Vol 06 No. 12 - September 1929

Thomas Jefferson Rusk

Thomas Jefferson Rusk, soldier, jurist, and statesman, was of Irish descent, and born in Pendleton district, South Carolina, December 5, 1803. While yet a boy, bright and precocious, young Rusk attracted the favorable notice of the celebrated John C. Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun greatly assisted him in securing an education, and also in acquiring his profession. Soon after procuring his license as a lawyer Rusk moved to the State of Georgia, where he soon obtained a lucrative practice. In an unfortunate mining speculation he lost nearly all of his earnings. Dishonest agents seized the funds and fled to the West. Rusk followed some of them to Texas, but failed to recover his lost money. This was in 1834. He was so delighted with the country that he determined to make Texas his future home, and located at Nacogdoches, where he at once took an active part in public affairs. Story goes on to relate the noble advancements in the great cause of Texas Independence made by this great man.

Further Mentions: the Executive Council elected him Commissary of the Army * his name is signed to the Declaration of Texas Independence * he entered Burnet's cabinet as Secretary of War * he joined the army on the Brazos river, and was the confidential friend and adviser of Houston * It was to him that Colonel Almonte surrendered * Rusk was appointed commander-in-chief * Rusk was appointed Secretary of War * he was sent to the Texas Congress * severely chastised Kickapoos * In 1839 he commanded a regiment in the war with the Cherokees * partners were J. Pinkney Henderson and Kenneth L. Anderson * he was elected Major-General of the Militia * General Rusk was elected to the United States Senate *

John Robert Baylor-1822-1895

John Robert Baylor (Includes old B&W photo image), distinguished Confederate officer and Indian fighter, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the twentieth day of July, 1822. His father, Dr. John Baylor, was a physician and was assistant surgeon of the Seventh United States Infantry. His mother's maiden name was Weidner. As assistant surgeon, Dr. Baylor and his family followed the fortunes of the regiment, for that reason, John R. Baylor spent part of his young life in Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, and the Indian territory. When quite a young man he came to Texas and lived for a short time at Marshall (1841) where he married in 1844, Emily J. Hanna, shortly after which event he moved to Fayette County, Texas, near Fayettesville, where he opened a farm and cattle ranch. This is his story.

Further Mentions: During his residence in Fayette County, he was elected member of the legislature 1852-1854 * In 1855 he was appointed agent for the Comanche Indians * in 1857 he moved about twenty miles below the agency and the Clear Fork of Brazos and established the first cow ranch in Stephens county * killed thirteen braves and took from them fifty-head of horses they had stolen in Palo Pinto county * John S. Ford * Edwin Wallar * Fort Bliss * Major Isaac Lynde * Fort Fillmore * the village of San Tomas * the town of Messilla * Fort Stanton * Organ Mountains * San Augustine Pass * Captain Peter Hardeman * Company D, under Captain James Walker * the village of Picacho * Captain L. N. Moore, of Second United States Dragoons * Fort Craig * George Wythe Baylor * Company H, Second Texas Cavalry * General H. H. Sibley * Val Verde * "Jay Hawkers," * General Magruder * Lieut. R. H. D. Sorrell, * General Baylor settled in Uvalde county in 1879 where he continued to reside until his death in 1895 * the little town of Montell * Col. John T. Crisp of Independence *

Recollections Of A Pioneer

F. M. McCaleb, (Includes old B&W photo image) recalls in reflective, poetic style, life in Pioneer Texas.

NAMES OF A TEXAS COUNTY (CASS CO.)

Cass county, like several other East Texas counties, has had several names. It was known as Paschal county under the old Spanish reign from 1824 to 1836. Under the Republic of Texas, from 1836 to 1845, it was known as a part of Red River county, which at that time embraced Red River, Cass, Bowie, Marion, Morris, Titus and Franklin Territory. When Texas was admitted to the union in 1846, Cass county was named, and embraced Marion and Bowie counties, and Jefferson was the county site until 1852, when Linden was made the county capitol. Marion and Bowie counties were cut off from Cass county during the 50's. The legislature in session December 17, 1861, changed the name of Cass county to Davis county, and it was changed back to Cass county by an act of the legislature May 16, 1871.

Old Times In San Antonio

By Vinton L. James (3rd Installment)

Here is the third installment of the excellent recollections of Mr. James who was a resident in the early days of San Antonio. His eye-witness accounts of the city and its history are superb and valuable in detail. In this account he begins by describing a detailed store by store description of old Commerce Street. Finally, he mentions some queer and eccentric characters who lived and died in early San Antonio. I most highly recommend this series to any who have interest in early San Antonio history.

