Vol 05 No. 12 - September 1928

J. Wright Mooar

Account of the life of major buffalo hunter and businessman, J. Wright Mooar. The history of Mr. Mooar if written in detail would give a very complete and accurate account of the development of what became an important and profitable industry of the west, that of buffalo hunting for the purpose of securing the hides and also marketing the meat. Mr. Mooarr killed over twenty thousand buffaloes in eight years while was engaged in the business.

Mentions: Miss Esther K. Wright a daughter of Josiah Wright, and a descendent of Silas Wright Mrs. John W. Combs, of Pownal, Bennington county, Vermont, John Wesley Mooar of Colorado E. B. Wright, an engineer on the Michigan Central Railroad Big Timber Creek Walnut Creek Fort Hays, Kansas Pawnee Creek W. C. Lobenstein, of Leavenworth, Kansas the Santa Fe Railroad J. J. Bates & Company Mr. Charles Rath Kiowa Creek Sand and Crooked Creeks, and on Cimarron Creek and Beaver Creek in what was known as No Man's Land Coldwater, and Palo Duro Creeks Rath & Wright James Hanrahan A. C. Myers became proprietor of the first store Adobe Walls in Hutchinson county Red River at Colbert's Ferry Jim White, Bill Russell and Mike O'Brien, W. H. Shyder Haskell county Miller Creek John W. Combs Deep Creek in Scurry county This herd was branded XTS changed the brand to SXT Sharpe's Rifle Manufacturing Company at Bridgeport, Connecticut the Big Fifty caliber gun was made for the buffalo hunters Mrs. Julia Swartz Mitchell Lodge No. 563, A. F.&A.M.. Snyder, Scurry county, Texas

OLD TIME TRAIL DRIVERS

Geo. W. Saunders

The trail driving period lasted from 1867 to 1895, but the majority of this work was done from 1870 to 1890. There were 10,000,000 cattle and 1,000,000 horses driven to the northern markets during that period and sold, net proceeds of same being $250,000,000, which was brought back and used in the development of Texas. This attracted the attention of the world. San Antonio, Texas

Mentions: Gutzon Borglum Mrs. R. R. Russell Eugene C. Barker Walter P. Webb William E. Dodd

UNCLE JIM OWENS VISITS PANHANDLE

Annie Dyer Nunn

Jim Owens, (nationally known as Uncle Jim) was famous, for having killed more mountain lions than any other person, and for having blazed the trails that led into the Grand Canyon. His cabin, the first to be built in that region, still stands at the head of Bright Angel trail. It is of deep historical interest to the canyon visitors. Uncle Jim was with the first herd of cattle that ever entered the Panhandle. He, with the Dyer boys, Dave Joy, Jack Campbell and others made up the Goodnight outfit. These men staged the most spectacular drive ever made in Texas, either before that time or since.

Mentions: Jim Owens and Charles Goodnight met at Clarendon T. J. Hughes, son of the English writer; J. C. Johnson, afterwards manager of the XIT ranch;' Jim Owens, Moses Tate, Dave McCormick, Argie Argo Palo Duro canyon the Goodnight ranch Leigh Dyer Chisum, Reynolds, East, Bugbee, Siringo, Garrett, Hoyt, Buffalo Jones, Kit Carson Colonel Roosevelt and his sons; Emerson Hough, Rex Beach, Hal C. Evarts, Zane Grey, Montgomery Rex Beach Uncle Jim was game warden of the Kaibab national forest Buffalo Jones the Goodnight, ranch Bright Angel hotel

INDIANS, AS BUFFALO HUNTERS

By C. C. Rister

The various ways by which the native races of the Southwestern plains killed the buffalo are interesting indeed. In all probability the old saying that "necessity is the mother of invention" would hold true in these methods of the Indians. Armed only with the bow and arrow, before the coming of the white men, it was necessary for him to be resourceful in order to obtain his much desired game. He used the meat of the buffalo for food, the dung for fuel over which to cook it, and the hides for shelter, robes, leggins, moccasins, lariats, bows strings, etc. Having such a multifold utility the buffalo was the most desired by the Indians of all the various kinds of wild game abounding on the great plains. This is the story of how they got them.

