USA > Texas > Border wars of Texas; being an authentic and popular account, in chronological order, of the long and bitter conflict waged between savage Indian tribes and the pioneer settlers of Texas > Part 30
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His brother-in-law, M. Human, the French minister of finance, was instrumental in having the banking firm, Lafitte & Co., of Paris, abruptly drop the loan after they had led Gen. Hamilton to believe they would place it. The diffi- culty with Saligny was adjusted after Gen. Houston suc- ceeded to the presidency, and the French minister returned to his post. Saligny always stoutly denied that he took any action that contributed to the defeat of the loan. Whether he did, or did not, is immaterial. The fact remains that fail ure to obtain the money was a genuine blessing, though dis- guised as a calamity at the time.
An Early Type of Revolver.
CHAPTER XV.
G LANCING over the history of the last years of the Texas Republie, one finds many stir- ring events a id tragic episodes transpiring- as the ill-starred Santa Fe expedition dur- ing the latter half of 1841; the dual Mexi- can invasion of Texas and capture of Sam Antonio, first by the forces under Vasquez, and second, those led by General Woll, in the spring and summer of 1842, leading up to the battle of Salado and the horrible Dawson massacre, and the sad sequence, the Mier expedition, the break at Salado, "lottery of death," and castle Perote ; the "Archive War," resulting from President Houston's at- tempt to remove the records from the exposed and recently (1839) selected seat of government at Austin, in December, 1842; the celebrated Snively expedition and its deplorable, shameful, failure; the bloody and fearful vendetta or feud known to history as the "War of the Regulators and Mod- erators," and which raged with fearful violence in the east- emm part of the Republic for nearly three years, quelled finally per force of government arms, in 1844; and other momentous happenings. 'Twas indeed a swift moving pe- riod of fiery history making. But of these, and such mat- ters, it is not our purpose to narrate in this connection. Other incidents and equally thrilling affairs now engage our attention.
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At the general election, Sept. 6, 1841, Gen. Sam Hous- tom was chosen by a large majority for a second term as President of the Republic, with Gen. Ed. Burleson, as Vice President. Both were tried soldiers and patriots, and able statesmen-a most fortunate circumstance for Texas at that critical period. The Republic was then laboring im a sea of difficulties that many believed no one, save "Old Sam" Houston, could safely guide it over. All had confi- dence in his great and directing mind, and his triumphant election and vigorous handling of the reins of government was joyously hailed with general satisfaction throughout the country.
PEACE OR WAR.
It is not our wish to discuss the political issues of that day and time, nor to voice opinion regarding the opposing policies advocated relative to dealing with and treating the various Indian tribes yet, formidable and hostile, residing in the Republic. Houston's predecessor, President Lamar, believed that vigorous war should be waged until all the tribes, both native and migrated, should be exterminated or subdued. His favorite slogan, as so tersely expressed by acting President David G. Burnet, being "Let the sword do its work." And, in accordance with this idea Lamar had encouraged expeditions and sent forces against the wild tribes and all other Indians, inflicting chastisement at every opportunity, and hence, when Houston again came into office he found the Indians exceedingly hostile and vengeful-"the whole frontier lit up with the flames of fierce and savage warfare."
Houston's policy for dealing with the savages was exact- ly the reverse of Lamar's. He uniformly and ever favored a peace policy, the forming of peace-treaties and the dis- bursement of presents, talks, etc., to conciliate and pacify the wild men. "On this policy (says John Henry Brown) the country was divided in opinion, and the question was often discussed with more or less bitterness. Nothing could be
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more matural, respecting a policy affecting so deeply the property and lives of the frontier people, who were so great- ly exposed to the raids of the hostiles, and had little or no faith in their fidelity to treaty stipulations; while the Presi- dent, realizing the sparsity of population and feebleness im resources of the government and the country, hoped to bring about a general cessation of hostilities, establish a line of de- markation between the whites and Indians, and by establish- ing along the same a line of trading houses, to promote friendly traffic, with occasional presents by the govern- ment, to control the wild men and preserve the lives of the people. It was a policy in keeping with his high character as a wise and faithful guardian of the lives of the people. The lack of confidence by many in the fidelity off the tribes was no reason why the effort, so fraught with good, should not be made."
