USA > Texas > Montague County > History of Montague County > Part 7
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THE INDIAN CROSSING-WHERE THE IN- DIANS CAME INTO, AND WENT OUT OF THE STATE.
Mr. and Mrs. John Hughes were among the first people who moved to this county. They came here in 1859, and settled at the "Head of Elm," where the town of St. Jo now stands. It was the year of the gold fever and the trail was thick with pack horses, and men, women and children-some on foot and some in wagons-all making a desperate effort to reach the gold region. Some said that gold was to be found in the Wichita Mountains, others said you would not find gold until you reached Pike's Peak. Mr. Hughes was among the many who were disappointed in their search for gold. He after-
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wards moved his family to Whitesboro. His daugh- ter, Miss Regina Hughes, married Mr. Charles Moore in 1873, and they moved to the mouth of the Lit- tle Wichita River, in Clay County, just over the line from Montague County.
This was the point chosen by the Indians to come into the country on their raids, and to go out of the State on their return from harrassing the set- tlers by their savage depredations. For this rea- son they never molested the Moore family at any time; they could frequently hear the water splashing as the Indians were crossing the river. The last time they crossed over was in 1874, after the killing of the Huff family near Decatur, in Wise County. This marked their last entrance into Texas for war- like purposes. It was here that Jesse James, the notorious robber, spent the night with the Moore family. They did not know whom they had enter- tained until afterwards. Mrs. Moore had many ex- citing experiences with the Indians along the fron- tier in this and other counties. Mr. and Mrs. Moore now live in Forrestburg.
THE LAST INDIAN RAID IN MONTAGUE COUNTY.
On a certain day in August, 1872, a number of Montague County settlers engaged in a fight with
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the Indians. This proved to be the last Indian fight that occurred in this county.
A band of Indians had been raiding through the county, stealing horses as they went. Sometimes the Indians would remain in hiding during the day and would send out their spies, who, from some high point, or fringe of timber, would try to keep in touch with the movements of the white men of the settlement. This forced the settlers to be constant- ly on their guard in order to keep the Indians from committing depredations of all kinds. So many people were now coming into the county, thus rein- forcing the protection of the settlement, that the Indians found it more difficult to operate their raids than in the past. But they were none the less fero- cious and sought every opportunity to annoy the white settlers and to force them from what they were pleased to term "the land of their fathers."
On the day recorded, Levi Perryman, Aleck Per- ryman, Crede Roberts, Holloway Williams, Henry Williams, Henry Roberts, - Southward, - South- ward's son, and some others whose names could not be learned, had two fights with the Indians. Mr. Levi Perryman had been elected that morning to command the company. The first fight occurred on Dry Valley, southeast of Montague, on what is now called the Jim Boyd place. Levi Perryman shot an Indian during this engagement, who afterwards died. The Indians became frightened and withdrew from
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the scene. The white men waited a few minutes for Bob Bean and his company. They failed to appear and the men left in pursuit of the Indians. They overtook them three miles west of Cash McDonald's and exchanged a few shots. Mr. Perryman ordered the men to retreat and fall back with the company of white men that he thought was coming behind. They failed, however, to meet the other company. The Indians were advancing so fast, Mr. Perryman saw they would soon overtake them, and he ordered his men to dismount and get ready for battle. This they refused to do, and the men, using their own judgment, separated, going in different directions. Just before this Holloway Williams had remarked that he ought to go back, as he was riding a tired horse, but said if Levi would stay with him he would go on. Mr. Perryman promised, for he knew Williams was a good fighter. The Indians were now gaining on them every minute. After the men re- fused to dismount Mr. Perryman told Williams to "bear to the left," through some thicket timber. Mr. Perryman lingered, to hold the Indians back until Mr. Williams could have time to get ahead, then he was going to catch up with him and take him up behind him, as he always rode a fine horse that. was well able to carry two people. While he waited, an Indian ran up on him. As he was getting ready to shoot two more Indians appeared. Fearing they would overpower him he put spurs to his horse to
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overtake Williams (and incidentally, perhaps, with some view of getting away from the Indians). When overtaken Williams was urging his horse along as best he could. Levi said, "Stop beating your horse. There are only three Indians behind us, and we can whip them without any trouble, and you can get behind me on my horse if more Indians come and we will get away in a hurry." No Indians ap- peared, but "whang" came a bullet over the hill.
