USA > Texas > Montague County > History of Montague County > Part 4
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INDIAN RAID NEAR SPANISH FORT.
In the early sixties Mr. A. Penton, with his fam- ily, was living near Spanish Fort, in this county. At this time the Indians had been raiding down on Denton Creek. It was the custom when they found the Indians had come over on the Texas side to send a runner to tell the people to head them off at the river crossing on their way to the Territory. At the time recorded Campbell Laforce came by Mr. Pen- ton to warn him that the Indians were on the way, and wanted him to go and help overtake them. Laforce had ridden all night, but he lost no time
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in resting, but went on his way to warn others. Soon after he left Mr. Luther Landers came by and asked Mr. Penton to come and go with him to the Indian fight. He told him his horses were out, and he had nothing to ride. Mr. Landers said, "Well, let's walk out here to the edge of the prairie, and perhaps we may find your horses." They went on together, both carrying guns, Mr. Landers riding and Mr. Penton walking by his side. They reached a knoll called Herring's Point, and Mr. Penton looked down in the hollow and saw about eighteen Indians assembled there. They had nearly fifty horses with them. The Indians had seen the ap- proach of the white men and had hidden there with the intention of surprising them. Mr. Landers and Mr. Penton held a council of war and decided to run. They started for the timber, knowing if they reached there they could better protect themselves from the Indians. Mr. Landers took Mr. Penton behind him on his horse, and they laughingly said afterwards that they tried to fly. In striking at his horse he struck Mr. Penton's gun. It went off and frightened the Indians away. They reached Mr. Penton's, and fearing the Indians would follow and attack the house they sent the entire family to a thicket at the back of the field and told them to remain there until all was over. About twenty- two white men came up about this time and charged the band of Indians. Among the men were Bill
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Dixon, Eb Dixon, George Campbell, Burnett, Blair and a number of others whose names could not be obtained. The frightened women and children could hear the sound of the guns. This only served to in- crease their alarm, for they did not know what the result of the battle would be. Fortunately none of the white men were wounded, but a number of In- dians were wounded. One Indian, whom they killed that day was old Chief Lone Wolf's son. The white men scalped him and his warriors left him where he fell, as it was contrary to Indian custom to carry a scalped Indian from the battlefield. Some of the Indians who succeeded in making their escape were riding some of Mr. Bill Freeman's fine race horses that they had stolen from him.
After the fight was over Mr. Penton brought his family to the house and they prepared dinner for the entire company of white men, twenty-two in number. The family considered it a privilege to dis- pense hospitality to these good pioneer men, who were always brave in the defense of the homes of Montague County.
INDIANS CAPTURE DICK FREEMAN AND JOHN BAILEY.
Perhaps the best known and most widely dis- cussed "Indian capture" ever recorded in the his-
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tory of Montague County was that of the capture of Dick Freeman and John Bailey.
The earliest home of Dick Freeman was in a rude log cabin just back of where the store at New Harp now stands.
One of the first accomplishments taught a boy in those days was how to manage a horse properly. Young Freeman soon became an expert horseman, and his father placed him in charge of a herd of cat- tle. He was as reliable as a man in looking after his father's interests. His father, Bill Freeman, owned a great many cattle, and his fine horses were known all over the county. In 1867 Dick Freeman and John Bailey, an orphan boy a little older than himself, to whom the family had given a home, were herding cattle on a small opening in the tim- ber just east of their home, when they were sur- prised and taken captive by two Comanche Indians. John Bailey was riding a splendid horse that be- longed to Jim Harry. The horse was known all over the county as "Billy Button." Many of the old settlers will remember him as a large red sorrel, sixteen hands high, with a white star in his fore- head. (This is mentioned because that was a day when people really loved their horses.) The In- dians passed within sight of the Freeman home with the boys. They could see the smoke curling peace- fully from the chimney. "Let's take a last look at home, John, for we will never see it again," said
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Dick, as he gazed longingly in that direction. He tried hard not to show any feeling, for the Indians usually punished any show of emotion; but in spite of everything a tear stole silently down the manly little fellow's cheek, and there was a choking sensa- tion in his throat as he thought of the mother and father he would never see again.