As a rule the squaws accompanied the Indian hunters on these occasions and when the animals were slain they immediately set to work in preserving the hides and meat. Sometimes they would not go to the trouble of making a fire but would eat a portion of the meat raw. In this connection, Castenada, one of the Spanish Conquistadors, says: "They empty a large gut and fill it with blood, and carry it about their necks to drink when thirsty. When they open the belly of the cow, they squeeze out the chewed grass and drink the juice that remains behind, because they say it contains the essence of the stomach."

Mentions: Thomas C. Battey General C. Fremont Sanford, a member of the American Fur Company Professor Baird Mr. Picotte, an experienced partner of the American Fur Company H. H. Sibbley

Exodus Of the Carancawas

O. W. Nolen, Fowlerton, Texas

the Caranacwa Indian tribe, made their final exodus out of the state of Texas November, 1844. But the departure of this tribe did not commence until a brutal raid was committed.

KEMPER'S Bluff an the right bank of the Guadalupe twenty-two miles below Victoria, was named after John F. Kemper, who was the first settler at that place, where he built a cabin in the fall of 1844.

Late in the month of November of that year his mother-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, accompanied by her son, Joseph Miller, went down from Victoria to visit her daughter. As it was early in the evening when they arrived at the bluff, young Miller and a man who lived with Mr. Kemper went to the bottom to shoot ducks.

In the meantime, near sun-set, about thirty Carancawa Indians, men, women and children, appeared in the rear of Mr. Kemper's cow-pen and shot one of his cows with an arrow. Whereupon, Mr. Kemper walked towards them with his rifle and bade them, by signs, to depart, but as he turned to walk back to the cabin an arrow struck him in the shoulder.

Mrs. Miller met him at the door and pulled out the arrow. He stepped away for a moment, 'and returning, fainted and fell in the door and soon expired. It was now dark and the Indians retired to an old shanty in the rear of the house, and collecting a quanity of dry moss pushed it under the house and set it on fire. The blaze rose for a few moments nearly to the roof, but the cabin logs being new and unseasoned, did not ignite. Besides, Mrs. Miller threw a bucket of water on the flames.

The doors had no shutters and the Indians were wary of exposing themselves in front of them, but ventured to throw a fire-brand on Kemper's body, probably to test whether there was life in it. Mrs. Kemper fired the rifle once at the Indians, but could not tell whether the shot took effect. As there were no more bullets for the rifle Mrs. Kemper made some slugs by hammering a piece of lead.

Finally, these heroic women resolved to make an effort to escape with the children Mrs. Miller took the three-year-old girl, Amanda, in her arms and Mrs. Kemper her five-months-old infant, and both simultaneously dashed out of the front door, passing near a fire that was blazing in the yard, the light from which exposed them for a moment to the view of the Indians, who shot several arrows at them …

Mentions: J. H. Kuykendall, soldier, scholar and historian. His father, Capt. Abner Kuykendall, was a member of Austin's' Colony and settled on the Colorado river January 1, 1822 Mr. Bass on the Coleto Mrs. Miller

THE UNSUNG HERO OF ADOBE WALLS

R. C. Crane

In June, 1874, the Indians left their reservations in Indian Territory and went on the warpath. They attacked the military forces of the Government near, and committed various depredations in Southwestern Kansas.

On June 27 they attacked the traders and buffalo hunters at Adobe Walls, in overwhelming numbers---variously estimated at from 200 to 1,000 (and more) and all accounts indicate that the Indians displayed most unusual bravery in repeatedly attacking the strongholds of the hunters and traders, riding right up to the doors of the stores through the fusillade of gunfire from the best marksmen on the Southwestern frontier, and trying to batter down the doors of the stores. But behind the walls were 28 determined men. This is the story of one of the heroes of that bloody encounter – his name was Bat Masterson, afterwards to become famous in the annals of the Southwest, but was then a mere lad of about 18 years.

