act of insubordination infuriated the sergeant, and he commanded his guard to bayonet Sutton on the spot; and no doubt this would have been clone if, fortunately for Sutton, an officer who had witnessed the whole affair had not just then come up and ordered the guard to desist. He reprimanded the sergeant for hisfbrutal conduct, and told Sutton to go to his quarters. From that time and until the prisoners were liberated and sent back to the United States, Sutton was never compelled to perform any manual labor.

He returned to Texas, and when the war between Mexico and the United States broke out he enlisted in Colonel Jack Hays's regiment of mounted volunteers, with which he served until it was disbanded after the battle of Monterey.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 65

Shortly after he came back to Texas, a call was made for volunteers to go to the assistance of General Taylor, known as the "Curtis call," under which Governor P. H. Bell raised a mounted regiment of Texans. Sutton joined this regi- ment, and was elected captain of one of the companies. The regiment marched to the Rio Grande, but on their ar- rival there General Taylor ordered Governor BeU to station it along the frontier to protect the settlers against Indians and Mexicans. That this was effectually done, it is only necessary to say that until Governor Bell's regiment of ran- gers was disbanded (and for months afterward) not one scalp was taken within the limits of Texas.

When the civil war began, Captain Sutton, although a Northern man, promptly took sides with his adopted State. I do not know in what capacity he entered the service, but when he was killed at the battle of Val Verde, in New Mex- ico, he was the lieutenant colonel of his regiment. In that battle his leg was shattered b}T a grape shot. The surgeon who attended him told him his life could not be saved un- less the wounded limb was amputated. But Sutton would not permit him to perform the operation, saying, "he did not intend to hobble round the balance of his days on one leg, and that when his leg went that he would go with it."

Many a chivalrous son of Texas has given his life in her defense, but none more brave or more true and loyal to his country ever died on the battlefield than Captain John S. Sutton.

The last Legislature (1887) gave his name to one of the newly created counties.

Colonel lb. X. minne^

f\ MONG the many marked and original characters who

^Ji have figured in Texas none perhaps deserve a more

| A conspicuous place than Colonel Kinney. He was a

/ a Northern man, but we do not know the particular

State of his nativity. He emigrated to Texas about the

66 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

close of the war with Mexico when quite a young man, and

in 1838 he settled on the Corpus Christi bay, at the

1838 place where the thriving city of Corpus Christi now

stands. He established a trading house there, which

was long known to Texans as Kinney's Ranch.

As he was a man of indomitable energy and enterprise he accumulated means enough in a few years to enable him to control most of the trade from Mexico and from all the towns of any importance along the Rio Grande.

In a country where horsemanship was almost a universal accomplishment Colonel Kinney was noted for his equestrian performances. He always kept on hand for his own use a number of the best blooded horses that c< uld be had in Texas, and in his frequent journeys over the State, it was well known that it was no unusual thing with him to ride one hundred miles without dismounting in less than twenty- four hours.

In 1844 a great riding match came off at San Antonio be- tween Colonel Hays's Texas Rangers, fifty Comanche war- riors and some Mexican rancheros. The performance took place on what was then a smooth open prairie just west of San Pedro creek, and all the officers of the garrison with their families and all the citizens of San Antonio assembled at the appointed time to witness it.

I liad seen what I thought to be many astonishing eques- trian performances in the ring but none of them could com- pare with those I witnessed that day on the prairie near San Antonio. The Comanches were famous riders and so were the Mexican rancheros, and some of Hays't rangers were fully equal if not superior to them. Judges were ap- pointed to determine upon the merits of the performances and quite a number of valuable prizes were distributed on the occasion. The first prize for horsemanship was awarded to John McMullen, one of Hays's Texas rangers, and the second to Colonel H. L. Kinney, who was a competitor. The third, I think, was awarded to a Comanche Indian.

For several years Kinney's Ranch, on Corpus Christi bay, was the extreme frontier settlement on the southwest, and as it was exposed to frequent raids by the Indians, Colonel Kinney and his employes had many contests with them. He was one of those cool and fearless men who are espe-

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 6f

cially fitted by nature for a life of wild adventure, and his many exploits among the Indians would afford material for a most interesting narrative. We will give one instance as a fair sample of others.

The Comanche Indians are (or perhaps I should say were) one of the most warlike tribes on the American continent, and were greatly dreaded by Americans, Mexicans and other Indians. Seventeen of these warlike savages, under one of their chiefs, on one occasion attacked some houses near Colonel Kinney's ranch, and after killing or driving off the inmates, they hastily retreated.

Colonel Kinney, in company with eleven others, mounted upon their fleetest horses and gave immediate pursuit. After going a few miles they overtook the Indians on an open prairie. Both parties dismounted, and began the fight at a distance less than fifty yards. Each individual on both sides singled out his particular antagonist and did his best to destroy him. After the fight had continued for some time in this way, Santa Anna, the Indian chief, suddenly dashed to the front, and holding his shield of buffalo hide before him, he ran along the line of his opponents. The whites all fired at him, bat their balls only rattled harmlessly on his tough rawhide shield.

