USA > Texas > A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I > Part 16
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"You must allow me to relate a little experi- ence of mine while I was with that surveying party. We were at work in the region not far from Corsicana, and one day two buffalo hunt- ers, who were killing the buffalo for their robes, struck our camp and spent a few hours in our company. We were resting in the edge of the woods, the surveyor being seated on a log en- gaged in writing up his field notes and the rest of us were smoking and chatting and quite ob- livious of what was going on around us, our guns resting on the ground or against the trees. Suddenly the practiced ears of the hunters caught a familiar tread of hoofs, and, directing our eyes
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to the prairie, we saw a herd of some fifty or six- ty buffaloes coming toward us. Of course the hunters, in line with their occupation, prepared to do execution and urged all of the party to shoot into the drove and all did so except myself, who, as somewhat of a professional hunter also and never killing an animal except it returned an ade- quate reward in meat value, refused to shoot and left my gun standing by the tree. While the others were engaged in the destruction of as many buffalo as possible, my attention was di- verted to a rather unusual tussle between a big buffaloes. The dog, seeming to pick out his game and running up to it, grabbed the buffalo by the jaw and hung on tenaciously, although unable to stay the progress of the big foe, and the two went crashing through the brush and apart from the rest of the herd. I was curious to know the outcome of this contest, and ran up to keep in sight of the struggling animals. The three-year-old bull at last found he could not shake off nor gore his enemy and was bellowing and groaning desperately, while the dog, which was a magnificent fighter, was backing around a tree, against which both braced themselves and which afforded some protection to the dog against being trampled. When I got to the spot I pulled my bowie knife and, with a deep thrust, killed the buffalo. As it sank down the dog gave its head a final shake, and, turning his big yellow eyes up at me and then to the dead beast, re- luctantly concluded that the fight was over and trotted back to his masters As I returned I found several of the men engaged in cutting up one of the slain buffaloes to get a meat supply, and I exclaimed, 'I've got a fatter buffalo than that out in the brush yonder.' 'You have; how did you kill it?' was the surveyor's distrusting reply, for he knew that I had left my gun by the tree and could not believe it possible to slay a buffalo without a gun. 'I ran up and killed it with my knife,' was my explanation, at which there was a roar of skeptical laughter and for several minutes they bantered me unmercifully for my supposedly 'big' tale. Finally the hunters said they would go over and get the hide, and when they examined the body and could find no
other wound except the knife thrust they were compelled to admit the truth of my claim. But it was not easy to convince the party that I had overtaken and dispatched the big buffalo with knife alone, and though I afterward told my companions in the surveying party of the im- portant connection which the dog had with the incident, the hunters had never missed their dog during the excitement of the killing and parted from me in forced admiration of my prowess as a buffalo killer."
As soon as the news of the battle of Palo dog that belonged to the hunters and one of the . Alto reached him, Mr. Barry started for the field of war, joining the company of Captain Eli Chandler, which formed a part of the famous regiment of First Texas Rangers. Jack Hays was elected Colonel of this regiment on the Palo Alto battlefield, while some of the bodies of the slain Mexicans were still lying in the grass un- buried. This regiment was a part of General Taylor's army, and was engaged chiefly in recon- noitering duty, to locate the enemy, clear up to the battle of Monterey. In this battle, while a number of the force that captured the second battery in the upper part of the town, Mr. Barry was wounded. He served through the war and then returned to his Texas home.