Mentions: The Leonard & Myres store was situated in the corner of a stockade built in the shape of a rectangle, inside of which was a mess room, and also a well and an old pump on it brought down from Dodge City Old Man Keeler (Fred Leonard's cook), Fred Leonard and young Billie Tyler were among those caught in the Leonard & Myres store when the Indians attacked Bat Masterson Fred Leonard

 TWO GIRLS KILLED WILD CAT WITH BARE HANDS

Account the time when Murray Carrow, the six year old son of J. A. Carrow of the Big Sandy, "…was playing in a swing in the almond orchard near the house, a ferocious lynx sprang upon him, pulling him to the ground. A life and death struggle now took place between the little fellow and the animal. Taking the lynx by the ear and one foot he succeeded in throwing it to the ground and held it there for a moment, at the same time calling for help. The lynx was biting the boy's hands in a horrible manner, but with Spartan courage he held on until his sisters, Josie and Mary, attracted by his cries, arrived on the scene… Mentions: Major J. B. Wright of Flagstaff

Days Of The Texas Republic

Account of Mr. Ed Smithwick who was born under the Lone Star flag in Travis county, Republic of Texas in 1840. He recounts events as a very early pioneer in Travis County, a wagon train journey to California in 1861 and the earliest days of settling in Orange County.

Mentions: Tulare county where they lived for some time Gospel Swamp (Santa Ana) Gretna Green Birch Park An uncle, Lemuel Blakey was killed in the Battle of San Jacinto when the white residents of Texas made such a courageous fight for their freedom. At an earlier date another -uncle Edward Blakey, for whom Ed Smithwick was named, was killed in the Indian wars

J. B. POLLEY WAS A TEXAS PIONEER

Includes old photo of Mr. Polley

J. B. POLLEY was born in Brazoria County, on what is still known as Bailey's Prairie. His mother's father John Britton Bailey landed at Galveston Island in 1818 and settled at San Felipe, later removing to that part of the County which was called after him, Bailey's Prairie. His father J. H. Polley came first to Texas with Moses Austin in 1819. J. B. fought for 4 years in the Civil war and was wounded. After the war he took up the profession of Law and was at one time partner of Judge White who was one of Texas’ best known Judges of the Supreme Court. He also served twice in the State Legislature.

Further Mentions: was one of the Original Three Hundred Colonists, who settled in Brazoria County, later moving to what was then Guadalupe County, settling on the Cibolo He was in the 4th. Texas Infantry of Hood's Brigade, participating in the battles of Ethams Landing, Seven Pines, Second Manasas, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Va. Chickmauga, Ga. Raccoon Mountain, Knoxville, Tenn., Battle of the Wilderness an historical column in the San Antonio Express W. B. Foster

A Double-Barrel Pioneer

Written by A. T. Jackson, Llano, Texas

Here is an excellent account of a pioneer Texas doctor and itinerant preacher, Dr. William L. Lewis. It includes an old photo of Mr. Lewis his wife as well as a photo of the Lewis cabin. Dr. Leiwis and family remained at their original site on the San Saba River, near the present town of San Saba, for two years, later moving to Bosque county, settling on the Brazos River. Leter they moved to Hill county, and then finally settled in the early part of 1878, in Llano county, where Dr. Lewis resided until the time of his death in September, 1898.

Mentions: Miss Rebecca Swan Miss Olivia Vaughn Mrs. Isabelle D. Palmer Mrs. J. W. Henderson, Llano, Texas; Taylor Lewis, Fresno, California; Mrs. J. W. Dawson, Houston, Texas; and Mrs. C. S. Underwood Llano, Texas.