The object of this bold maneuver was soon apparent. The chief having drawn the fire of his antagonists, the In- dians rushed upon the whites before they had time to reload their guns. Colonel Kinney alone succeeded in mounting his horse before the Indians, with spears and tomahawks in their hands, were upon them. One of the whites was in- stantly killed, and another was speared and shot in several places with arrows. A young Mexican, a clerk of Colonel Kinney's, was speared and had his horse killed under him, which he had finally succeeded in mounting. The Colonel dragged the young Mexican up behind him on his own horse. Just at that juncture an Indian stuck his spear with such force into the Mexican's body that the blade went en- tirely through it and wounded Colonel Kinney in the back, and at the same moment a second Indian aimed a blow at the Colonel which missed him, but went through both sleeves of his buckskin hunting shirt. Whilst he was endeavoring to extricate himself from the spear, a third Indian rushed

68 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS

upon them and drove his spear through the bowels of the unfortunate Mexican youth behind him, who relaxed his hold and fell dead from the horse — but not unavenged, for Colonel Kinney instantly turned upon his assailant, drew a pistol from his holster and shot him dead on the spot.

All this while similar contests were going on between other Indians and Colonel Kinney's men, but at length find- ing that this hand to hand conflict was a losing game to them, the Indians sullenly withdrew from the field, leaving seven of their warriors dead on the ground, and there is but little doubt that the remaining ten were all more or less severely wounded. Of the eleven white men engaged in this fight, three were killed and all the rest wounded.

Certainly taking into consideration the small number of both parties, this was one of the hardest and most obsti- nately contested fights that ever took place between the whites and Indians on the Texas frontiers.

The great error of Colonel Kinney and his men was in shooting simultaneously at the chief, Santa Anna, protected as he was by his tough rawhide shield, which was impene- trable by the round balls in use at that da}'. Many Texans have lost their lives by imprudently wasting their shots on such shields. But since the introduction of improved fire arms and the conical ball, the Indians generally have laid them aside as useless incumbrances.

When the war broke out between the United States and Mexico, Corpus Christi became a rendezvous for troops and a depot of supplies. Whilst that State of affairs existed there, Colonel Kinney's energy and enterprise enabled him to take advantage of it, and he reaped a rich harvest. When the troops moved onward into Mexico, he accom- pained them, and accumulated a large fortune, through favorable contracts for supplying them with beef ^cattle, forage, etc.

After the war ended, he added greatly to it by buying up at nominal prices, Government teams, wagons, and other public property sold at auction where there were but few if any other bidders, which he afterwards disposed of in Texas at a handsome profit.

I can not vouch for its truth, but at the close of the war with Mexico, it was generally supposed that Colonel Kin-

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 69

ney was one of the wealthiest men in Texas; and certainly he lived in a style that would lead one to suppose he thought so himself. He seemed to think that his " strong box" was like the widow's cruse, and that it would replenish itself automatically whenever it was emptied. He built a fine residence at Corpus Christi where he kept open house for his friends and all comers, and a retinue of retainers about him who were generally paid high salaries for doing nothing.

Some time after the close of the war he married a daughter of Judge James Webb, one of the most able law- yers who ever practiced at the bar in Texas, and subse- quently he represented his section for several terms in the State Legislature, with credit to himself. The advance- ment of Corpus Christi was an especial hobby with the Colonel, and he expended money without stint in building tanks, wharves and warehouses, and otherwise improving the place. Among other improvements he had an artesian well bored to the depth of several hundred feet within the city, from which I believe there is yet flowing a stream of beautiful water, clear as crystal.

An old friend of mine — an acquaintance of Colonel Kin- ney— in furnishing me with a sketch of the life and charac- ter of the latter, gives quite an interesting and ludicrous description of his first experience with this artesian water, and at the risk of offending some of the good people who now reside in Corpus Christi, I will conclude this narative in the language of my friend. He says: "But unfortunately this water is a veritable whited sepulchre, beautiful to the sight, but salts and senna to the taste." Some of the citizens of Cor- pus Christi, however, assert that this water is a cure for all the ills that flesh is heir to, and I believe them, for certainly a few draughts of it would either cure or kill, and in either event disease would be eradicated effectually; and here, though somewhat out of place, I will venture to relate a little incident descriptive of my first introduction to this artesian well.

One very hot day many years ago I reached Corpus Christi tired and thirsty after a hard day's travel on horseback, and espying a clear sparkling stream of water pouring from *ih.e well I rode up to the door of a neighboring house in

70 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

which a man was standing and asked him if he would loan me a cup to get a drink. He replied, ''certainly," and when he handed me the cup I thought I saw a quizzical smile on his face, but at the time I did not suspect the cause of it. I rode up to the well, dismounted, placed the cup beneath the stream of clear, crystal water, and when it was full I hastily gulped down the whole contents, for I was very hot and thirsty. My first impression was that I had been struck by lightning, but as there was no cloud in sight I concluded I had been merely poisoned by an infernal mix- ture brewed in the depths of the earth by some malicious gnome. I was clawing wildly and frantically at my neck and going through various other undignified motions in my agony, when I happened to cast my eyes towards the door in which the man who had loaned me the cup had been standing. He was still there, but leaning doubled up against the door sill apparently in the last stages of uncon- trolable laughter. He had evidently been watching my proceedings the whole time in expectation of the denoue- ment. I quickly remounted my horse, returned him the cup I had borrowed, and then with tears in my eyes in- quired of him the nearest way to the nearest drug store. When he had given me the desired information as well as he could between his paroxysms, I hurried to the nearest drug store, bought a bottle of Number Six, swallowed its contents, and then tapered off with three or four doses of cold pressed castor oil before I could get rid of the farewell left bythat artesian water.

