The Tramp Sheepman of the Pecos

Hardships and successes of Sheepmen of Pecos County

Further mentions: Characters:: Willis, The Tramp Sheepman, Harrall Brothers,

Locations: Pecos River, Glass Mountains, Brewster County, Rio Grande, Independence Creek, Fort Stockton, Leoncita, Pecos County, Colorado City, Comanche Creek, Stag Saloon,

RECALLS INDIAN ENCOUNTERS

Charles J. Spruill, resident of the city of Lampases, Texas, is perhaps one of the oldest citizens of that district. He went there with his father, Jack Spruill, when a small boy, and in 1858 his father settled in the Nix community, twelve miles west of Lampasas. This story recalls Inian troubles in the area.

Further Mentions: the McCrea settlement * Alex Brown * Mrs Dudley Moore * Mrs. Mary Daggett *

The Chili Queens of San Antonio

By Frank H. Bushick

Every class of people in every station of life patronized them in the old days. Some were attracted by the novelty of it, some by the cheapness. A big plate of chili and beans, with a tortilla on the side, cost a dime, ten cents.

Further mentions: Characters:: Bryan Callaghan, J. I. Lighthall,

Locations: San Antonio, Military Plaza, Market Plaza, Alamo City,

Did Sam Bass Kill Grimes?

By Hugh Nugent Fitzgerald

Further mentions: Characters:: Sam Bass, Frank Jackson, Harry N. Graves, A. W. Grimes, W. K. Makemson, Morris Moore, Simon Juda, S. S. Munger, Oscar B. Colquitt,

Locations: Round Rock, Williamson County, Travis County,

The Painted Rocks of the Concho

The painted Rocks of Nest Texas are a mystery unsurpassed by any other similar landmark. On the walls of a High rocky cliff, about a quarter of a mile from the Concho river, overlooking this river and the picturesque little town of Paint Rock, the county seat of Concho county, are the peculiarly crude handwritings.

Legends in regard to these inscriptions are many and conflicting. As to their date or meaning, nothing is known definitely. Cattle herders of earlier days found the writings in existence before the country was settled, and it is the general belief that the picture writings were done by Indians and that they tell of the struggles between the Indians and white men when the white men were crowding the Indians and buffalo off the Texas prairies. One tradition is to the effect that near this mountain-like cliff Indian youths were sent to spend several days of fasting to prove their eligibility for adult tribal membership, and that the writings record the incidents of bravery or suffering that they experienced. This is the story.

Further mentions: Characters:: Sioux Indians

Locations: Painted Rocks, West Texas, Concho River, Concho County,

A Note on Texas

By Charles J. Finger

Further mentions: Characters:: Leonard Doughty, David Harum, Black Jack, Tom Ketchum, Laura Bullion, Claude Hudspeth, Roy Hudspeth, Mollie Baillie, David Guion, Clay McGonagil, Joaquin Miller, Boogher Red, Morley Roberts, Nick Hughes, Loop Reed, Jim B. Gillett, Neal Nuland, Judge John I. Guion,

Locations: Goldthwaite, San Angelo, Oxona, Crockett County, Sonora, Tom Green County, Irion County, Presidio County, El Paso County, Schleicher County, Runnels County, Ballinger, Concho River, Devil’s River, Pecos City, Carlsbad, Penasco, Guadalupe, Rio Grande, Maxon Springs, Menardville, Fort Stockton, Fort Hancock, Ysleta, Ballinger, Fredericksburg, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Galveston,

The Train Robber’s Vengeance Miscarried

By John W. Shevlin

This lengthy account written by a lawman whose life was threatened by the "wild bunch of Jackson hole, WY", answers the question: "Whatever became of Ben Kilpatrick, the train robber?"

Further mentions: Characters:: Ben Kilpatrick, Laura Bullion, Bill Carver, Harvey Logan, Butch Cassidy, Harry Longbrough, Alphonse Guion, James Burke, John J. McGrath, William P. Grady, George Williams, David A. Trousdale, Henry Gibbel,

Locations: Laramie, Wyoming, Jackson’s Hole, Wyoming, St. Louis, Black Hills, South Dakota, Rosebud, South Dakota, Tom Green County, Lame Johnny Ranch, Buffalo Gap, Fall River County, Valentine, Omaha, Sioux City, Nebraska, Sanderson, Sonora,