Mentions: The principal parts of the older city, for protection against Indian raids, was built around the plazas and extended north to the present Main Avenue High School. Main Avenue ; was then called Aceque street on account of the ditch that flowed along the side of Main Avenue* road to San Pedro Springs * Tobin Hill * Laurel Heights * King William Street, where the lower Guenther bills * Water Street * the old vacant Powder House was reported haunted * Villemain's store * North from Alamo Plaza, along Avenues D and E, was a colony of Irish, called the "Irish Flat." * Laredo Street * The Spanish descendants, of the Canary Islanders * recollection of the early day merchants and individuals of Commerce Street: Mrs. Baer had a confectionery store * Umsheid family * There was no Losoya Street then * the firm name became Harnish & Baer * Raphael,Diaz, a "Cuba Iibre" man * the Kloepper Hotel * George C. Sauer * Mr. Martin, a former Presbyterian minister, was the principal * Adolph * the Callaghan estate * the Antonio Manchaca residence * J. B. Lacoste, a Frenchman, who built the first- waterworks plant and ice factory in San Antonio * e corner of Navarro and Commerce Streets, where the beautiful new Groos. bank, building is now being erected * Mr. Richter * the Wells Fargo Express Co., * the two-story Hummell building * the Behrings Book Store * Nic Tengg * Behrings * Behrings' book store * Hummel &. Mauermann's gun store * Dorsh & Riche's saloon, which for a long time was the elite German saloon in town. * Old Man Viveroux * George W. Giddings * Geo. W. Brackenridge's bank * Ernst Restaurant * Ernst's famous broiled steaks * Dr. Vette's drug store * Pentenrider's art store * J. T. Thornton's bank was afterwards on this corner. Across St. Mary's Street, where D. Sullivan's bank * A. Moke's retail dry goods store * John Twohig's bank * Wilson Riddle * Mr.. Greisenbeck * the northeast corner of Commerce and St. Mary's Streets * Miss Kate Twohig * Next came Samuel Bell's jewelry store * Asa Mitchell, the head of the vigilance committee * Rice's saddlery shop * Haas & Oppenheimer's store was on the corner of Soledad and Commerce Streets * notorious Jack Harris saloon and variety theater * Jack Harris was killed by Ben Thompson of Austin in this resort May 11 1882* King Fisher, Ben Thompson and Joe Foster were also killed there March 11, 1884 * the White Elephant gambling emporium * Billy Sims, Sam Berliner * Noyes & Langholtz saddlery * L. Wolfson had his large dry goods store * Antonio Navarro's real estate office * corner of Main Avenue and Main Plaza * the corner of Flores and Commerce Streets was , Fritz Schreiner's saloon * the largest drug store in San Antonio, conducted by Kalteyer & Son * St. Mary's Catholic orphanage * a large one-story building, fronting on Alamo Street, occupied by a man named Mills * Afterwards Driess also carried on a drug store at the same place * Simon Fest * the Widow Wren * the hardware firm of Laroux & Cosgrove * Across Casino Street was the blacksmith shop of Beckman * Alex Sartor's jewelry store * Tipps & Haerman succeeded Hausinger * the corner of Commerce and Presa Streets * Wagner & Rummel's wholesale grocery * Clavin's drug store * Charles Seabaugh * the Evening Light * the corner of Commerce and Navarro was the Beckman's shoe store * Mr. White afterwards conducted a tin shop * Gen William Steele 'and Col. T. G. Williams, two retired Confederate officers * Mrs. Schmidt * Henry Lewis, the brilliant lawyer, Judge Paschal * Mrs., Schmidt * the Tengg book store * Querler's ice cream and candy store * the two-story dry goods store of Zork * Captain Karber * tin shop of Leroux & Cosgrove * Barney and Michael Oppenheimer. D. & A. Oppenheimer's store * A. Nette's store * T. C. Frost's auction house * A. Morris had a dry goods store at the corner of Yturri and Commerce Street * his son, Hosie * The Bennett & Thornton Bank * Lockwood & Kempmann * Captain Merrett's fine grocery and liquor store * George Horner's saloon * the Daunhauer building * Elmendorf's hardware * Old Man Christler, a former prominent furniture merchant, who had a store in the French building, became demented on account of his love for liquor, and became the Socrates of the city. His hobby was in giving free street lectures and making grand eloquent speeches * "Crazy Phillip" Sweitzer * Charles Sartor * * Carter & Mullaly's stable * the Menger Hotel * Sappington's stable * Reeves' stable * R. Storey's stable * K. O. L. Wicks * the Menger Hotel * H. B. Adams, Wicks' partner * Sam W. Bennett * W. B. Knox * Gatlins *

INDIANS SWARMED OVER SOUTHWEST AS WHITES CAME

Prof. Carl Sauer, University of California, alleges that the southwestern part of the United States was populated by thousands of Indians before white men ever set foot on the North American continent and that recent researches show that there were at least 206 separate Indian villages in southwest Texas alone with Indians swarming over the open places in search of game and fish.