Since then I have often wondered that the citizens of Cor- pus Christi have not long ere this erected a monument to the memory of Colonel Kinney, not because he was the founder of their city, but because he has furnished them with an ample supply of the most economical water in the world, one drink of which will satisfy a man for a life time.

By his extravagant mode of living, his profuse hospitality and the money he expended in improving his town, Colonel Kinney in a very few years ran through the greater portion of the large fortune he had accumulated. When all was gone, he left Texas and went to Mexico, as he said, for the purpose of retrieving his fallen fortunes, and knowing him as well as I did, his indomitable energy and perseverence, I

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 71

have but little doubt he would have succeeded in doing so had he lived a few years longer. But shortly after he went to Mexico one of those periodical local revolutions occurred, for which our sister Republic is somewhat famous, and as Colonel Kinney was not one to stand idly by when a fight was going on, he was easily induced to take sides, and was killed in some trifling skirmish that took place between the contending factions.

Colonel Kinney had his faults, possibly some glaring ones, and the one who has not let him be the first to throw a stone at his memory, but they were largely counterbalanced by many sterling qualities. He was a brave man, staunch to his friends and loyal and true to his adopted State, in de- fense of which he was always ready to peril his life. His generosity was unbounded, his purse was always at the ser- vice of the needy, and no one ever applied to him for aid who did not get more than he asked.

When the news of his death reached his numerous friends and acquaintances in Texas, I will venture to say there was not one among them who did not sincerely regret his un- timely fate.

Colonel 3ach Ibapa

f% MONG the many noted Indian fighters who have LsJ figured in the border wars of Texas none perhaps hold | * a more conspicuous place than Colonel Jack Hays, the / subject of this little sketch. He was a native, I be- lieve, of Tennessee, and came to Texas when quite a young man some time previous to its annexation to the United States. He brought with him letters of recommenda- 1841 tion from prominent people to President Houston, who, not long after his arrival in this country, gave him a commission to raise a ranging company for the pro- tection of the western frontier. This company was, I be- lieve, the first regularly organized one in the service of the

72 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

country, at least in the west. With this small company, for it never numbered more than three score men, Colonel Hays effectully protected a vast scope of frontier country, reach- ing from Corpus Christi, on the gulf, to the head waters of the Frio and Nueces rivers.

It may seem incredible to those not acquainted with the facts that one small company of rangers should have been able to protect such an extended frontier against Indians and marauding parties of Mexicans. But it must be borne in mind that this small company was usually divided into squads of ten or twelve men each, who were almost always constantly in the saddle scouting over all parts of the coun- try, and consequently the Indians never knew where or at what moment one of these squads would pounce down upon them. And besides the rangers had so much the superi- ority of them in arms and horses that one of them was fully equal on any ground to five or six Indians, armed as they were at that time with only bows and arrows or old flint and steel guns still less effective.

Shortly after the invention of the five shooter by Colonel Colt he furnished the navy of Texas, under contract with the government, with fifty or sixty of these improved fire arms. Subsequently, as it was supposed they were more needed on the frontier than in the navy, they were turned over (or at least a portion of them), to Colonel Hays's rang- ing company. With these improved fire arms in their hands, then unknown to the Indians and Mexicans, I have not exaggerated in the least in stating as I have done that one ranger was a fair match for five or six Mexicans or In- dians.

Colonel Hays was especially fitted by nature for this fron- tier service. He was a man rather under the medium size, but wiry and active and gifted with such an iron constitu- tion that he was enabled to undergo hardship and exposure without perceptible effect, which would have placed the majority of men completely hors de combat. I have fre- quently seen him sitting by his camp fire at night in some exposed locality, when the rain was falling in torrents, or a cold norther with sleet or snow was whistling about his ears, apparently as unconscious of all discomfort as if he had been seated in some cosy room of a first class city hotel;

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 73

and this, perhaps, when all he had eaten for supper was a hand full of pecans or a piece of hard tack. But above all, he was extremely cautious where the safety of his men was concerned, but when it was a mere question of personal danger his bravery bordered closely on rashness.

When the war between the United States and Mexico broke out Colonel Hays was elected to the command of a regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, and at the storming of Monterey he and his regiment rendered effective service. Some time after the conclusion of the war he moved to the State of California, where he died several years ago; but his name has not been forgotten by the people of Texas, and will long be a household word among them.

As an appropriate place for them, I will herein relate a few of his battles with the Indians when in command of his ranging company, and also one or two of his personal ex- ploits.

In the fall of 1840, a party of Comanche Indians number- ing about two hundred came into -the vicinity of San An- tonio, stole a great many horses and made their way off toward the Guadalupe river.

