USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume I > Part 49
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An effort to construct a telegraph line from Houston to Galveston was made in 1853. The overland portion of the line was erected, but
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the bay presented an insuperable obstacle for several years. In 1858 a working line was completed between the two cities. The success of this line induced the owners to form the Star State Telegraph Company which built a line out of Houston along the Texas and New Orleans Railroad, completing it as far as Liberty in 1863.
The constitution designated Austin as the seat of government until 1850. By a vote of the people the seat of government was fixed at Austin in that year. Up to this date all the governmental offices were housed in temporary wooden buildings, erected for the most part in 1839. Even if the treasury had warranted it, which it did not, there would have been opposition to the construction of permanent buildings until the question of the location of the capital was settled. A fireproof building for the land office was provided for in 1850. A portion of the United States indemnity bonds was used in providing proper public buildings A capitol came first. Acts passed in 1852 and 1853 appropriated $150,000 for this purpose. It was considered a handsome and substan- tial building in its time, but afforded accommodation only for the legis- lature, supreme court and state library. A fireproof building for the treasurer and comptroller was provided for by acts passed in 1853 and 1854. The governor's mansion followed in 1854; prior to that the gov- ernor occupied rented quarters. A state cemetery was laid out in 1854; the sudden death of General Edward Burleson during the session of the legislature was the immediate cause for it: he was the first laid to rest in that sacred place.
The adjutant general's office was burned by incendiaries in October, 1855. This office contained all the original archives of the war and navy departments of the Republic of Texas, and their destruction was an irre- parable loss to the state. To avoid the repetition of a similar disaster, Governor Pease urged upon the legislature that the state department be provided with a fireproof building. This was done by providing a larger and more commodious building for the land office, and then turning over to the secretary of state, attorney general and governor for offices the building formerly occupied by the land office.
The penitentiary was created by an act passed in 1848, and the com- missioners to choose the site selected Huntsville. The first convict was received in October, 1849, and was sentenced from Fayette County for horse-stealing. Cotton and woolen factories were erected in pursuance of acts passed in 1853 and 1854. Up to 1856 the prison population did not exceed 100; from 1857 to 1861 it ranged between 100 and 200 pris- oners. In August, 1856, acts were passed providing for the establish- ment of a hospital for the insane, a school for the blind and a school for the deaf. An endowment fund of 100,000 acres was appropriated to each of these three institutions, and for an orphans' home to be created. The hospital was located on the beautiful site it now occupies in the northern portion of Austin. It was formally opened in March, 1861, with seven patients. The school for the blind opened with five pupils on January 1, 1857, in rented quarters. In 1858 provision for the pur- chase of a site was made; it now occupies the grounds then acquired in the northeastern part of the city of Austin. The school for the deaf also opened in January, 1857, and enrolled nine pupils during the first
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session. The following year a permanent site was purchased, being a portion of the beautiful grounds now occupied by this school in South Austin.
The salaries of all state officials were placed at the very lowest amount possible by the convention of 1845; in some cases the con- stitution went so far as to prohibit an increase of these salaries during a specified term of years. It is to the credit of succeeding legislatures that they remedied these acts of folly at the earliest opportunity. In 1854 the salary of the attorney general was increased from $1,500 to $1,800, that of the commissioner of the general land office from $1,500 to $2,000, and those of the secretary of state, treasurer and comptroller from $1,200 to $1,800. It has been shown elsewhere that as soon as the constitutional limit had expired substantial increases were made in the salaries of the governor and the judges of the supreme and district courts.
During the six years beginning with 1852 and ending with 1857, nine-tenths of the state taxes were remitted to the counties to be used by them in the construction of courthouses, jails and for other purposes for which the law authorized counties to use their funds. The one-tenth not remitted was by the constitution appropriated to the permanent school fund. The entire cost of maintaining the state government and of making the numerous public improvements cited above during these six years was paid out of the proceeds of the United States indemnity bonds.