MORE ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Written by J. Lillian Prescott

I remember our large smokehouse, hanging full of home-cured meat and lard, barrels of syrup, soap, kraut and such things, and strings of red peppers and bags of sage and the cellar full of both kinds of potatoes and pumpkins. They used to grow so fast in the old days, on newground land, they would drag many little pumpkins to death. These that held on grew large. One time my father lost a sow and pigs and weeks later found them inside a big pumpkin in winter quarters, having eaten in and bedded up.

Those were great days, when we kids spent Sundays swinging on grapevine swings that reached out over hollows many feet deep. I have often wondered why some of us didn't let go and fall.

Many hours have I spent with my brothers hunting lizards on the rail fences, killing them for squirrels, with our bows and arrows. That was cruel, though I got a lot of kick out of it and could zip an arrow through a lizard many yards away...

 A Story Of A Pioneer School

Nelson Hutto

This is a lengthy and detailed account of old Simmons College in Abilene, TX, a true pioneer institution. It contains numerous excellent old photos of the college grounds and buildings.

One evening in the year of 1890 a group, of men gathered in a general store in the town of Abilene and discussed the idea of starting a college in Abilene or some other town in West Texas. It was not the first time men had discussed such an idea. In fact, colleges had actually been established before that time. But the fate of such Schools had not been such as to encourage any more attempts. As one old man put it, "I stumbled upon the remains of one of them recently in a wheat pasture." Sixteen attempts to establish such a school in this state had failed.

Nevertheless, this group of `men from the First Baptist church of Abilene, felt that another attempt should be made. They decided to put the matter before the next meeting of the Sweetwater Association.

Such were the origins of this venerable old pioneer school. This is the story.

Mentions: Will Young, a successful farmer Col. Jim Parramore Dr. Rufus G. Burleson, then president of Baylor University Homer H. Hutto Hon. K. K. Leggett, Rev. Geo. W. Smith, H. C. Hord R. A. Miller Jno. F. Ferguson C.R. Breedler Hon. G. W. Smith J. M. Hanna Henry Sayles O. W. Steffens Elm creek "Abilene Baptist College" Rev. G. W. Smith Dr. O. C. Pope "Christoleb College", meaning in German, "College of Christ's Love." Mary E. Simmons Robert S. Simmons Hon. K. K. Legman Col. C. W. Merchant, rich cattleman J. T. Harrington, Geo. W. Smith, William H. Lockett, C. P. Warren. and D. W. Wristen Rev. W. C. Friley, A. M., as president The first student to enroll in Simmons was Miss Dona Kelly, a girl of ten years, who registered in the preparatory department: She in now Mrs. H. Polk of Artesia, N. M. Her son, Kelly Polk, has been graduated from Simmons and her daughter, Glen Polk, Rev. W. C. Friley Dr. Thatcher Rev. J. C. Harfield, A. M., a graduate of Wake Forest College Dr. O. H. Cooper Dr. Julius Olsen Anna Hall Cowden Hall, a dormitory for men was erected and named in honor of "Uncle Billy" Cowden, a West Texas ranchman the magnificent Ferguson Hall for men Dr. J. D. Sandefer (Includes photo of the man) John Tarleton College Col. C. W. Merchant Col, J. M. Parramore Edgar L. Marston the Marston gymnasium Rev. George W. Smith Mary Frances Hall, a beautiful dormitory for women General Miller Mr. C. M. Caldwell, then of Breckenridge and now of Abilene the old Billy Cowden Hall Mr. W. P. Ferguson of Wichita Falls the "Cowboy Corral" a large sized basket ball court the Marston gymnasium Mme. Galli-Curci Cowboy Band

 Foul Murder On The Cibolo

Account of brutal slaying and robbery of a young settler in the Cibolo Valley, northeast of San Antonio in 1856. The suspected family of rogues appeared to have escaped capture though not suspicion – this is the story.

Mentions: Major D a gentleman about 45 years of age the Santa Clara, a waterless tributary of the Cibolo the Dubbs family Geo. C. Martin, Rockport, Texas

Early Texas Cattle Industry

Related by Wm. B. Slaughter to Cora Melton Cross

Lengthy and detailed account of early Texas settler and father of the Texas-based Slaughter cattle legacy, George Webb Slaughter, born May 10, 1811, and settling in Texas in the year of 1830 with his father's family.