Colonel Hays with about twenty of his men followed in pursuit of them. He overtook this formidable force at the crossing of the Guadalupe river. The Colonel, who wa& riding in front, as he usually did, was the first to discover the enemy. He rode back to his men and said "-Yonder are the Indians, boys, and yonder are our horses; the Iidians are pretty strong, but we can whip them, and recapture the horses; what do you say?" "Go ahead," the boys replied, "and we'll follow if there's a thousand of them." "Come on then, boys," said Hays, and putting spurs to their horses, this little band of twenty men boldly charged two hundred warriors who were waiting for them, drawn up in battle array.

Seeing the small number of their assailants, the Indians, made sure of victory, but in this they were badly mistaken, for the Texans charged them so furiously, firing a volley into their midst as they did so. that their line of battle was thrown into confusion. For a while, however, they stood their ground, and strove to overwhelm the Texans by mere force of numbers, but at length their braves began to

74 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

fall so rapidly before the continuous fire poured upon them that they wavered and commenced to give way. At this juncture their head chief while endeavoring to rally them, received a fatal shot and fell dead from his horse. The fall of the chief completely discouraged them and the retreat soon became a total rout, each one fleeing for his life before the victorious Texans.

Colonel Hays and his men pursued the retreating enemy vigorously for several miles, inflicting still further loss upon them and recapturing the greater portion of the stolen animals.

It was for such feats of personal prowess and daring as the following that Colonel Hays received from them the appellation of "Capitan Yack" (Captain Jack.)

In the fall of 1841, he was one of a party of fifteen or twenty men employed to survey some lands near what is called by the Indians "The Enchanted Kock." This rock forms the apex o; a high round hill very difficult to climb. In the center of this rock there is a circular hollow suffi- ciently large to allow a small party of men to lie in it, and Ls perpendicular sides formed an effective breastwork. While the surveyors were engaged in work not far from the base of this hill, they were attacked by a party of Indians.

At the time the attack was made, Colonel Hays, who was at some distance from the rest of his companions, ran up this hill and took his position on the top in the little hollow we have mentioned, determined to sell his life at the "high- est market price." He was well known to the Indians, and they were anxious, if possible, to get possession of his scalp. They mounted the hill, surrounded the rock and prepared to charge him. Hays was well aware that his life depended more upon tact and strategy than mere courage, and he re- solved to reserve his fire as the last alternative.

The Indians rushed towards him, hoping to draw his fire when they were yet at such a distance as to render it in- effective, but the Colonel was too wily to be caught in any such trap, and all he did was "to lay low and keep dark," and whenever the Indians came near enough to see the muzzle of his gun protruding from the walls of his little fortress their hearts would fail them and they would fall back. Several times they repeated this maneuver but always

CAPTAIN JACK HAYS.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 75

with the same result, for the Colonel was reserving his fire until they should come to close quarters, when he could make every shot tell. Finding there was no prospect of ob- taining the Colonel's scalp without running some risk to get it, the Indians made a charge upon his little fortress in earnest. The Colonel cooly waited their approach until they were so near that he could see the whites of their eyes when he suddenly rose up, presented his rifle, fired at the fore- most Indian, who fell dead in his tracks. The others, think- i ng he had his revolver in reserve (and in fact he had two of them) halted for a moment and then fell back again, giv- i ng the Colonel time to reload his gun. At length, however, ueeemingly furious at being kept at bay in this manner by a inngle man, the Indians made another charge upon him, yelling loudly as they came on. But as far as their yelling was concerned they might just as well have saved their breath, for the Colonel had been too often in the woods to be frightened by the hooting of owls. He let them advance until they came even nearer than they had been before, when he ''upped" one of them with his gun, and then seiz- ing his revolvers he emptied their contents so rapidly among the others that they hastily fell back again. Just at this moment his companions, who, all this while, had been lighting the main body of the Indians and at length had compelled them to retreat, hearing the firing at the summit of the enchanted rock, and suspecting the cause of it, has- tened to the Colonel's relief.

As soon as the Indians, who were beleaguring him in his little fortress, saw them coming, they retreated, dragging with them their wounded comrades, but leaving the dead behind. The survey j finished their work without any further interruption from the Indians.

In the year 1844 Colonel Hays, with fifteen of his com- pany, was out on a scout, the object of which was to dis- cover the rendezvous or haunts of certain bands of Indians who had recently been raiding the settlements. When about eighty miles distant frohi San Antonio, near the Per- denales river, they came in sight of fifteen Comanches, who were mounted on good horses and apparently eager for battle.

As Colonel Hays and his men advanced towards them, the Indians slowly drew off in the direction of a thick growth

76 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

of underwood, which convinced the Colonel that the Indians they saw were but a portion of a larger party who were con- cealed in the thicket. He therefore restrained the ardor of his men, who were anxious to charge upon those they saw; and, taking a circuitous route around the thicket, he drew up his little force on a ridge, with a deep ravine between them and the Indians. The Colonel was satisfied the Indians were in such force they would make the attack, and he wanted to secure an advantageous position or to choose his own Way of beginning the fight.

