USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume I > Part 10
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HISTORY OF TEXAS
rain, and we were drenched to the skin. In this condition we traveled some miles over a wet and muddy road, or trail, and lay down in the prairie nearly exhausted and with a sharp appetite. Notwithstanding the ground was wet and we were wet, we wrapped our blankets around us and fell asleep. We were awakened by the sound of a horse's feet, and very soon young Heddy made his appearance. We hailed him, of course, informed him of where we were going. as well as that we had left his father that morning at Buffalo Bayou crossing, and that we wanted something to eat. He gave us a couple of pones of cornbread. of good size, but the meal of which they were made was unsifted. However, they were sweet morsels, and we ate them with great gusto. Thus refreshed, we took up the line of march for our point of destina- tion, which we made late in the evening. We made ourselves known to Mrs. Heddy, who soon prepared us a good dinner of venison, hot cornbread, butter and milk, to which we did ample justice.
In due time Messrs. Heddy, Moore, or Coates, and Anderson ar- rived. All went well with us. I had nothing to complain of except my pest and plague, chill and fever, which stuck to me like a brother. It was soon known that Mr. Heddy had returned and, among other good things, had brought two barrels of whisky. This was a sufficient attraction, and the denizens of his neighborhood became quite regular in their visits, not, however, to their credit, be it said, being in the least boisterous or uncivil, though they indulged quite freely in the ardent. This afforded us an opportunity of making the acquaintance of most of those in the settlement, and others from distant settlements who had business at the capital of the colony.
About the middle or latter part of the fall, three families, the' Messrs. McCoy, arrived and encamped near Mr. Heddy's. They, like myself, were from Missouri. We soon formed an acquaintance and. as we were from the same state, formed a sort of brotherhood. They. however, intended going to DeWitt's colony, and had only stopped for the season, believing that provisions could be more readily procured in Austin's than DeWitt's colony. The winter proved to be a mild and dry one, until the latter part and early spring, when we had frequent and heavy rains, which made the streams high and the roads almost impassable.
In the meantime, however, Porter and myself, in company with Heddy, made several trips to San Felipe de Austin; this, though the principal town in the colony, was but a small place. However, it could boast a tavern, store and blacksinith shop and a few American and Mexican families. It is situated on the right bank of the Brazos River, some hundred or more miles above its mouth. Here we were both amused and edified, not so much from what we saw as from what we heard. On entering the tavern, we found a number of persons. mostly citizens of the surrounding settlements, and a few merchants or traders, the latter appellation being applied to all engaged in mer- chandise or other traffic. We were kindly received by the landlord and his guests-all desirous to hear the news from the "Old States." After detailing such scraps of news as we were in possession of, the conversation became general. though much varied in its subjects. For VOL. 1-4
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instance, one gentleman asked the other if he had selected his labor : to which he replied affirmatively, and that it was the softest plank or puncheon in the house. However unintelligible this was to the un- initiated. we soon learned that all a traveler had to expect in Texas was something to eat and shelter, without bed or bedding other than what he had provided for himself, which consisted of one or two blankets for bed and covering, and his saddle, or wallet, for a pillow. We had an excellent dinner and good company, both of which we enjoyed. Before closing this part of my story, however, I have a word to say of "mine host." He stood six feet and an inch or two in his stockings, was full, fat and rubicund, of easy and pleasing manners, a fund of anecdote, and a talent for telling them-he was a true type of the boniface of olden times. Col. William Pettus delighted in doing good, and was known throughout the length and breadth of the colony for his philanthropy and energy.
We next visited the store, owned and kept by Stephen Richardson and Thomas Davis, both good and true men. Their stock consisted of two or three barrels of whisky, some sugar, coffee, salt and a few rem- nants of dry goods, in value not exceeding $500. Here we found a number of the lords of Texas. They seemed to be enjoying them- selves ; some were engaged at a game of "old sledge" or seven-up at cards; others drinking whisky, eating pelonce (Mexican sugar). pecans : and all talking. We were kindly received, and soon felt our- selves at home. Here, in the course of conversation. we heard the words caballada, corral, rieto, mustang, etc., etc .- all of which were Greek to us, though we had heard the same words used time and again, but felt too diffident to ask their meaning. The party intuitive- ly concluded that we were "green from the states" and enlightened us as to the meaning of the different phrases used. After spending an hour or more very pleasantly we wended our way to Mr. Heddy's with our stock of knowledge considerably increased, and highly pleased with our visit to the capital of the colony.