CHAPTER XXVIII BORDER AND FRONTIER TROUBLES, 1849-1860
Peace and security and a desire to escape the heavy tax necessary to maintain them were among the strongest motives felt in Texas for enter . ing the Union. The United States assumed full responsibility for defend- ing the state against foreign aggression, and asserted exclusive control over the Indians residing within the limits of the state. The brilliant victories achieved during the Mexican war fully met the expectations of the Texans, but the murder and rapine that devastated her border and frontier from 1849 till 1861 proved a great disappointment and engen- dered deep resentment. Texas had demonstrated her ability to cope with this problem while a republic ; the failure of the United States to deal with it effectively, besides subjecting the state to great expense and
INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE AT BROWNSVILLE
the exposed sections to great suffering and loss, evoked bitter criticism. During the war with Mexico the United States employed a regiment of mounted volunteers on the Texan frontier and this afforded security. After peace was made this force was replaced by a portion of the regu- lar troops, which were stationed at points along the border. In 1849 this force numbered only 300 men.
During the summer of 1849 the region between the Nueces and Rio Grande was invaded by large bodies of hostile and predatory Indians. The joint committee on Indian affairs reported to the legislature on January 11, 1850, a list of 171 persons killed, seven wounded and twenty- five carried into captivity during the preceding year. In consequence of the inability of the United States troops to afford adequate protection, Governor Wood called out two companies of mounted volunteers. He expected the United States to reimburse the state for the cost of main- taining these troops. His successor, in his efforts to collect this money, however, encountered obstacles of a very vexing character. Governor Bell had spent many years in the defense of his country, and knew what was necessary to afford protection. He exerted himself to the utmost
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to furnish a force with which to put down the marauders. He went in person to the headquarters of General Persifer F. Smith, commanding this department, and laid before him the imperative necessity for supply- ing immediate and adequate assistance to the unfortunate inhabitants of the southwestern border. "This officer," said Governor Bell, "with com- mendable promptness, gave orders for several companies of mounted riflemen to march in the direction of the scene of trouble. The great object to be obtained, however, to give complete security to the lives and property of the sufferers, was, nevertheless, in my belief, by this move- ment only half accomplished. I do not mean the slightest disparagement to the troops of the regular service. The highly intelligent and chivalric officers and brave men who have won laurels for the nation will not suffer when brought in contrast with any regular service in the world; but the circumstances under which these companies were to perform a very difficult duty, and the peculiar nature and great extent of the country in which they were to operate, rendered it highly improbable that they could do it in a complete and satisfactory manner.
"A large portion of the mounted force despatched to the Rio Grande frontier was composed of recruits, but a short time in the country, destitute of military experience on an Indian frontier, and wanting that local knowledge of the country without which even the most experienced rangers are unable to act with efficiency. Their horses, too, were unacclimated [Missouri horses], a serious draw- back, as all military men well know, when called on during the heat of summer to discharge active and arduous duties. Being fully per-, suaded of the justness of this view, I determined, if practicable, to bring into the field several companies of volunteer troops to act in concert with the regular force."
The governor called into service three companies, commanded by experienced officers. He reported his acts to the president, giving his reasons for his course, and requested "that the government would at once recognize the services of these troops and make such further and more permanent disposition as upon examination should be found neces- sary to restore peace and security." The secretary of war replied to this letter by saying that Congress had neglected to provide for addi- tional forces, that the rumored Indian hostilities were unfounded, and "that volunteer companies thus organized, without the sanction, and con- trary to the judgment of the authorities properly charged with the de- fence of the country, have a tendency to create hostilities, and rather endanger the peace of the frontier." The governor's patience and cour- tesy were both upset by such a reply, and he characterized its author as the source of "the miserable policy emanating from the capital."
