USA > Texas > Shelby County > History of the regulators and moderators and the Shelby County war in 1841 and 1842, in the republic of Texas > Part 2
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In 1838 Henry Cannon, a citizen of Shelby county, owned a fine mare which was stolen by Jim Strickland, who started to return with her by a trail not much known or traveled, between the flat fork of the Teneha and Sabine river. Ben Odell, happening to be traveling on the same trail, met Strickland and recognized the mare. As he was unfriendly to Strickland and going in the direction of Cannon's it was suspected by Strickland that Odell would give information, and the mare was turned loose and she returned to Cannon's shortly after Odell's arrival there. Cannon had been enformed by Odell that Strickland was in pos- session of his mare, and he (Strickland) learning the fact, threatened the life of Odell. Soon after a dinner was given to the citizens of Shelby county by one of the candidates for the place of representative in the Texas Congress. Strick- land with his friends, on the way to it, were met by Odell, who made his escape by running. On his retreat he met with Forsythe and party, who were opposed to Strickland, by them he was supplied with a pistol and induced to return. Supper over, and the night coming on, dancing commenced. Strickland and Odell went on the floor to dance at the same time, and both intended shooting as they passed, each having his pistol against the other. Odell's pistol missed fire. Strickland's fired, and Odell, after receiving the wound, knocked Strick- land down with his fist. Odell died next morning. Strickland was arrested, and there being no jail, gave bond for his appearance at the next term of the District Court. The trial was brought at a time when the best citizens of Shelby county were absent, ealled away by the Kickapoo war. Three freebooters, Bog- gess, Thomas and Dr. Rowan, arrested for counterfeiting, were to be tried at the same term of the court, and by a combination of the friends of all these parties, the whole of them were acquitted.
"The four assassins hired at Austin to go to Shelby county and murder seventeen men, were Seekers. Wm. Wells, York and Hines, and employed by Jno. N. Bradley and Jno. Haley. They came and commenced operations. Jim Hall offered six hundred dollars to them to kill Henry Reynolds, &c."
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CHAPTER V.
In the summer of 1839 the Cherokees became hostile and resolved to fight. The army was called out and I was appointed a member of the board of war. I received a commission as captain and orders to raise a company, guard the Sabine river from Logansport to Trammel's Trace and to prevent the Cherokees from being supplied with arms and ammunition by other Indians and Mexicans. I was also appointed Commissioner for Shelby county, to take charge of all con- fiscated property, prevent its removal or destruction and turn it over to the gov- ernment of Texas. I had only ten men. I placed eight on the road from Lo- gansport to Nacogdoches, and taking Josh English and John May, went to Tram- mel's Trace to make observations. On the way I met with a man named Rob- ertson. This man had joined the Mexicans in the rebellion with the hope of obtaining office. Failing to obtain promotion he became dissatisfied and made his escape. Knowing the plans of the Mexicans and their conspiracies with the Indians and their intention to raid upon the Texan people, he communicated the information to General Burleson, who at once followed the Mexicans from whom Robertson had deserted and killed them all, and from the information of Robert- son was enabled to overtake Juan Flores, who was coming with nine mule-loads of presents for the Indians. The band was attacked, all killed and the train captured. Robertson proved of great assistance as a spy, being acquainted with the language of the different tribes of Indians and thus able to go among them and learn their numbers and intentions. He rendered effective service by going among the Cherokees, learning their designs and reporting them, the night before the battle in which Chief Bowles was killed. After this Robertson went to his home in Shelby county, to visit his family, his residence being in the neighborhood where the Strickland's lived. Here he was set upon by his enemies, the Strickland's and others with whom he had previously had difficulties, and brutally murdered. As soon as I was informed of the affair I returned, recovered his property and delivered it to his family. Robertson's body had been buried by Colonel Straw before my arrival. When the army returned and Henry Strickland found what had been done, he declared his intention to kill me and came armed to the house of Josh English where I was. I was engaged in hauling corn and while unloading the wagon Strickland and English entered into conversation at the fence, near me. I was apprehensive of an attack, but time passed and I was not molested, and not again disturbed by this man. Finally he was killed in a personal difficulty with one Shoemaker.
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CHAPTER VI.