"In one respect at least I differ from the opin- ions of most persons in regard to our neighbors south of the Rio Grande. Mexicans are human beings. Don't call them cowards. On one occa- sion while our regiment of Rangers was camped before Monterey, a regiment of lancers came out and formed in our front preparing to attack us. We had not slept any for the past two nights, were listless and in great disorder and in no fit condition to give battle. Hays, with his natural quickness, took in the situation at once and to afford delay to the attack, drew his saber and, riding out toward the Mexicans, swore at them roundlv (for he could speak Spanish well) and called out that their commanding officer should come half way and fight him on the field between the two lines. The Mexican officer accepted the challenge without hesitation. I suppose Hays knew little more about using a saber in a hand- to-hand fight than I did, and this probably prompted him, as soon as the Mexican advanced,
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to jerk out his six-shooter and with a single shot laid the officer out of his saddle. Did you ever throw a chunk of wood at a hornet's nest? Well, this action of Hays in slaying the Mexican offi- cer had a similar effect on those Mexicans, for, instantly and while the smoke from Hays' gun was still floating in the air, they swarmed forth in a gallant charge. Here again Hays showed his quick wit. 'Keep behind your horses and use them as a barricade,' he commanded, know- ing that it would be impossible to form in battle array. Thus shielded, we stood and received the charge with deadly volleys from our pistols, but the lancers never wavered and their rush carried them clear through our lines to. the rear, where they wheeled and, in perfect order, hurled themselves upon us with their lances. Although many of their number fell in these two attacks without corresponding loss on our part, they had no sooner formed in their original position when they repeated the charge and again submitted themselves to our deadly fire from behind our protecting horses. Fully eighty of the enemy were killed in this series of charges, while their lances were effective against only one or two of our number, although many were wounded. I have never since been able to call Mexicans cowards. They are a brave, gallant, chivalrous people !"
Col. Barry, after the war, returned to North Carolina, where he married his first wife, Sarah A. Matticks, and then returned to Navarro coun- ty, where he lived about ten years. He was elect- ed the second sheriff of Navarro county, where, that being then the frontier, he had every cut- throat and desperado in Texas to deal with, but, backed up by the good citizens, he held his own and preserved law and order. "I have seen a heap of human nature and am well acquainted with the ways of man," commented the Colonel in his quaint philosophy of life. "Don't risk any- thing you value out of your sight. There are circumstances under which your best friends will go back on you. My experience has fastened this opinion on me, that every man on the face of the earth was born a thief and a liar. I once propounded this view in the presence of a num- ber of people, and a preacher called me to ac-
count. 'Look here, parson,' said I, 'do you recol- lect your mother's sugar bowl? It is arrogance for us to claim to be better than our ancestors, Adam and Eve, one of whose first acts was to lie to their Creator.' Yes, I believe that priest, prince, potentate or president would swear a falsehood rather than give up their most prized possession."
About 1857, trusting to the protection which the grouping of the Indians at reservations and the better policing of the frontier with United States regulars seemed to guarantee, Colonel Barry moved to Bosque county, which has been his home ever since. But he had hardly been there a year before several persons were killed in the neighborhood and the insecurity of the is- olated groups of settlers became apparent. "It was the notion of the Indians," said the Colonel, "that the soldiers were sent to protect the Indians while they were murdering the citizens of Texas, which country they did not regard as a part of the United States."
It has been the lot of Colonel Barry to serve under three flags, though all the while a resident of Texas-the Texas Republic, the United States and the Confederate States. He was commis- sioned by Governor Houston to raise a company to protect the women and children of the fron- tier from the scalping knife of the Indian, this company being independent of the regular troops. He recruited his men from the hardy frontiers- men, and so great was his admiration of them individually that he often said, "Boys, every one of you ought to be a captain." He continued to hold this commission as captain under three gov- ernors, and when Texas seceded he paraded his men, read them the news of the secession, and then addressed them: "Secession or union, war or peace between the states, this frontier must be protected, and I want just as many of you as can to stay with me." Fully half of his force re- mained and his company was soon recruited to full strength. He continued in the Ranger serv- ice on the frontier throughout the war, and from captain became major, then lieutenant-colonel, and as such performed practically all the field service. His headquarters for the greater part of the time were at Camp Cooper, and his range
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of operations called him all along the frontier from the Red to the Rio Grande. Colonel "Buck" Barry's Rangers were justly famed through that period, for they were a body of men as fearless in face of personal danger, as reso- lute in performance of duty, and as loyal to ,all the offices of a frontier soldier as any similar or- ganization known to history. They were con- stantly on duty, and few hours of repose were granted a Texas Ranger in those trying times. Colonel Barry claims that his original company was responsible for the killing of all but three of. the Indians slain by the entire regiment during the war. Such was Colonel Barry's success as an Indian fighter and defender of the frontier that the state legislature at its twelfth session voted him a present of the finest gun that could be bought. It was his fortune on four different occasions to be thrown into single-handed con- flict with Indians, from all of which he escaped victorious and unscathed, as his presence among the living today testifies. His still remarkable memory recalls many interesting incidents, but the limits of this article will permit the recital of only one more.