I Suppose You All Remember

By Frank H. Bushick

Mentions: Mother Shipton * Lyman Russell of Comanche was telegraph operator at Rockport * Green McCulloch * afternoon neck-tie party in Cotulla * The old beef packeries at Rockport * Joe Manchac, the bootblack * Big Foot Wallace * Tom Marsden's bar at Beeville * Old Parson Potter * John C. Jacobs * Rowdy Joe, Sam Trimble, Poley Reed, Duke Fleming, Bill Thompson, One-Armed Jim Reed, Aleck Reddick, Albert Lamm, old man Henry Goldwater and Eat-'em-up Jake Jonnson. * Wash Jones * John Ireland * Wes. Hardin * John Blocker * the dramatic triumphs of Mary Anderson * a young fellow by the name of Porter (afterward 0. Henry) * Rolly Ryan * Colonel Tom Ochiltree * Old Judge Noonan's horse ranch * Frank Kring

BLOND GIRLS MOST UNFORTUNATE WHEN CAPTURED BY INDIANS

When a red haired girl was captured by the Indians it was just too bad for her, said Aunt Martha Brumley, pioneer woman of this section, who still resides with her brother, Uncle Billie Harrell, near the Brumbelow home, six miles north of De Leon. Aunt Martha told about the capture of the two Lemley and two Woods girls, one day back in the 60's

The two families lived not far from De Leon, up in the north country, probably near Lowell. Mrs. Lemley had gone to spend the day at the Woods home and the two Woods girls had gone to spend the day with the Lemley girls. While the four were busy quilting, red men came and captured them and took them away. After going a short distance they sent three of the girls on ahead, keeping one of the girls behind. The others looked back and saw the Indians …

Further Mentions: Aunt Martha came to Comanche county in 1864, during the Civil War, later moving to Stephenville. Her name was Kirk. Her husband, Allen Kirk, was county clerk of Erath county* Half a mile from the Brumbelow home, which is about six miles north of De Leon is a queer rock shaft, about thirty feet tall and six or eight feet in diameter. There is a hole near the bottom sufficiently large to admit the body of a man * Aunt Martha * settlers named Miller and Woods * Uncle Billie Harrell *

Williamson Dam Shadows Site Of Indian Community

By W. H. Kittrell, Jr.

Mentions discoveries of the relics of prehistoric Indian villages in the regions around Williamson Dam, built north of town of Cisco. It was named after James Milton Williamson, long time mayor and survivor of the 1893 Tornado. This location was known far and wide among the nomadic Indian tribes as the most desirable spot in all the far reaches of West Texas, and many were the bloody battles fought for the possession of it.

Further Mentions: Randolph college * McMurry and Texas Tech * Ford-Volstead * the sulphur spring four miles north of Cisco * Deep Hole, just below the sulphur spring * the big house erected by Aaron Robinson * the Mecca of all the Comanches * Bob Gilman * the Hoffer Texas-Thomas well on the Gray tract * Lake Eastland *

Luke Short

THIS ARTICLE IS based on many newspaper accounts, book reports, and mainly on information furnished by the late Bat Masterson and by E. P. Lamborn, of Kansas. It is the account of Luke Short who was born in Arkansas in 1854 and moved to Tarrant County, Texas, while he was a young boy in the early sixties. Luke Short was small of size, some five feet six, and he weighed less than a hundred and fifty pounds. His education in the school room was meager, but he was an accomplished rider, roper, and a dead shot. He died at Queda Springs, Kansas, September 8, 1893, quietly in bed at the age of thirty-nine. He had been in many gun fights, never provoked a single one, but in each and every case, Luke was quietly on the defensive, but his famous hair trigger finger stood him stead. He was cool, deliberate in his methods, but in action he was quick as lightning. Thus the gambler at Leadville, Charley Storms in old Tomstone, and Jim Courtright all sleep in their graves today as a result-of that lightning trigger finger.

Further Mentions: the western parts of Parker county * Wise county, Texas * Old Birdville, six miles north of Fort Worth * old Cleburne, near Caddo Peak, across the Trinity near Fort Worth * Red River Crossing * Mustang Creek and the Bear Creeks * the Robinson Place on the line between Tarrant and Parker counties * Doan's Crossing, north of Vernon * the Black Hills of South Dakota * Sidney, Nebraska * Jim Courtright * the Earp brothers, Doc Holiday, Bat Masterson, the Clanton brothers * Charley Storms was one of the famous characters of the west * Harris and Beeson * Mayor Webster * Volume also Includes an old photo depicting W. H. Harris, Luke Short, W. B. Masterson, W. H. Petillon, C. Bassett, Wyatt Earp, McNeal, Neal Brown.

John S. Blount's Many Experiences

By Boyce House.

Blount was born in Hancock County, Ga., May 15, 1849, and came to Texas in a covered wagon when he was only 4 years old. After living a year in Rusk County, he moved to Hopkins County and regarded that as his home until he came to Cisco and made that his home. A man who was engaged in Indian warfare, rooting out horse-thieves, and more, from the time he was very young, he lived a long life, bristling with adventure and hair-breadth escapades. This story recalls numerous of those experiences.