They tied the two boys to a tree back of Levi Per- ryman's place, leaving an Indian to guard them, while the rest of the band went on to Mr. Perry- man's house with the intention of stealing his horses. Mr. Perryman caught sight of the Indians, seized his gun and shot at them. This frightened them away. They returned to where the two captives were tied, placed them on horses and went on their way to the Comanche camp, in the Indian Territory. At first the two boys were treated most cruelly. They dragged them with ropes, caused them to walk barefooted in the snow, and allowed them to be tantalized in every conceivable manner by the In- dian boys about the camp. At last Dick, who was a courageous little fellow, decided that he could never make his escape and would eventually be killed by the Indians, anyway, and he was going to teach one of those Indian boys a lesson. The time came when, soon after he had made up his mind, an Indian boy, much larger than Dick, began to tantalize him. The Indian was taken by surprise when Dick, with sud- den fury, sprang upon him.
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The Indian warriors began to circle around them, and Dick supposed his time had come at last. But he determined to give that Indian boy something to remember, and he redoubled his energies with in- creased vigor. He fairly rained blows upon the boy, scratching his face and tearing his hair, until the boy begged for mercy. Then Dick arose, folded his arms and looked his tormentors full in the face, expecting to be killed the next minute. Now, there
is nothing in all the world that an Indian admires like bravery. To Dick's astonishment the Indians seized him, tossed him into the air, calling him "heap big warrior." From that time on he was a great favorite with the tribesmen. They taught him all sorts of Indian tricks, in riding, in lassoing, dancing and swimming. He remained with them nearly a year, and could speak the Comanche lan- guage fluently.
On the day the boys were taken captive, when the time came for them to return home, their fail- ure to appear caused the family much alarm. A searching party went to look for them, and when they found Dick's saddle that had been dropped by the way, they were convinced that the boys had been killed by the Indians and were given up for dead. When nearly a year had passed by some citizens were in the vicinity of the Comanche camp, in the Indian Territory, when they unexpectedly saw and recognized John Bailey. They bought him from the
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Indians and brought him home. He had not been in the same camp with Dick and could not say whether Dick had been killed or not. His return aroused a renewed hope within the father's heart that would not be stilled. He determined to make an effort to recover his son. Mr. Freeman armed himself heavily, mounted his finest horse and, ac- companied by a brave friend, he rode to the Indian camp on the Washita River. To his great joy he found Dick alive and well, but to all outward ap- pearances he was an Indian. The Indian chief had become so fond of him he had tried in every way to cause him to forget all he knew about civili- zation.
He had discarded his clothes for the Indian garb. They had allowed his hair to grow long, had painted his face Indian fashion and caused him to wear rings in his ears and bracelets on his arms, and carefully taught him the Comanche language. In spite of all this Dick recognized his father at first sight, ran to him and begged him to take him back to mother and the children. The Indians had formed such an attachment for the boy it was with great difficulty that they were induced to give him up. At last Freeman offered them the fine horse he was riding and five hundred dollars in money, and they con- sented to give him up. The Indians took a great dislike to Mr. Freeman, and told him if they ever caught him out anywhere in after years that they
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would kill and scalp him. To demonstrate the man- ner of death they meant they passed their knives about his head. There was great joy in the Free- man household when the father returned with Dick. The neighbors gathered in to see the boy that had been stolen, and to hear him relate his experiences with the Indians. His Indian antics and Comanche language amused the boys very much. Gradually he dropped the Indian customs he had acquired, and it finally became almost impossible to induce him to speak of his captivity. Not far from where he was captured this boy, now grown to manhood, lives in a pretty white cottage at the foot of a high hill. It is a beautiful spot, and from the front porch a magnificent view is to be had of the country, over which the Indian was wont to roam in the long ago. The father of John Bailey, who is spoken of in this story, lived in Wise County, at the home of Jim Ball. One day Mr. Ball was in his field when he suddenly beheld a large band of Indians coming down the mountain side. They ran by him on to where Tom Bailey was at work. Mr. Ball's little son was with him at this time. An Indian attempted to capture the child, and succeeded in getting him up behind him on the horse, when Bailey shot him in the forehead. The Indian fell forward, and the child slipped to the ground. Another Indian killed Bailey and captured the child. He was afterwards bought back by his father. A long time afterwards
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the Indians passed through that section of the coun- try and were pursued by a band of white men. The Indians managed to escape, but had to leave one of the Indian ponies behind that had given out in the race and could run no further. The men brought the pony back with them and stopped at Mr. Ball's house. The little boy came out clapping his hands with joy as he exclaimed, "Old Hal has sent me my pony. He has seven holes in his ears to put ribbons in." The men examined the pony's ears and found what the child had said to be true, and gave the pony to him. When the little boy was a captive in an Indian camp he became a great favorite with old Chief Hal, and he had given him this pony to ride so long as he remained on the Indian reserva- tion. The Indians frequently became very much at- tached to the white children whom they captured, and could scarcely be induced to give them up.