In March, 1853, a new administration was inaugurated at Washing- ton. It did not inaugurate immediate changes in the Indian relations on the Texan frontier, but it placed the state and federal officials on a more friendly footing, in this way preparing for co-operation and con- cessions. Governor Bell was elected to Congress in August, 1853. "The system of military defence hitherto pursued by the general government," said Governor Bell in his last general message, November 9, "though assisted by the strenuous efforts of the Indian bureau * * has
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evidently been inadequate to the task of repressing Indian murders and depredations. The vast extent of country to be protected, the imme- diate contiguity of trackless wastes over which the feet of white men rarely, if ever, tread, the numerous fastnesses and places of retreat known only to the savage, the cunning of the Indian in all his offensive operations, the fleetness with which, when pressed, he can fly from his pursuer, his hardihood and capability of enduring under extremes of starvation and fatigue, and the unsuitable nature of the military mate- rial that has been employed by the general government to carry out their policy must convince every thinking mind that no hope can be reasonably entertained of a change for the better until an alteration in the system has been effected, and additional means employed to accomplish the end."
Governor Bell also touched on the subject of setting aside definite portions of the vacant public lands for the use of the native tribes under the control of the Indian bureau. The request had originated with the Indian bureau, and he, as well as his successor, Governor Pease, recommended it.
During the summer of 1854 General Smith made a requisition upon Governor Pease for six companies of mounted volunteers to serve in a campaign against the predatory Indians.
The troubles in Kansas caused a large portion of the mounted troops that had been stationed on the Texan frontier to be sent to that territory in the summer of 1855. Their departure was a signal for the renewal of hostile incursions. It was at this time that Gov- ernor Pease called out a company of mounted volunteers under the command of Capt. J. H. Callahan. Captain Callahan pursued a party of hostile Indians for some distance across the Rio Grande. He soon found himself confronted by a large force of Indians and Mexicans and with difficulty made his way back to the river, which he crossed by burning Piedras Negras to cover his retreat. His action in the matter was not censured by the governor, but there were not wanting those who charged him with designs other than a desire to punish the Indians.
This episode appears to have served as a spur to the federal officers. General Smith assured the governor that he would dispose companies of mounted riflemen at such points as would give protec- tion to the settlements which had suffered from the Indians, that the rifle regiment would be filled up to its full complement, and that an additional regiment of mounted men under the command of Col. A. S. Johnston would be stationed on the Texan frontier. Governor Pease was, in consequence, enabled to report to the legislature in his mes- sage, November, 1857, that
"Our frontier counties have not been entirely exempt from Indian depredations during the past two years, though such occurrences have not been as frequent as at former periods. Brevet Major General Twiggs, who is now in command of this department, has done everything in his power to give entire pro tection to our citizens ; but the force under his command is alto gether too limited. I am assured that he has already applied for such an increase of force as will be adequate to that object."
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Twelve leagues of the vacant domain were set apart for the use of the native tribes by an act of the legislature passed in 1854. The sale of wines and spirituous liquors in the reservations and within ten miles of such reservations was prohibited. The United States author- ities surveyed these lands in two tracts; one of eight leagues was located a short distance below Fort Belknap on the Brazos River, the other of four leagues was located on the Clear Fork of the Brazos, about thirty-five miles distant from the first. Early in 1855 a number of small Texas tribes, including Caddoes, Anadahkoes, Wacoes, Tah- wacanoes and Tonkahuas were collected at the larger reserve; the smaller was occupied exclusively by what was called the southern band of Comanches.
The plan of settling Indians on reserves was not a new experi- ment. Texas has today a small tribe of Alabama Indians in Polk County, which was settled on a reserve in 1839. But the location of the sites for the reserves on the Brazos were exceedingly ill-chosen and unfortunate. The object of a reserve was to collect and segre- gate the Indians and to place their intercourse and movements under strict control if necessary. The Indian hostilities up to 1857 had occurred principally on the frontier from San Antonio to Brownsville ; prior to that date the northern frontier had enjoyed comparative security. However, about the time the Indian reserves were located the northern frontier, too, began to suffer. Troubles in this quarter were destined to increase, and the reserve Indians shared the blame.