Early Coryell County History

By J. H. Crisman

The First settlement of Coryell County, Texas, was at Fort Gates, near the Leon River, six miles below the town of Gatesville. In the year 1849 the United States Government established a fort in honor of General Gates, a Federal officer. The garrison consisted of three companies of cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant Horace Haldeman, and these troops were sent there from Austin and in their march to Fort Gates passed through Bell County and laid out what was subsequently known as "old military road," entering the county near Prairie Dell, thence to Salado Springs, thence to Lampasas River, crossing at Bob Childers (now known as Shanklin's Mill), thence to Nolan Springs where Belton is now situated, thence to the Leon near the present bridge and thence to Fort Gates. Afterward another road was opened west of Belton which made a shorter route between Austin and over which military supplies were transported. As soon as this fort was established nearly all the families in the upper country, comprising all the settlements above the three forks of Little River, upon invitation of the military authorities and for protection against the Indians, moved to Fort Gates and were provided with temporary but comfortable homes which were erected by the United States soldiers. Very soon good log barracks were built for the families residing there, and hence Fort Gates was the nucleus of the settlement of Coryell County, and most of the immigration came there for protection, until it grew to be a considerable settlement. This account goes on to describe much rich detail about the earliest days of the county.

Further Mentions: Fort Chadbourne * Fort Phantom Hill (now in Taylor County.) * James Coryell, a Texas pioneer who was killed by the Indians at the falls of the Brazos * Mr. Newton C. Duncan * O. T. Tyler was elected Chief Justice; T. B. Pollard, District Clerk; John C. Russell, County Clerk ; Jesse Harrol, Sheriff ; R. G. Grant, County Treasurer; and old man Carson, Justice of the Peace. Harvy Hicks, A. Flanery, J. L. Montgomery and Thomas Trimier were elected County Commissioners * Rev. J. H. Collard * R. G. Grant * Waco, Belton and Marlin * the Cotton Belt Railroad * Leon Junction * William H. King, of Houston * H. McKay and Col. William C. Dalrymple * Bee House Creek * Mr. Draggle Tail * Tom Deaton * R. E. B. Baylor * The first District Court in Coryell County was opened on the 1st day of March, 1856 * Nicholas W. Battle, of Waco, Distract Attorney ; Leroy H. Allen, Sheriff ; T. B. Pollard, District Clerk; Samuel Friend, Foreman of the Grand Jury, J. L. L. McCall, from, Waco * F. W. Fauntleroy and John C. Russell * The court house was situated on the South East corner of the public square and was 20x30 feet, one story high, was built of plank, in 1854, by Jack Turney * Charles Plain * Henson Creek * Col. H. W. Cook who lived a few miles above Gatesville on the Mayberry place * Col. J. M. Norris, W. W.. Hammack * Mullens' ranch * Neal's Creek in Bosque County * Mrs. Wood and Miss Lemley * the town of Stephenville, * Monroe * Knight * Capt. R. B. Barry * Johnson's Peak * old man Perryman, who lived on Cow House Creek * Gus Fore * Among the earliest merchants in Gatesville were R. G. Grant, T H. Robertson, and Friley and Chrisman (a firm composed of Jas. R.. Saunders and this writer). In 1859 the leading merchants were John Carnes and Shipp Carnes and Sanders and Wilkerson (a firm composed of Jas. R.. Sunders and W. W. Wilkerson) and Girard and Norris (a firm composed of Thomas Girard and Col. J. M. Norris.) * early settlers who lived at Fort Gates before the County site was located; Hugh Sheridan, old man Carson, Burrell Hood and family, Thomas Caufield, L. M. Robertson, J. L. Montgomery, Sol Friley, T. B. Pollard and family Leroy H. Allen and wife, O. T. Tyler, Robert Childers and others. At. and before the organization of the county there were living elsewhere in the county, R. G. Grant, B. W. Hammack, D. A. Hammack, George Adams, W. W. Hammack, J. A. Haynes, Wiley Wilkev, Anderson Arrowwood, B. W. Hunnicut, Sam Padget, George Coop, Asa Langford, the Pidcoke boys, Moreheld, Alford, Able Tipton and Elam who was murdered by the Indians, Lemuel Murrell, Hugh Bailey, Sam Friend, George W. Haley, the Mussets, Larges, Lathams, Chandlers, Perryman, Thompsons, Darnels, Everetts,- John Potter, D. Gray, Rev. J. H. Collard and many others.

Miss Ann Whitney, The Frontier Heroine

Gripping story of Hamilton county, TX frontier schoolteacher, Ann Whitney who was murdered by the Comanche Indians, in giving her life to save the children of the Warlene Valley school.