HOUSTON'S INDIAN TALKS.
Houston's letters and reported talks to the red men go to show he understood their character, their sentiments and sensibilities, and the cast of their minds perfectly, as well as the thoughts and modes of expression best calculated to affect them favorably, and there can be no doubt but that President Houston wielded an influence and did much to reconcile and keep the Indians in subjection, and thus en- abled the settlers to push forward and gain a more substan- tial hold. When Houston would treat with the hostiles and dissuade them from the warpath he wrote: "The red broth- ers all know that my words to them have never been for- gotten by me. They have never beem swallowed up by darkness, mor has the light of the sun consumed them. Truth cannot perish, but the words of a liar are as nothing. I wish you to come, and we will again shake hands and counsel together. Bring other chiefs with you. Talk to all the red men to make peace. War cannot make them happy. It has lasted too long. Let it now be ended and cease for- ever. Tell all my red brothers to listen to my communica-
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tions, and to walk by the words of my council. If they hear me and keep my words, their homes shall be happy; their fires shall burn brightly and the pipe of peace shall be hand- ed around the hearth of their wigwams. The tomahawk shall no more be raised in war, nor shall the dog howl for the master who has been slain in battle; joy shall take the place of sorrow; and the laughter of your children shall be heard in place of the eries of your women."
These "talks" or letters make interesting reading even at this far time, and they clearly illustrate the policy Hous- ton was wont to pursue, besides giving a glimpse of affairs and conditions along the border, as well as the embittered feelings then existing between the whites and Indians. Mark the simple, yet beautiful, and even lofty, style, so suited to the untutored minds of the red men. The Indians loved and confided in Houston, and in return, Houston nev- er betrayed a trust, nor forgot the welfare of, his forest friends.
An incident transpired that shocked him greatly, and that raised up bitter and revengeful enemies for the whites, viz: the killing of the celebrated Lipan chieftain, Flaco. The Lipans had always been friends of the white people, and had acted as scouts and guides side by side with them. Flaco had changed often with Hays and other frontier lead- ers, had displayed signal wisdom, good feeling and gallantry on many occasions, and was worthy of the highest esteem in which he was generally held. He was killed, it was claimed, by a party of white men who mistook his identity, and act- ed with inexcusable haste. The Lipans denounced the act as murder, and joined the wild prairie tribes. Houston sought in vain to console and placate them by the following letter, written to Flaco's father :
Executive Department, Washington, March 28, 1843. To the Memory of Gen. Flaco, Chief of Lipans.
My Brother : My heart is sad. A dark cloud restis up- on your nation. Grief has sounded in your camp. The voice of Flaco is silent. His words are not heard in coun-
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cil. The chief is no more. His life has fled to the "Great Spirit." His eyes are closed. His heart no longer leaps at the sight of the buffalo. The voices of your camp are no longer heard to cry: "Flaco has returned from the chase !" Your chiefs look down upon the earth and groan in trouble. Your warriors weep-the loud voices of grief are heard from your women and children. The songs of the birds are silent. The ears of your people hear no pleasant sounds. Sorrow whispers in the winds. The noise of the tempest passes; it is not heard. Your hearts are heavy. The name of Flaco brought joy to all hearts. Joy was on every face. Your people were happy. Flaco is no longer seen in the fight. His voice is no longer heard in the battle. The en- emy no longer make a path for his glory. His valor is no longer a guard for your people. The right ann of your na- tion is broken. Flaco was a friend to the white brothers. They will not forget him. They will remember the red war- rior. His father will not be forgotten. We will be kind to the Lipans. Grass shall not grow in the path between us. Let your wise men give the council of peace. Let your young men walk in the white path. The gray-headed men I will hold my red
of your nation will teach wisdom. brother by the hand Thy brother,
Sam Houston.
HOUSTON'S INDIAN POW WOW.
A contemporary writer* and eve-witness, thus graphi- cally describes one of the President's Indian pow wows, which occurred at the capital. The scenes and incidents de- scribed will never be re-enacted the picture is of a scene forever past :
"It was in the early summer of the year 1844, before the close of President Houston's second term, that an In- dian council was held at Washington, about three quarters of a mile from the village center. Upon invitation some
*Veteran Frank Brown, yet (1912) living.