THE LOST SOLDIER.
In the winter of 1868 a scouting party was sent out from Fort Sill. On their way they camped at different places. One night they hobbled their horses and turned them loose to graze. Next morning was foggy and misty. In looking for the horses one of the soldiers became separated from his compan- ions, and was not seen by them again for several
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months. They searched for him for a while, but concluding that he would join them later they went on their way, leaving him to his fate. He had a ter- rible experience. Left without food and but little ammunition, he scarcely knew what to do. For days he traveled through the woods, afraid to shout or fire his gun, for fear he would attract the Indians. Finally, becoming desperate from hunger, he killed game to live on as long as his ammunition lasted. After that was exhausted he took the magazine out of his gun to make fish hooks with which to catch fish. As a last resort he was forced to kill his horse for food. He spent a week drying the horse flesh. During this time he took off his army blouse and tied it to a pole. He then climbed the highest cot- tonwood tree he could find and tied it in the top, hoping some one would see it in passing and come to his assistance. After waiting several days he became discouraged and decided to start out again through this strange country in an effort to find civilization. He was beset with many dangers. Be- sides the great loneliness of the woods, and the cer- tain knowledge that he was lost, was his almost starving condition, and his fear of the Indians. Finally the desire for the sight of a human face be- came so strong that he lost all fear of the Indians, and would gladly have welcomed the sight of one. He took the precaution to take the mane of his horse and made a wig to wear, so if he was seen by
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Indians they would mistake him for one of their own race, and they would not kill him at first sight.
The lower part of his boots, by this time, were completely worn out by constant walking over rough places, so he took the tops of the boots, together with pieces of horse hide, and made moccasins with which to protect his tired, worn feet. His clothing was worn and torn. His hair and beard long and un- kempt. It only goes to prove how sparsely the country was settled, when it is known that he wandered for three months without having seen a human face, not even an Indian. He said that he prayed earnestly, time and again. At last he prayed the Almighty to give him some sign to cheer him if he was ever to be found at all. He declared that a great light shone about him, and he was greatly comforted.
It was now April. Cash McDonald and Bob Stephens of Montague County had started out to overtake a herd of cattle that had passed through their settlement, and see if any of the neighbors' cattle were in the herd. They crossed over into Clay County and that night, when near Buffalo Springs, they came upon a small hackberry thicket and saw the faint glimmer of a light. Their first thought was that it was an Indian camp fire, and they held a council as to what they should do. They decided to call and see what the result would be. At the sound of their voices the man ran out to meet them.
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He was overcome with joy, talking and crying at the same time. He said repeatedly, "Thank God for a white man's face once more." The only pro- visions he had with him was some dried horse flesh. After listening to the story of his three months' wanderings they divided their food with him and told him to camp there until morning, when they .would return for him.
