USA > Texas > Early pioneer days in Texas > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
52
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
After having viewed and fully contemplated na- ture's most beautiful and grand display, which poet's pen or painter's brush fails to fully paint or portray, and after having royally feasted on said lavish supply of the world's best, they pur- sued their journey across the indescribable prairie and arrived at Uncle Jesse Shelton's, the only man then living on the well-noted and far-famed Sul- phur Creek. A more hospitable or better family father says he never met. After such a long jour- ney, it seemed like meeting with kindred and long- separated friends, though they had never met be- fore. It was like those who travel in a desert, barren wilderness who, after having nearly per- ished for water, come suddenly upon cold, gurg- ling springs of pure water from unfailing, inex- haustible fountains. With renewed vigor, hope, perseverence and patience they were encouraged to continue on their journey, surmounting every obstacle, danger and difficulty, which should ever encourage us to perseveringly labor, and patiently wait, and, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
After remaining at Uncle Jesse Shelton's a few days, father made him a proposition to work by the day or month for him. as he was very anxious to make some money to pay for the horse his friends bought for him. Uncle Jesse told him he did not need any hired help, as he had four boys with negroes plenty to attend his stock, make rail fences and break new land and cultivate the small acreage already planted in corn for bread and roasting ears, but father being so willing to help
53
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
in doing any kind of work that came up during the day, and with lighted fat pine knots ablaze in an old-fashioned frying pan, with the handle tied to the end of a pole and placed on his shoulder, and going forth at night to dazzle the eyes of deer, coons, etc., that were destroying the roasting ears, pumpkins and peas, and killing large numbers, thereby saved the patch to the owner, who appre- ciated it so much that he employed my father at $15.00 per month, one-half of his time to be put in hunting by day and part of the night, which exciting sport he greatly enjoyed.
After a great quantity of buffalo, bear, panther, deer, wolf, coon skins and beef hides, etc., were secured they were loaded on to pack ponies, horses and mules and transported eighty-five miles to Sam Fulton's store on White River, Arkansas, and exchanged for the real necessities of life. Often when they ran out of supplies before they could renew their trip for more, they made out without bread or salt; but having an abundance of all kinds of wild meats and wild honey, they fared sumptuously from Mother Nature's own hand and generous production. When they wished to capture wild Spanish horses, the plan that ever proved practical and successful was for a skillful, experienced marksman with rifle to shoot in a cer- tain part of the neck, thus creasing the same, which stunned the animal, causing it to fall; and while struggling rawhide lariats were quickly and securely placed in running noose around the ani- mal's neck, and when sufficient recovered from the terrible shock, a desperate struggle ensued be-
54
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
tween the captured prize and the men, the animal plunging, squealing, and bawling until completely overcome and exhausted. Then a stoutly rigged Spanish saddle was tightly and stoutly girded. After a little rest, the rider quickly bounded into the saddle and the real, exciting fun began in earnest; bounding high in the air, coming down stiff-legged, head between front legs, all humped up; snorting, continuing desperately to exert every muscle in the effort to displace the rider and send him sprawling on the ground, which was impossible if a practical, experienced rider. The most serious and dangerous part of the program was from a high plunge, straight up in the air and falling backward, which has often resulted in making riders cripples for life, and some have been suddenly killed. The Spanish horses were noted for their hardy, tough endurance, standing more hardships with nothing but wild grass to eat, than any living horse, but invariably, after a lit- tle rest, they had to be broke over again each suc- ceeding time as long as they lived.
After a considerable time had elapsed, father being agreeably employed by Uncle Jesse, father said to George Shelton one day. "George, sup- pose we take a trip into Western Texas (calling this portion West Texas) and locate choice claims of 640 acres each, which we are justly entitled to." "But no," said George, "father will not con- sent for us to go as we are all really needed here to protect our log cabin home, for we are exposed to the danger of assault from the wild, blood- thirsty Indians and wild animals at all times."