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fifty or more Indian braves with their women and children, aggregating a hundred or more, came in a body. A grove was selected, in which they were directed to camp. Their ten'ts were erected of buffalo skins. They brought in homey, bear oil, and meats of wild animals. The president caused them to be furnished with corn for bread and hominy, and beef, as needed. They were presented with blankets and other useful articles, including trinkets. Their ponies were pastured on the rich grass. The range was open.
"Exhibitions of skill with bow and arrow, lance and tom- ahawk, were given. Games were indulged in. Indians and whites freely mingled. The red men were in the village near- ly every day parading the streets and visiting the whites at their places of business and dwellings. They were often in- vitied to the tables of the white folks, where they sat down and ate heartily. Their table manners were extremely awk- wand. It was amusing to see an Indian with a piece of bread in hand, at the same time holding a fork in the same hand. In conveying the bread to his mouth he was like- ly to stick the prongs in his eyes. After meals all hands sat in the shade and smoked the pipe. It was customary, as an act of friendship and courtesy, for the same pipe to be used by both whites and red men. It required a stomach for the average white man to conform. The pipe was filled with a preparation of mixed tobacco and sumach leaves, called killikinick.
"At night the whites were in the habit of going to the In- dian camp to see their amusements. These consisted of games and dances after the Indian fashion. Their dancing is difficult to describe. The men and wonnen did mot dance together as we do. The men would form a circle and dance to the right in a forward manner, after a rude fashion. Af- ter the men were through they left the ring, when the women took their places. Instead of dancing in a forward way, as did the men, they advanced to the right sideways, all in a cir- cle. There was little or no grace in the movements of either. The music consisted of a drum, made from a dried deer skin,
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tightly stretched over a stout hoop, and a seasoned Spanish gourd with the dry seed rattling in it when shaken.
"A day was set for the council. In the forenoon Presi- dent Housto , with his cabinet officers, went to: the camp. They were neatly dressed as became the occasion. President Houston sometimes affected a rather gaudy style-he fre- quently wore At vest made from spotted leopard skin. The red chiefs and their leading men were painted in gorgeous colors, their heads adorned with large feathers, the leggings with beads and painted designs. A council fire was lighted in the center of a space cleared for the purpose. The president and his cabinet officers occupied one side of the council ground, sitting in a sort of half circle. The Indians occupied the opposite side, also sitting in a half cirele, facing the whites. All sat on buffalo robes spread on the ground. Spectators consisting of white men, women and children, with the red men not of the council, their women and child- ren, surrounded the councilnen. In a short time after the conference met a large pipe, with a long stein, duly orna- mented and filled with killikinick, was lighted. President Houston took the pipe, drew two or three whiffs in a delib- erate manner, and then handed it to the first chief on the left of the half circle of red men. This chief placed the stem in his mouth, slowly drew two whiffs. and then handed it to his nearest neighbor on the right. In this manner the entire cirele of councilen, Indians and whites, partook of the pipe.
"After the smoke was finished, the president arose, and through an interpreter made a talk to the red chiefs. But few Indians could understand English: nearly all of them spoke Spanish. The president, from his long association with Indians and intimate knowledge of their views and preju- dices, knew how to address them. Nearly every time a sen- tence was translated the chiefs would utter a grunt of ap- proval. At the conclusion of President Houston's address the chiefs were invited to talk. Some of them did so. The ceremonies lasted quite a while. At the conclusion the
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council formally adjourned with good feeling on both sides.
"The Indians remained some three or four weeks. They finally broke camp, packed their effects on horses, mounted their ponies and departed on a west course. In a day or two they were beyond the white settlements."
HOUSTON'S INDIAN TREATY.
In September 1843, the President, through his fearless commissioners, Captains Eldridge, Torry and Bee, effected a peace treaty with the Wacos, Anadarkos, Towash, Caddos, Keechies, Wichitas, Tehuacanas, Ionies, Beedies, Delawares, Biloxi, and other small tribes, including a band of thirty Cherokees, who had assembled at a designated point on the Trinity, now in Wise county. Keechi-ko-so-qua head chief of the Tehuacanas, was the leader and most influential Indian in the council. In council a boundary line was discussed and finally agreed upon between the whites and the Indians, along which trading houses were to be established-one at the mouth of the clear fork of the Trinity (Fort Worth), one at Comanche Peak (Hood county) on the Brazos and one at Fort San Saba. The treaty had the effect it is said, to al- lay hostilities for a time, though, of course, the boundary was not always respected by either whites or Indians.