Further mentions: Characters:: Ann Whitney, Alex Powers, Lewis Manning, John Kuykendall, Amanda Howard, Tom C. Pierson, J. G. W. Pierson, Isaac Kuykendall,

Locations: Hamilton County, Warlene Valley School,

Sad and heroic letters home from two noble soldiers who were prisoners in the ill-fated Mier (Mexico) expedition.

Further mentions: Characters:: W. P. Miller, Santa Anna, Abner S. Mcdonald, Thomas J. Rusk, Dr. Rouse,

Locations: Prison House, Columbia, Goliad, Rio Grande, San Antonio,

Mrs. Holmsley Went up the Chisholm Trail

By D. K. Doyle

Mrs. Minta Holmsley of Comanche is among those pioneers who recall with fond reminiscence, that they "went up the trail." So far as she knows there are only two women who can, claim this distinction. The other is Mrs. Amanda Burks of Cotulla, vice president of the Old Trail Drivers' Association, and generally known as the "Queen of the trail." This is Holmsley’s story.

Further mentions: Characters:: Minta Holmsley, Amanda Burks, James M. Holmsley, John Wesley Hardin, Robert T. Hill,

Locations: Chisholm Trail, San Angelo, Concho Post, Comanche, Cotulla, Comanche County,

Spur Revives Memories of Brushy Creek Battle

By Kate Holland Makemson

Williamson county was the scene of many incidents of historic importance connected with the early days of Texas. An old rust-eaten spur of Spanish design found in a field a few miles south of Taylor has recalled the battle of Brushy creek, which took place at that point in 1839 between a little band of valorous pioneers and a horde of Comanche Indians variously estimated at from 200 to 300, who had previously made an attack on settlers in the Colorado valley, killing men and women and carrying children away into captivity. This is the story of how men, under the leadership of Captain Jacob Burleson, followed the Indians to a point near Brushy creek, south of the present location of Taylor, where an engagement took place.

Further mentions: Characters:: Jacob Burleson, Martha Emmons, Edward Blakey, John Walters, James Gilliland, Albert Coleman, J. W. Robertson, Jesse Billingsley, Noah Smithwick, John Henry Brown,

Locations: Williamson County, Taylor, Brushy Creek, Bastrop, Austin, Travis County, San Jacinto, Georgetown, Milam County,

Harrowing Experience of Mrs. Kirby

Indians in 1871 killed the husband and two children of Mrs. E. K. Kirby. Mrs. Kirby remembers vividly the details of the Indian raid, and in this account describes the killing of her three loved ones, the wounding of her 18-month-old babe, Joel; the kidnapping of her little girl, and the fearful pain in her shoulder as she jumped from a 20 foot bluff to escape the Indians who had shot her in the shoulder and were intent upon scalping her. Mrs. Kirby was then Mrs. Terry.

Further mentions: Characters:: Mrs. E. K. Kirby, Jack Hardy, Riley Van Pelt, John Patterson, Bill Pruitt,

Locations: Uvalde, Center Point, Leakey, Real County, Rio Frio,

McCulloch County of Fifty-Two Years Ago

By D. H. Henderson

Account of Mr. D. H. Henderson who came to McCulloch county from Louisiana in oxdrawn wagons, in company with his three son-in-laws, T. S. Wood and family, C. C. Turner and family, and G. W. Roberts and family.

Further Mentions: M. Spiller and family, Jack Davis and family, Cal Davis and family. * Dan Wills * the Davis and Spiller settlement * Lost Creek where Fredonia now is * James Williams and family * Tobe Williams * Latham settlement just over in San Saba county * Lawrence Hayes and family * John Latham and family * the widow Couch * , T. J., J. L., Wade, George, Will and Jim * Charley and Sime and Mrs. D. D. Willis * Mrs. Hayes and three sons, Ab, John and Dick * Mrs. John Capps and Miss Dollie * Tom and Riley Latham * F. M. Miller, Harvie Miller and Bill Miller * Up the river, near where Voca is, was the Miller settlement * Bill Miller * Brady Creek * Mrs. G. A. Spiller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Miller, and Mrs. W. C. Deans, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Miller * Round Rock * Dick Kiser * the Melvin ranch house * Anthony Conner *

WELL KNOWN TRAIL DRIVER DEAD

Brief account of John Albert Miller, Bandera, Texas. Mr. Miller was a well known trail driver, and was an enthusiastic member of the Old Time Trail Drivers' Association.

Further Mentions: His parents Mr. and Mrs. John G. Miller * Miss Jennie C. Davenport, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Davenport, pioneer settlers of the Cibolo region, 16 miles northeast of San Antonio. * the John James ranch * Jennie Miller * George C. Miller * Mrs. Julia Meyer of Belton, Tex

Pension the Indian Fighters

Article includes the full text of the bill passed by Congress to pension the many old Indian fighters.

