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COUNTY SERIES READER
History of Montague County
MRS. W. R. POTTER
SITATIS
SIGILLUM
IFORNIENSIS
LVX
FIAT
MDCC
XVIII
EX LIBRIS
BANCROFT LIBRARY
6人 250
Potter, Fannie (Bellows)
"Mrs. W. R. Potter."
COUNTY SERIES READER
HISTORY of MONTAGUE COUNTY
ERA 1-Immigration ERA 2-Organization ERA 3-Progress
E. L. STECK HURTLED AUSTIN
F 392 ·M&P8
"The American Republic is not leagues and fur- longs; it is not wealth; it is not power. It is em- bodied liberty, regulated by law ; it is liberty resting upon organized institutions, through which society and civilization may blossom into their fullest and fairest flower."
Bancroft Library 10,260
EXPLANATION.
It was the first purpose of the author of this book to write a history that would only be read in the homes of the county; but, after much deliberation and consultation with those best fitted to know, it was decided to condense the work and put it in a form that could be studied as a supplementary reader in the public schools of this county.
Believing that such a study would tend to culti- vate that patriotism which is the heritage of every American citizen, and cause our youths to look with a greater degree of reverence upon the early settlers of this county, the writer makes this explanation for the benefit of those who have so kindly given the data which this book contains, that they may know why some of the smaller details are left out. The sketches of Indian depredations necessarily had to be condensed for school purposes. The author also wishes to express a sincere appreciation to the following friends who have assisted greatly in the compiling of this history : Mr. Bud Morris, Mr. Cash McDonald, Mr. C. Moore, Mr. C. Grant, Mr. Joe Box, Mr. Bob Savage, Mr. Levi Perryman, Mr. W. R. Bel- lows, Mr. S. G. Dowell, Mrs. Charlie Moore, Mrs. Charlie Grant, Mrs. Levi Blankenship, Mrs. Nettie Bellows, Mrs. Bob Savage, Mrs. Chesley Marlett.
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PREFACE.
This book, partially, owes its origin to the encour- agement of friends, who, long ago, urged me to at- tempt a work which would serve to illustrate and perpetuate the epoch-making periods of the history of Montague County. I have never wished more earnestly than now that these pages were possessed of a merit which might outlive my time, so at least these lines might remain as a record of the excel- lence of the people whom I loved and among whom it is my pleasure to live.
The genuine hardihood and true nobility of the pioneers of our county have never been fully appre- ciated. Their deeds of heroism and courage equalled those enacted by their ancestors in the early days of the "Colonies." There were dangers untold, dreadful days and nights of anxiety; Indian battles were fought, fierce and long; many a father, many a brother, sleeps where he fell, the forgotten, silent hero of civilization's advance.
Naturally, too, the interests of these pioneer peo- ple became interwoven with each other, and, as will be seen, when Indian dangers lurked, and the mutterings of war were heard throughout the land, they were drawn still closer together, and the citi- zens became as brothers, with the same feelings stirring their hearts.
I would not give the men the praise alone, for
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PREFACE.
many a covered wagon, as it rolled away from home and loved ones bore many a tearful, heartsore daugh- ter as she bade farewell to father and mother to follow the fortunes of her husband, who, answering the call of the wild, determined to make for them- selves a home in the beautiful west. Dangers lurked on every hand, but they were brave; privations awaited them, but they were enduring. Hope de- ferred, which maketh the heart sick, was theirs, but God gave them patience. What a heritage of pro- gress, power and strength they have given us.
In attempting this work I have endeavored to study the times and characters diligently. In these pages I have tried to represent the history as it was and is. As a people we are prone to go beyond the limits of home for talent, progress and beauty of scenery, but I venture to hope the reader will obtain from these pages a better opinion of the importance of the county in which we live. More especially do I hope to perpetuate the memory of those "mak- ers of history," the noble pioneer men and women who endured privations and hardships, battlings with the Indians, and the internal strifes incident to the civil war, that the foundation for a successful and progressive citizenship might be made. It is to these men and women this book is most respectfully dedicated by the author.
MRS. W. R. POTTER.