Levi said, "I'm going, I'm afraid some of the boys are in trouble." About this time the Indians
shot at Mr. Perryman. Williams said, "Why do you wait ? Go on and leave me, and try to save your- self." This Mr. Perryman refused to do. Appre- ciating the constancy of his friendship, Williams said, "Levi, you are worth a thousand dollars in gold to me." In a few minutes the two men were joined by Alec Perryman.
As no further signs of the Indians were given the three men decided to go to the McFarland home, some distance away. There they found Crede Rob- erts, who told them about an Indian he had killed. The men had intended to go on until they met Bob Bean's company, but after they met Crede Roberts they decided to go with him and find the Indian he had slain. They asked Crede how it happened, and he told the following story :
When the men separated, as has already been told, Crede Roberts, some way, got behind the others.
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The Indians, eighteen in number, were hid in the black jack flat and charged on the white men. They failed to shoot any of the men, but wounded Crede Roberts' horse in the leg. He soon discovered that his horse could not carry him further, and he slided off the horse into the tall grass. He struck the horse and he ran on a little further. The Indians fol- lowed, thinking he was still riding it. When they came upon the wounded horse and found him with- out a rider they knew at once that the man had em- ployed strategy to deceive them. They halted for a minute and decided to hunt for Crede. In and out, in and out, of the tall grass they rode, searching for him. A number of Indians passed right by where he lay in hiding but failed to notice him. The last one to come behind all the other Indians was their chief. Mr. Roberts at once recognized the horse he was riding as one the Indians had stolen from Mr. Leeper. With keen, trained eye and haughty mien he looked among the tall grasses, hoping to detect some sign that would lead him to discover the hid- den man. The white man saw him, but feared to fire because he knew the report would attract the other Indians to the spot, when he would doubtless be killed. But he was forced to fire in self-defense. Just as he thought he was going to pass on by with- out seeing him, the chief glanced down and saw him lying in the tall grass almost at his horse's feet. For a second they looked into each other's eyes and
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the chief drew his gun to fire, but Roberts was too quick for him. He fired first, killing him instantly. The shot attracted the other Indians and they began to assemble for battle. Great confusion reigned when they found their chief had been slain. Mr. Roberts said he had never heard such moaning as the Indians did. They circled around their dead chief, chanting the weird monotonous chant of their tribes.
In the excitement following this Mr. Roberts man- aged to make his escape unnoticed. Walking was too slow a means of travel that morning, and he said he ran several miles without stopping until he reached the McFarland place on Denton Creek. In the race he lost his hat and gun, but afterwards re- covered both. When he had finished his story Levi Perryman said, "Crede, if I had known your horse was wounded and you left behind on foot I would have stayed with you if I had known the Indians would have killed me."
By this time they had reached the spot where the killing took place and found the dead chief lying where he fell. His warriors had spread two calico shirts and a blanket over his body. The Indians had also left the horse he was riding, tied near by. This was the first time they had ever been known to leave one behind, but according to their ancient su- perstitious Indian custom they left him there for the chief to ride home to the "happy hunting ground
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of his fathers." But instead of their chief riding him, as they in their ignorance believed he would, the men took the horse back to its rightful owner. The State of Texas gave Crede Roberts a $50 rifle as a reward for killing the Indian, and the neighbors made up money and bought him another horse.
The killing of this Indian took place southwest of Salona, between Sunset and Salona. The minute men had previously been notified to head the In- dians off at Brushy Mound. These men were com- manded by Capt. J. J. Willingham. The men re- mained on duty until sundown, when a man named Harmon was sent to notify them that the Indians had fled, bound for the Indian Territory.