Early Day Stage Robbery In Llano County

By Mrs. A. W. Koock

This account describes the stagecoach hold-up which occurred in Llano county, near the town of Llano in the year of 1883. The passengers were Misses Jennie Todd, (later Mrs. Morgan Hamilton, of Chickasha, Ok.) Miss Cora Bridges, (later Mrs. J. W. White of Mason, Texas), and G. W. Todd. They were returning from Austin after having spent several days in the city. They were only a short distance outside the town of Llano, and it was about two o'clock p. m. The stage-driver was in good spirits, and the horses were fresh and going at their usual speed. As was the usual case on occasions of stage robberies, it happened at a time when it was least expected, it being outside the city of Llano. This is the story of that event.

Further mentions: Characters:: Jennie Todd, Mrs. Morgan Hamilton, Cora Bridges, Mrs. J. W. White, G. W. Todd,

Locations: Llano County, Mason, Austin,

A PIONEER PASSES

Brief account of life and death of William Densley (Seco) Smith, Medina, Texas. Includes excellent old photo. He was born , in Franklin county, Mississippi, October 21, 1836 and with his parents went to California during the gold rush. He came to Texas in 1856, settling near San Antonio, later moving to the Seco river in Bandera county. In 1857 he was married to Miss Amanda Coker of San Antonio, three children being born to this union…

Further Mentions: His wife died in 1863 * he was married to Miss Julia A. Long * Seven children were born to this union * Miss Elizabeth Akin of Bandera county * the Hondo river * Big Foot Wallace *

An Indian’s Speech

By Justice C. H. Crownhart

Touching speech by the Indian, Red Jacket.

Those Good Old Days

By W. O. Williams

An old-timer Reminisces on life in pioneer days.

The Last Indian Fight in Southwest Texas

By W. F. Cude

The last Indian fight in Southwest Texas occurred in the last days of December, 1872, about thirty miles west of Oakville, on Turkey Creek.

The author along with a friend, Andy M. Tullis had decided to go out on Springy Creek hunting. They camped there a day and night, but having no luck, retreated back four or five miles towards Oakville and camped overnight. The next afternoon they started home. The sight of a bunch of men driving horses in the distance proved to be…

Further Mentions: the Hackbery Water Hole * Sebastian Bell * John D. Edwards, Rance and Andy Tullis, Caleph Coker, Cullen Andrews, Bob and Lem Nations, Pleas Waller, Tome Odom, John Wilson, Sebastian Bell, Jim Moore, Hedge Williams, Joe Osgood * Steve Walker * John Campbell ranch* Dr. Reagan *

Brief History of Texas

Further mentions: Characters:: Cabeza De Baca, Coronado, La Salle, De Leon, Phillip Nolan, Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, General Cos, General Edward Burleson, Ben Milam, Santa Anna, David Burnet, William Travis, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, General Fannin, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Anson Jones, J. Pinckney Henderson, Edward Clark, George Lee, General Gordon Granger, A. J. Hamilton, Andrew Johnson, J. W. Throckmorton, Phillip Sheridan, E. J. Davis, Richard Coke,

Locations: Galveston, St. Joseph Island, El Paso, Ysleta, Lavaca Bay, Fort St. Louis, Neches River, Crockett, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, San Antonio, Gonzales, Goliad, Velasco, Anahuac, San Felipe, Alamo, San Jacinto, Coleto, Buffalo Bayou, Harrisburg, Austin, Rio Grande, Sabine Pass, Brownsville,

PIONEER MOTHER

Account of Mrs. Amelia Ann Holbrook, Fentress, Texas. Her mother, who before her marriage was Letitia Rector, moved to Texas with her parents in 1831 and settled near the little town of Columbia on the Brazos River.

Further Mentions: Her Grandfather’s (Morgan Rector) participation in "The Runaway Scrape" * T. D. James, a Ranger under Captain Henry McCulloch * Big-foot Wallace * Geronimo Creek near Seguin * Mrs. Ireland * William E. Jones, first editor of the San Antonio Express * E. H. Holbrook, one of the pioneer preachers of Texas * Thirty years of her married life were spent in Karnes County. It was here that her only daughter, Anna, and her husband passed away only one year apart * San Marcos Academy * Wessin Holbrook Jr * Burt and Wessin Holbrook * Mrs. J. Maurice Golson * Mrs. Martha Ritman * Ike James of Corpus Christi * Captain G. W. Smith, of Sonora