With these adventures and troubles with the Mexicans and Indians, nothing more transpired to call us from home until the disturbances in Shelby, Panola and Harrison counties, which created great excitement at the time and have become a part of the history of Texas. Authors of Texian history have, in some instances passed them over almost without notice. By others mention has been made of them in such manner as to give a wrong color and others have made statements inconsistent with the facts, and in no instance has a complete, full and fair statement been made of the whole matter. And as one of the principal actors in the scenes and as my memory is vivid as to all the transactions, I have seen proper to recount them, and where any statement of mine may seen doubtful or be disputed, there are living witnesses of high character and standing in Texas, to whom I shall refer, if necessary, to sustain my every assertion.
In 1838, two men, large traders, by the name of Rathburn, from Buffalo, New York, had been swindled, by some company there, out of a for une. The estate had been obtained through the wife of the younger of the two men, and he came to Texas to secure what remained to his family. He made a conflden- tial friend of Seth Shelton and placed the property in his hands, consisting in negroes, money and whatever else he had brought to Texas. He came to Texas under the name of Brewster, and in company with a young man named McLure and John McKinney, who were privy to the contract with Shelton. E. M. Dagget, of Fort Worth and others, came to Texas in the same company. Brewster bought a large quanity of land, was taken sick and died at Shelton's Shelton determined to secure this property for himself. McLure and Mckinney were the only persons who could identify the property of Brewster, and to secure his object the witnesses must be removed, and so both were killed by The killing of MeLure took place as follows: He was clerking in a store on the Sabine river, the two men went there and raised a difficulty with him, not getting any advantage of him on that day. Next day they returned to the store and entered in seeming good humor, laughing and talking; McLure had his gun in his hand, but thrown off his guard by their conduct, set it down, when MeFadgin sprang to one side, revealing Jim Strickland, who instantly fired, killing McLure before he could recover his weapon. They then defied the law and resisted arrest.
About this time a difficulty arose between Jo Goodbread and Charles W. Jackson. Goodbread had been waylaying Jackson. After this they met in Shelbyville, when the trouble was renewed and Jackson fired and killed Good- bread. Jackson surrendered to the authorities, moved his trial to Panola county and was acquitted. When he went to Panola a crowd also went for the purpose of assassinating him, but his guard was too great and the effort was a failure The men who had gone with and protected Jackson, then went to the houses of Strickland and McFadgin, and not being able to capture the men, as they were absent, they removed the furniture from the houses and destroyed them by fire.
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The session of the District Court held at this time in Panola county by Judge Hansford was adjourned in consequence of the imminent danger arising from the presence of these two parties. It was after this time the' trial and acquittal of Jackson took place.
An old man by the name of Carr was a resident of the county. He was a Mexican and had two sons-in-law, who were white men-Stockman and Norris. Carr had befriended the whites and rendered his full share of assistance in every disturbance with the Indians and Mexicans. He had large property in cattle, horses, &c, and the Freebooters stole a number of his horses and mules. At a public dinner, given by Charles Jackson for the purpose of assembling the people and making an effort to recover the stolen property, a company of sixty-three men was made and a day appointed for the meeting of the company, but only twenty-three men came and they went in pursuit. A man called 'Squire Humphreys was caught and whipped and part of the horses and mules recovered. The Freebooters now met and organized by the election of officers. Ned Merchant was elected captain, and one Judge Hawkins being called upon, gave them the name of Moderators. They watched for an opportunity to kill Jackson. As he was going from Shelbyville to Logansport he was met about 12 M. by Jonathan McFadgin and soon after by Berry Merchant, who gave information to Ned Merchant who raised a company of fifty-five men and went after him. Two days before M. F. Roberts and Emory Raines, candidates for representatives in the Texas Congress, addressed the people and passed the night at my house. Raines was uneasy that night and wished to see McFadgin and Strickland and offered to go to Josh English's, but was persuaded to remain. Next morning very early he went to English's. There he met in caucus with Jack Crane, 'Squire Humphreys, Jim Strickland, Harry Strickland, Bill Baily, John McFadgin, Sam Todd and - Bledsoe. They went to Logansport and waylaid Jackson. The party took three stands and placed themselves at the forks of the road between Shelbyville and Nacogdoches. A peaccable, quiet Dutchman, by the name of Lower, was in company with Jackson, and on account of his presence, the first stand was passed. As they approached the second Lower was shot and Jackson ran, but was fired upon and killed. This took place in 1841. As soon as Merchant arrived at English's, Raines, Merchant and the company of fifty-five men went to McFadgin's and guarded the place to protect the men who had killed Jackson and Lower. They hid themselves in a thicket and signified their wants or danger of discovery by. signals.