Thus, during his term of office, Houston was diligent and determined in his efforts to conciliate in some degree at least, the incensed savages, and dissuade them as much as pos- sible from such constant and vengeful hostilities. No oppor- tunity in this directon was overlooked. The President was constantly sending out "talks" and presents by faithful commissioners and agents, who visited the Indians in their own wild haunts, at great peril, as special representatives; and always inviting the chiefs and head men to visit and council with The Great White Father-the President-at his home, the capital.
At the close of his term of office, Houston was war. ranted in saying, among other things, portending a better condition of affairs and brighter hopes for the future wel-
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fare of the struggling Republic: "Our Indian affairs are in as good condition as the most sanguine could reasonably have anticipated * It is not danied that there are among the Indians, as among our own people, individuals who will dis- regard all law and commit excesses of the most flagrant character; but it is unjust to attribute to a tribe or a body of men disposed to obey the laws, what is properly charge- able to a few renegades and desperadoes. Other governments of far greater resources for imposing restraints upon the wild men of the forests and prairies, have not been exempt from the infraction of treaties, and occasional commission of acts of rapine and blood. We must, therefore, expect to suf- fer in a greater or less degree from the same causes. But even this, in the opinion of the Executive, does not furnish overruling testimony against the policy which he has con- stantly recommended, and which he has had the happiness to see so fully and satisfactorily tested."
Though a marked difference is perceptible, and a de- crease of hostilities is observable, especially during the lat- ter half of Houston's second term, yet many crimes and de- predations were committed im various sections, and espe- cially along the advancing and exposed line of frontier ; atrocities, captivities, and fierce conflicts-enough indeed in volume to far exceed the limits here ascribed. But, per- haps, one can tire his readers with telling too much, how- ever thrilling and absorbing the subject. A few other not- able incidents and engagements, without further preface, must suffice.
DEATH OF CHIEF "BIG FOOT".
The following thrilling incident well illustrates the trials and perils of the pioneer settlers and the manner and mode of border warfare as carried on in Texas at that pe- riod of time.
Captain Shapley P. Ross, father of the late Gen. L. S. Ross, was one of the early, staunch, pioneers of Texas, having emigrated from Bentonport, Ohio, and settled near
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the present town of Cameron, Milam county-then a howl- ing wilderness-in 1839. Captain Ross was of powerful frame, with cool courage and a sagacity equal to the In- dian with whom he was so often thrown in contact; in fact Ross was endowed with all the qualities necessary to the makeup off the hardy pioneer and successful border trooper, and hence he soon became a recognized leader of the whites against the Comanches and other hostile tribes of Indians who then ruled that region. Captain Ross lead his neighbors in many expeditions against the wily red foes and encountered many thrilling adventures and narrow es- capes. One incident has, more than any other, made his name famous in the border annals of Texas. This was the celebrated hand-to-hand fight between Captain Ross and the powerful Comanche chief, "Big Foot," which occurred in 1842, and in which combat the famous Indian warrior lost his life. The details of this celebrated encounter are here given substantially as told by Captain Ross himself.
Captain Ross had just returned home from a business trip to the lower settlements, bringing with him a fine mare he had purchased, the Indians having stolen all his other horses. A short time after his return the bold and alert frontiersman heard in the woods nearby what an unsophisti- cated person would have thought the whinneying of a. colt and the hooting of owls. But the quick ear of Ross soon detected the cheat, and he knew the house was watched and surrounded by savages. He kept indoors till the next day, when word was conveyed to a neighbor named Monroe, whose horse had been carried off the night previous by the Indians. The object of the Comanches in imitating the whinneying of a colt was to draw the settler from his cabin and murder him. The ruse did not work that time.