The story of this Indian raid is of much interest to the old settlers, for it marked the dawn of a new era in Montague County. For, in 1872, the faithful runner, who risked his life many times over to warn the settlers of the incoming Indian bands, made his last ride on this errand of mercy. It was never nec- essary again. The words that had struck terror to the hearts of the women and children, "Get up your horses, get ready your firearms, for the Indians are on the way, killing and burning as they come," these words were to be heard in this county no more. The death knell of the Indian raids was sounded and Montague County knew her red foe never again.
About this time the State began to increase its
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ranger forces and stationed them along the frontier in such an effective way that they made Indian in- vasion almost impossible. This brought about a feeling of security that had not heretofore been en- joyed by the settlers, and the county entered upon an era of progress and prosperity.
JIM NED LOOKOUT.
Jim Ned Lookout is an object of much interest to the people of this county. It was here, in the early days of the settlements, that the wary Indian spy would climb to the top of "Jim Ned Lookout" to survey the country and thereby ascertain the move- ments of the unsuspecting white people. Jim Ned Lookout is a mound or high prairie ridge that took its name from Jim Ned, a Caddo Indian chief. This chief had but one eye. By climbing to the highest point on this mound he could see, with the keen, trained eye of the eagle, for miles around. To the spy system employed by the Indians was due many of the successful attacks made upon the early set- tlers. Jim Ned died in Kansas in 1863, on the Vir- digris River. His death resulted from smallpox. No trappings of the warrior were buried with him, that he might make a brave appearance when he ar- rived at the "happy hunting ground" of his imagi- nation. He was wrapped in a blanket and buried
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in a shallow grave near the banks of the Virdigris. Jim Ned Lookout is between Montague and Forrest- burg. The Dye Mound road leads around the north side of it and the Forrestburg and Montague road leads by the south side of the Mound. Solemn and solitary it stands in the winter's cold and the balmy springtime, holding the secrets of the long ago, when the haughty Indian chiefs assembled in council to declare eternal warfare against the "pale faces," who were striving to wrest from them the land of their fathers. They viewed, with increasing hatred, their encroachment upon their hunting grounds, and vowed a vow to "spare not." But in this land which the Indian apparently thought was created for him, his descendants are no more. Further and further away he has been driven until at the present he is lit- tle more than a tattered remnant upon the fringe of the civilization his savage nature deplores.
BRUSHY MOUND.
They tell us that the scenery of Colorado bank- rupts the English language; that the glory of the Yosemite Valley has passed into literature; that the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains has been told in song and story. And this is true. But when all has been said we will find that nature has not been un- kind to Montague County, but has rather been dis-
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posed to distribute her gifts with a generous hand.
Streams flow through the boundaries of our county upon whose banks grow the spreading shade trees. Pecan orchards are to be found growing without cultivation and producing an abundant yield. The wild grape vine sways gracefully from the boughs of the trees that have given it friendly support, and there are to be found many charming spots where picnic parties may spend the day most pleasantly, while they breathe in the pure, balmy life-giving breezes peculiar to this climate. If we cannot go through the Grand canyon of the Colorado, climb Pike's Peak, visit Niagara Falls, tour California and pitch pebbles into the Pacific Ocean, let's not be disappointed. We can have a good time at home. Let us pack our baskets with a nice lunch, invite a few congenial friends and go "picnicing" in our own neighborhood. We cannot drive five miles in any direction on a clear spring morning in Montague County without finding a pleasant place to spend the day. You will find pretty flowers, inviting shades and blue skies. Let us not find fault with home, but let us cultivate a spirit of appreciation for our own surroundings.
One of the most picturesque places in the County is "Brushy Mound." It is five miles from Bowie, and is a part of the ranch owned by Mr. Z. T. Lowrie of Bowie. The
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accessibility of Brushy Mound and the comparative ease with which it may be explored adds greatly to the pleasure of a visit to this place. It is made cool and inviting by the growth of shade trees which cling to the soil that has gathered among the rocks. The curious rock formations are of interest, even to the accustomed eye. Truly these formations are wonderful, as wonderful as the presence of the Mound itself. Rising abruptly from a stretch of prai- rie, it gives a commanding view of the surrounding country. In the distance to the right is to be seen another mound. This point is called Queen's Peak,
Doubtless these mounds are centuries old, and for ages they have stood, like two silent sentinels, guard- ing the stronghold of their people. Queen's Peak took its name from a young girl whose name was
Queen Victoria. She was stolen by the Indians, who, in their flight, crossed the extreme top of the mound. A piece of the girl's dress was afterwards found here and the people christened the spot Queen's Peak. Brushy Mound has ever been a fa- vorite retreat for picnic parties. One spot full of interest to the visitor is a large, smooth rock. This rock is almost covered by the names and dates carved on it by the merry parties that have gathered there from year to year.
