Vol 05 No. 01 - October 1927

Big Tree’s Rage in Montague County

By W. A. Morris, Montague, Texas

Account of January 4, 1863, Indian chief Big Tree and his men ravage settlers’ homes and families.

Characters: Miss Rachel Dennis, Mrs. C. F. Dennis, Captain D. S. Hagler, A. H. Newberry, Henry Newberry, H. B. Newberry, W. D. Anderson, J. C. McGracken, George Masoner, G. W. Williams, Alfred Williams, Dave McGracken, Mr. Carlton, Austin Perryman, William Perryman, Sam Dennis, Nathan Long, Savil Wilson, Old Man Menasco, Mrs. Shegog, B. G. Parkhill, Arthur Parkhill, Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, Col. Leavenworth, Mrs. Thomas Hardy.

Locations: Montague, Willa Walla Valley, Forrestburg, Jim Ned Lookout Mountain, Clear Creek, Blocker Creek, Gainesville, Elm Creek

Captain Hughes, Of the Texas Rangers

Account of Captain John R. Hughes, of Ysleta, near El Paso, Texas. For twenty-eight years he chased outlaws of high and low degree in the wild region bordering on the Rio Grande. He knew every curve and bend of the international boundary stream from its mouth to El Paso, more than twelve hundred miles; he was familiar with the haunts in the innermost recesses of the hills and mountains, where hardpressed bandits were most likely to seek refuge; he could follow the dimmest trail through the thick-growing chaparral of South Texas, knowing just where it was going to lead; he knew the name and history of every criminal who infested the border territory duing the time he served as a Texas Ranger. This of itself was no small accomplishment, considering the fact that the list of outlaws numbered well up into the hundreds, and probably into the thousands. When Captain Hughes would begin chase, it was certain to have one of two endings: Either the fugitives were captured or they were killed. This is an excellent story of the great man. Also includes 2 group photos of Rangers.

Characters: Captain John R. Hughes, Sergeant Charles Fusselman, Captain Frank Jones, Charles F. Dodge, Catarina Garza, Victor Sebra, Waller T. Burns

Locations: Ysleta, El Paso, Rio Grande, Austin, Marfa, Big Bend Region, Colorado River, Franklin Mountains, Alice, Menard, Fort Worth, Travis County, Williamson County, Georgetown, Camp Wood, Nueces Canyon, Brownsville, Fort Hancock, Pirate Island.

The Trail Drivers Helped To Make Texas History

By Sam H. Stokes, Sonora, Texas

Mr. Stokes remembers the good ol’ days…Also includes a photo.

I was born November 15, 1860, in Madison county, Texas, and lived there until the break up of the Civil War. My father moved to Lavaca county, where he died in 1870, and his remains now rest in an unmarked grave at Hallettsville. My uncle, John M. Dawson, who, in after years, became prominent as a cattle baron, came down and moved us to Caldwell county, in 1872. We located on the head of Lytton Creek, on what was then called the McDonald Ranch. Lockhart was our trading point. That year I helped my uncle move two herds of cattle from near Columbus to Caldwell county. The following year, 1873, I helped him in getting together a herd of cattle to be driven to some point in Kansas. I helped to start the herd and went with him to the Colorado River. I then began working for Joe (Cedar Creek) Bunton, and worked with the Buntons for several years. I remember most of the old cattlemen, including the Buntons, the Blockers, Montgomerys, Ellisons, Withers, George Hill, Col. J. J. Myers, Old Man Ed Thompson, Oscar Thompson, W. B. (Bill) White, the Harris Brothers, Nat and Alvin Haynes, Arch Larimore, Berry Roebuck, the Murray Brothers...