55
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
However, it was not long until some more brave young men came from Tennessee, who insisted and earnestly plead with Uncle Jesse Shelton to let father and George go with them, and fully ex- plore and locate land in this portion of the coun- try. After a long time Uncle Jesse told them if they would complete a big task of making good large rails and haul same out and fence and break a certain piece of new land, that father and George might go with them. They all set to work vigor- ously and energetically and soon completed the required task. Then commenced a thorough preparation for their dangerous journey. After packing their ponies with such necessaries then to be obtained, such as dressed buffalo and bear skins, robes for bedding, frying pan to cook their wild game in, a good supply of guns, ammunition, bowie knives, etc .; rawhide lariats to tie their ponies onto nature's own lavish field; flint rock and spunk to strike fires, there being no matches then, they proceeded on their journey, coming out on the noted, far-famed prairie between where Paris and Honey Grove now are. They camped one or two days, killing and feasting on all kinds of game, thence across to Saunders Creek, on which a man named Wildman, the only man then living on said stream. He had a few poles tied to- gether at the top, covered with bear, buffalo, panther, wolf and deer skins, and the same kind were used for bedding. After royally entertain- ing their host, they had great sport chasing game with fleet-footed grey hounds and race horses, see- ing who could capture the greatest number. Prizes were awarded to successful competitors,
56
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
which consisted of best deer skin suit, moccasins and coon skin cap. Sometimes best dressed buf- falo and bear skins, with hair left on, were count- ed good, useful premiums, and sometimes grey hounds and ponies were exchanged from owners to prize-takers.
From the creek they came out on the three- mile branch east of Honey Grove, which city has been established long since then. After enjoy- ing themselves to their heart's content on said branch, father said: "Boys, come, let us go to yonder point of timber that extends far out in the prairie." They rapidly hastened to said place, and arriving there found camp fire signs-carcasses of wild animals that had been killed by said campers, and a great number of bee trees had been cut, all of which indicated that quite a number-perhaps fifteen or twenty men-had camped there for a week, which father and his party learned later was David Crockett and comrades on their way to the celebrated, famous Alamo, where the heroic braves engaged in deadly combat with Santa Anna and his hosts, and fell in defense of our Texas homeland. Father and comrades camped several days in the celebrated grove.
One day while father was wending his way through briars. vines and brush, he came upon a stooping pin oak tree on which was cut in large letters the following, to-wit: "Honey Grove." Father's curiosity was excited and desiring that the other boys should see same, he called aloud, "Come here, boys!" But the boys having just come in off a big round-up, having killed a great
57
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
quantity of game and being tired, were in no humor to go further until rested. They said to father, in a loud voice, "We will not come there; we are tired of all kinds of wild game and honey, anyhow." But father assured them that it was something new and uncommon. Finally they con- cluded to go and see the new something. Father, pointing up, said: "Boys, there is the name by which the city that will be here some day shall be called."
Another day while father was alone hunting in the grove he kept hearing some noise, pit-a-pat, in rapid succession, and proceeded cautiously through vines, brush and briars, until he could see a large bear robbing a bee tree, thrusting his fore paw into the hollow of the tree, which the bear had knawed with his teeth large enough to bring out large slices of honey covered with bees, which, of course, stung Mr. Bruin in rapid succes- sion, he patting them vigorously and raking them off of his nose and head. Father watched him un- til he had eaten about a large bucketful, and then with his faithful, tried and true rifle, sent a bullet crashing through his heart. Father then, with a large bowie knife, proceeded to butcher him. When he and the boys got him to camp they all decided he was the largest and fattest they had seen. Besides abundance of honey in every hol- low tree they found plenty deposited in the high grass, where it had fallen in drooping position, which justly entitles the place to the appropriate name, Honey Grove.
They found the famous waters, now known as
58
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
the Erwin Spring, which afforded an abundance of good, pure water, standing in holes where it had run far below. The innumerable Indian moccasin tracks and the tremendous amount of wild animal tracks proved that it was the regular watering place for the surrounding country. The boys added a little to truth and real facts by tell- ing newcomers from the far Eastern States late on, that in addition to an abundance of all kinds of game and honey in every hollow tree and in the grass, there was a honey pond of as pure honey as mortal man ever ate, around which stood fritter trees heavily loaded with fritters; wooden pitch- forks to fork them down, wallow them in the honey and feast to the heart's content; also, that the perpetual fountain of youth was there and from the waters of which you became young again, all aches and pains going forever. When those to whom this was told, made diligent search and re- turned, they were asked if they found everything as described. They said they found everything except the honey pond and fritter tree; they found the good spring in which they bathed but could appreciate no material difference to the extent of changing from old age to youth.