Bowie, Texas.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
1
Texas
1
Early History of Austin
5
Indians-Some of their characteristics
8
Sad Fate of Daniel Wainscot and Jack Kilgore 13
Example of Indian Cruelties to Animals. 19
Death of Spencer Moore and His Son, Ira 21
Attack on Jim Box and His Family. 24
An Exciting Chase. 27
The Fate of One Indian 28
Death of Two Young Boys 29
Indians Slay Nathan Long
31
Capture of the McElroy Children 38
Indians Charge on Mr. Jackson's Home. 40
42
Another Indian Raid 47
Indian Raid Near Spanish Fort 51
Capture of Dick Freeman and John Bailey 53
The Lost Soldier 59
Among Other Indian Cruelties
63
An Indian Attack 65
Queen's Peak Incident
66
Old Tip's Dislike for the Indians
68
Indians Disturb Preaching Service 71
An Indian Skirmish 75
A Pioneer Woman's Experience With the Indians 75
Death of Andy Powers 77
Death of Lieutenant Van Roberts
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viii.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Indian Cunning 78
Brother and Sister Defend Their Mother's Home 80
Fate of the Keenan and Paschal Families 87 93
Easter Sunday, 1871
Story of Beale and Maxey Families 94
Charging Victoria Peak, summer of 1870 98
Indian Masquerades as Woman
99
Indians Attack Lee Home
101
Satanta
102
The Indian Crossing
106
The Last Indian Raid in Montague County
107
Jim Ned Look Out.
114
Brushy Mound 115
The Home of My Early Days.
118
The Home Life of the Pioneer 119
To the Boys and Girls 128
I'll Do What I Can 130
Ode to Montague County
131
Montague County
133
Texas Rangers.
146
The Southland
149
150
The United Daughters of the Confederacy 157
The Old Coat of Gray.
United Confederate Veterans 159
Progressive Montague County 163
Patriotism
184
TEXAS.
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Blessed are all free people, Too strong to be dispossessed, But blessed are those among nations, Who dare to be strong for the rest."
One bright spring morning Tom was strolling about the capitol grounds in Austin. Now, Tom was not of a very artistic temperament, but the scene was so beautiful that even he could not help but admire it. All nature was out in holiday attire. The air was fragrant with dewy blossoms. The Texas blue bonnets were waving a cordial welcome, and over all shone the blue of a Texas sky. I wish, pu- pils, that you would study with your teacher the wonderful colorings in our Texas sky. It would soon have a peculiar charm for you. Sometimes it grows angry, and the mutterings of thunder is heard, and it darts vivid tongues of lightning in your path. Again it is as peaceful as a New England Sabbath- with the most exquisite colorings of blue and yellow and gold, with softened tints of gray. At other times wearing a soft pink, like the blush on a Texas maiden's cheek.
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
"The sky is a drinking cup, That was overturned of old, And it pours in the eyes of men Its wine of airy gold ; We drink that wine all day, Till the last drop is drained up,
And are lighted to our bed By the jewels in the cup."
As Tom strolled about, his footsteps led him to a handsome granite monument. Let me see to whom this monument is erected. As he read the historic inscription engraved upon it, he saw that this was the silent tribute of honor erected to the memory of those noble Texas heroes who loyally gave their lives for the cause they loved so well; that cause so dear to every American heart, Liberty. Engraved upon this monument were these sad but significant words, "Thermopylae had her messenger of defeat, the Alamo had none."
Now, Tom had been a diligent student of Texas history, just as you will be later on, and quite natu- rally his thoughts turned to that scene in the old mission building. In his imagination he could see the immortal Travis as he gathered his little band of brave men about him, and how gallantly they per- ished for Texas, and how the cruel Santa Anna had their bodies burned. Mrs. Pennybacker, in her His- tory of Texas, says : "As the Sabbath sun sank
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
slowly in the west, the smoke from that funeral pyre of heroes ascended to heaven. From that sa- cred fire sprang the flames that lighted all Texas, that consumed many Mexican lives, and caused even the Napoleon of the West to bow low his haughty head." One of the last official acts of President Tyler was to sign a bill providing for the annexation · of Texas to the Union, making it a law. On Febru- ary 19th, 1846, Texas became subject to the laws of the United States, after the people had voted almost unanimously in favor of it. Never did the United States of America receive a fairer daughter. With her trees, her streams, her flower decked prairies, she brought with her men of brain and brawn; wom- en of faith and courage; she brought with her an empire territory, exceeding in extent most of the governments of the world. Texas brought the United States an area of 265,780 square miles, or 170,926,080 acres. Its greatest extent from north to south is 760 miles, and 740 miles from east to west.