He feared that they were only taking this method to get rid of him, and after they left he followed down the road in the direction the men had taken. The next day the men met him on the way. They took it time about riding and walking. They made such slow progress in this way that Mr. Stephens told him to camp for the night and he would send a boy back with an extra horse for him next day. The man was so anxious to reach civilization he at- tempted to walk on, and was met next day by Hiram Wainscot and taken to Queen's Peak. At this time Mr. Stephens had charge of Solen Loving's cattle at Queen's Peak, and had a number of cowboys working for him. He took the lost man in and clothed him. Finding him to be a fine cook he em- ployed him to do the cooking for himself and the cowboys. A company of soldiers was stationed at Jacksboro. The man reported to them, and they reported to his company at Fort Sill. By this means he communicated with his company and afterwards returned to them. His gratitude toward the men
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who found him knew no bounds. He frequently wrote to Hiram Wainscot, to whom he was greatly attached.
AMONG OTHER INDIAN CRUELTIES.
Mr. Stump, a citizen of Montague County, living near Clear Creek, accompanied by a young man named Bailey, who worked for him on the farm, had started to Sherman to mill. They did not feel any special fear of Indians that morning, as there had been no raids through that part of the county in some time. There had been a number of small hunt- ing parties, composed of Indians, passing through the country, but they had appeared disposed to be friendly, although they would steal the settlers' horses whenever opportunity afforded. It never paid to feel too secure from danger in Indian times, for when you least expected them the foe was upon you. Mr. Stump, although urged by his family to take his fire arms with him, would not do so, saying he would leave them for the protection of the fam- ily, and that he was not apprehensive of danger any- way on this trip.
The men had traveled about a quarter of a mile from home when they suddenly came upon a band of Indians. The Indians at once surrounded them, and young Bailey began to cry, saying he knew they
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HISTORY OF MONTAGUE COUNTY.
were going to kill them. The Indians told them to have no fears, that they were good, friendly Caddos. After a short conversation the Indians began shoot- ing. They stopped as suddenly as they began, and forced the men to remove their clothing. They be- gan shooting again, killing young Bailey instantly. This killing took place near where the "Peabody school house" now stands. When he saw young Bailey fall, Mr. Stump made a dash to escape, with two Indians in pursuit. He was a swift runner, but as he ran the Indians' bullets pierced him in more than a dozen places. He left the road and started to run through the woods. This gave him some ad- vantage, for the Indians were riding horses and could not make fast progress through the under- growth. Mr. Stump ran about four hundred yards, when he saw a man at work in a field near-by. He crossed over to him and fell at his side. The man's name was Priest. According to pioneer custom, Mr. Priest had his gun with him in the field. With it he succeeded in frightening the Indians away. He then turned his attention to the wounded man. He was unable to walk, and Mr. Priest could not carry him without assistance, so there was nothing else to do but leave him there and go for assistance. It was a trying moment for Mr. Stump, to be left there wounded, helpless and with nothing to defend him- self with, not knowing what minute the Indians would return and scalp him. Fortunately this did
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not happen, and in a short time Mr. Priest returned with help, and they carried the wounded man to the Priest home. He remained there a month, when, in spite of his dangerous wounds, he was nursed back to health and strength, and in 1912 was still alive.
AN INDIAN ATTACK.
The Indians, when raiding through the county, came down near a place called the "Old Music Farm." A widow by the name of Davis lived there, together with several children. Her oldest daugh- ter was called Nan. Late one evening they heard horse bells down at the creek near-by, and thinking their horses had come up for water, Nan and her mother started out to catch them, and bring them to the house. When they reached the creek they saw a band of Indians there. The Indians discov- ered their presence about the same time and made an attempt to capture them. They did not seem in- clined to kill them, but were determined to capture Nan. The girl fought desperately, but finally one of the Indians succeeded in getting her behind him on his horse. She managed to get down and ran through the briars and undergrowth until she reached the Hamilton home, quite a distance away.