Continuing their journey down the celebrated Honey Grove Creek, coming opposite the noted Allen's Point, which was named after my father, he being the first to blaze a road through, mark lines and put up corners, thinking at that time if no better place was found, they would locate their claims there, having plenty of timber, surrounded on three sides by a beautiful prairie, and plenty
59
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
of game and wild honey. But as they were out looking, they proceeded to further explore the country. Coming to the beautiful spot, where the present old homestead is, he said: "Boys, here I intend to live and die." And he did, being called home from this early pilgrimage the third day of July, 1900, being aged eighty-three years, nine months and two days. He is free from care, sor- row. and pain; no more pioneer hardships and dangers to endure; sacrifices made that others coming after might have peacable, happy, con- tented, prosperous homes. Oh ! let us ever rever- ence his memory and all the heroic men and wom- en of pioneer days of Texas. They have estab- lished monuments to their memory by good deeds, prompted by a true spirit that will live forever.
While out on this prospecting trip they traveled north, finding a lone wild pine tree near the old homestead place, and concluded that there was certainly a pinery near, and looking away in the distance they could see a high ridge of timber, which they mistook for a huge pinery ; but, upon arriving there it proved to be what they called a poor, barren, post oak ridge, timbered country. Here there was an abundance of wild game of all kinds and extra fine grass. Before reaching this post oak timbered ridge they crossed the cele- brated and widely known Bois d'Arc bottom and creek. Words fail to describe the immense tall cane brakes; cane so large, thick and high that thirty feet away could not be told whether In- dians, bear, panther, wolves, deer, cattle or horses abounded. They entered this cane brake, but with
60
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
faithful, tried and true bear dogs, gun and ammu- nition ever ready and prepared for any emergency, should an occasion of necessity for self-defense or fight to a finish ensue, which often occurred in after years while hunting wild game, horses, cat- tle and hogs. The wild rye and other luxuriant nutritious grasses, I assure you, were indescrib- able, and pen is inadequate to the task to fully describe the vast quantity of valuable Bois d'Arc timber, which has proved of great benefit in sup- plying the world with timber, out of which the famous Bois d'Arc wagons have been and are still being made, and also the most durable fence posts, which incloses millions of acres of the richest virgin soil of the world. But this supply of Bois d'Arc timber is becoming exhausted and the ruth- less hand of time will fail to replace except in very limited quantities.
From what is now known as the Erwin Spring at the head of the famous Honey Grove Creek, down to opposite what is known as Allen's Point, father said: "Boys, here is a splendid place to lo- cate our claims ; an abundance of good timber ad- joining the prairie and the world alive with game." They proceeded to mark trees and blaze out the first claims and roads from whence the celebrated Allen's Point derived its name, the same being named for my father and will, I hope, retain its name until the last note of Gabriel's trumpet will be sounded. But instead of father settling at once, he proceeded with his friends to explore further the grand and beautiful country -. so many good locations it was hard to decide where to
61
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
permanently settle, but he finally concluded to as- sist Thomas Kemble to clear up a piece of land, fence and build a pole cabin on what is now known as the Humble place, and said Kemble in turn as- sisted father to clear and put a brush fence around a little patch of ground on what is now known as the Ishom Jolley place (where Dr. Buck Gamble once lived; after him Bill Ward lived there).