In the latter part of the winter of this year, the colonists were startled by the news of a movement by Colonel Edwards, of Nacog- doches, who had obtained permission from Coahuila and Texas to in- troduce and settle a certain number of families in Eastern Texas, but his contract being declared void, he was ordered to leave the country. by proclamation of the governor ; feeling himself ill used by the au- thorities. he raised the standard of revolt and allied himself with cer- tain of the Cherokee chiefs who had settled or "squatted" in Texas. This news was communicated to the Mexican authorities at San An- tonio de Bexar, who called on Colonel Austin to raise such colonial force as he could to assist in putting down the rebellion and in main- taining the dignity and supremacy of the Mexican government.
Austin, foreseeing the consequences of this ill-advised movement of Edwards, dispatched commissioners to confer with him and dis- suade him from his rash undertaking. The mission was unsuccessful. Capt. William S. Hall, one of Austin's commissioners, reported that Edwards had but a small force and would not be able to increase it to any considerable number.
.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS
During this time I visited San Felipe de Austin frequently. In early spring, some three hundred Mexican troops arrived on their march to the seat of war. The colonists, to nearly an equal number. assembled and joined the Mexicans, who showed no disposition to march further without them. The Mexican troops were well provided. drilled regularly, and seemed to be under good discipline. When not on duty, both officers and men indulged in their favorite game at cards-Monte. Notwithstanding the martial appearance of the Mex- ican troops, I could not but feel that half their number of Americans would put them to flight; not that the Mexicans are deficient in cour- age, but, it may be safely said, that they are badly commanded, though many of the officers are not only brave but gallant men.
In the spring of this year, 1827, being invited and solicited by the Messrs. McCoy to accompany them to DeWitt's colony, and, being desirous to see more of the country, though still subject to chill and fever, I accepted the invitation. Our first day's travel brought us to San Bernard, some fifteen miles distant from San Felipe de Austin. and on what is known as the Atascosito road. From thence we pro .
ceeded to the Colorado, which stream we crossed above the road. The weather, though cloudy, with an occasional shower, was quite pleas- ant, and we pursued our journey without accident or incident until within some ten miles of DeWitt's station on the La Baca. Though the day had been fair, it became cloudy at nightfall. We had built a large log fire and got our suppers ; soon after we discovered a por- tentous cloud in the northwest, and occasional peals of thunder-it had been lightening in the north for some time before we heard the thunder. The cloud formed rapidly and soon darkened the heavens, and sent down torrents of rain. So heavy was the rain that it not only wet us to the skin, notwithstanding we were wrapped in our blankets, but extinguished our fire. After an hour or two the rain ceased and the clouds broke up. The storm was accompanied by a heavy blow from the north and was quite cold.
After the rainstorm the wind continued to blow fiercely, but we rekindled the fire and dried our clothing and blankets, and spent the remainder of the night quite comfortably. While enjoying the fire and drying. I observed to the elder McCoy that I thought that the drenching I had received would either kill or cure me : to this he replied that I need be under no apprehensions of ill consequences. In this opinion he was right. I improved in health and strength from that day forward.
At De Witt's Station we were kindly received by Colonel De Witt. his family and settlers. Here I made the acquaintance of Hon. James Kerr, principal surveyor of De Witt's colony. Kerr was a gentleman of the old school, social, frank and hospitable. Our acquaintance ripened into friendship and intimacy, and so continued during his life- time. Peace to his manes !
We arrived at the busy season of preparing for and planting. Those of the settlers who had sufficient teams were breaking prairie. others were clearing what was called weed prairies, and bottom lands sparsely timbered, but with a thick growth of weeds. When the ground is
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HISTORY OF TEXAS
cleared, holes are made at proper distances with a stick, and a corn seed put in the holes and covered. This done, it is left to grow and ripen and receives no other work, except to knock down the weeds; the ground thus prepared and planted will yield twenty-five or thirty, sometimes forty, bushels per acre. For want of teams and necessary implements, the settlers were planting in various directions, and at short distances from the station, and consequently were scattered and separated for several miles from each other. My health much im- proved and improving daily, I began to feel an interest in the exertions of the settlers to provide for their families, as well as newcomers, a sufficiency of corn for bread; as to meat, game was abundant. I
visited the various planting grounds, hunted, etc., and enjoyed this sort of life very much. At the station a blockhouse had been erected to give protection to the women and children in the event of an attack on the settlement by the Indians. Hence, all the families remained at the station.