Her clothing was torn and her hands and feet were torn and bleeding from contact with the sharp
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briars. The Indians had a large bunch of horses they had stolen, and rather than run the risk of losing them they let her go, and did not try to fol- low. The mother ran away while they were fighting with Nan. She hurried home to her other children and barricaded the house, but the Indians went another route, and they were safe.
QUEEN'S PEAK INCIDENT.
Indian depredations had become so frequent that three families had become alarmed for their safety and decided to live together for protection from the Indians.
They were Rile Willingham and family, R. J. San- difer and family, and Mrs. Chesley Marlett and fam- ily. They were living in a cattle corral at Queen's Peak. One morning they heard some shooting in the distance. Looking out they saw the Indians killing and scalping two negroes who were on their way to the fort when overtaken by the Indians. After killing the negroes the Indians divided into two companies. They had about twenty-eight loose horses feeding near-by. One company of Indians stayed with the horses. The others climbed on top of the Peak so that they could look down into the corral and discover how many men were there. They seemed to tire of this and contented themselves with
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shooting down fourteen head of cattle. Then they began to maneuver again to find out the number of men in the corral. Rile Willingham and Lonnie Stephens were the only men there. Mrs. Sandifer and Mrs. Willingham dressed to represent men and completely fooled the Indians. They put all the little children down in a little dugout for protection. Mrs. Marlett, who held a gun, was asked if there was any more ammunition. She answered no. Her house was in the same enclosure, so she said she would go and get some ammunition that was there. They tried to keep her from going, but she said, "What can we do without ammunition if the Indians attack us?" She crossed over to her house and got the am- munition. An Indian, who was on a horse and heav- ily armed, looked straight at her as she came out, but made no effort to harm her. It was supposed he refrained from killing her because he feared an attack from the men on the inside, and being un- certain as to their number he hesitated about firing. She secured the ammunition and returned unhurt.
After riding around near the corral for almost two hours the Indians left. For a while they feared they would return, but the Indians decided not to molest them further, and they were left in peace for a while.
Immediately following the Queen's Peak affair Frank Marlett, Mount Stroud, Dick Sandifer, Joe Johnson and Bud Leath had gone to the Green place, about one mile distant from the Marlett home. When
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nearly half way back home they suddenly came upon a band of Indians. At first they thought they were cowmen, but when they discovered they were In- dians they made their way to a hollow near-by and prepared for a fight. A few shots were exchanged, but no one was hurt. It was the purpose of the In- dians to steal the horses at the Marlett place be- longing to the men, and when they found this was impossible they passed over the ridge and out of sight.
OLD TIP'S DISLIKE FOR THE INDIANS.
In the early days of this county no possession was more highly appreciated than a good horse. A swift horse was known by name all over the settle- ment, and to own one was a very good introduction to public favor. For a good judge of horseflesh was held in no slight esteem.
Many a man owed his escape from the Indians to his fleetfooted horse. As a rule they were keenly alive to Indian signs, and their restless manner and other exhibitions of uneasiness would often warn their masters of danger when they least expected that Indians were near. These instincts were char- acteristic of "Old Tip." He possessed the true pio- neer spirit in that he shared the pioneer's dislike for the Indian. He was fleet of foot and strong of limb.
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He was devoted to his master, and made his way back to him on different trying occasions. His large eyes looked out upon the world with intelligent in- terest. Old Tip was a horse and his master's name was Sam McDonald. Mr. McDonald and his family were living with his father, Cash McDonald, and family, on Denton Creek. They lived in separate houses, but within the same enclosure, for protec- tion from the Indians. The doors to this enclosure opened on the inside, giving the occupants some ad- vantage over the Indians. They had also picketed in a space for the horses. It was within this pick- eted space that "Old Tip," together with the other horses belonging to the family, was wont to spend his nights. He stood in mortal terror of the Indians, and when his master heard him pawing and snort- ing at night this was warning enough. He knew that "Old Tip" had discovered that Indians were near. In the summer of 1867 the Indians made a
raid on the McDonald home at night.
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