At this time the Sheriff of Shelby county fearing danger to his life, went to Nacogdoches and remained two or three months, and I received an appoint- ment as his deputy. I had made an arrangement to exchange lands with John H. Martin, and it became necessary for me to go to King's Fork of the East Trinity river to examine the land, and the trip I was about to make becoming known, a plan was laid to waylay me. I had but just received warning of my danger when I was called upon and authorized to make the arrest of Bill, John
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and Baily McFadgin, who wore moving away with their families. Bledsoe was with them. I was accompanied by nine men, under my command: Col. Wat Morman, Col. Jno. E. Myrick, Tom Josy, Sam Wallace, Frank Hooper, Monroe Hooper, James Vaughan and Lee Truitt. We started in pursuit but had to take a circuitous route to avoid the clan. We went across the Neches and in the direction of Crockett. We surprised Strickland in his camp near the residence of "One Eyed Williams," twenty-five miles north of Crockett, but he made his escape in a thicket. In the latter part of the night we heard signals in the thicket and at the camp. Strickland did not return to the wagon and we rode to the camp and gave orders to Smith, the driver of the team, to leave, which he did, and the team was afterwards driven by the woman. We went on to Allbright's and stopped for supper and 10 feed our horses. While there Williams and Strickland came up. The alarm was given and they turned to run and were fired upon by Colonel Myrick. Strickland was wounded by one shot in the shoulder and a finger cut. At the fire of the gun Strickland ran over Williams, who lost his gun. Williams hid himself in a ditch where we found and arrested him, but Strickland made his escape, by lying upon the side of his horse as he ran around the lots. This occurred just as the moon was rising. Strickland threw away his gun and I found it and also found the gun belonging to Williams. We took Williams in charge and induced him to give us information in regard to the McFadgins and to guide us to where they were. Under his lead we found and arrested the MeFadgins. We found them a mile south of the town of Montgomery at the house of Alex. Whittaker. We left Williams in charge of the horses and surrounded the house. McNeil, sheriff of the county was living there, and at the time in bed with John McFadgin. When I went around the house I found it barred up. Baily and Bill McFadgin were also in the house. Bill having a few minutes before ran and closed up the door. I found a window unfastened, but before I could get it open it was latched against me. At this time MeNeil came to me, told who he was and offered his services to get a guard and assist in the arrest. We went to the town of Montgomery to get the necessary authority from the Justice of the Peace and were delayed by the absence of the Justice. During our absence Bledsoe came up in company with Bowlin; on discovering him, Myrick and Frank Hooper ordered him to halt and surrender, when he sprang upon them both and came near wresting their guns from them; in the melee Myricks gun was broken and Hooper shot Bledsoe, but did no serious injury. Bledsoe had taken Hooper's gun from him and was in the act of striking him with it, when Myrick again fired and slightly wounded Bledsoe. He was then shot and killed by Jim Vaughan. The McFadgins in the house were now called upon to surrender, and after some consultation, they complied upon the understanding that they were to be taken safely to Shelby county and tried by the citizens, a majority to rule, and they were not to be rescued or make any effort at escape They were then taken into custody.
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CHAPTER VII.