Whilst. visiting one of these planting camps, and on a hunt one morning, I fell in with a party of Carankawa Indians, whom I con- ducted to the camp. Being in sight and speaking distance of some of the working parties, I communicated the fact of our new visitors, and requested them to give notice to the other working parties and to come to camp quietly and without disclosing the least excitement or alarmı. The whole force was soon in, and a messenger dispatched to the station to inform Colonel De Witt of the presence of the Indians. and to request him, with such others as he might deem necessary, to come to our camp.
In due time Colonel De Witt, with others arrived. In the mean- time we endeavored to make the Indians easy. They built a small fire within a few yards of our camp. On the arrival of Colonel De Witt and party a talk was held in which the Indians were assured of the peaceful and friendly disposition of the colonists. Soon after the talk, games of cards were introduced. and the Indians began to mix among us. Up to this time they had not unstrung their bows. Now they unstrung their bows and put aside their arrow cases. Thence- forth all went on well. The next morning the Indians were invited to the station, and there feasted on bread, meat and milk. They were much pleased with their reception and kind treatment and declared themselves the friends of De Witt's settlement. and thenceforth ob- served their plighted faith.
The Carankawa Indians, though but few in numbers on account of their war with freebooters, General Long, Austin's colonists, and other tribes of Indians, are a noble looking race of men. They are of a light copper color, six feet and upwards in height, well formed and muscular. They are esteemed the best bowmen in America. They are now nearly or quite extinct. They inhabited the Gulf shore.
Having spent some month or six weeks in De Witt's colonv. and having entirely regained my health. I returned to San Felipe de Austin in company with W. B. White, who made his way to De Witt's Sta- tion while I was there. As will be recollected. I left White at Lynch- burg. in charge of and to make sale of our venture, which he had
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disposed of, with what profit I will not pretend to say, further than that when he joined me at the station, all he had to show was a mus- tang stallion and a few dollars, a thing by no means abundant at that time. True, the Mexican officers and soldiers had dropped a few dol- lars. The circulating medium at the time being horses, cows and calves at a fixed value, according to class, deer, bear and other skins. On my arrival in San Felipe de Austin, it was with difficulty that my acquaintances could recognize in me the Frank Johnson they had parted with but a few weeks before. From San Felipe I.proceeded to Harrisburg, where I employed myself in hunting and surveying when occasion offered. Now, for the first time, I began to think seriously of making Texas my home. True, my new resolve was much shaken by news of the death of my father. Had I been in possession of, or could I have raised, means for a trip to Missouri, the chances are that I should not have settled in Texas. In 1828 I received the news of the death of my mother. This removed all wish or desire to return to Missouri. White, however, returned in the fall of 1828.
Thus orphaned, though of full age, in the world, as it were, I began to think seriously about doing something for myself, a thing about which I had thought but little previously.
In the early spring, 1828, I made a trip to San Antonio de Bexar, in company with William B. Moore, of Tennessee, and brother of John H. Moore, of Texas. John H. Moore accompanied us one day's travel beyond Burnham's on the Colorado. We then struck down the coun- try to the Atascosita road, followed the road to where it crossed the La Baca, and thence up that stream to the road leading to Gonzales, on the Guadalupe. On my way up we fell in with a party of Tonkawa Indians-friendly. At the crossing of the upper road to Goliad, and that to Gonzales, I lost my horse in consequence of a gang of mus- tangs passing, which caused him to break loose and follow them. However, the next morning we proceeded on our journey "riding and tying," as it is called, to Gonzales, where I obtained a pony. The settlement here had but recently been formed by Colonel De Witt and settlers. Here was the first house we had stopped at since leaving Burnham's on the Colorado. We were hospitably entertained by Colonel De Witt, and others, whom I met with before at the Station. Here I met with Mr. Porter, my shipmate in '26. After resting two or three days at Gonzales, and procuring a small quantity of bread, being otherwise well provided with sugar, coffee and salt, we pro- ceeded on our way to San Antonio de Bexar, which we reached the fourth day, though only distant seventy-five Mexican miles from Gon- zales. We had abundant time, gave our horses ample time to rest and feed on the young rich grass, amusing ourselves in killing deer and turkeys, in excess of our wants. On arriving at San Antonio, we met and stopped with John W. Smith, an American who had married a Mexican lady. Smith was living on the east side of the River San Antonio, in what may be termed the suburb of the town.