"During the latter part of the war," narrates the Colonel, "the Indians became so insistently hostile that I was compelled to concentrate two companies at Belknap. About forty miles away, at Camp McCord, were stationed Captain M. B. Loyd-now president of the First National Bank of Fort Worth-and Captain Whiteside, each with his company. To assist them in the capacity of guides, messengers, etc., they had about eighty of the friendly Tonkawa Indians, who always re- mained loyal to the Texans. One day a soldier who had been out scouting around over the country was observed while still at a consider- able distance out on the prairie to be returning with an Indian prisoner. Immediately the Tonk- awas began jumping up and down, throwing their arms about in exultant gesticulations, and ejaculating, 'Kiowa! Kiowa!' The scout had taken a lone Kiowa prisoner, thinking him to be a Tonk, and was escorting him back to his tribe. No sooner had the unfortunate Kiowa arrived in camp than the Tonkawas demanded him for execution according to their own barbarous cus-
toms, saying they were going to eat him. The idea of cannibalizing the prisoner was, of course, abhorrent to Captain Loyd, and he was placed in a dilemma, for, at the same time, he felt it very necessary to keep the Tonkawas conciliated and do nothing to offend them as valuable allies. He accordingly sent a messenger post-haste to me, as Colonel commanding, asking what should be done in the matter. I studied for a solution of the difficulty for some time, and finally sent back word, 'Tell the Captain he is not my Indian.', 'Whose is it, then?' came back the now agitated query from Loyd. ‘It belongs to the scout that made the capture,' was my final judgment, by which I thought to relieve myself of all odium that might attach to the transaction. You understand that these mes- sages were all delivered orally, for both the Cap -: tain and myself were shrewd enough to write no order, which would in time have found its way to the superior officers and might have brought on a court-martial. The incident never was offi- cially reported. Well, the question of possession being settled, the Indians went for the scout to turn over the prisoner to them. The scout re- fused for a day or two. Finally a duel between one Tonk and the Kiowa was suggested as the best manner of settlement, but the Tonks would take no such risk; they understood the prowess of the Kiowa too well, and knew that such a fight would afford their quarry but a certain method of escape. Well, they kept on talking, and finally it was agreed, and the Captain gave a reluctant consent, that three Tonkawas should fight the lone Kiowa. On the appointed day the entire populace went out to witness this strange form of the ancient gladiator combat. Two companies of soldiers, all the citizens and the friendly Indians formed a close circle around the arena set apart for the contestants, the ground chosen being situated between Battle Creek and Deep Creek. Bows and arrows were the weapons, and each Indian had three arrows. Of course the Kiowa was at a disadvantage, for his three adversaries could flank him and he could do little more than dodge and maneuver after he had spent his three arrows. But he put up a gallant fight. Finally being struck with an
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arrow, he pulled it out of his flesh and, threaten- ing his assailants so savagely that they for the moment drew back, he eluded them and ran straight through the line of Rangers that blocked one side of the arena. The Tonkawas and citizens alike excitedly urged the Rangers to kill him, until one trooper-his name was Campbell- pulled out his six-shooter and with a single shot brought down the fleeing savage. Then followed a triumphant revel over the slain. A big fire was built, they all came up and cut off the piece of flesh each liked best, and around the leaping flames they danced in hideous and fantastic mo- tions, burning the Kiowa's flesh on a spit, raving over it, chewing it, foaming at the mouth, and in every fashion known to barbarism showing their vengeance over an inveterate foe. They did not really eat the flesh, but their mouthing of it seemed just as repellant to white men. Captain Loyd in this affair had three parties to please, the Rangers, the citizens and the Tonkawas, and repugnant though the incident is to modern civ- ilization, it was the only avenue of escape from a very perplexing situation."