Characters: George W. Saunders, John M. Dawson, Joe Bunton, Blockers, Montgomerys, Ellisons, Mark Withers, George Hill, Col. J. J. Myers, Ed Thompson, Oscar Thompson, W. B. White, Harris Brothers, Nat And Alvin Haynes, Arch Larimore, Berry Roebuck, Murray Brothers, John Murray, Zack Strucken, Captain Millett, Bill Wharton, Mack Stewart, Billie Henson, Susan B. Woodruff, Gamble Dawson, John M. Dawson, Ann Eliza Dawson, Josiah H. Stokes

Locations: San Antonio, Madison County, Lavaca County, Hallettsville, Caldwell County, Lytton Creek, McDonald Ranch, Lockhart, Columbus, Sonora, Bastrop County, Old Red Rock, Clear Fork Of The Brazos, Seymour, Red River, Old Doan’s Crossing, Fort Sill, Cimarron, Dodge City, Houston, Galveston

A Texas Boy’s First Experience on the Trail

By J. L. McCaleb, Carrizo Springs, Texas

J. L. McCaleb tells of his first trail drive as a boy. Includes a picture of Bill Longley, noted Texas desperado.

Characters: J. L. McCaleb, Farnsworth, Captain Fleming, Billy Lane

Locations: Hays County, Blanco, Lamar County, Austin, Georgetown, Waco, Dallas, Red River, Colbert’s Ferry, Paris

Some Panhandle History

Account of the life and experiences of "Uncle Johnnie", John J. Long who was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1851. He came to Texas in 1874 with the General Nelson A. Miles expedition. He hired to the government at Leavenworth, Kansas, as a government teamster. Story includes the expedition started from Fort Dodge, Kansas, with thirty-six six-mule teams. They came south from Fort Supply, Oklahoma, and on south, across the Canadian near the mouth of oasis, thence down west of where Fort Elliott is now located and up McClellan creek. The expedition at this time, according to Uncle Johnny's story related shortly before his death, was after a bunch of Indians that had, won captured the Germane sisters.

Characters: John J. Uncle Johnnie Long, General Nelson A. Miles, Germane Sisters, Major Price, McKenzie, Dobe Hatch, Billie Dixon, William Frass, Mark Husselby, Olin Hinkle, J. Evetts Haley

Locations: Fayette County, Fort Dodge, Fort Supply, Oasis, Fort Elliott, McClellen Creek, Washita, Adobe Walls, Antelope Creek, Fort Sill, Cantonment, North Fork, Buffalo Wallow, Hemphill County, Starvation Creek, Antelope Hills, Mobeetie, Wheeler County, Sweetwater, Nolan County, Clay County

Bill Heffington, A Texas Pioneer

By T. U. Taylor

Account of old Indian fighter Bill Heffington of Marble Falls Texas, who spent his youth in Parker County at which time was one of the battle grounds of the Comanches and the settlers. The writer was a neighbor of Bill Heffington for some dozen years when both boys were roaming the banks of the south Bear Creek. Stephen Heffington settled in what is now Parker County, Texas, about 1850. The Land Office records in Austin show that he patented 320 acres of land on the South Bear Creek in 1854. On this tract of land the Heffingtons opened up a farm and on the immediate north of the South Bear Creek about eighteen miles southeast of Weatherford. John Henry Taylor, father of the writer, patented a small tract adjoining the Heffington tract on the south and the two families lived as neighbors and friends from 1856 to 1870. This is an excellent account. Article includes a photo of Mr. Heffington.

Characters: Bill Heffington, Tom Heffington, Jim Heffington, King Heffington, Frank Heffington, Mary Ann Heffington, Tennessee Heffington, Stephen Heffington, John Henry Taylor, George Washington Pratt, Mrs. Crawford, Charles H. Jenkins, Dave Yeary, Baldwin Reynolds, Captain Gillentine, John Durkee, Flem Carroll, Lafe Hopkins, Robbins, John Ribble, George Baker, Clint Rider, Walter Glenn, Wesley Tankersley

Locations: Parker County, Marble Falls, Bear Creek, Weatherford, Dilley, San Antonio, Byars Grove, Palo Pinto, Dove Creek, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Stephenville, Grindstone Creek

Ab Blocker Tells About Trail Driving Days

By Cora Melton Cross

One of four sons was Ab's part to do general ranch and farm work at home. The former was much to his liking, but farming had no part in his picture of the future. It was in 1876 that he tried his wings, leaving the home nest to work for his brother, John on his Blanco County ranch. Gathering and roping wild steers from the brush and mountains was the task mapped out for him and Blocker declares "It was a man's job too." The steers were driven from where they were captured to Lockhart Prairie, fifteen miles below Austin.