The marauding thieves having hastily fled with their booty, it was determined to raise as good a force as possi- ble and follow the Indians. The party included six, one of whom was a young man, Shapley Woolfork, a nephew of Captain Ross. On examining the trail, the settlers readily recognized the tracks of the notorious Comanche chief, "Big
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Foot," of whom the settlers far and near stood in mortal dread, so cruel were his outrages. The little pursuing com- pany dashed forward some thirty miles in a drenching rain- storm, which wet the powder in their flintrock rifles and rendered them useless. Two of the party became discour- aged and returned, but Captain Ross and three determined companions continued the pursuit.
THE HAND-TO-HAND STRUGGLE.
Suddenly, at a point known as "The Knobs" near the present town of Temple, in Bell county, the Indians were discovered, having halted to skin a buffalo they had just shot. The surprise was apparent, but the Indians had no chance of escape, and dropping their knives, seized their guns and bows and prepared for the contest-a most despe- rate one. The savages repeatedly snapped their guns but failed to fire, their powder also being wet. Both parties now clubbed their guns, and in close contact the battle roy- al raged, many daring acts of individual heroism transpir- ing. It was a deadly match, a struggle for life between fearless red and white warriors, and for a time the issue was indeed doubtful. Finally, one of the settlers, Bryant, killed an Indian with the hutt of his rifle. Toward the close of the fight, Captain Ross saw Big Foot mounted on a fine animal, Monroe's mare he had stolen, and riding toward him. He drew both his holsters, but discovered to his chagrin that the powder was wet. He threw one of them at Big Foot's head, but struck him on the shoulder. He was about deal- ing the chief a terrific blow with the but of his rifle when an Indian rode up close behind and was in the act of cleav- ing Ross' head, when Woolfolk came to his uncle's rescue and quickly dealt a blow that tumbled the savage from his pony, at the same time pulling Woolfolk off his horse. A personal combat between the two was prevented by the Indian mount- ing behind Big Foot. The two Indians dashed off and at- tempted to escape, but they were again hotly pursued by Ross and his nephew. The race was an exciting one. On went Big Foot and his companion, whom the mare bore along
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swift as the wind. Suddenly they came to a ravine bluff. They saw it too late to stop the animal in her flight, and headlong over the bluff went the mare and her two riders. They were soon floundering in the mire and water. Quickly the pursuers dashed up-Woolfolk in the lead, himself dash- ing down the declivity, alighting between the two savages. Ross managed to dialt on the brink. He sprang from his mare and jumped down and into the melee, his first inten- tion being to separate the two Indians and prevent them from "double teaming" on his nephew. The four combat- ants were now on the ground and on an equal footing, and now it was that the desperate death struggle commenced. Big Foot and Captain Ross regarded each other for an in- stant. Both knew it was death for one or the other. Fire flashed from their eyes. Desperation was depicted on their countenances. They drew their knives-bright, keen butcher blades, which a hunter always carried. Both wore moccasins, while the Comanche chief was bedecked in full war paint, his long plaited chair hanging far down his back-he was in- deed ferocious looking. Captain Ross wore a slouch hat
and buckskin hunting shirt, with an old fashioned powder horn slung around his waist. With a wild, guttural shout the chief advanced, knife in hand, and made a determined lunge at his powerful white antagonist. The Indian's foot slipped on the wet sod and he missed Ross. Before he could rise, Ross seized Big Foot by the hair wth his left hand, while with his right he brand'ished and drove his knife to the heart of the Indian chief. The contest was over; the spirit of the renowned Chief Big Foot winged its way to the "happy hunting grounds." Both combatants sank to the ground-Big Foot in death, Ross unnerved and exhausted. While this was transpiring, Woolfolk was engaging the oth- er Indian in a similar strugle, and finally succeeded in dis- patching him. After scalping their victims the settlers re- turned to their homes with the trophies, and the stolen horses recovered.
Captain Ross lived to a ripe age, dying at Waco, a few years ago. He experienced many of the trials and vicissi-
105°
1020
98. Longitude West from Greenwich 94°
31
SALOTOS
Arkansow
35
River
BEALE'S
WAVEL'S COLORY
MISSISSIPPI
AUSTIN & WILKINS
FELISOLAY COLON
Red River
azo
COLON
SABINE
VEHLIN
ZAPALAS RCOLES
AUSTINS CO
COLONY
Nechos
MILANS
MRAVO
KIO
Grande
COLONY
RIO
X
E
Jueces
Norte
LAREDO
7
27
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