Early Pioneer Days in Texas
Chapter V
Biographical Sketch and History of My Father,W. B. Allen,
as Told by Himself
(Written by J. Taylor Allen, Jan. 6th, 1908.)
Born August 1st, 1816, in Edgefield District, South Carolina; emigrated with his parents, when eight years old, to Brownsville, Haywood County, Tennessee. He had four brothers and two sisters. His father died in Haywood County, Tennessee.
When about eighteen years old (hearing of the war between Mexico and the Republic of Texas, under President-General Sam Houston, battling for freedom, liberty and independence against Spanish and Mexican tyrannical rule) and being possessed of a patriotic, daring, adventuresome, pioneer spirit, longed to come to Texas to engage in the conflict, and faithfully, heroically and energetically battle against Spaniards, Mexicans, wild, blood-thirsty Indians, innumerable wild animals, and endure the many dangers, inconveniences and hardships incident to early pioneer settlers life.
His dear old widowed mother, brothers, sisters and other relatives and friends, fully realizing the hazard, sought to dissuade him from his greatly desired, dangerous journey, telling him that he would be killed and scalped by blood-thirsty savage Indians, his body devoured by ferocious animals, and his people in the far-away Tennessee homeland never would know what became of him.
But all scary tales and persuasion only made him bolder and more determined to make the hazardous journey; so that his mother and other relatives and friends, seeing their efforts to dissuade him were of no avail, began to plan and arrange for his departure. At just about this time, two of the old-time friends of his mother and father, Dr. Boyce and Everett Harris, were planning and arranging to make the journey on horseback to Texas to secure some of the good, rich land; so his mother told them her son, Wilson B. Allen, was determined to go and besought them that he might go with them. Of course, since it was her wish, they consented and accepted his earnest request and were really glad to have him accompany them on their long, lonesome, dangerous journey through a country almost uninhabited by white people : surrounded as they journeyed by wild, blood-thirsty Indians and wild animals. It seems miraculous that they were not killed, but a kind Providence protected and provided security for these brave and determined pioneer settlers. They proceeded on their journey without any serious inconvenience until in Arkansas. Father's horse took sick, and, notwithstanding all their efforts and remedies, died, leaving father afoot to travel in that dangerous wilderness.
To try him and test his metal, patience and courage, his friends saucily and tauntingly said: "Young man, we tried to discourage you from coming on this long, hard, dangerous journey and warned you that you would wish you had remained with your relatives and friends in Tennessee, when they gathered in vast numbers to bid you God-speed and bid you farewell, not expecting to see you again. Don't you wish you was at home with your mother?" But father boldly and courageously told them that that was not the only horse in the world and he expected to own a ranch of horses and cattle, hogs and land in Texas before he died, telling his friends to map out the way, and each following night they would find him on their arrival waiting for them, for he would out travel their horses.
His friends, admiring his courage and earnestness, said to him: "Young man, you are of the right metal; we will never leave nor forsake you; you haven't got the money to buy a horse, but we have and will buy you one the first opportunity." They told father to take his saddle, bridle and blanket on his back and go back to the nearest stage stand and they would go on to the next stage stand, and when he came, they would buy him a horse.
On his way, trudging along with the load on his back, he saw a man in the distance driving toward him in a two-horse wagon, with a lead horse tied to hind end of wagon. Supposing father was a horse thief, as the surrounding country was infested with horse thieves (white men who were in league with the prowling, thieving Indians, and really a great deal of the worst killing and stealing was done by mean white men, renegades, murderers and thieves who had fled from Eastern and Northern States, doing meanness and charging same to Indians) the man with the two- horse wagon kept stopping; did not know what to do; but, when father came up he told him that he was no horse thief, but only a poor boy, eighteen years old, just from Tennessee on his way to Texas, and that his horse had died and he would greatly appreciate a ride to next stage stand. He said to father : "You have an honest-looking face; I believe I can trust you." Father said, "I am poor but propose to be honest, truthful and industrious, and that he felt sure he could make a living in this big world."
Father was told to put his saddle, bridle and blanket on the lead horse and that his company would ve very acceptable on their dangerous journey. On arriving at the stage stand they found father's friends patiently waiting father's arrival, and bought the horse for father and then continued their journey without any further misfortune or molestation, crossing Red River north of where Paris is now located. There were no houses then in that section of the country.