A dislike for seeming, bombastic enumeration of personal exploits, coupled with a gentleness to win a child, a gallantry and reverence for women, a sincerity of purpose, determined will and extreme contempt for a moral weakling. These combined with a sixfoot-two stature and simple dignity, enter into the making of one who has won his master's degree in the college of experience-life. This is the story of a good man of the frontier.

Characters: Ab Blocker, Swenson Brothers, Joe Collins, Old Barbecue Campbell, Alex Caspares, George West, George Berry, Harris Franklin

Locations: Blanco County, Lockhart Prairie, Austin, Dodge City, Ogallala, Nebraska, Cross S Ranch, Williamson County, Crazy Woman, Powder River, Stoddard & Howard Ranch, Tom Green County, Buffalo Springs, X. I. T. Ranch, Camp Supply, Pearsall, Devil’s River, Fort Laramie, Belle Fourche River, Eagle Pass, Spofford Junction, Chupadero Ranch, Big Wells, THE FACTS IN THE CASE

Concerning the article, "More About Sam Bass", writer J. B. GILLETT offers yet more information on just what happened at Round Rock that fateful day.

Further Mentions: officer Grimes , the Chupadero ranch , Round Rock , Williamson County Sun , Big Wells , Gen. John B. Jones , Cpl. Vernon Wilson , Lt. N. O. Reynold , Dick Ware, Chris Conner and George Harold , Mr. Highsmith's livery stable , Morris Moore, Copprel's Store

The Long Sought Placer Of The Malpais

By Eugene Cunningham

RENEGADE slate outlaws; murderous San Carlos Apaches, descendants of Geronimo's band; rugged rock, such as nature throws up only in her most violent moments.

These three, outlaws, Apaches and rock, make up the unholy aliance bound together-in the common cause of keeping forever secret the exact location in the Malpais mountains of New Mexico of the Lost Adams Diggin's; fabled placer mines of untold richness.

Such, at least, is the belief of Alvin D. Hudson, longtime resident of El Paso, mining man, metallurgist, Owner of the Texas Turquoise company and last of a line of rugged pioneers.

Adventures and search for a hidden gold mine. Does it really exist? Find out for yourself…

Characters: Alvin D. Hudson, Joe Adams, Kelmere, William Donothan, Frank Lee, Will Lee, Edward Kneezell, Monte Rigney, W. H. Pelphrey, Clyde Brown

Locations: Malpais Mountains, Lost Adams Diggin’s, El Paso, Texas Turquoise Company, Plano, Fort Tularosa, Fort Craig, Fort McRae, Dallas, Lathrop Springs

Col. Goodnight Sets Out Upon New Adventure

At ninety-one, the greatest trail blazer of them all has entered upon another major adventure. Col. Charles Goodnight…several months ago married Miss Corrine Goodnight, 26 years old, of Butte, Montana.

Characters: Charles Goodnight, Corrine Goodnight, Henry Taylor, Cleo Hubbard, Clairborne Varney, Jack Cureton, Oliver Loving, Dick Wooten, John A. Adair

Locations: Clarendon, Milam County, Brazos River, Palo Pinto County, Keechi Creek, Wichita Mountains, Concho, Horsehead Crossing, Fort Sumner, Raton Mountains, Pueblo, Denver, Cheyenne, Fort Laramie

The Indians in Polk County, Texas

Hidden away among the piney hills of Eastern Polk County lies a settlement of some 300 Alabama Indians. They live upon two sections of land granted to them in 1840 through the efforts of Sam Houston. These Indians left their home east of the Mississippi, where they were first encountered by De Soto about 1540, and started westward. When the Louisiana purchase threatened to subject them to the Anglo-Saxons, they again took up their march west. Records say that when they arrived in Texas they had a tribe of some 5,000 people, including 500 warriors. This is the story of the remnant of this once great tribe.