Further Mentions: Tom Hart * Hopkins county* Mrs. J. T. Scott * Naked Head, a particular friend of Blount

A Nebraskan Tardily Rewarded

Account of Corporal Leander Herron, one of the brave men who were part of that race of frontiersmen whose courage and daring were never matched and who, in spite of the disparity of numbers, outgamed and outfought warring Indians on many a field. The fact that Corporal Herron was chosen by Congress for an honor denied to many others whose names are more familiar, like "Buffalo Bill" Cody, "Wild Bill" Hickock, Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, makes his story worth the telling. Like Cody he was a pony express rider in the days when the vigorous warfare of the Indians had forced the abandonment of the stage lines, and it was while engaged in this perilous duty that he performed the exploit for which the government tardily rewarded him. This is that story.

Further Mentions: Dog Soldiers, warriors drummed out of their own tribes because of their treachery and meaness and the worst of their kind, roamed the plains for hundreds of miles, patrolling the trails and raiding, killing, burning wherever they could find victims. * Big Coon Creek, some 20 miles out of Fort Larned * Pawnee County, Kansas * Fort Dodge * Fort Coon * Paddy Boyle, a rollicking, dare-devil of an Irishman * Goodman * Eighty-third Pennsylvania * Venango County * An early and thrilling experience was being sent with eight others, under command of a lieutenant, into the Wichita Mountains after two white girls who had been captured and grossly abused by Indians of the Kiowa tribe * The daring horsemanship of the Indian has always made him a picturesque figure when mounted, and when a thousand or two of, them wheel and circle it is an imposing and fascinating scene. A bugle sounded as the detachment approached, and the massed warriors swooped down upon the little band of soldiers and their guides * the Big Coon Creek fight * Baku *

Butte, Montana, Fortune-Tellers

Byron E. Cooney.

Cooney exposes the fraud and corruption of certain spiritualistic mediums who preyed on the poor immigrant miners in the old days of wild Butte, MT. He focuses on one Professor Kellogg whose schemes were notoriously effective and who swindled multitudes of their hard-earned cash.

Further Mentions: the gray haired and dignified Sheldon * Madam Argyle, the gipsy-like Madam Montyne, and the Italian Alvini * Madam Oxjenystein * South Montana street * the Shodair block * Joseph Jackson,, the trick bicycle rider of the Orpheum circuit, Professor Brooks of Pantages, and Albini * Owen of Salt Lake * Symon's store * Pocatello * Idaho Falls * "Cut Bank" George Brown * the Ansonia block * Fred Sutherland * Chief of Police Wynne *

SOME OLD GOURDS IN TEXAS

Gourds were once the most popular drinking vessels in the United States, and are still preferred by many gourds that have been in use more than half a century and are highly prized by the owners.

J. E. Bullion, of Seymour, owns what he believes to be the oldest gourd in the State. This gourd was cleaned by Mr. Bullion's father in 1820. It was never used for drinking purposes, however, but as a container for powder, at a time when gourds were universally used for carrying powder and shot. * Mrs. Annie Morgan, of Weatherford, has a powder gourd that is much older, and perhaps…

Texas Treasure Hunters

The idea seems to prevail that years ago Texas was overrun with rich Mexicans who deposited vast sums of money here and there and then kindly died or got scalped, leaving their lucre to whom it might concern. Nearly every county in Western Texas can produce several citizens who spend the summer season ranging around through the cedar brakes looking for Mexican land marks and inscriptions and collecting a large supply of assorted ticks, and who sit around the grocery store all winter wearing out the patience of their neighbors and the returning board of their pants, while smoking borrowed tobacca and explaining the intricate process of not finding what they were looking for.

Further Mentions: Leonidas Cato Boggs, of Bandera county * Greaser Geography of Texas * Montezuma mineral rod * Tristram Dudley *

Rhodes R. Brashear Crosses Red River In 1853

Account of early settler of Comanche county, TX, Richard R. Brashear. He was born at Mexico, Mo. October 25, 1843, and crossed the Red river with a party in wagons, coming to Texas on Dec. 1, 1853. His father fell in with a party of fifteen wagons from Illinois and came to the village of Dallas. Brashear's father disliked the "plains" country around Dallas and returned to Cook county, passing by Denton where there was only one house, a log cabin which had been the headquarters for an army post. They took the old soldier's trail to Ft. Hickory, four miles from where Gainesville is located now. They found friends and settlers here, and resided in Cook county for ten years. Finally the family came to Comanche county to live in 1861, when Brashear was 17 years of age. The account records the notable experiences of his eventful life in Comanche county.