The public school system of Texas ranks well with that of other States, although our public educators are not entirely satisfied with the present system, but are constantly reaching out along more progress- ive lines. Texas comprises a variety of soil and cli- mate, and its productions are of equal variety. Texas ranks first among the States in many lines of production and industry. She is first in area, rail- way mileage, cotton, cattle, mules, goats, honey,
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
pecans, turkeys, and watermelons. She also ranks well in the raising of grain, hogs and poultry.
Swiftly flowing streams, along whose banks the "children of the forest" were wont to roam in the long ago, have given place to thriving towns and progressive cities. The noisy brook goes hurrying by as it babbles to us of Texas, her glorious past, her gracious present, and her magnificent future.
From East Texas, where it has been said "the pine trees grow so tall they tickle the feet of the angels," to West Texas, where the green pastures provide for the cattle on a thousand hills; from North Texas on to where the Gulf of Mexico laves her southern shores, Texas is teeming with the splen- did gifts which nature has bestowed upon her, and the smoke curls peacefully from thousands of happy homes. See the great tide of immigration that is constantly flowing across her borders. From the east, from the west, and from far to the north of us they come. All the States contributing to this great commonwealth of ours.
On the morning mentioned in the beginning Tom's thoughts dwelt again on the monument upon which their names stood out in bold relief. He reviewed the path of progress made possible by these heroic men, and he said aloud: "Ah! Bonham, Travis, Crockett, Bowie, you builded far better than you knew." And now, pupils, are you not glad that our ,own county of Montague forms a part of this great
.
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
State, with its vast resources, and its wonderful history ?
In the following chapters you must pay especial attention to the part your county plays in Texas- the Lone Star State.
EARLY HISTORY OF AUSTIN.
It is fitting that every boy and girl in our county should be familiar with the location of our State capital. It is the capital for Montague county, just as it is for the other counties which go to make · up the great State of Texas. Let us see what we can learn that will be of interest to us. First, we find that six years before Texas was made a part of the United States the founders of the "Republic of Texas," of which you will learn more when you take up the study of State history, appointed a com- mission to select a place for a permanent seat of government. This city they named Austin, in honor of the founder of Texas. It is situated near the center of the State, on the Colorado River, in Travis County. It is here that our magnificent granite capitol building stands. This building is located near the center of the city, and from its upper sto- ries a commanding view of the country is to be had. From east to west this building is 600 feet long; from north to south, 287 feet deep, and the height
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
of the apex of the dome is 313 feet, being six feet higher than our national capitol at Washington, D. C. The exterior walls are built of Texas red granite, brought from the quarries of Burnet County. This granite is pronounced by experts to be as fine as any in the world. Wherever it was possible, Texas material has been used in the building, and nearly all the material is native growth. There are 258 rooms, 900 windows and 500 doors. . The wainscoting is made of oak, ash, pine, cedar, cherry, mahogany and walnut-the aggregate length of which is said to · be about seven miles. The building covers three acres of ground, and has about eighteen acres of floor space. A Chicago syndicate erected this capitol building for a consideration of three million acres of Texas land. The building was begun in 1882 and completed in 1888. So, you see, they were six years building this great capitol, of which Texas people are justly proud. And why not take a pride in it ? With the exception of the capitol building at Wash- ington it is the largest building in the United States, and the seventh largest building in the world. Do not forget this fact. It may be your privilege to visit Austin some time and go through this great structure. When you go, do not fail to go over the beautiful grounds. You will find miles of cement and gravel walks, leading in all directions; you will see beautiful fountains, artificial lakes and pools, sparkling in the sunshine, and in which the gold fish
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
are swimming about, while beautiful plants of gor- geous hue are blooming on every side.