Characters: Alabama Indians, Coushatta Indians, Mrs. Earl Cogdell, I. D. Fairchild, H. F. Triplett, P. B. Ward, H. L. Lewis, D. P. Rock, L. R. Cade, J. A. Glenn, C. W. Chambers

Locations: Polk County, Granbury, Lufkin, Beaumont, Cleburne, Navasota, Woodville, Chester, Livingston

EXCELLENT 1880’s PHOTO AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DOAN’S STORE ON THE RED RIVER

Mentions: Mr. Charles F. Doan, who conducted this store , the Old Time Trail Drivers at San Antonio, Texas, , J. Doan , Fort Sill , The first house at Doan's was made of pickets with a dirt roof and the floor of the same material.

Three Months among the Indians

By Ole T. Nystel, Meridian, Texas

This fascinating and descriptive first-hand account was written by the man who experienced this unimaginable trial, Ole Tergerson Nystel, who was born in Henderson county, Texas January 4, 1853. His parents immigrated from Norway, to Texas in 1848, first settling in Henderson county and then later in Van Zandt county, and finally settling in Bosque county in 1866. It was at age 14, on the 20th of March, 1867, that his captivity by savage Comanche Indians took place.

Comanche! Dreaded name. Synonym of all that is cruel and barbarous. What terror that name inspires along the defenseless frontier. And it was amongst these monsters in human shape that I had fallen a helpless victim. By this time I was suffering severely from my wound, but to this they paid no heed nor applied anything to alleviate the pain, but after a day or two when it had gotten thoroughly sore, they would carry it through a process of twisting and wrenching every now and then, I suppose to increase my already excruciating pain.

Just before sundown we came upon a negro man with a wagon. He saw us when a half a mile off and came running toward us begging for his life. At first they seemed disposed to heed his petition, but the thirst for blood triumphed over their better nature, and amidst his cries for mercy they stabbed him to the heart. He sank to the ground without a groan, save the death-rattle in the throat. One of them then pierced him through with his spear, it coming out at his breast. They left him unscalped and showed by signs and grunts their disgust for such a scalp, and pointed to my head as if to show by contrast the difference; and that to possess such a one would give them great pleasure.

They commanded me to laugh at this horrible deed, but you can imagine what a sickly effort it was, thinking every moment that my time would come next. However, they seemed satisfied with the effort for the time being sparing me, as I supposed, for some future occasion.

Characters: Ole Tergerson Nystel, Carl Quested, Eli Bewell, K. Hanson, Y. Grimland, K. Grimland, Kiowa Indians, Comanche Indians

Locations: Henderson County, Van Zandt County, Bosque County, Twin Mountains, Hamilton County, Stonewall County, Staked Plains, Ft. Washita, Sherman, Milford, Hill County

June Peak’s Last Scout

By John Hoffer, San Angelo, TX

Account of Captain June Peak's last scout made a short time before he resigned the command of Company "B", Frontier Battalion. It was written by a man who was a member of his company at the time and with him on this last scout. This eventful final scout of Capt. Peak occurred on the 29th of March 1880, when Captain Peak with ten men left Camp Hackberry Springs, Tom Green County, for Big Springs, Howard county, distant 30 miles. It is described in this story.