Coming out on the big prairie between there and where Honey Grove now stands they camped, and out in the surrounding distance they viewed the broad expanse of land, and, being from a timbered country, this was the first prairie they ever saw.
The innumerable buffalo, deer, wild Spanish horses, wolves, bear, turkeys, prairie chicken, added increased attraction, excitement and interest to the scene, and they were delighted in seeing the beautiful, waving, luxuriant, nutritious grass, up to a horse's side, interspersed with beautiful, fragrant flowers of every hue and color, around which the ever-industrious honey bees swarmed, gathering the sweetest and best of nature's dainties, a great deal of which was found in sheets hanging on to the tall grass that had previously fallen down and tangled.
After having viewed and fully contemplated nature's most beautiful and grand display, which poet's pen or painter's brush fails to fully paint or portray, and after having royally feasted on said lavish supply of the world's best, they pursued their journey across the indescribable prairie and arrived at Uncle Jesse Shelton's, the only man then living on the well-noted and far-famed Sulphur Creek. A more hospitable or better family father says he never met. After such a long journey, it seemed like meeting with kindred and long-separated friends, though they had never met before. It was like those who travel in a desert, barren wilderness who, after having nearly perished for water, come suddenly upon cold, gurgling springs of pure water from unfailing, inexhaustible fountains. With renewed vigor, hope, perseverence and patience they were encouraged to continue on their journey, surmounting every obstacle, danger and difficulty, which should ever encourage us to perseveringly labor, and patiently wait, and, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
After remaining at Uncle Jesse Shelton's a few days, father made him a proposition to work by the day or month for him, as he was very anxious to make some money to pay for the horse his friends bought for him. Uncle Jesse told him he did not need any hired help, as he had four boys with negroes plenty to attend his stock, make rail fences and break new land and cultivate the small acreage already planted in corn for bread and roasting ears, but father being so willing to help in doing any kind of work that came up during the day, and with lighted fat pine knots ablaze in an old-fashioned frying pan, with the handle tied to the end of a pole and placed on his shoulder, and going forth at night to dazzle the eyes of deer, coons, etc., that were destroying the roasting ears, pumpkins and peas, and killing large numbers, thereby saved the patch to the owner, who appreciated it so much that he employed my father at $15.00 per month, one-half of his time to be put in hunting by day and part of the night, which exciting sport he greatly enjoyed.
After a great quantity of buffalo, bear, panther, deer, wolf, coon skins and beef hides, etc., were secured they were loaded on to pack ponies, horses and mules and transported eighty-five miles to Sam Fulton's store on White River, Arkansas, and exchanged 'for the real necessities of life. Often when they ran out of supplies before they could renew their trip for more, they made out without bread or salt; but having an abundance of all kinds of wild meats and wild honey, they fared sumptuously from Mother Nature's own hand and generous production. When they wished to capture wild Spanish horses, the plan that ever proved practical and successful was for a skillful, experienced marksman with rifle to shoot in a certain part of the neck, thus creasing the same, which stunned the animal, causing it to fall; and while struggling rawhide lariats were quickly and securely placed in running noose around the animal's neck, and when sufficient recovered from the terrible shock, a desperate struggle ensued between the captured prize and the men, the animal plunging, squealing, and bawling until completely overcome and exhausted. Then a stoutly rigged Spanish saddle was tightly and stoutly girded. After a little rest, the rider quickly bounded into the saddle and the real, exciting fun began in earnest; bounding high in the air, coming down stiff-legged, head between front legs, all humped up; snorting, continuing desperately to exert every muscle in the effort to displace the rider and send him sprawling on the ground, which was impossible if a practical, experienced rider. The most serious and dangerous part of the program was from a high plunge, straight up in the air and falling backward, which has often resulted in making riders cripples for life, and some have been suddenly killed. The Spanish horses were noted for their hardy, tough endurance, standing more hardships with nothing but wild grass to eat, than any living horse, but invariably, after a little rest, they had to be broke over again each succeeding time as long as they lived.