Be sure you visit the "Capitol Green House." This beautiful addition to the capitol grounds was erected under the supervision of a former Montague County citizen, Mr. W. C. Day, while he was Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds during the Camp- bell administration. You will recognize this green house by a single large gold star over the entrance. The flowers grown here are for use in the Governor's mansion, just across the way, and are of many and rare varieties.
On the left of the broad walk leading to the main entrance to the capitol you will see the Terry Ran- gers' and the Firemen's monuments, and on the right side two monuments dear to every Texan's heart, one erected to the Confederacy, the other to the he- roes of the Alamo.
The two main departments of this great capitol building are the Senate chamber and the House of Representatives. The Daughters of the Confederacy have a room set apart for their especial use. In this room many war relics are preserved that serve to perpetuate the history of our Southland. There are numerous other offices in the capitol building oc- cupied by the various State officers. There is also a handsomely furnished reception room, set apart for the Governor's use.
Across the street from the capitol building is the
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
Governor's mansion, a fine old colonial building that has been the home for so many Texas Gover- nors and their families.
INDIANS-SOME OF THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
"Alas ! the poor Indian, With untutored mind, Finds God in the clouds, And again in the wind."
But little is known of the real origin of the North American Indian. Many historians, with as many different theories, have undertaken to account for the presence of the Indians in the New World, but to this good hour the problem remains practically unsolved. All writers agree, however, that they are among the oldest races of mankind. After much study, all writers have much the same things to say about the Indian.
As to pursuits, they rarely cared to cultivate the soil, but were truly men of the chase. To hunt was the Indian's favorite pastime. They were never more contented than in a country of forests, hills and streams, where they could hunt the bear, deer and other wild game. In disposition the Indian is silent and unsocial, often answering the politest ques- tion with a grunt or nod. With all that has been
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
done for the Indian toward their civilization, by church and school, their nature remains much the same. The Indian woman, or squaw, as she was generally called, was nothing more than a slave for her warrior husband.
As to religion, the Indians were a superstitious race. They believed in a Great Spirit; they believed He ruled the elements, rewarded the faithful and punished the wicked. They built no churches, such as we have; the medicine man was looked upon with much awe and respect, and they listened to his say- ings. The happy hunting ground of his imagination was his only idea of a home in the great beyond. Often the trappings of a warrior were buried with him, that he might be prepared for a continuation of the sports and pastimes enjoyed here.
The Indian had a great love for war. Revenge was his watchword. To forgive, to show any sign of sympathy or regret was considered a weakness. They were cunning and treacherous. To meet a foe in the open was not to their liking. They delighted to lie in wait and spring upon him unawares. Their especial pleasure was to torture their captives, and it was in this fiendish pastime that the real savage nature shone without reserve. His home was a wigwam. His clothing, for the most part, consisted of a blanket thrown over his shoulders, sometimes bound about him, and at other times worn as a loosely flowing robe. They sometimes wore hats
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
to deceive the settlers into thinking they were white men. He delighted to adorn himself with beaded ornaments, to paint his face in bright colors, and, more than all, he prized the scalp of the white man as an especial adornment. Dressed in this manner, and with unearthly yells, did he like to descend upon an unsuspecting settler and his family to kill and scalp them, take some captive and lay waste their home, kill their cattle and steal their horses.
The great warfare between the white man and the Indian (as we all know) began when the white man determined to take from the Indian his home. Inch by inch they contested every foot of the land of their fathers. Step by step, through stealth and strife, through war and bloodshed, they have been driven on by the progress due to civilization, until now, indolent and indifferent, subdued and satisfied, it is difficult to think of them as having been the warlike tribes that history describes. An early writer of the history of Northwest Texas tells us "that it is doubtful if any State has suffered more severely at the hands of the Indians than has Texas. From its earliest days they were a constant menace to all efforts at civilization and permanent habitation. The name Apache and Comanche have become synon- ymous for ferocity and bloodthirstiness and the worst traits of savagery. And for years the tribes of that race harassed the frontier and carried their warfare into the heart of the settlements."