Brushy Mound is not without its historic interest. It was from its heights the wary Indian viewed the surrounding country and lay in wait for the early
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settlers. On the very top is an Indian grave. How long it has been here we do not know. But some time in the long ago the Indians assembled here to practice their weird incantations over the grave of this warrior.
How old are these rocks? No man knows. But as one gazes upon this great rugged mass they can- not but wonder if this upheaval came on that mem- orable day when the "Man of Galilee" bore His cross up Calvary's hill and the "rocks and the moun- tains were rent in twain."
THE HOME OF MY EARLY DAYS.
There is an old cabin at the foot of the hill, And my heart turns to it today ;
The lord of his manor may jeer if he will, But I will continue my lay, And will sing of the cabin both old and uncouth,
The unsightly old cabin, the home of my youth.
Around the old cabin the wild flowers grew,
And I gathered them there in my play ;
They sparkled like diamonds, in the fresh morning dew,
As I bore them triumphant away-
To the door of our cabin at the foot of the hill-
The rugged old cabin, low perched by the rill.
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And mother would chide me for running away, To a place where an Indian might be; And tell me the evils in my pathway that lay, If my wanderings the savage might see; But greater the pleasure compared to the fear, Was there in the cabin on the Texas frontier.
Though few were the comforts, as judging by now, What the people desire and possess ; A feeling of bliss there existed somehow, And a longing to cherish and bless ; No selfishness reigned, as sometimes we find In the homes of today more gay and refined.
The stranger was welcome to such as we had ; A neighbor was precious as gold ; We saw his good traits instead of his bad, In the beautiful seasons of old, In the old-fashioned cabin, so modest and plain, And that is the life I long for again. -By L. Passmore.
THE HOME LIFE OF THE PIONEER.
A clearing in the woods, with a rail or picket fence surrounding it. A well beaten path that led to the spring and wash place near by. One large log room, with sometimes a side room, with a square opening
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cut for a window. This window had no glass panes, but a wooden shutter, held in place by leather straps, served as a closing. Two doors, one in front, the other at the back; a puncheon or dirt floor and a stick and clay chimney. A large fireplace opened inside the house. Across this fireplace was a goodly sized iron bar on which the pot hooks hung. Un- like her daughters and granddaughters, who cook on a modern range heated by wood, coal or gas, the pioneer mother prepared her meals and cooked them on the fireplace. Many an appetizing meal was served to the family in this way. Another essential was the large iron oven. It stood on tall iron legs, and was covered with a heavy iron lid. When bak- ing, this oven was set over a bed of red hot coals, and coals were heaped on top of the lid. This was the favorite way of baking bread. A well worn stone step at the front door, some rude boxes nailed on the outside on either side of the door, in which bloomed the old-fashioned moss. There were beds of zenias, marigolds, bachelor buttons and princess feather, grown from seed brought from the old states; a rude bench under a shade tree, the grind stone near by, the ash hopper in the back yard and almost invariably a horse hitched at the front gate.