One day while father was grubbing said patch, three Indian chiefs with 600 warriors of the Kick- apoo, Kiowa and Comanche tribes, having their war paint on and equipped for their style of war- fare, which consisted of bows and arrows, lances, tomahawks and scalping knives. They came screaming like multitudes of wolves and panthers, surrounded father on all sides, riding over his brush fence as if nothing was there. Imagine, if you can, his thoughts and feelings on that occa- sion. He, a boy only 18 years old, fresh from old Tennessee, all alone, surrounded by savage, blood- thirsty demons screaming for scalp and blood! Ten thousand thoughts rapidly revolved and passed through his mind; he would never again see his Tennessee home, his dear old widowed mother, brothers and sisters, kindred and friends; he expected to be killed and scalped, and his body left to be devoured by wild beasts and no one ever knew what became of him. But an overruling, Allwise Providence ruled and prevailed. Father's first thought was to step and get his true and tried rifle, which was standing against a tree near by, but, "No," he said, "I am helpless; I can do nothing but submit to my doom and fate and die brave like a man by standing my ground." He
62
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
afterwards said, "I was scared nearly to death." His hair stood on end, raising his hat on his head. But having heard of and read in history that if the white man acts brave the Indians will admire his bravery and not kill him. He therefore sum- med up all the courage possible under the circum- stances and surroundings and continued grubbing. The Indians advanced within fifty yards. Sud- denly they all stopped. Three, who proved to be chiefs, held up their arrows with white rags tied to them, which signified peace and friendship. The chiefs got down and advanced to where father stood, saying in broken English: "Howdy do, much heap brave, good white man; much heap brave," patting him on the back, "make heap brave, big chief; whippy all big tribes." Father felt greatly relieved, having never heard more ap- preciative, soothing, enchanting words. They took up the black dirt in their hands saying: “Much heap rich, good dirt; makey heap good corn," and they assured father they wanted corn. Then and there he freely and liberally gave them all the parched corn he had, which was a very small amount, indeed, in return for which they threw down at his feet dressed bear, buffalo, wolf, panther and deer skins. They then enquired for a store. He told them the nearest store was Sam Fulton's, eighty-five miles northeast of where Paris now stands. They camped on the familiar and noted Wards Creek an entire week. Father said he never saw so much game of all kinds killed in the same length of time in his life. They in- vited him to their camps, which invitation he gladly accepted and freely partook of their hos-
63
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
pitality, feasted royally, and smoked their pipe of peace. They also accepted his invitation and ate many a hearty meal around his campfire which consisted of all kinds of wild meat without bread or salt. Water was used, there being no such thing as milk or coffee. They pleaded and earn- estly urged that father go with them and be their big chief, but he reconciled them to let him remain and in so many moons he would have corn to trade them for peltry. They packed their ponies, gave a war whoop, yell, and away they went in the di- rection of Sam Fulton's store, 85 miles away, which was the last father ever saw of them. He felt once more monarch of all he surveyed.
A photograph of those wild Indians with brass rings in their nose, wild cat tails hanging in their ears, warpaint on their faces and half dressed in skins of wild animals, would attract curiosity and attention, and many would exclaim: "How did the pioneer settlers escape from being killed and scalped ?" Perhaps the boys and girls, and grown up people, too, will better appreciate their privileges, opportunities and surrounding circum- stances if from reading our sketches of true facts and history of early pioneer life in Texas they can fully realize the difference between then and now. Oh, what dangers, hardships and inconven- iences they endured that we, their posterity, might have peaceful, prosperous, happy contented homes ! Let us ever reverence their memory, and commemorate their brave, daring, adventurous deeds by meeting at least once a year in reunion of the surviving old settlers, and may our chil-
64
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
dren down to future generations continue to per- petuate the practice until time shall be no more.