11
HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
The history of Indian warfare and outrage in Texas would fill volumes. During the period of which this is written, the sole ambition of the Indians who raided Montague County was to steal horses and exterminate the whites. The settlers noticed certain peculiarities belonging to the Indians. If they recovered a stolen horse, and it had its ears split, they knew the Comanches had stolen it. If it had one ear split and the other ear cropped, they knew the Kiowas had stolen it. They learned to look for Indian raids on moonlight nights. We, of today, look forward to our beautiful moonlight nights with pleasure; it is then we delight to have our moonlight socials, our protracted meetings, and to visit our friends. Not so in early days. These were nights of anxiety and dread to the settler. They observed that the fiercest dog would not mo- lest an Indian, nor would it even bark if a large .
band of Indians were to surround his master's house at night. The exact cause of this is unknown- some attributed it to fear, others thought it was due to some charm the Indian cast over the dog. The Indian was also master of the art of handling horses. He could take a horse that a white man considered tired and worn out from a long day's ride and had exhausted all efforts to make him travel faster. The Indian could mount the same horse and by some unknown means cause him to travel equal to a fresh horse. The Indian had many
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
forms of amusement-among them the war dance. In conducting this dance sometimes the warriors danced alone, but frequently the women were per- mitted to join in the dance, too. They circled around and around, meanwhile chanting the weird, monotonous songs of their tribes. These dances have been the means of attracting large crowds to many of the western towns where on such occasions as barbecues, county fairs, etc., the Indians are per- suaded to attend and give their dance for the amusement of the onlookers. They had other amusements, such as wrestling, running, leaping, shooting at a mark, racing in canoes and many other games. They were much given to the gam- bling spirit, and in a moment of excitement would sometimes wager all they possessed. They love to- bacco, and it has been said that no race has suc- cumbed so quickly to the liquor habit. It was with these wild untutored people, who gave no mercy nor asked any, that the early settlers of Montague and adjoining counties had to battle for the homes of peace and plenty we now enjoy.
In the following pages will be given, in con- densed form, a list of "Indian Depredations" and their dates-not all the county suffered, but enough for the boys and girls of today to know and to appreciate the dangers the pioneers endured :
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
SAD FATE OF DANIEL WAINSCOT AND JACK KILGORE, AND THRILLING EXPERIENCE OF MRS. BOB WAINSCOT.
In 1858 John Willingham and Bob Wainscot built for themselves a substantial log cabin in what was then called Buchanan Valley, but is now known as the Frank Biggers place, on Denton Creek, it being the custom in those days for two or more families to live together for protection from the Indians. This portion of Montague County offered many induce- ments for the industrious man, and as they builded their home and surveyed the fertile little valley, future hopes ran high. On September 4 their fam- ilies arrived. The following day being Sunday they went to the home of Daniel Wainscot. There they found a large company, about thirty in number, as- sembled to spend the day. We can imagine them enjoying the hospitality of this good pioneer home. The women are busy preparing dinner, as they dis- cuss their everyday home lives. Occasionally a shadow of fear crosses their faces, and an unexpect- ed noise causes them to turn pale, for danger may be lurking near. Their anxious looks linger longest on their little ones, and very tenderly they smooth the curly heads and kiss the rosy cheeks, and a mist comes before their eyes as they ever remem- ber that the dreaded Indian foe has no mercy on
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
babies. But the ringing laughter of the children at play in the sunshine dispels their momentary fear, and they take up the thread of conversation anew. The men in the front yard talked of everyday af- fairs, and gave an occasional word of warning to the newcomers about the Indians.
The day being clear and sunshiny, the entire com- pany decided to go over to the new Willingham and Wainscot place, as they expressed it, just to pass the time. The following were in the number: Cash McDonald and family, Daniel Wainscot and family, Bob Wainscot and family, John Willingham and family, Fine McFarland, Ike Wainscot, Jack Kil- gore and family.
Cash McDonald drove his wagon, with a yoke of steers hitched to it, and a number of the women and children rode with him, the others walking leis- urely along by its side, as steers do not travel fast. Bob Wainscot and Jack Kilgore were a little in ad- vance of the wagon. When they reached a point of timber, about a quarter of a mile from the new house, without a word of warning seven Indians sprang out from the woods upon them, uttering un- earthly yells as they came. Seeing their approach to the house was cut off by the Indians the men turned to run back to the wagon. Just after they reached it both men were slain by the Indians. By this time the women and children had scattered like frightened birds, some going in one direction and
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