Mentions: Copiah County, Mississippi Colonel Piedras Mrs. Dickinson Miss Sarah Mason Chief Bowles Captians Slaughter and Todd established a ranch near the old town of Butler, in Freestone County 2,000 additional acres five miles west of the present town of Palo Pinto, then known as Golconda the Slaughter homestead It was in 1866, while driving a herd of cattle on Dry Creek, that thirteen redskins opened fire on George W Sand Creek Col. T. H. Johnson the packing house east of Jefferson Buchanan, then the county seat of Johnson County, situated on Nolan River Dobbs Bend on the Brazos River Jowell's place, father-in-law of C. C., a man named McLaren a fellow named Coonover J. C. Loving and Charlie Rivers the lazy S brand Mary's Creek Clint Ryder's horse ranch Jack Flint's ranch the Ryder horses Emporia, Kan Palo Pinto ranch John Gamel and Christie Crosby the City Bank of Dallas Col. John C. Breckinridge Mr. Mayberry Col. Ike T. Pryor Charlie Limberg, ranch manager the foreman, whose name was Martin Mr. Taylor, live stock agent for the M.-K.-T. Railroad J. L. Driskill of Austin Frio County Brady Creek Blanco Canyon, Crosby County McCulloch County the old Slacker ranch the Gila River the head of Little Colorado Stratford Dalhart, Dallam County the Corn ranch in Parker County W. B. Grime's cowboys the Grimes herd Young County the old J. C. Loving ranch in Lost Valley up by Buffalo Springs and Victoria Peak, where Stephens and Worsham ranched Red River station Fall River E. M. (Bud) Daggett and Jake Farmer Grouse Creek on the Arkansas River Mr. Martindale, who had a large ranch on the Verdegris River The year of 1874 I took a bunch of cattle from Elm Creek, Young County, to Dodge City, Kan., and sold them to a Mr. Rob Hunter, Evans & Newman Jess Evans at Fort Reno In 1879 I drove some cattle from Blanco Canyon to Hunniwell, Kan., and sold to Hewen & Titus A. Gholson, a hotel man there Barbecue Campbell Trail City, Colo., on the Arkansas River American Valley, Socorro County, New Mexico Laramie City, Wyo Chino Valley, Ariz Laramie Plains Malta Valley, Mont Clifton, Ariz Liberal, Kan

 Famous Author Writes About Hopi Towns

Mentions: Hamlin Garland, famous author, who designated the Hopi Indian villages northeast of Flagstaff as "the most mysterious people in America." Walpi James A. Jasper Col. S. H. Gilliland, of Coleman, Texas

 The Wild Bunch Of Robbers Roost

By J. Marvin Hunter

Contains photo of the members of the Hole In The Wall Gang

Mentions: Harvey Logan, alias Kid Curry, Ben Kilpatrick, George Parker, alias "Butch" Cassidy; standing, Will Carver, alias Ed Briant, and Harry Longbaugh. These were members of the notorious "Hole in the Wall Gang," and sometimes known as the "Wild Bunch of Robbers' Roost." Black Jack Ketchum a ranch near Bandera a ranch between Eden and Paint Rock, where they tarried a few days at the home of Ben Kilpatrick's father Oliver Thornton Eldorado Sonora Sheriff Briant up a Northern Pacific train in Montana and obtained about $250,000 in unsigned bank notes in transit to the First National Bank of Helena, Montana. After serving about ten years Kilpatrick was released, and returned to Texas, tarrying at Ozona Express Messenger Truesdale Ole Beck

Tells Of Old Fort Griffin

H. L. Gaut

First-hand account of history of olf Fort Griffin, located on the bluffs above the Clear Fork of the Brazos.