Further Mentions: a Christain preacher named Poly * family named Hudson * Indian Creek, below Comanche * The town of Comanche then had two stores, a blacksmith shop and a little frame office building where the county business was transacted. There was also a little school house there. His father was named Guy Brashear and his mother, Nancy * Uncle Charlie McKenzie * One of the party named Anderson was shot to death by another named Cox * The Ranger headquarters at that time was at Gatesville * a cave out at Copperas probably twelve miles from De Leon * Miss Josephine Owen *

Pioneer West Texan In Masonic Home

In this account, J. E. Farmer, San Angelo area pioneer recollects some stirring episodes of the early days in West Texas, one of them concerning the well known "Wash" De Long, one of a trio of three brothers, all Indian fighters.

Further Mentions: Sam DeLong * Ed Love * W. S. Kelly * Barton J. DeWitt purchased the land on the North Concho River on the opposite side from the post and established a store * Johnny Earl * W. S. Veck * Col. Shafter * the Q. M. office * Coughlins * Fort Concho * Mrs. Katherine Veck, John Lackey, the Preusser family, the Tankerslys, Miller the Taylors * About the middle of November 1872, Wash DeLong started from his home at Lipan Springs, Tom Green County, Texas, with a view of gathering pecan nuts and bagging some wild turkeys; he was accompanied by Ed Love, a tenderfoot… * South Concho river to Ben Ficklin * a line of Concord Coaches * a Milburn wagon

C. R. CARRUTH TELLS OF BUFFALO HUNT NEAR ABILENE IN EARLY 70'S

Uncle Charley Carruth tells an interesting story of saving the life of the late lamented J. D. Ham. About ten wagons, driven by men of this section, went out into the country beyond Abilene to hunt buffalo. The horses of the party were corralled a short distance from the camp without making the fact of his leaving known. J. D. Ham, for some reason, disregarded the rule, going to the corral to get his pony, which he had ridden hard that afternoon to give it water...

Further Mentions: * Ples Millican * Cottonwood Springs * Baird * Sipe Springs * Bob Leslie * De Leon * Highland * John Keith * he came to Comanche county, settling on land where the Nunnelley, Pounds, and Bowman homes were established * Mary Lewis * Desdemona * Mollie Ross *

MATTERS OF INTEREST ABOUT OUR STATE CAPITAL

Austin was selected as the capital of Texas in 1839, by five commissioners, sent out by Mirabeau It. Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas. There was a small village on the site at the time known as Waterloo.

The commissioners purchased for $21,000 the rights of...

WIFE OF FORMER TEXAS RANGER TELLS OF COMING TO TEXAS IN AN OX WAGON IN 1875

Mrs. J. J. Heath arrived in Comanche county in 1875, a girl of fifteen years, with her parents, Wm. Logsdon and wife. They drove one horse team and one yoke of oxen to wagons. There were seven of the Logsdon children, three boys and four girls and the family settled at the mouth of Sabano in Onion Valley, making their home on the south side of the river. She attended school at old Buffalo Springs, taught by Mrs. Tillie, a widow…

Further Mentions: The Heath family lived just across the river on the north side of Onion Valley from the Logsdons* Whitney * the Waldrop store * the Leslie murder incident * Indians killed a little boy just before 1875, at McDonald Crossing on the Leon * Jones Crossing * Wm. Logsdon, father of Mrs. Heath, died in 1896 and, her mother in 1898

Caddo Indians Had Legend Of Flood

Mentions: J. Harry Phelan, Beaumont oil man. * Edward Newton * Miss Florence Stratton * Isaac Van Zandt, * J. Pinckney Henderson * the Caddo or Caddoque, tribe * T. C. Jenkins * Morse's "Gazeteer" of 1804

KOTHMANN REUNION

More than 500 persons, descendants of Heinrich Kothmann, Sr., held their third family reunion at the Premier Ranch owned by Elgin O. Kothmann eighteen miles south of Mason July 11, 12, 13. This family reunion joined together what is believed to be one of Texas' largest families and reunion held in the state. The father of the Kothmann family arrived in Texas from Germany December 31, 1845, landing near Galveston and 11 years later settled near what is now known as Art, in Mason county…

Further Mentions: Frank Jordan * the Rev. Knolle of Seguin * Ed F. Kothmann * D. F. Lehmberg * Elgin E. Eckert * Eli Jordan * E. W. Kothmann * Mrs. Caroline Lagle of San Angelo * William Kothmann of Castell * Mrs. Ernest Marschall of Llano County * W. I. Marschall, formerly county agent of Mason County

Relates How His Uncle Saved Life Of Santa Anna

The story relates the capture of Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna on April 22, 1836-the day following the victory of the Texans at the Battle of San Jacinto. Samuel L. Townsend, veteran of the Civil War relates how his uncle, Joel W. Robison saved the life of the famous prisoner. Robison was one of the party of three Texans who captured the Mexican dictator-general, the others being James Sylvester and Sion Bostick. Sylvester is commonly given credit for capture of this leader, but in his late years he acknowledged Robison as the man to whom more credit is due.