On our way to this place, where the capture was made, we found an entire captain's company assembled to protect these men, but we passed through their ranks, and by our rapid movements and silence so confused them that we were suffered to pass and get entirely clear without molestation. We started on our return, and'arriving in the town of Crockett, found that Strickland had procured a writ to be issued and placed in the hands of the sheriff for the arrest of Morman, myself and three others, who were not with us, but supposed to be part of our posse. The sheriff commenced summoning a body of men to assist in our apprehension, but on proper representations from a man acquainted with us, came alone to us, told his business, when we surrendered to him and returned into the town of Crockett. We sent an officer with a writ for the arrest of Jim Strickland, who was six miles from town. The town was full of people. We exhibited our authority to them and told our business, but we found a large majority opposed to us-only about one-fourth being in our favor. One Josephus Moore attempted to create the impression that he was our friend, but after looking well at him, I decided that he could not be depended upon. A trial was demanded at once and without waiting for the man, Strickland, who had caused our detention. During the progress of the trial I observed that a great many guns were brought up to the room in which the trial was had, and afterwards learned that an effort was to be made there to take my life. A diffi- culty was to have been commenced and twenty-four guns were ready to be used against me alone. As I left the room I was accosted by a man whose business it was to begin or bring on the difficulty. Col. Morman drew his atten- tion from me, and I was then accosted by a man named Clapp. These men, leaving us, ran across the street to Moor's tavern, and I mounted my horse stand- ing at the door, and here also were my prisoners and guard, and by a concerted movement we wheeled our horses and placed the prisoners between us and the tavern where their friends were stationed, and went rapidly out of town. Imme_ diately a crowd of sixty men assembled and followed, but we traveled faster than they; they continued in pursuit until they reached the residence of one-eyed Williams, twenty-five miles, where they supposed we would stop for the night and being informed by him that we had passed that place some hours before, they turned back. We camped that night thirty-nine miles from Crockett, on our return to Shelby county. We met with no more trouble, and on my arrival I sent out five men to notify the people to be in Shelbyville on the ensuing Sat- erday at twelve o'clock, M. Next morning we went to the widow Moore's for breakfast, when we were visited by many citizens, and there being men enough to relieve the old guard, the prisoners were placed under their charge, and we were advised to take our needed rest. The new guard becoming careless and too confident, presented an opportunity and John McFadgin attempted to make his escape, and ran some distance, but I overtook him in the bed of a branch near by and brought him back. Again Bill McFadgin seeing what he supposed
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a chance to get away, relieved himself of his chains and ran, and after a lively chase through the cane and timber, finding it impossible to escape his pursuers, surrendered. We started to Shelbyville and on the way were met by a company of one hundred and seventy-three men who formed our escort to town. The prisoners were carried to the town of Shelbyville, and there, on Saturday at 12 o'clock, M. the citizens met in the Court House for their trial, it being the 9th day of October, 1841. Previous to this time, at the re-capture of the two men, they made full confession, and the third did the same, each con- fessing in the absence of the others and ignorant of what had been said by them. Each made the same statement and narrated all the circumstances of the killing of Jackson and Lower, and these confessions were afterwards repeatedly con- firmed by them. On this testimony the citizens acted, and upon taking the vote one hundred and seventy-four were found to have voted for their execution and none against it. The men were then taken out and two of them executed, the third and youngest was spared upon his promise of reform and the earnest plead- ing of Henry Reynolds, a citizen, whose sympathy was strongly excited. With this for a time ended excitement, but in the spring following, that is to say about March, 1842, the old troubles were revived by the return of some of the members of the old gang and their waylaying citizens upon the public roads and in the woods. Long and persistent efforts to catch me at disadvantage had been made by Jim Strickland, Henry Strickland, Farrar Metcalf, Jack Crane, John Heath and three others whose names I never learned, and at last, on the morning of the 26th of March, 1842 I went into the woods near my house looking for my horses, and before I had intimation of the presence of any one, or just at the moment I discovered these men, who had concealed themselves here in the woods to deprive me of life, I was fired upon by two shots at once; three balls entered my hip, two struck my hand, and one striking the powder horn at my side and going through that gave me a flesh wound. Other balls pierced my clothing in different places. I turned and walking a few steps was again fired upon by two persons. I cannot tell at what time any of the wounds were received except the one in the hip, which was given me at the first fire. The assassins then ran and I went to my house, which was at no great distance, without falling or giving way to weakness; finding my wife gone in search of me I went to look for her; we soon met and returned home. I then went over to the residence of Nathan Matthews about a mile. I remained there two or three days. Immediately after my arrival at Matthews' information of the occurence was sent over the county, and before night fifty men had assembled armed and proceeded to look for the perpetrators. Jack Crane was arrested and brought into my presence by Elijah Roberts, a son of Moses F. Roberts, whose energy and activity aided materially in the support of law and order.