After a considerable time had elapsed, father being agreeably employed by Uncle Jesse, father said to George Shelton one day. "George, suppose we take a trip into Western Texas (calling this portion West Texas) and locate choice claims of 640 acres each, which we are justly entitled to." "But no," said George, "father will not consent for us to go as we are all really needed here to protect our log cabin home, for we are exposed to the danger of assault from the wild, bloodthirsty Indians and wild animals at all times."
However, it was not long until some more brave young men came from Tennessee, who insisted and earnestly plead with Uncle Jesse Shelton to let father and George go with them, and fully explore and locate land in this portion of the country. After a long time Uncle Jesse told them if they would complete a big task of making good large rails and haul same out and fence and break a certain piece of new land, that father and George might go with them. They all set to work vigorously and energetically and soon completed the required task. Then commenced a thorough preparation for their dangerous journey. After packing their ponies with such necessaries then to be obtained, such as dressed buffalo and bear skins, robes for bedding, frying pan to cook their wild game in, a good supply of guns, ammunition, bowie knives, etc.; rawhide lariats to tie their ponies onto nature's own lavish field; flint rock and spunk to strike fires, there being no matches then, they proceeded on their journey, coming out on the noted, far-famed prairie between where Paris and Honey Grove now are. They camped one or two days, killing and feasting on all kinds of game, thence across to Saunders Creek, on which a man named Wildman, the only man then living on said stream. He had a few poles tied together at the top, covered with bear, buffalo, panther, wolf and deer skins, and the same kind were used for bedding. After royally entertaining their host, they had great sport chasing game with fleet-footed grey hounds and race horses, seeing who could capture the greatest number. Prizes were awarded to successful competitors, which consisted of best deer skin suit, moccasins and coon skin cap. Sometimes best dressed buffalo and bear skins, with hair left on, were counted good, useful premiums, and sometimes grey hounds and ponies were exchanged from owners to prize-takers.
From the creek they came out on the three-mile branch east of Honey Grove, which city has been established long since then. After enjoying themselves to their heart's content on said branch, father said: "Boys, come, let us go to yonder point of timber that extends far out in the prairie." They rapidly hastened to said place, and arriving there found camp fire signs carcasses of wild animals that had been killed by said campers, and a great number of bee trees had been cut, all of which indicated that quite a number perhaps fifteen or twenty men had camped there for a week, which father and his party learned later was David Crockett and comrades on their way to the celebrated, famous Alamo, where the heroic braves engaged in deadly combat with Santa Anna and his hosts, and fell in defense of our Texas homeland. Father and comrades camped several days in the celebrated grove.
One day while father was wending his way through briars, vines and brush, he came upon a stooping pin oak tree on which was cut in large letters the following, to-wit: "Honey Grove." Father's curiosity was excited and desiring that the other boys should see same, he called aloud, "Come here, boys!" But the boys having just come in off a big round-up, having killed a great quantity of game and being tired, were in no humor to go further until rested. They said to father, in a loud voice, "We will not come there; we are tired of all kinds of wild game and honey, anyhow." But father assured them that it was something new and uncommon. Finally they concluded to go and see the new something. Father, pointing up, said: "Boys, there is the name by which the city that will be here some day shall be called."
Another day while father was alone hunting in the grove he kept hearing some noise, pit-a-pat, in rapid succession, and proceeded cautiously through vines, brush and briars, until he could see a large bear robbing a bee tree, thrusting his fore paw into the hollow of the tree, which the bear had knawed with his teeth large enough to bring out large slices of honey covered with bees, which, of course, stung Mr. Bruin in rapid succession, he patting them vigorously and raking them off of his nose and head. Father watched him un- til he had eaten about a large bucketful, and then with his faithful, tried and true rifle, sent a bullet crashing through his heart. Father then, with a large bowie knife, proceeded to butcher him. When he and the boys got him to camp they all decided he was the largest and fattest they had seen. Besides abundance of honey in every hol- low tree they found plenty deposited in the high grass, where it had fallen in drooping position, which justly entitles the place to the appropriate name, Honey Grove.