San Antonio de Bexar is situated on both banks of the San Antonio River, some three miles below its source-two springs that break out at the foot of a range of hills. The town is in the form of an oblong
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square. The principal part of the town lies between the San Antonio River and the San Pedro, which has its source in the same range of hills, and near the springs of the San Antonio. The Alamo is on the east bank, enclosed by a high and strong wall. Though built for a mission, it was a place of considerable strength, and of capacity to quarter at least 1,000 troops, and was occupied as a fortress. Though the main town is in the valley of the San Antonio, the site is a good one, and remarkably healthy. Here we met William Cheves, whom i had met at San Felipe de Austin on my first visit to that place, Messrs.
US
ALAMO PLAZA ABOUT 1857
Lacock and P. Dimmit, the two first, merchants, and the latter a sort of commissary to the troops, as well as butcher of the town.
. A few days later we were startled by the report that a Mexican had been killed near town by Indians. The Mexican was out getting wood. and was killed by a band of Comanche Indians who passed in sight of town. There was great excitement, the drums beat to arms, the military paraded and formed in the square, the citizens stood in groups about the corners of streets. Guards were posted to prevent surprise, and the troops marched to church, where prayers were offered for the safety of the people and the place. This done, the troops were dismissed and retired to their quarters, with orders to hold themselves in readiness at a moment's warning. The killing happened about the middle of the
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afternoon. The conduct of the military to me was most astonishing and confirmed me in the contempt I entertained in 1827. However, in justice to a part of the Mexican officers, I must say that they are not only gen- tlemen, but gallant soldiers. About 10 o'clock the next day, first having attended prayers and received the benediction of the Padre, they moved forward in pursuit of the Indians, then far in advance. They returned in the morning of the next day and reported that they could not over- take the Indians, a thing neither they nor anybody else present supposed they would do.
Satisfied with a sightseeing, we took leave of our friends and turned our faces homeward. We made the Cibolo, some twenty-five miles dis- tant, about dusk and camped for the night. At daylight next morning we started out to kill a turkey or two. Moore went down, and I up the creek. As it became lighter, I noticed many trails and the grass beaten down. On examination I found it had been done by Indians and their horses, their tracks quite fresh. Around our camp we discovered the ashes of their fires, from which we supposed the number to have been at least 100, and concluded that they had been there not longer ago than the night before. This discovery, however, gave us no uneasiness, as it was known that the Comanches, thus far, had not molested any of the American settlers. In this connection, I will mention that there were several Comanche chiefs in San Antonio when we arrived there, who had come down to hold a talk. They seemed to seek and court the favor of the few Americans in that place. Lacock's store was a sort of rendez- vous. A very old chief, who seemed to take great pleasure in talking with us, on being asked why they did not take the town replied that it was their rancho; that the Mexicans raised horses and mules for them. We then informed him that the Mexicans were going to make a cam- paign against them unless they made peace. To this, he remarked: The Spaniards had been talking of making a campaign against them ever since he was a little boy, but had never done it. He and the other chiefs manifested great contempt for the Mexicans, and treated them more like slaves than equals.