I will here state that the night before the shooting I had a remarkable dream by which I was warned of what was about to occur. I saw lovely persons surrounding and protecting me and singing the hymn "How firm a foundation ;" I joined in the singing. Other hymns were sung, and the last one sung by us
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was "Through the deep waters I call thee to go." After the singing the appari- tion disappeared, and then the dream revealed parties firing upon me, and the firing was from exactly the same direction that it afterwards took place. I dreamed that the balls struck me in exactly the same place that I was struck afterwards. Many years before, that is in the year 1829, while I lived in Ten- nessee, long before I had any design of removing to Texas, I had :he same dream precisely. To me these seemed supernatural warnings and had their effect upon my mind. Whether or not there is anything in dreams I could not help regard- ing mine as peculiar and strange, and when I heard the click of the gun loeks as they prepared to fire, I looked in the direction indicated by the visions and distinctly saw the parties as they fired. I did not permit my wounds to keep me long confined to the house, and on the fifth day I was on horseback and rode in a dark and stormy night fourteen miles in search of the men who attempted my life. I soon after fell sick and it being dangerous and inconvenient for me to remain at my residence, I went to Louisiana to the house of Wm. White, my brother-in-law, on Wallace's bayou, fifteen miles below Shreveport, and remained five weeks. I started back home and at Logansport remained one night to avoid another gang lying by the wayside to attack me. I reached home safely. The day after my arrival I received the most welcome information that Jim Strickland and Farrar Metcalf had both been lately killed in Louisiana for negro stealing.
CHAPTER VIII.
In 1841, John M. Bradley and John Haley, both residents of Shelby county, went to Austin and there hired four men, viz: Seekers, Wills, York and Hines to go to Shelby county and kill seventeen men, and those the most prominent in the county. For the life of Henry Reynolds they were to receive six hundred dollars. This money was to be paid by Jim Hall, and he furnished a gun for the purpose. Bradley also supplied a gun. In pursuance of this object, Reynolds was visited by Seekers and Ilines, who remained one night at his house. The evening was passed in conversation, and a favorable impression was made by Reynolds upon Hlines, who when they had retired, informed Seekers that he had found Reynolds a good man, different from what had been represented and that he would have nothing to do with his murder, and he drew out of the gang. Hines was never after heard of. After this Seekers and Well. went to Reynolds" house designing to commit the deed, but learning that Rey- nolds was going to Shreveport with cotton, the commission of the act was post pontd. At cach visit to the house of Reynolds these men represented themselves: as horse hunters. In a few days after the last visit, Reynolds with one of hi sons and a negro boy, started to Shreveport with his eotton, and stopped to camp about fifteen miles from his home. While arranging for the night, the two. men, Seekers and Wells, passed and were recognized by Reynolds' son. who informed his father that they were the men who had been to his house horse-huming. Reynolds called to them and asked if they had found their
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horses, when they rode back and commenced talking. Reynolds was lying at the foot of a post oak resting his elbow on the ground. Seekers sat on his horse with the muzzle of his gun pointing at Reynolds. After conversing a short time he said they must ride on to reach some place to stay that night and at the same time, reining his horse around, fired, shooting Reynolds through the left breast, killing him instantly. Seekers and Wills then ran. In running, Wills' horse struck a tree, knocking him off and losing his gun, and there they separated. On information of the death of Reynolds the trail was taken next morning by Steve Reynolds, Frank Hooper, David Winburn and another. Wills' gun was found and his trail followed to Louts', in the direction of Natchitoches about twenty-five miles from the place of murder. Ilere Wills was found, and after some demonstrations of resistance on his part, he surrendered. He was taken to Matthew Brinson's four miles east of Shelbyville, and there the guard was increased to twelve men. Parson Blackburn wus employed to erect a gal- lows on the square in the town, and the next day the prisoner was conveyed to the place of execution. He made a full confession of the crime, who had em- ployed the gang, and what pay was to be received. After which the execution took place in the presence of a large crowd. Nothing definite was ever after learned of the man Seekers. Hall's gun was recovered, having been pawned to pay the ferriage of Seekers across the Sabine.
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