Get this description in your mind and you will have a picture of the pioneer home of Montague County. The home life in any pioneer country is much the same. There is very little difference in
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their environment. The people, in many instances, being taxed to the uttermost to provide the neces- saries of life. Luxuries were unthought of. The markets were far away and the price of sugar and coffee was so high that no doubt many of our good pioneer mothers could instruct us in the art of using cane syrup for sugar and parched grain for coffee.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the resource- fulness of the housewife of early Montague County days. She had none of the modern appliances for lightening labor, such as we now have in daily use. Most of the labor was performed with her own will- ing hands. Corn meal constituted the principal bread making. Flour being scarce biscuits were only served on rare occasions, many families being with- out any flour whatever. An old price list was con- sulted and it was found that during this period white sugar was 35 cents per pound; rice, 25 cents per pound; hams, 35 cents per pound; brown sugar, 20 cents per pound ; corn, $1.37 per bushel; barley, $2 per bushel; oats, $1.50 per bushel, and flour, $15 per barrel of 196 pounds. Salt, 5 cents per pound, and beef cattle, $35 per head. Almanacs could be had for 25 cents each, by going to Gainesville for them. It was not uncommon for people to get without bread stuff and remain without for days. Mr. Bud Morris of Montague said he went to mill twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. He had to take his wheat to Dallas to have it ground into flour.
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Corn was ground into meal by hand, in an old steel mill made for that purpose. The early settlers of Montague County shared the same experience.
The story is told of a family by the name of Pen- ton, who, in 1866, lived near where Burlington now stands. They had to go forty-five miles to mill. Once when the father had been absent for a long time, looking after cattle, the family was without bread for three weeks. They had been living on sweet potatoes, dried beef and coffee made from wheat. As this supply was running low, the mother finally de- cided to send her two sons, Price, aged 9 years, and John, aged 13 years, to mill. The little fellows bade their mother good bye and, with scant rations on which to make the trip, they started for the mill, forty-five miles away.
They were driving a yoke of young steers and had eight bushels of corn with them which they ex- pected to have ground into meal. The country was infested with Indians, and it was with many fears for their safety that the mother watched them start on their journey. She did not allow them to carry arms. She reasoned with them in this way : "If the Indians overtake you, and you make an attempt to fight them, they will kill and scalp you. Otherwise they may only take you captives, and you may have an opportunity to escape."
On their way they had to pass directly by the place where the Box family was attacked by the In-
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dians and Mr. Box was slain. If their hearts beat more quickly and they urged the steers to travel faster at this point, who can blame them ? They were five days making the trip. At night they would hob- ble the steers, put bells on them and turn them loose to graze on the grass. After eating a meal of dried beef and sweet potatoes the two boys would make their bed under the wagon and sleep there until morning. They made the journey there and back in safety. The mother spent many anxious hours watching for their return. Her joy was great when late one afternoon she saw the wagon slowly approaching, with both boys waving to her. To- gether with the smaller children she went down the road to welcome them back home. The family en- joyed the first bread they had tasted in weeks that night for supper.
Some one may ask, how could a mother send two young boys on such a perilous trip ? Necessity knows no law, and it was necessary for them to go in order that the family might not suffer want. This is only an example of the many sacrifices and hardships the pioneer mothers were called upon to endure. In those troublous Indian times no wife or mother, when she said farewell to husband or children for only a brief period, had the assurance that she would ever see them again. Those were days of economy, too. They even had to economize in matches. Nowadays we think nothing of using a box of matches every
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few days, especially if we burn gas. Matches were not so common as they are today. The careful housewife kept the coals in the fireplace covered with ashes, that she might not be without the means of lighting a fire. Sometimes the fire would go out in spite of all precaution, and then they had to resort to the flint from the gunlock, using cotton to catch the spark with. Nothing was farther from our gas and electric lights of today than the tallow candles in early use. They were manufactured at home, and poured into moulds made especially for that purpose. Many people used a yarn strip dipped in grease and hung in some kind of a tin can for a light. Later these were supplanted by the small brass lamp with- out any chimney. It was surprising how soon a lamp of this kind could smoke the walls of a room. The task of providing clothing for the family also de- volved upon the pioneer housewife. A great deal of her time was spent in spinning and weaving cloth from which the wearing apparel for the entire fam- ily was made. The wool garments were woven from wool clipped from the sheep. Cotton garments were woven from cotton which had previously been picked from the seed by hand. This was a most tedious process. They had certain ways of dyeing the cloth, and some very pretty homespun dresses were made. In those days clothes were made with a view to long wearing. You would think the costumes worn by many of the pioneer men quite odd looking. Bor-
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