Characters: Sergeant Hageman, Buffalo Bill

Locations: Camp Hackberry Springs, Big Springs, Tom Green County, Howard County, Signal Peak, Moss Spring, Sulpher Springs, Lone Wells, Fort Concho

The Coming Of The Railroad

By Miss Bess Carroll

There was a real "big day" in San Antonio a long time ago-on Feb. 19, 1877. At 4:30 o'clock that afternoon the first train steamed in down Austin street-and stopped beside a temporary platform built on the site of a proposed depot. It was as impressive an event as the landing of Noah's Ark must have been, a long time before. This is the story.

Characters: Pierce, Governor Hubbard

Locations: San Antonio, Austin Street, Houston, Galveston, Sunset Line

Billy Dixon, Panhandle Pioneer

The Panhandle is not without its full chapter in the romance of the Southwest. And it is not without its "San Jacinto," the bloody conflict of Adobe Walls, a decisive battle which determined that the white man, not the Indian, should predominate the fertile plains country. But Adobe Walls is far in time and place from San Jacinto and the Alamo, and historians have not infrequently overlooked the chapter that would tell how a little band of Americans stood as resolutely against overwhelming odds as did Crockett, Bowie and Travis at the Alamo to win the San Jacinto of the Plains-but only after they had narrowly averted the fate of the heroes of the Alamo.

Among them none was more intrepid nor a better marksman than the late William (Billy) Dixon, frontiersman, buffalo hunter, and later a scout. This is his story.

Characters: William Dixon, Mrs. Olive K. Dixon, P. I. Turner Co., General Alfred Pleasanton, General Sterling Price, General Custer, Kiowa Indians, Comanche Indians, Cheyenne Indians, Amos Chapman, Sergeant Z. T. Woodall, Peter Rath, John Harrington, George W. Smith, General Nelson A. Miles,

Locations: San Jacinto, Adobe Walls, Alamo, Miami, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Collins, Camp Supply, Fort Hays, Fort Elliott, Buffalo Wallow, Hutchinson County, Washita River, Gageby Creek, Fort Wingate, From James V. Latham.

Mentions: Bill Wooten , Captain D. W. Roberts , Captain L. P. Sieker , Capt. Frank Jones , Marathon, Texas , Sergeant John R. Hughes , Frank M. McMahan , the old E. P. & N. E. railroad , the E. P. & S. W , Dr. J. E. Copenhaver, of Pilot Point, Texas , N. H. Rose , George W. Saunders , Amasa Clark , Maj. Gen. W. D. Conner , Col. J. C. McArthur , Gen. Paul B. Malone , William B. Krempkau , Nagel Brothers, owners of Bear Mountain near Fredericksburg , Capt. B. F. Schmidt , Col. W. E. Welsh , James O. Luby , Henry Bonflie and Ed Tschilhardt , Mr. J. C. Goar , Mr. and Mrs. John Lott, of Fredericksburg.

Some names mentioned in this volume:

John A. Adair; Joe Adams; W. D. Anderson; Mrs W. D. Anderson; William Atkinson; George Baker; George Berry; Eli Bewell; Mrs W. F. Bickenbach; Ab Blocker; Bill Blocker; John Blocker; Henry Bonflie; Brininstool; Clyde Brown; Joe Bunton; Judge Waller T. Burns; Mrs L. R. Cade; Harry C. Cammack; Barbecue Campbell; Miss Carlton; Bess Carroll; Flem Carroll; Alex Caspares; C. W. Chambers; Mrs C. W. Chambers; Amos Chapman; John Chuperado; Mrs Earl Cogdell; Cogdell; Joe Collins; Chris Conner; Gen W. D. Conner; Dr J. E. Copenhaver; Solon Costley; Cross; Cunningham; Cureton; Custer; "Dutch" Davis; Ann Eliza Dawson; Gamble Dawson; John M. Dawson; Mrs C. F. Dennis; Rachel Dennis; Sam Dennis; B. E. Denton; Billie Dixon; Billy Dixon; Olive K. Dixon; William Dixon; Capt Doan; Charles F. Doan; J. Doan; Charles F. Dodge; William Donathon; John Durkee; Maj Elliot; Fine Ernest; I. D. Fairchild; T. J. Fitzpatrick; Thomas J. Fitzpatrick; Capt Fleming; Mark Fleming; Harris Franklin; William Frass; Sgt Charles Fusselman; Pat Garrett; Catarina Garza; Gholson; Capt A. M. Gildea; Capt Gillentine; J. B. Gillett; Mrs J. A. Glenn; Walter Glenn; J. C. Goar; Col Charles Goodnight; Corinne Goodnight; C. M. Grady; Dep Sheriff Grimes; K. Grimland; Y. Grimland; Sgt Hageman; Hageman; Capt D. S. Hagler; J. Evetts Haley; K. Hanson; Mrs Thomas Hardy; George Harold; John Harrington; Tim Hart; Lt Hatch; Alvin Haynes; Bill Heffington; Frank Heffington; Jim Heffington; King Heffington; Mary Ann Heffington; Stephen Heffington; Tennessee Heffington; Tom Heffington; Billie Henson; George Hill; Olin Hinkle; John Hoffer; Gov Hogg; Lafe Hopkins; Cleo Hubbard; Alvin D. Hudson; Capt Hughes; ; John R. Hughes; Capt John R. Hughes; Sgt John R. Hughes; Mark Husselby; Henrietta Jackson; Humpy Jackson; Roseann Jackson; Roxann Jackson; James Jackson; Jesse Jackson; Charles H. Judge Jenkins; Capt Frank Jones; ; Gen John B. Jones; W. W. Jones; Apache Kneezel; Edward Kneezel; William B. Krempkau; Billy Lane; Arch Larimore; George Latham; James V. Latham; Col Leavenworth; Frank Lee; Will Lee; H. L. Lewis; James Light; J. J. Long; John J. Long; Johnnie Long; Nathan Long; Longley; John Lott; Mrs John Lott; Oliver Loving; James O. Luby; Mattie A. Maddux; Gen Paul B. Brig Malone; George Masoner; Masoner; Col J. C. McArthur; J. L. McCaleb; F. R. McCracken; Dave McGracken; J. C. McGracken; Frank M. McMahan; Hironymous Meurer; Gen Nelson A. Miles; Capt Millett; Morris Moore; W. A. Morris; Murphy; John Murray; Col J. J. Myers; Ned; A. H. Newberry; H. B. Newberry; Henry Newberry; Ole T. Nystel; Ole Tergerson Nystel; Lon Oden; John O'Grady; Bass Outlaw; Arthur Parkhill; B. G. Parkhill; June Peak; George Lt Peavey; W. H. Pelphrey; Austin Perryman; W. H. Perryman; William Perryman; Gen Alfred Pleasanton; George Washington Pratt; Maj Price; Gen Sterling Price; Jim Putman; Carl Quested; Peter Rath; Paul Reviere; Baldwin Reynolds; N. O. Lt Reynolds; Cecil Rhodes; John Ribble; Clint Rider; Monte Rigney; ; Mrs D. P. Rock; Berry Roebuck; Pablo Sanchez; George W. Pres; Capt B. F. Schmidt; Victor Sebra; Capt L. P. Sieker; Clinton Smith; Clinton L. Smith; Frank Smith; George W. Smith; Jeff Smith; Jefferson D. Smith; Bob Speaker; Mack Stewart; Josiah H. Stokes; Sam H. Stokes; Zack Strucken; Wesley Tankersley; Henry Maj Taylor; John Henry Taylor; ; T. U. Taylor; Ed Thompson; Oscar Thompson; H. F. Triplett; Ed Tschirhardt; P. I. Turner; Clairborne Varney; P. B. Ward; Dick Ware; Col W. E. Welsh; George West; Bill Wharton; W. B. (Bill) White; Alfred Williams; G. W. Williams; Savil; Corp Vernon Wilson; Sgt; Z. T. Woodall; Susan B. Woodruff; Bill Wooten; Dick Wooten; Capt Dave Yeary; XIT Ranch.