Colonel Barry returned to his farm in Bosque county after his Ranger service was over. He subsequently served as a member of the legis- lature, and his activities in all lines have been so prominent as to make him one of the best known old-timers of North Texas. ' His children are honored men and women, and he has an ideal home life in the companionship of his wife and daughter Mattie. His wife, his second marriage, whose maiden name was Martha Peveler, is her- self an interesting pioneer woman of Texas, having come to the Republic in 1839, and her older sister was the wife of the late Captain Ed Terrell, the Fort Worth pioneer.
Asked for his opinion of Texas, Colonel Barry expressed himself in the same philosophical and temperate manner that characterize all his views of life. "Because Texas is so vast of area, so varied in resources, soil, climate and water, there are many different points of view, and different observers are correct in their limited spheres. On the whole I consider Texas rather dry for farming, but there is grand dirt here, deep and fertile, and the state has developed wonderfully
since I first knew it. Of what is to come I can- not speak. Our mistakes of the past make it im- possible to predict the uncertainties of fate in the future. Among many truths there is a big mix- ture of falsehood, and as we can hardly interpret the past we should let the future alone."
MRS. SARAH E. DAGGETT, a venerable and highly respected pioneer lady of Tarrant county, residing near Birdville, is a native of Kentucky, her birth having occurred in Harrison county on the 9th of March, 1833. She is a daughter of Harrison C. and Mary (Raymond) Marsh. Her parents were also natives of Harri- son county, and when their daughter Sarah was but four years old they removed from the Blue Grass state to Missouri, locating near Inde- pendence, Missouri, where they resided for six years. In 1844 they came with their family to Texas, taking up their abode in Dallas county, their home being on Farmers' Branch, about eleven miles north of the city of Dallas. There Mr. and Mrs. Marsh continued to make their home until called to their final rest, the father passing away when in his eighty-fifth year, while the mother was in her seventy-eighth year at the time of her demise. They were pioneer settlers of Dallas county and contributed to its early de- velopment and improvement, aiding in laying the foundation for its present progress and up- building. The members of their family who still survive are: Mrs. Sarah E. Daggett, Mary F., the wife of Joseph McAllister of Dallas, Texas; Elizabeth J., the wife of Ephraim Daggett of Fort Worth, Texas; Mary A., the wife of Mark Elliston of Garland, Texas, and Charlotte M., the wife of William O'Neal of Fort Worth, Texas.
Mrs. Daggett was reared in Dallas county amid the scenes and environments of pioneer life and on the 2d of October, 1851, she gave her hand in marriage to Henry C. Daggett, who was born in Canada February 28, 1820, and came to Texas at an early day, locating first in Shelby county, where he resided for some time. Later he removed to Tarrant county, where he arrived about 1848 or 1849. He lived in Fort Worth for several years and was there engaged in merchan- dizing, conducting a well appointed store for that
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time. Later he removed to Birdville, where he also opened a store, which he carried on until 1861, when he took up his abode upon the farm of 500 acres where his widow now resides in the vicinity of Birdville, and to agricultural pur- suits gave his time and attention until his death, which occurred on the 29th of October, 1898. His loss was deeply mourned because he had become deeply attached to many friends and his worth was widely acknowledged by all.
Mr. Daggett started the first large store in Birdville, selling all the different articles. Bird- ville was the county seat at that time, but later . it was removed to Fort Worth. During the re- moval of the county seat Mrs. Daggett was the stake-holder of the different things that men bet on the election, such as beeves, calves, money and watches.
She took one little child when she was very small and raised her, she being now Mrs. Horace Plummer, an estimable lady in Fort Worth. She raised two colored boys and gave them her name, Joy and Nat Daggett.