Guns with ammunition were few and scarce, a judicious, economical use of same in engagements with Indians and wild animals was always essen- tial, and really necessary, for in a mortal combat life and death issue, there was no time to be lost, no time for mistakes. Father and Uncle Joe Spence had an experience one day they never for- got to their dying day. After killing a great many buffalo, bear, panther and deer in the Journigan thicket-where it was once said that "a bowie knife could not be thrust up to the handle in it so tremendously thick was the grass interwoven with brush, vines and briars." Their supply of ammunition was nearly exhausted. In this case of emergency five Indians came dashing out of the thicket, screaming and yelling, letting fly showers of arrows close about father's and Uncle Joe's heads. They, of course, had to defend themselves as best they could under the circumstances. Their supply being short, they had to reserve their loads until compelled to shoot, which they did, killing two of the Indians. They would come dash- ing up to within 75 or 100 yards then turn, all the time intending to decoy them to shoot out their remaining ammunition, then they would have run upon, killed and scalped them, but father and his comrade planned and maneuvered cautiously. Fa- ther said: "Joe, the one that kills the old chief shall have his fine, fleetfooted dapple gray horse," which was trained to wheel and turn suddenly on his hind feet and jump seemingly 40 feet. Their
65
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
custom was to lean away under the side of their ponies, only one foot hanging over the horse's back for white men to shoot at. But in one of his dashes big chief straightened himself up and banteringly and defiantly patted his breast, at which time father drew a bead and sent a rifle ball through his breast. He reeled and fell to one side, and was caught and held on his horse by two of his warriors, who rode on each side until they reached an opening in the thicket and hastened to escape, but upon their pursuers' close, desperate chase, father saw smoke, also buzzards fly, which indicated an Indian camp. Of course, safety de- manded a right about, hasty retreat, sadly dis- appointed at not having come into possession of the coveted prize. Although Indians invariably take a white man's scalp when possible, yet they considered their tribe ruined and disgraced when a white man took one of their scalps, and always used every strategy, cunning and precaution to prevent one of their number, though dead, from falling into the hands of the white man.
On another occasion father and a few friends -Uncle Jerry Ward was one of the number, rigged up their camp outfit into an ox wagon, took their bear dogs, guns and ammunition and hied away to the head of the famous North Sul- phur, at which place they camped one week, cut- ting bee trees, killing bear, panther, buffalo and many other animals too numerous to mention. In several desperate engagements with wounded bears they lost several of their best bear dogs. Mr. Bear defended himself by standing on his hind
66
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
feet and when dogs approached near enough they would box with their forepaws and send the dogs head over heels through the air, often resulting in a dead dog. Mr. Bear would also often securely hold a dog tightly in his embrace and hug and squeeze them to death. A great many bear were killed on that trip-enough bear and various other kinds of game to last one year. They also se- cured an abundance of good, rich honey in bar- rels and several fine swarms of bees in hollow logs.
An experience never to be forgotten happened en route home. Jolting along, the packing to se- cure the bees in the hive came out. Of course, the bees made for everything in sight, causing a tremendous stampede of men and oxen, resulting and terminating in the worst stung men and oxen you ever saw-oxen pitching and bellowing, scat- tering gums, bees, honey and bear meat and pieces of wagon for miles and miles along the way. Oxen broke their bows and furiously plunged into the thicket, where they remained secure by hiding away for a week before they were found. They were wild and foolish, a knotty sight to be sure. On another trip near same place they barreled up an abundance of honey, and on their way back home they camped on the head of a rocky branch. The barrels leaked out so much honey that the next morning the branch was running with honey trickling down over ledges of rocks.
Father put down Bois d'Arc land corners, stakes and posts seventy years ago which are as sound and good as when placed there; more endurable than iron, for iron will rust and finally give way,
67
EARLY PIONEER DAYS IN TEXAS
but Bois d'Arc has the staying qualities which seem to defy Mother Time in duration.
On said trip father and his brave comrades went as far north as Red River, but finding noth- ing there to satisfy their curiosity, they turned about in the direction of home. On their return trip one day about noon, when they were very hungry and tired, they came upon the friendly semi-civilized Shawnee Indian village, which stood about two hundred yards west of Uncle Pinkney Self's spring, which is about one mile northeast of Shiloh church. Father said: "Boys, fix to fight, we see smoke ascending from an Indian camp." And, of course, they thought they were the blood- thirsty, wild Indians; but, after spying and close investigation, father said: "Boys, they are a friendly tribe, for I can see pole cabins, hear lit- tle bells on stock; hear dogs barking." So they boldly rode up into their camp, around which camp fire Shawnee Bill, big chief, and warriors sat feasting on bear, buffalo, venison and wild honey. When they saw father and crowd rapidly ap- proaching they sprang to their bows and arrows, tomahawks and scalping knives, prepared to give battle, but father held up the ramrod of his gun, with a white flag tied on it, indicating peace and friendship, which had the desired effect, for Big Chief Shawnee Bill came forward and met father and the boys at once, shaking hands with them, speaking broken English, freely invited and wel- comed them to partake of their hot and smoking feast, which was good enough for a king. Words fail to describe father and the boys' appreciation
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.