Further Mentions: Mrs. W. M. Stephenson * Light Townsend of San Marcos * Gen. Burleson * Gen. Nathan B. Forrest * Gen. Price

Stories Of Old Trail Drivers Of Long Ago

By Cora Milton Cross

Account of Palo Pinto County cattleman, Wild Charley Williams, who with his parents, Pat and Missouri Williams, came to Palo Pinto County in the 1890 and eventually settled a 13,000 acre ranch. This is his story.

Further Mentions: Knox Brothers ranch in Jack County* the old Carson Lewis horse ranch, one of the biggest and' best known in the pioneer days of Texas * the Indian Waterhole * the killing of a famous Indian chief there * William S. Ikard of Henrietta * The Lewis ranch finally passed into the hands of Mr. Couts, who willed it to his daughter, Mrs. Anderson * Mrs. D. C. Harris, daughter of George W. Slaughter * The Slaughter ranch * Colonel Travis * Butler * ranch located four miles from the town of Gonconda. * Mineral Wells * Bob Dalton * The famous `Hell's Gate,' * Belding's ranch * Henry Belding

Tells Fate Of Bender Family

This is an account of the fate of the ”Bloody Bender” family “…who fled from their blood reeking shanty on the Kansas prairie and disappeared as completely as if the earth had swallowed them. Since that time many rumors of how they got away to Mexico, to Canada, to California, to Germany and many other places have been circulated. Stories of their annihilation by the sheriff and United States marshal have been told only to be discredited. Yet the secret of their demise is revealed in this story, by a man sick unto death, who for over thirty years lived the life of a respected and honored business man in a Chicago suburb. George Evans Downer of Downer's Grove, grandson of Pierce Downer, who founded the settlement in 1833, told the story, fully believing he is on his death bed and that it is his duty to publish the truth to the world. A compact entered into by members of the vigilance committee at the time had kept his lips sealed all these years, but realizing that if he did not speak, the truth might never be known, induced him to tell how he assisted in the extermination of the fiendish family.

To his wife he has told the story hundreds of times since their-marriage twenty-two years ago, and it was understood that she, who knew the story by heart, should give it to the world after his death.

But for many months he was been lying on a sick bed waiting for the end and brooding over his wild Western life in the '60s and early '70s. The weight of his secret has been ever greater burden to him, and at last he expressed the desire to have the matter settled before his death.

After this decision he became rapidly weaker and when the time came to take down the story it was possible only for his wife to tell it in his presence, in his words as she remembered them, with occasional corrections and additions by the dying man. His eldest son, Pierce Downer, sat beside him assisting in the accurate transcription of the oft told tale. His wife his children, and a few old friends had been taken into his confidence under pledges of secrecy, but except to these the fate of the Benders was an apparently unfathomable mystery.

The story as he tells it, partly through his wife and partly in faint gasps from the sickbed, is as follows:

This is a gruesome and descriptive account of this man’s nearly fatal encounter with this horrible, Demon-possessed family and how the end finally and indisputably came to the ones who “loved to see the blood come.” The account will make you sick.

Further Mentions: Fred B. Hambledon * Osage Mission * Dr. William H. York of Independence a brother of Senator A. M. York * Cherryvale * "She was a slender, medium-sized girl, with a lot of wavy auburn hair, fresh complexion, frank blue eyes, a pleasant manner, and h distinctly 'city air'. She had a low voice and spoke without an accent, though with an utter disregard for grammar. I noticed especially that her hands and arms were particularly well shaped and that on her fingers she wore several rings, apparently valuable, and like herself out of keeping with her surroundings. . "Kate posed as a 'medium,' and it was her reputation in this regard that… * Mrs. Gunness * Langehor, and his 7-year-old daughter * Catherine Esser * One of the men was named Whitney and another Brown * a banker in Independence named Page or a man named Delos Avery *

Chihuahua Scalp Hunters

By Donald F. MacCarthy.

This story presents the terrifying history of the reckless John Glanton, the Chihuahua scalp hunter, their bloody raids and their deplorable end. At fifteen years of age, John Glanton was one of the most noted Rangers on the frontier, at sixteen he was Captain of a Ranger company, and as such, served through the Mexican War, and won great renown as a scout. But in the early summer of 1849 Glanton, along with about thirty men, fully armed and well mounted, and as desperate a type of adventurers as had come out of the Mexican War, practically all of whom had served under him there, left San Antonio for California, leaving behind his newly wedded wife, who was a very good woman. But upon discovering that a magnificent bounty was being paid by the governor of Chihuahua for Apache scalps, they decided to lay a course for the that state, and in due time arrived in the City of Chihuahua, where they halted for recreation and pleasure, and where was to begin one of the most thrilling and tragic epics of record in the annals of the Southwest. This is the story