Finding they had failed to draw the rangers into the trap they had set for them, the Indians then showed themselves to the number of seventy-five. As soon as they did so, Colonel Hays moved his men slowly down the ridge until they reached the ravine, where they were concealed from view by the thick bushes that grew along the bank. When they reached this, point the rangers started at a full gallop, turned the ridge and gained the enemy's rear. The Indians, who were watching the place on the opposite side of the ravine where they had last seen them, had no intimation of their danger until they were startled by the sharp reports of a dozen rifles in their rear.

This created some confusion among the Indians, but they soon rallied and made a furious charge upon the rangers. To resist this, Colonel Hays formed his men in a square and ordered them to draw their five shooters. The Indians charged on all sides and fought bravely for a while, but after twenty-one of their warriors had fallen before the rapid fire of the five shooters, the remainder drew back. Colonel Hays then charged them io turn, and the fight was renewed. The battle lasted nearly an hour, both parties advancing and retreating alternately. At last the ammunition of the rangers was exhausted and their fire slackened. The chief, perceiving this, rallied his warriors for a final effort. As they were advancing, Colonel Hays discovered that the rifle of one of the rangers (Mr. Gillespie) was still loaded. He ordered him to dismount at once and shoot the chief. Gil- lespie did so, and at the report of his gun the chief dropped dead from his horse. This so demoralized the Indians that they fell back again and made no further attempt to charge the rangers.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 77

In this fight two rangers were killed and five wounded. Thirty of the Indians were left dead on the field. For good generalship, as well as for the cool, unflinching bravery of Colonel Hays and his rangers, and great disparity of num- bers, etc., this fight is certainly one of the most remarkable that has ever occurred in Indian warfare.

In 1845 a large party of Indians, to the number of two or three hundred, made a descent on the settlements west of San Antonio. After killing some people and stealing a large number of horses, they left for their mountain rendezvous. Colonel Hays having received information of this raid, went in pursuit of the Indians, determined, if possible, to over- take them, and by a forced march he came up with them aear the Frio river. The Indians numbered between two and three hundred, as previously stated, whilst Colonel Hays had but forty two men.

When the Indians saw the small number of rangers they had to contend against, they immediately drew up in line of battle and waited for the attack. Hays and his men were not in the least intimidated by the superior numbers of the enemy, and without waiting to form in line, they rapidly advanced towards the Indians.

When they were first discovered, Colonel Hays happened to be in the rear of his company, mounted on a mule, and as soon as those in front commenced firing on the Indians he hurried forward as rapidly as he could on his slow going charger. On his way he passed one of his men mounted on a fine horse, and who was evidently trying to hold him back. He called out to him and asked him why he did not let his horse go ahead. The man replied that if he did so his horse would run away with him. "Then," said Colonel Hays, "let me have your horse and you can ride my mule." The man readily agreed to this, and they quickly exchanged animals.

Colonel Hays being now mounted on a good horse, soon reached the front where the missiles of death were flying thick and fast. Here, however, he discovered that the man who owned the horse had told him the truth, for, in spite of all his efforts he found it was impossible to check his ex- cited and unruly charger. On he went, right into the thick- est of the Indians, ahead of all others except Flacco, a young

78 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

Lipan chief, who was also mounted on a splendid horse, and stuck closely to the Colonel's side. These two alone charged the Comanche line of battle with their five shooters in hand, passed entirely through it, and came out unhurt on the opposite side. The Comanches were so astounded at their reckless bravery that they opened a way for them as they advanced.

The rest of the company seeing this gallant feat of the Colonel and the young Lipan chief, and that it had thrown the Indians into some confusion, took advantage of it and rushed right in among them, each one with his five shooter in hand. The warriors stood their ground for a while, but seeing the numbers that were falling on every side before the rapid and continuous fire of these fatal five shooters, a panic at length seized them and they fled and scattered in every direction.

ISTot long after this fight Colonel Hays, with fifteen men of his ranging company, encountered and totally defeated the famous chief Yellow Wolf at the head of eighty Co- manche warriors. Among the men Colonel Hays had with him on this occasion were Ad. Gillespie, Samuel Walker, Samuel Luckie, Kit Ackland, and several others who subse- quently figured conspicuously during the war with Mexico. After a hand to hand fight, lasting for some time, the Indi- ans were totally routed, with the loss of one-half their num- ber. Among the slain was the chief, Yellow Wolf. The loss of the rangers was but one killed and three wounded.

The report of Colonel Hays as to the efficiency of the five shooter on this and former occasions, induced Colonel Colt to present him with one of his improved six shooters, on the cylinder of which there is an engraving representing a Texas ranger charging a party of Indians.

The battle above described with Yellow Wolf and his eighty warriors took place at the Pinta crossing of the Guadalupe river, between San Antonio and Fredericksburg.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 79

fflacco anb Castro,

FLACCO (heretofore mentioned) and Castro were chiefs of the Lipan tribe, and both were well known to the old settlers of Texas. They were both staunch friends to the whites, and were always ready to accompany them in the capacity of trailers and spies on any expedition against their hereditary foes, the Comanches. In this way they frequently rendered valuable service to their white allies.