On the third day after leaving San Antonio de Bexar we got to Gon- zales, where we remained several days, enjoying the hospitality of Colonel De Witt and his settlers, the colonel and his family in particular. From here we took the direct road to San Felipe de Austin, stopping a day with John H. Moore on Cummings' Creek. On mv arrival at San Felipe I was informed that White had gone west with J. C. Peyton's team. Peyton expressed considerable uneasiness about White, who had been gone double the length of time anticipated when he left. Peyton offered me a horse, saddle, and bridle, and money for expenses of the trip if I would go in search of White. Being anxious to learn if any misfortune had befallen him. I agreed to go. Darius Gregg joined me, as he wished to go to Gonzales. The weather being warm and the green-head flies bad, we took the Atascocito road, instead of the direct road to Gonzales, the first passing through timber most of the way to LaBaca, and thence up the Guadalupe, while the second was through prairie generally. In consequence of heavy rains and high water, we spent a couple days on Navidad, with Hon. James Kerr. From Gonzales I journeyed alone part
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of the way, and then was accompanied by some Mexicans to San An- tonio. Here I found White well and the team safe. He was preparing to leave. There was a man who called himself Parker, whom I had seen at San Felipe some months before, but who had been spending some time in San Antonio. He wished to return to San Felipe, but not having a horse, requested White to allow him to ride in the wagon, which he did. There was also a Mexican, a cigarmaker, who wished to go with us and did. We arrived at San Felipe without accident or incident worthy of note. Soon after arriving there, however, suspicion fastened upon Parker as the murderer of a Mr. Early, with whom Parker had come to Texas. Parker was arrested and confined. Upon enquiry and search being made. the body of Early was found, clothing, saddle, etc. ; also proof that Parker passed through Gonzales with a horse answering the description of the one ridden by Early, and without a saddle; and further, that Parker had sold the horse in San Antonio, played at monte, and seemed to have plenty of money in gold. It was also proven that Early left the United States to come to Texas to buy horses and mules, and had brought a considerable amount of money in gold-Spanish doubloons. In New Orleans he found Parker, who expressed a wish to go to Texas, but had no means. Early informed him of the object of his visit to Texas, and proposed to pay his passage if he, Parker, would accompany and assist him with the horses and mules he intended to purchase. This Parker readily agreed to. On arriving at San Felipe, Early could purchase but one horse, saddle and bridle, though he tried for some time to get one for Parker. Early told Parker they would "ride and tie" until he could get a horse for him. They left together and nothing more was known of Early until his body was found. So strong were the facts and cir- cumstances, that no doubt remained of Parker's guilt. While confined, he was attacked with fever, of which he died, before he could be brought to trial. Before his death, however, he made a full confession to Thomas M. Duke, Esq., alcalde of the jurisdiction of Austin, and Dr. James B. Miller, of San Felipe, both Kentuckians, that he had not only killed and robbed Early, but that he had killed two men in Kentucky. For the murder of the last he was convicted and sentence of death passed upon him, but he had been pardoned by his father, the then governor of Ken- tucky ; had made his way to New Orleans, where he had grown old and spent all of his money when Early found him, as before stated. He also confessed that he had spent and gambled away nearly all the money he had robbed Early of when he joined White to come to San Felipe ; that his intention was to kill White, myself, and the Mexican, and take what money White had-several hundred dollars in silver-but that he was prevented from making the attempt by the watchfulness of the Mexican. While imprisoned in Kentucky and under sentence of death he attempted suicide by cutting his throat, in consequence of which he wore a silver tube and could only make himself heard by a loud whisper. Parker was an assumed name. His true name was Isaac B. DeShay.
After spending a few days in San Felipe, I returned to Harrisburg and laid out that town. In the fall I went up to San Felipe and engaged as a merchant's clerk in the house of White and Harris.
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In the summer of 1827 the Carankawas killed the families of Rose, Cavanaugh, Graves, and Williams. On learning of this disaster Captain A. C. Buckner, of the neighborhood of Bay Prairie, in which the above murders were committed, raised such force as he could at short notice, and started in pursuit of the Indians. When he had got within 80 or 100 yards of the Colorado River, he sent forward one of his men Moses Morrison, to ascertain whether the Indians were about the river. Morrison crawled through the high grass to the bank of the river, where he heard the Indians talking, at the edge of the bank below ; to ascertain both their exact position and numbers, he put his head over the bank, but could not see their position nor ascertain their numbers, therefore he moved his body sufficiently over to give him a full view. While in this position the bank gave way, being undermined by the washing of the water, and precipitated him into the midst of the Indians, with his rifle in hand. As he descended he hallowed in a voice stronger than polite, "Here I come, d- you." So unexpected and sudden was Mor- rison's fall among them that in their fright they leaped into the river. thereby hoping to escape the danger that awaited them. Buckner, seeing Morrison disappear and hearing him halloo, marched forward with his men and opened fire on the Indians; Morrison, however, got the first shot at them. The Indians swam down the river where they had a canoe. Pursuit and an irregular firing was kept up the Indians diving and swimming under water as long as they could, and then coming to the surface for air. Whenever a head appeared above the surface of the water a rifle was ready to speed the messenger of death. Ultimately two reached the canoe, cast loose, and threw themselves flat in the bottom. Fortunately for them, the wind sprang up and drove their canoe sea- ward, and soon out of reach of the pursuers.
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