A select committee of the senate, composed of George B. Erath, Henry E. McCulloch, Forbes Britton, J. W. Throckmorton and E. B. Scarborough, in a report dated January 13, 1858, criticised these Indian reserves as follows :
"The Government of the United States, through her agents, has collected and settled a few small tribes, naturally better dis- posed, on the Brazos River, below Fort Belknap, where they are somewhat advancing in civilization, but they do not number more than 400 or 500 warriors. By far the largest number of Indians that have been accustomed to roam on our borders are not friendly disposed, although at a place some forty miles above the lower reserve above mentioned it is pretended to have the Comanches in progress of civilization, but a small portion of this tribe has ever shown any disposition to be willing to enter into the more peaceable pursuits of life; they have made but little progress, and even from the portion of Comanches which have been enrolled for domiciliation at that place the greater number are continually absent, making their appearance only when pres- ents or supplies are to be distributed. * * * Those Indians
* * * are but seldom seen by the agents or government officers, and far less controlled by their influence. *
"Another source of aid to them, as well as disadvantage to us, is that those who are friendly, or recognized as such, are per- mitted to pass and repass in our settlements, and when hostile Indians choose to penetrate the same territory they cannot be dis- tinguished from the friendly. Citizens fall an easy prey to their
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enemies, who have all chances to spy out the situation of property, or the unguarded condition of the husbandman, to commit murder and theft; therefore, those Indians ought not to be allowed to pass into any settlements. * * Your committee would therefore recommend to the government of the United States a change of the course of her policy and that of her officers :
"First, by instructing her officers not to let friendly Indians pass within the limits of our settlements, and confine them within the limits of the reservation assigned for that purpose.
"Second, by declaring war against all Indians found outside of such land or lands as are allowed them, and without parley or attempt of compromise to treat them as enemies in open war.' -X- * *
The concentration of United States Indians on the borders of Texas, the rapid diminution of the buffalo and other game which con- stituted the chief sustenance of the wild Indians, and the ready market furnished by unscrupulous traders for stolen property were perpetual causes for Indian depredations ; they continued during Governor Run- nels' administration. The Indians on the reserves were supported by the United States Government when their own supplies were exhausted. The policy recommended by the committee was, there- fore, not an unreasonable one. In fact, it was the plan that the fron- tier settlers had adopted as a last resort. The Indians of the Brazos agency were kept within the reserve during the greater part of 1858, but during the fall hunting parties made excursions into the adjacent country. One of these parties was attacked on the night of December 27th and all were killed or wounded. This outrage greatly exas- perated the reserve Indians, and they threatened to wreak their ven- geance on the whites. Governor Runnels issued an address to the people of the neighboring counties, warning them against any rash act on their part and assuring them that steps had already been taken to have the Indians removed as soon as possible. The people affected in turn clamored for immediate removal and threatened to take mat- ters into their own hands. The governor appointed a board of five peace commissioners to investigate the causes of the disturbances and to adopt measures for the protection of the Indians until removed. The commissioners reported that the complaints of the citizens were not without just cause, and John Henry Brown, one of the commis- sioners, was placed in command of 100 men to compel the Indians to remain upon the reserve. The demand for immediate removal was renewed. The governor was a candidate for re-election and his Indian policy was severely criticised; the election would be held early in August. On July 30th and August 1st, the Indians set out from their reserves, under the protection of United States troops, for their new homes near Fort Cobb, north of Red River. The circumstances attending their removal were such that they left "entertaining the most vengeful animosities towards such localities on the frontier as they believed had been active against them."