Flacco was a large, fine looking Indian, and a man of veracity and undoubted courage. He was often with Col- onel Hays on his expeditions against the wild tribes and made himself conspicuous on many occasions by his daring feats. It was generally believed that Flacco was the man who killed the celebrated chief "Yellow Wolf" in the battle previously described. Castro's character was somewhat dubious, and he was rather cowardly, but withal shrewd and intelligent. On a certain occasion he paid a visit to President Lamar, accompanied by several of his wives. The President remarked to him, "I suppose, Castro, these are your daughters." 'No," he replied, "dem feller my wife." "Why," said the President, "are you not too old to have so many young wives?" "No," said Castro, "old wo- mans, young womans, ugly womans, any womans good for young mans, but young womans good for old man." Flacco was eventually killed near San Antonio by a marauding party of Mexicans; and Castro, too, has long since gone the way of all flesh.

As a general rule the Lipan s were unreliable, deceitful and treacherous. They always professed to be friendly to the whites, but it is well known that they frequently depre- dated upon their property, and would occasionally take a scalp when they thought they could do so with impunity The tribe is now extinct.

80 INDIAN DEPREDATION** IN TEXAS,

Colonel Ikarne**

ON the tenth of August, 1838, Colonel Karnes, with a company of twenty-one men, was attacked by a party of one hundred Comanches near the Arroyo Seco. The

savages were defeated, losing- a number of their war- riors, whilst the Texans escaped without further damage than the wounding of Colonel Karnes. About this time

there was a strange rebellion, if such it might be 1838 termed, at Nacogdoches. On the fourth of August

several citizens went in pursuit of some stolen horses which they found secreted in a Mexican settlement. On their way back they were fired on and one of their party killed. Some few citizens followed the murderers, but they soon ascertained from the size of the trail that the number of Mexicans, as they supposed them to be, was too great to be attacked with any hopes of success, and they abandoned the pursuit.

On the seventh of August Colonel John Durst reported to General Rusk that there were a hundred or more Mexicans on the Angelina river, under the leadership of Nathaniel Norris, Cordova and Cruz. General Rusk made an imme- diate requisition for men. A company of sixty volunteers from the town of Gonzales were stationed at the lower cross- ing of the Angelina river. On the ninth of August they reported that they had been fired on, and asked for assist- ance. This report proved to be incorrect, but the enemy were found posted on the right bank of the riverr

On the tenth it was reported that the Mexicans had been joined by about three hundred Indians, and on the evening of the same day that their whole force amounted to six hun- dred. The same day President Houston, who was then at Nacogdoches, received a letter from the Mexican leaders in which they disclaimed allegiance to Texas. Shortly after- ward they set out on their march to the Cherokee nation. As soon as President Houston was advised of this move-

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 81

ment he ordered General Busk not to cross the Angelina. Major Augustine was detached with one hundred and fifty men to follow the Mexican trail, while the main body of Texans under General Rusk marched to the headquarters of. the Cherokee chief, whither he learned the enemy had gone.

On reaching the Sabine river General Rusk discovered that the insurgent leaders had fled to the upper Trinity, and that their followers had dispersed.

This emuete was a very strange one. The object of these leaders was unknown, nor did any subsequent discovery throw any light upon it. They must hive known that a successful revolution was an impossibility.

On the twenty-fifth of October, 1838, at Jose Miria village, subsequently Fort Graham, a bloody battle wis fought by some Texans under Colonel O'Neal and a party of Coman- ches settled at that place. After a fierce conflict the In- dians fled, leaving many of their warriors dead upon the field.

The twentieth of the same month a party of surveyors were attacked by the Comanches within five miles of San Antonio and two of them killed. Some twelve or thirteen citizens went out to ascertain the intentions of these In- dians and when within three miles of San Antonio they were attacked by more than a hundred Indians. These citizens very imprudently charged this large body of In- dians, who at first gave way before them and then closed in around them. Eight of these citizens were killed and four wounded, only one man escaping unhurt.

On the eleventh of October of the same year General Rusk, at the head of two hundred men, arrived at Fort Houston, on the Trinity river, in pursuit of a motly crowd of Mexi- cans and Indians, who had been committing depredations on the frontier. Learning that the marauders were at the Kickapoo town he marched to that place and encamped at Bun set on the fifteenth instant.

At daybreak, on the sixteenth, he attacked the enemy, who stood their ground for about fifteen minutes, when General Rusk ordered his men to charge them, which they did in such gallant style that the enemy were thrown into disorder and were finally completely routed, the Texans pur-

82 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

suing them for nearly a mile. The enemy left eleven dead on the field and about the same number of the Texans were wounded but none killed.

Thus the whole frontier in this year, 1838, was lit up with the flames of savage warfare. The immediate cause <fcf hostilities was the opening of the land office in the beginning of the year. Surveyors and locators who were anxious to secure the best lands had gone out beyond the settlements and began their operations. The Indians seeing them at work believed that the Mexicans had told them the truth when they said that the white people would take all their hunting grounds and drive them from the country. The hostilities of the Indians was undoubtedly in a great meas- use caused by this state of affairs, and the Mexicans who had not forgotten their defeat at San Jacinto and the cap- ture of Santa Anna, sought to revenge themselves by induc- ing the Indians to wage a border war upon the Texans

[See 2 Yoakum, 245.]