Mentions: Frank Reeves Fort Sill McAllister's Store, Boggy Depot Fort McCullough Rocky Point Colbert's Ferry Mormon Grove, Pilot Point, Point Bollivar, Decatur, Fort Richardson (across a little creek from Jacksboro), old Fort Belknap a woman known as "Mother George," who had a ranch across the Brazos river from old Fort Belknap, and about two miles up the river from the Brazos crossing the M. K. & T. railroad Elliott in the Panhandle Denison Long's mule train The massacre occurred on the Salt Creek prairie, about half way between Jacksboro and old Fort Belknap Long, and his men Cedar Fork

 A MEMORIAL TO THE MACKENZIE TRAIL

Mentions: Mr. C. A. Jones, Jr., manager of Spur Ranch, located on the Staked Plains in the Texas Panhandle, on the Wichita Valley Railroad, four miles from Soldier's Mound, otherwise known, during the period of 18 74-1875 as "Supply Camp," or "Anderson's Fort," Dickens County, Texas Captain R. G. Carter, U. S. Army Mr. C. A. Jones Swenson Sons Major Thomas Anderson

 ARIZONA'S VARIOUS TRIBES OF INDIANS

Mentions: the Zuni, meaning "enemy." The Apaches are composed of numerous bands-the Chiricahua, Pinaleno, Coyotero, Aravaipai, Tonto, San Carlos, Mohave-Apache, Yuma-Apache, Mescallero and Pinal. In eastern, central and southern Arizona.

Hopi, northeastern part of state; famous for snake dance ceremonials.

Pina, friendly always to the whites, frequently at war and most usually successful against the Apaches and Yumas. Were of great assistance to the soldiers in subduing the Apaches. In Gila and Salt river valley.

Papago, Spanish for "pope." Highly Christianized. Near Tucson.

Maricopa, closely allied to the Pinas. Only a few, along the Gila river.

Mohave, physicially the highest type of southwestern Indian, etc, etc, etc

 TARANTULA JUICE

Mentions: Cocopah, in the Colorado valley Dr. Daniel Dorchester W. W. Bass of Williams Tom Nance, a cowboy Holbrook J. B. Mitchell the Aztec Land and Cattle company Major W. M. Green

A Hero Of Texas Independence

Account of Creed Taylor, who lived on his ranch near Noxville, Texas, for many years, and was the first settler of Kimble county. Taylor was born April 10, 1820. His father, Josiah Taylor, settled in Texas in 1824. At the early age of 15 years Creed Taylor volunteered his service in behalf of his country and was engaged in every battle of any consequence in Texas and performed services the most daring in their nature ever recorded in the history of any commonwealth. Includes photo of Mr. Taylor as well as his home on James River in Kimble County, TX. This is his story.

Further Mentions: Bolivar Point, east of Galveston Island on the main land Taylor's Bayou, which took its name from Josiah Taylor, his father the Guadalupe river near where Cuero now stands James T. DeShields of Dallas General Ed Burleson the Mission San Juan San Pedro Springs Ben Milam old Ben Milam Dike's place Roan's Prairie Joe Tomlinson Joe Tomlinson Byrd Lockhart Ruhk's command Linnville Felix Houston Capt. C. R. Perry Captain Howard's company Brackett On this trip he scouted all of the country west to where Brackett now stands, returning by way of Sabinal canyon, thence across by way of Boneyard, west of Kerrville, down the Llano and across to the Brady's. the headwaters of the Pedernales Dawson's men Caldwell Gentavo Woods and Alsey Miller Resaca de la Palma Peg Leg, in Menard county he located on James river in Kimble county when there was only a single settler in all that country. Here he built up large ranch interests and had the open range of hundreds and hundreds of miles with only the Comanche Indians for his neighbors. Creed Taylor married Miss Goodbread Major Spencer Miss Lavinia Spencer J. B. Polley, of Floresville his brother-in-law, Martin West settled on the Cibolo about three miles below the present town of Sutherland Springs, in Wilson county the Ecleto