The region between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande did not form part of Texas prior to 1836; it was a part of Tamaulipas, and
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such of the lands as had passed into private ownership were held by Mexicans. Their title deeds presented the same confusion as did all the grants of land made by the Spanish government. In his mes- sage to the legislature in December, 1849, Governor Bell recommended the establishment of tribunals for the investigation of those titles and claims, dated prior to March 2, 1836, and held by citizens of Texas, in order that such as were found equitable and just be confirmed. This message created undue alarm. A meeting was held at Browns- ville, February 2, 1850, participated in by many Mexicans, at which preliminary steps were taken for the organization of the Rio Grande territory. In the address issued by these factionists it was alleged that "the authorities of Texas seek to annul the titles in real estate. *
* * It is a fatal blow to our future prosperity, and will involve
the country in litigation, ruinous and endless.
*
*
With a terri-
torial government land titles would at once be quieted.
*
*
* A territorial government is now within our reach." The movement was attributed to speculators and ambitious politicians, but coming at a time when both North and South were trying to checkmate one another in the acquisition of free and slave territory, the feeling that there might be deeper, concealed motives back of the movement created some uneasiness. Governor Bell issued an address, February 22d. "to the people of the Rio Grande," in which he assured them that the sole object of his recommendations was to promote the growth and prosperity of that portion of the state, and to quiet and not disturb or invalidate the land titles.
The proximity of Texas to the Mexican border made the escape of slaves a rather frequent occurrence. Mexico would not restore theni to their owners. Late in August, 1856, it was discovered that the negroes of Colorado County had formed a plot to murder their mas- ters, plunder their homes, take their horses and arms and fight their way to Mexico. The report of a committee of Colorado County citi- zens on September 9, 1856, declared that "without exception every Mexican in the county was implicated. They were arrested and ordered to leave the country within five days, and never again to return. * We are satisfied that the lower class of the Mexican population are incendiaries in any country where slaves are held, and should be dealt with accordingly. And, for the benefit of the Mexican population, we would here state that a resolution was passed by the unanimous voice of the county, forever forbidding any Mexican coming within the limits of the county." Similar action in regard to the expulsion of Mexicans was taken in Matagorda County. In Uvalde County Mexicans were forbidden to travel the public roads unless provided with passes.
The Mexican cartmen, engaged in transporting goods between Indianola and San Antonio, were attacked on three different occasions near Goliad during the month of July, 1857, by lawless bands of per- sons, who fired on the cartmen, wounding six Mexicans and killing one American, cut down the wheels of the carts, and in some instances appropriated the goods. The agitation carried on by the Know- Nothing party is believed to have had some influence on these acts of
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violence. At a meeting held at Goliad a resolution was adopted which stated "that we declare the sentiments of this ineeting, and we believe of the whole people throughout this section, to be that the con- tinuance of the greasers or peon Mexicans as citizens among us is an intolerable nuisance and a grievance which calls loudly for redress." The chief cause, no doubt, "was found in the fact that these Mexicans are willing to carry goods at a lower price than American citizens can carry them for." The trade carried on with Chihuahua, El Paso and New Mexico via San Antonio amounted to millions of dollars per annum. Naturally the merchants did not wish it interfered with. On September 12th a train of carts loaded with United States Govern- ment supplies was attacked near Helena, Karnes County ; one Mexi- can was killed and several were wounded. It was openly asserted that such violence would continue as long as the Mexicans engaged in carting goods. Governor Pease called out a company to afford protection to the cartmen. The lawless element, finding it dangerous to molest carts, depredated on private property. The citizens who had previously winked at this lawlessness now executed summary jus- tice by hanging a number, and promptly order was restored.
The deep race prejudice entertained toward the Mexican citizens of Texas furnished fuel for a formidable uprising near Brownsville in 1859. Juan N. Cortina, a daring border chieftain, visited Brownsville July 13th. He saw the sheriff dragging a Mexican along by the col- lar ; Cortina remonstrated with him ; the sheriff insulted him ; Cortina thereupon shot and wounded the sheriff and carried off the prisoner. On September 28th he returned to Brownsville at the head of a body of mounted men, took possession of the city, killed several individuals who had been guilty of outrages toward the Mexicans, and liberated the prisoners. Thereupon he retired to his ranch, some distance up the Rio Grande, and on the 30th issued a proclamation in which he said :
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