3obn IRoiin,

fY\ R. NOLIN was employed by the United States gov- II ernment in 1S71 to haul supplies from Jacksboro to 1*1 Fort Griffin. He had in his charge ten teamsters " *a with their wagons and teams. On his way, and

when about sixteen miles north of Salt creek, where he had encamped, his train was attacked by ninety or one hundred

Kiowa Indians. The men were not aware of the pres- 187 1 ence of the Indians until they were pouring a-deadly

fire in their midst. Four of the teamsters were killed it once, leaving only seven men to defend the train. Elated at this success, the Indians rapidly closed in upon them. One of the teamsters was so badly frightened that he ran away, hoping to escape by flight, but some of the Indians followed him and soon killed and scalped him. Three team- sters only were fortunate enough to escape. One poor fel- low, who was so badly wounded that he was unable to walk,

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 83

was tied to the wheel of his wagon, which was then fired by the Indians and he was slowly roasted alive.

After the Indians had plundered the wagons of their con- tents they collected the horses and mules, about forty in number, and left. The gallant Colonel McKenzie started in pursuit of these Indians, intending if necessary to follow them into the nation, but was prevented from doing so by order of his superior officer

Samuel IRobertson

pt\ R. ROBERTSON was a resident of Bastrop county.

I I I In the latter part of the summer of 1838 Mr. Rob- 1*1 ertson and a man named Dollar were employed by * ^ Mr. Thomas Glasscock in getting out timber from

a pinery near the town of Bastrop. One day whilst en- gaged at this business their attention was suddenly drawn to their horses, which were snorting loudly at some- 1838 thing that had alarmed them. Their horses were tied close by for the purpose of riding to and from their work. Looking around to see what it was that fright- ened their animals they discovered a large party of Indians within a few rods of them. The two men instantly mounted their horses and endeavored to escape, but the Indians, who were coming at full charge when they first discovered them, soon overtook them. Both men were unarmed. The Indians fired on them and shot a ball through Mr. Robert- son which brought him to the ground and so disabled him he could make no resistance. The Indians soon dispatched him. Mr. Dollar was more fortunate and escaped unhurt. His horse was a very fleet one and the Indians were unable to come up with him. However, as he was not well ac- quainted with the country he soon came to a deep ravine which could not be crossed on horseback. There was no time to be lost. He sprang from his horse, left him, and took down the ravine on foot and thus succeeded in making his escape. These Indians were followed but were not caught.

84) INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

Sobnsoit'B Station.

THIS station was on the overland mail route leading from St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco, California. At this station the contractors had several hands employed — seven men and one woman. It was the business of three of these men to take care of the horses belonging to the stand. On the twenty-seventh of March, 1857, a body of about two hundred and fifty Comanches attacked 1857 the station. The parties who had charge of the horses at the time had them grazing outside the inclosure. They were hoppled or side-lined with chains fastened by locks, so that only those who had the keys could take them off.

The Indians first attacked the three men outside and drove them from the horses they were guarding into the station. Supposing there was a considerable number of men in the station, the Indians did not make an immediate attack upon it, but hastened to secure the horses left outside. To their surprise and vexation, however, they found it impossible to remove the hopples. They tugged and pulled at them for some time, but finding it was all to no purpose, they cut off the poor animals' legs and left them in that condi- tion.

As they had not been fired on from the station, the Indians came to the conclusion that there were but few men to defend it, and that they could take it without running any great risk. The station was merely a double log cabin, with a ten foot hall between the two rooms. One room was used for a kitchen or cook house and the other for a" dwell- ing. When the Indians approached, the six men and the woman took refuge in the dwelling room, as it was more solidly constructed than the other, and barred the door securely; but, for want of time, the door of the cook room was left unfastened. The Indians, therefore, entered it without any opposition and plundered it of everything they thought would be of any use to them. They then concluded it was time to take the scalps of the occupants of the other

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 85

room. But they were somewhat at a loss as to how they should proceed in this undertaking, as they knew from ex- perience it was a very dangerous matter to attack even a small number of armed men when protected by the walls of a house.

However, they gathered all their forces around the sta- tion and made their arrangements to take it by a general assault. The men within seized their guns and presented them through the port holes of the house. The Indians, not fancying that kind of a demonstration, retreated back for some distance, and then challenged the whites to come out and give them a fair fight, but the whites could not see ex- actly how there was to be anything like a fair fight between six men and two hundred and fifty Indians, and conse- quently they declined to leave their fort. Finding they could not induce the occupants of the building to come out, they attached burning torches to the heads of their arrows and shot them upon the roof. In this way they finally suc- ceeded in setting the house on fire. The men inside the building then called to the Indians in Spanish, which they all understand, and told them that they were coming out well armed, and if they would let them pass they would leave and not fire upon them, but if they did not agree to this, that they would kill as many as they could. To this the Indians consented, mainly, no doubt, for the rea- son that they supposed there was rich spoil in the building, and they wished to secure it before it was burnt.

The door was then opened and the six men and one woman marched out in line to a neighboring grove with their rifles in their hands, and their thumbs on the ham- mers, ready for action. As they advanced the Indians made a wide opening in their ranks to permit them to pass, and did not attempt to interfere with them. But just as the whites were entering the grove before mentioned, they met an Indian coming out who looked intently at Mrs, Evaness, the wife of one of them, and said in plain English that he would like to have that woman, and that he would have her before he left.