Mrs. Daggett is seventy-three years of age, and is in fine health, conducting all of her busi- ness affairs. Her oldest son, Charles B., is fifty-two years old and has three children: one girl, Maud Daggett, who died when she was twenty-one years old; two sons, Henry A., and Charles B., Jr. Charles B. Daggett married a girl by the name of Miss Sallie Ryan. Charles B. Daggett is in the hotel business in Santiago, Cal.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Daggett had been born two sons: Charles B., who is now residing at San- tiago, California, and Thomas H., deceased. The elder son was the first white child born in Tar- rant county, Texas.
Mrs. Daggett has reared five children besides her own, and has one of them left with her at this time.
For many years Henry C. Daggett figured prominently in public life in this section of the state. He served as county assessor and collector, being called to office on the Democratic ticket, and he proved prompt, capable and reliable in dis- charging his duties. He was also a soldier of the Mexican War, and was a member of the
Confederate army at the time of the Civil War, being true to his loved southland. His business career was marked by steady advancement, owing to his close application, earnest purpose and well directed activity. He was a friend of the public schools, and was known as the father of Bird- ville, at one time the county seat of Tarrant county. His identification with its public meas- ures was always along beneficial lines, and his worth was widely acknowledged by all who knew him. His widow is a devoted member of the Christian church, with which she has been identi- fied for forty years.
COLONEL GEORGE BIBB PICKETT. Being one of the oldest, if not the oldest, living settler of Wise county, the history of Colonel Pickett's career abounds in fact and incident which afford an interesting knowledge of pio- neer days in this part of the state. From Clarks- ville, Red River county, where he had spent the period of youth since 1842, he crossed the road- less expanse of prairie on a prospecting trip and arrived in Wise county, which was then the ex- treme frontier, in the month of August, 1854. A young man of twenty-one years and recently married, he decided to establish his home in this new country and on the outposts of civilization, and as a pioneer settler, as an Indian fighter, a Confederate soldier, a farmer and a stockman. and prominent man of affairs, he has since made his place in the history of his county and state.
In the course of this prospecting tour just mentioned he fell in with the Indians on Denton creek, and was detained in their camp over night, but, for some not clearly perceived reason, on the following morning his horse was returned to him and he was directed to proceed on his way. It was a band of hostiles and the only way he can account for his escape is that he surrendered himself so completely into their hands and dis- tributed so generously to the women and chil- dren his rations, that the older Indians repaid his liberality by preventing the young braves from murdering him.
In the following year young Pickett and his wife settled on Catlett's creek, where he found abundant running water and began the cattle-
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raising industry, having purchased the claim of James Rogers, a pioneer who later moved out of the county. Besides this man Rogers, Colonel Pickett names as settlers in that year, or who came in the course of that year, Henry Langston, Sam Woody, James Proctor, Ben Hainey, and William and Sam Perrin. Save what was called the Santa Fe trail, there was not a road in this part of the country, and other settlers might have lived around in the draws for months before a neighbor a few miles distant would have known of their existence. Some farming was done in Wise county during those early years, but as a rule in a very primitive fashion. One farmer, Mr. Langston, made his corn crop entirely with the hoe, and yet had corn to sell every year. But cows and calves were the legal tender and the basis of value for all barter and exchange among the people.
Colonel Pickett is an authority on Indian troubles in his part of the state. The Indians that happened through Wise county in those years belonged on the Brazos river about Fort Belknap, and Colonel Pickett states that they were no more prone to steal from the settlers than the white people themselves. But during the Civil War period the former friendly intercourse between the settlers and the Indians was inter- rupted by the federal government undertaking to enlist the Indian and buying from him all the beef cattle he could steal, and, in turn, supply- ing him with arms and equipments for defense and further depredation. This was the condition which led to the rupture between the red men and the whites in North and West Texas, result- ing in the border warfare that continued inter- mittently until about 1875. The first man known to have been killed as a result of this trouble was Mr. Holden, and, the deed being traced to an In- dian on the Belknap reservation, where the mur- dered man's property was found, his friends de- manded restitution. But, their party being too weak to take possession forcibly of the murderer, they reported the situation to their neighbors among the settlers and a band of several hundred men then appeared before the agent on the res- ervation and demanded satisfaction or a fight. They got the fight, but not the murderer. As a
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