Further Mentions: Governor Terrasos, of the state of Chihuahua * the celebrated Victorio * George Frederick Ruxton, noted English traveler, who spent much time in Mexico * peaceful Tarahumares * Jere Clemens "Mustang Grey", * Benjamin Riddle, a merchant * John Abel * the mining town of Tinos Altos * the renowned Apache chief, Mangus Colorado, meaning Red Mantle * Dave and Charlie Brown, the two survivors of Glanton's band * the Yuma Indians, under old Pasqual * Major Horace Bell * Donald F. MacCarthy. Montrose, Calif *

HISTORY OF TEXAS INTERWOVEN WITH LIVES OF TWO FAMILIES

Mentions: Miss Leland Watkins, supervisor in the Dallas County school system * the history of the Brown and Watkins families * the famous Mier expedition * Miss Watkins taught at John Henry Brown School * Mrs. J. W. Bray * Judge Royall R. Watkins * Mrs. James Whitfield * Miss Kate Brown, teacher, of Henderson; the late Mrs. Richard Brown, the late Mrs. Robert Smith. In the top row are Mrs. Jesse Watkins of Henderson, mother of Miss Leland Watkins; Mrs. John Yandle of Henderson and Mrs. R. C. Burk of San Augustine, mother of Mrs. Bray. * Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brown * Mack Brown, Billie Brown, Veasy Brown, Charles Brown, Robert Brown and Julian Brown. * Sam Miller of Mineral Wells * Sullivan Miller, living in Dallas * Richard Brown was among the first to. respond when Sam Houston called for volunteers after General Woll had captured San Antonio * Richard Brown settled near Henderson, building him a log house * Rusk County * Mr. J. H. Driver, Brownsville, Texas, *

Texas Mountain Called Enchanted Rock

Mrs. A. C. Bowan.

Account of the mysterious events, sounds, sights and legends associated with the Enchanted Rock, which is a bald, oval-shaped granite mountain, covering 640 acres, the largest one-piece granite rock in the world. Its top is 1824 feet above sea level. It is located about 24 miles south of Llano. It’s mysterious history is the subject of this account.

Further Mentions: Tate Moss* Governor Dan Moody * An old Indian trailer in this section in the early days, named Sullivan, told of riding upon the wild woman while he was scouting around the rock. William S. Chesser,. a Texas scout, now living in Llano, states that he has heard the wild woman's cries * Steve Moss

WILD SPOTS STILL REMAIN IN MONTANA UNCHANGED SINCE THE WHITE MAN CAME

By John Franklin Lewis

Account of far southeastern Montana, Powder River county and in southern Carter county, along the Wyoming border, an area which remained relatively unexplored and sparsely inhabited well into the 1900’s. It is here described.

Further Mentions: a "honyock" squatter* Chalk Buttes * Ridge in Carter county * Jess Hurley * One of the deputy state stock inspectors, Bill Ritchardson * President Harding * Broadus, in Powder River county * Attorney General W. D. Rankin * J. S. Scott * Frank H. Bushick

SOME NAMES IN THIS VOLUME:

John Abel; H. B. Adams; Col Almonte; Kenneth L. Anderson; Mary Anderson; Madam Argyle; Austin; Delos Avery; Lucky Baldwin; ; Marcelaus Barker; C. Bassett; Gen Baylor; Col George Wythe Baylor; Dr John Baylor; Gen John R. Baylor; John Robert Baylor; Lt Col Baylor; ; Henry Belding; W. J. Belding; Horace Bell; Samuel; John Bender; Kate Bender; ; Sam W. Bennett; Sam Berlmer; Blocker; John S. Blount; Leonidas Cato Boggs; Sion Bostick; Mrs A. C. Bowan; Chief Bowies; Paddy Boyle; Geo W. Brackenridge; John Branch; Guy Brashear; Nancy Brashear; Rhodes R. Brashear; Mrs J. W.. Bray; Jim Bridgers; Prof Brooks; Billie Brown; Charles Brown; Charlie Brown; Dave Brown; George "Cut Bank" Brown; Julian Brown; Miss Kate Brown; Mack Brown; Neal Brown; Richard Brown; Mrs Richard Brown; Robert Brown; Mrs Robert Brown; Veasy Brown; Martha Brumley; J. E. Bullion; Mrs R. C. Burk; Burleson; Frank H. Bushick; John C. Calhoun; Charley R. Carruth; William S. Chesser; Jere Clemens; Bill Cody; Buffalo Bill; Mangus Colorado; Byron E. Cooney; Jim Courtright; Col Crisp; John T. Col Crisp; Crockett; Cross; Robinson Crusoe; Bob Dalton; Pres Davis; Sam DeLong; "Wash" DeLong; Barton J. DeWitt; Raphael Diaz; ; Mrs Olive K. Dixon; Dobie; George Evans Downer; Pierce Downer; Driggs; J. H. Driver; Tristam Dudley; ; Johnny Earl Duval; Wyatt Earp; ; Elgin E. Eckert; Catherine Esser; J. E. Farmer; Simon Fest; Benjamin F. Ficklin; Fisher; Duke Fleming; John S. Ford; Gen Nathan B. Forrest; Foster; T. C. Frost; George W. Giddings; Gillett; Bob Gilman; John Glanton; ; Henry Goldwater; Goodnight; J. D. Ham; John Ham; Fred B. Hambledon; Emily J. Hanna; Capt Peter Hardeman; Hardin; Billie Harrell; Mrs D. C. Harris; W. H. Harris; Tom Hart; Hayes; Mrs J. J. Heath; Jim Heath; J. Pinckney Henderson; O. Henry; Leander Corp Herron; ; Wild Bill Hickock; Doc Holiday; George Horner; Jess Hurley; William S. Ikard; John Ireland; Joseph Jackson; John C. Jacobs; Thomas Jefferson; T. C. Jenkins; Eat-'em-up Jake Johnson; Albert Johnston; Wash Jones; Eli Jordan; Capt Karber; John Keith; Prof Kellogg; W. S. Kelly; Allen Kirk; W. H. Kittrell Jr; Adolph Kloepper; Helena Kloepper; Rev Knolle; W. B. Knox; E. W. Kothmann; Ed F. Kothmann; Elgin O. Kothmann; Heinrich Kothmann; Heinrich Kothmann Sr; William Kothmann; Frank Kring; John Lackey; J. B. Lacoste; Mrs Caroline Lagle; Mirabeau B. Lamar; Lamborn; Stuttering Lame; Albert Lamm; Lehmann; D. F. Lehmberg; Bob Leslie; Carson Lewis; Henry Lewis; John Franklin Lewis; Mary Lewis; Wm Logsdon; Ed Love; Isaac Maj Lynde; Donald F. MacCarthy; MacCarthy; Gen Magruder; Joe Manchac; Antonio Manchaca; Mrs Ernest Marschall; W. I. Marschall; W. L. Marschall; Tom Marsden; ; W. B. Masterson; F. M. McCaleb; Green McCulloch; Charlie McKenzie; Capt Merrett; Sam Miller; Sullivan Miller; Ples Millican; Asa Mitchell; A. Moke; Madam Montyne; Dan Gov Moody; Capt L. N. Moore; Mrs Annie Morgan; A. Morris; Steve Moss; Tate Moss; Antonio Navarro; A. Nette; Edward Newton; Judge Noonan; Dr Notson; Col Tom Ochiltree; A. Oppenheimer; Barney Oppenheimer; D. Oppenheimer; Josephine Miss Owen; Madam Oxjenystein; Judge Paschal; W. H. Petillon; J. Harry Phelan; Capt L. N. Picacho; Parson Potter; Gen Price; Gen W. D. Rankin; Aleck Reddick; Jim (One-Armed Jim)Reed; Poley; Alfred Reeves; Ernest Richter; William Richter; Benjamin Riddle; Wilson Riddle; Bill Ritchardson; Roberts; Aaron Robinson; Joel Robison; Joel W. Robison; Will Rogers; Mollie Ross; Thomas J. Rusk; Thomas Jefferson; Lyman Russell; George Frederick Ruxton; Rolly Ryan; Gen Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna; Alex Sartor; Charles Sartor; Carl Sauer; George C. Sauer; Saunders; August Schmidt; Fritz Schreiner; J. S. Scott; Mrs J. T. Scott; Charles Seabaugh; Col Shafter; ; Luke Short; ; Gen H. H. Brig Sibley; Billy Sims; George W. Slaughter; Mrs Robert Smith; Lt R. H. D. Sorrell; Gen William Steele; Mrs W. M. Stephensen; W. R. Storey; Charley Storms; Storms; Florence Miss Stratton; D. Sullivan; Fred Sutherland; "Crazy Phillip"Sweitzer; James Sylvester; Sylvester; P. C. Taylor; Nic Tengg; Gov Terrasos; Thompson; ; J. T. Thornton; Herbert Townsend; Light Townsend; Samuel L. Townsend; Travis; Sam Trimble; Kate Miss Twohig; IsaacVan Zandt; Mrs Katherine Veck; W. S. Veck; Dr Vette; Chief Victoria; Capt James Walker; William Wallace; Edwin Wallar; Edwin Waller; Mrs Jesse Watkins; Leland Miss Watkins; Royall R. Watkins; Mayor Webster; Mrs James Whitfield; E. O. L. Wicks; Charley (Wild Charley) Williams; Missouri Williams; Pat Williams; Col T. G. Williams; L. Wolfson ; Woll; Wortham; Andrew Wren; Tom Wren; Mrs John Yandle; A. M. York; Dr York; Dr William H. York; Yordt