Mr. Evaness, the lady's husband, heard what he said, and instantly presenting his rifle, he drove a bullet through the scoundrel's body, killing him on the spot. Immediately the

86 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

other Indians rushed to the assistance of their fallen com- rade and opened fire upon the little band of whites. One bullet struck Mr. Evaness on the side of his face and came out of bis mouth. Mrs. Evaness was also shot in the side, but not dangerously. At this juncture the United States mail coach came in sight, and the Indians fled, thinking probablv that a body of dragoons were close at hand.

The stage took the party of whites on board and conveyed them to the next station where they were properly cared for. Mr. and Mrs. Evaness both recovered from their wounds.

flDicbael tyoung.

IN the winter of 1842, five Indians came in the settlements on the Colorado river on a horse thij \ ing expedition. They spent the night in search of them, but only suc- ceeded in stealing one. Finding that day was approach- ing and fearing discovery, they concluded to leave with the one horse they had secured. A dense fog was prevailing at the time which prevented them from pursuing a direct 1842 course from the settlements, and when day broke, they found themselves near the residence of Mr. Michael Young. Mr. Young's little son was out at the time driving up the calves, and the Indians discovered him. They slipped up slyly behind him, and one of the Indians threw a lasso over his head intending to take him prisoner, but the little fellow was too quick for them. He slipped the rope from his neck and made towards the house with such speed that the Indians did not dare to follow him. As soon :.3 he reached the house, he told his father what had occurred, who mounted his horse at once, collected some of his neighbors and pursued the Indians. There had been heavy rains for several days previous, and as the ground was soft, the Indians could be readily trailed. After pur- suing them about twelve miles, they caught sight of the Indians as they were passing over a high hill. They waited until they were out of view, and then charged after them.

INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS. 87

Arriving at the top of the hill, they discovered that the Indian on horseback was in about two hundred yards of them at the head of a deep ravine. The whites at first were a little dubious about charging him, as they thought it prob- able it was his intention to lead them into an ambuscade, but as the ground around was all open prairie, they deter- mined to attack him and take the chances, which they did. When the Indians saw them coming, one of those on foot sprang up behind the one who was riding, but a shot from one of the Texans brought the horse down,, and thus all the Indians were left afoot. They then separated and ran in every direction. There were fifteen Texans on horseback in pursuit of five Indians, and yet it took them about four hours to get them all. They ran until all were killed. The last one was killed at least twelve miles from where the o base began.

A Mr. Haynes, who had shot down one of the Indians, and supposed he had killed him, walked up incautiously near him while his gun was empty. As he approached the Indian suddenly raised up and was about to shoot an arrow at him, when Haynes sprang quickly forward and struck him a heavy blow on the head with the breech of his rifle. This only knocked the Indian down, and he soon rose again with his bow in his hand. But before he could fit an arrow to the string Haynes struck him another tremendous blow, this time with the barrel of his gun, and killed him in- stantly.

Mr. Young also made a very narrow escape under similar circumstances. He also had shot one of" the Indians down and walked up to him just as Mr. Haynes had done, with his empty gun on his shoulder. The Indian was omy "play- ing 'possum" to get a chance to kill one man before he died. He lay perfectly still until Young was in a few feet of him, when he suddenly rose and shot an arrow at him, striking Young just below the breast bone. But the Indian's strength was too far gone, and he could not shoot with sufficient force to send the arrow home. The wound, however, though not mortal, was a very painful one, and it was some time before Young recovered from it. He is now an old man, and is truly one of the veterans of Texas. No one ever served his country with more zeal and fidelity than he.

88 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS IN TEXAS.

3oM Eaelestcn,

JOHN EAGLESTON" immigrated to Texas at an early day, passed safely through all the dangers incident to frontier life and the war against Mexico, and was killed at last by Indians on the streets of Bastrop. In the winter of 1838 the Indians were exceedingly hostile, and their raids were of frequent occurrence. People were compelled to keep their stables and lots well locked and guarded to 1838 prevent their horses from being stolen, and even such precautions often availed but little, for whenever the Indians found it impossible to effect an entrance into stables and ]ots, they often revenged themselves by shooting the animals through crevices and bars with arrows. This they could easily do without causing an alarm, for, unlike the gun, the bow and arrow did their fatal work unaccom- panied by any report.

Near Eagleston's residence, one of his neighbors, Carter Anderson, had picketed in a large lot, for the safe keeping of his stock, the gate of which was fastened every night with a chain and pad lock.

One very dark night in January, 1838, Eagleston happened to be walking on the street near Anderson's lot. Hearing a rattling of the chain at the gate and thinking probably some one was trying to enter it he concluded to investigate the matter. As he approached the gate he heard, as he thought, the grunting of hogs, and seeing several dark ob- jects moving in the vicinity, he naturally supposed, they were hogs and turned to retrace his steps. Just as he did so an arrow struck him in the breast. Eagleston fled, crying out "Indians" as he went. There were a few men on guard at the time, who heard his cries and hurried to his assist- ance, but they were unable to pursue the Indians, for the night, as we have said before, was a very dark one, and they