They found the famous waters, now known as the Erwin Spring, which afforded an abundance of good, pure water, standing in holes where it had run far below. The innumerable Indian moccasin tracks and the tremendous amount of wild animal tracks proved that it was the regular watering place for the surrounding country. The boys added a little to truth and real facts by telling newcomers from the far Eastern States late on, that in addition to an abundance of all kinds of game and honey in every hollow tree and in the grass, there was a honey pond of 'as pure honey as mortal man ever ate, around which stood fritter trees heavily loaded with fritters; wooden pitchforks to fork them down, wallow them in the honey and feast to the heart's content; also, that the perpetual fountain of youth was there and from the waters of which you became young again, all aches and pains going forever. When those to whom this was told, made diligent search and returned, they were asked if they found everything as described. They said they found everything except the honey pond and fritter tree; they found the good spring in which they bathed but could appreciate no material difference to the extent of changing from old age to youth.
Continuing their journey down the celebrated Honey Grove Creek, coming opposite the noted Allen's Point, which was named after my father, he being the first to blaze a road through, mark lines and put up corners, thinking at that time if no better place was found, they would locate their claims there, having plenty of timber, surrounded on three sides by a beautiful prairie, and plenty of game and wild honey. But as they were out looking, they proceeded to further explore the country. Coming to the beautiful spot, where the present old homestead is, he said: "Boys, here I intend to live and die." And he did, being called home from this early pilgrimage the third day of July, 1900, being aged eighty-three years, nine months and two days. He is free from care, sorrow and pain; no more pioneer hardships and dangers to endure; sacrifices made that others coming after might have peacable, happy, contented, prosperous homes. Oh! let us ever reverence his memory and all the heroic men and women of pioneer days of Texas. They have established monuments to their memory by good deeds, prompted by a true spirit that will live forever.
While out on this prospecting trip they traveled north, finding a lone wild pine tree near the old homestead place, and concluded that there was certainly a pinery near, and looking away in the distance they could see a high ridge of timber, which they mistook for a huge pinery; but, upon arriving there it proved to be what they called a poor, barren, post oak ridge, timbered country. Here there was an abundance of wild game of all kinds and extra fine grass. Before reaching this post oak timbered ridge they crossed the celebrated and widely known Bois d'Arc bottom and creek. Words fail to describe the inimense tall cane brakes; cane so large, thick and high that thirty feet away could not be told whether Indians, bear, panther, wolves, deer, cattle or horses abounded. They entered this cane brake, but with faithful, tried and true bear dogs, gun and ammunition ever ready and prepared for any emergency, should an occasion of necessity for self-defense or fight to a finish ensue, which often occurred in after years while hunting wild game, horses, cattle and hogs. The wild rye and other luxuriant nutritious grasses, I assure you, were indescribable, and pen is inadequate to the task to fully describe the vast quantity of valuable Bois d'Arc timber, which has proved of great benefit in supplying the world with timber, out of which the famous Bois d'Arc wagons have been and are still being made, and also the most durable fence posts, which encloses millions of acres of the richest virgin soil of the world. But this supply of Bois d'Arc timber is becoming exhausted and the ruthless hand of time will fail to replace except in very limited quantities.
From what is now known as the Erwin Spring at the head of the famous Honey Grove Creek, down to opposite what is known as Allen's Point, father said: "Boys, here is a splendid place to locate our claims; an abundance of good timber adjoining the prairie and the world alive with game." They proceeded to mark trees and blaze out the first claims and roads from whence the celebrated Allen's Point derived its name, the same being named for my father and will, I hope, retain its name until the last note of Gabriel's trumpet will be sounded. But instead of father settling at once, he proceeded with his friends to explore further the grand and beautiful country so many good locations it was hard to decide where to permanently settle, but he finally concluded to assist Thomas Kemble to clear up a piece of land,fence and build a pole cabin on what is now known as the Humble place, and said Kemble in turn assisted father to clear and put a brush fence around a little patch of ground on what is now known as the Ishom Jolley place (where Dr. Buck Gamble once lived; after him Bill Ward lived there).
One day while father was grubbing said patch, three Indian chiefs with 600 warriors of the Kickapoo, Kiowa and Comanche tribes, having their war paint on and equipped for their style of warfare, which consisted of bows and arrows, lances, tomahawks and scalping knives. They came screaming like multitudes of wolves and panthers, surrounded father on all sides, riding over his brush fence as if nothing was there. Imagine, if you can, his thoughts and feelings on that occasion. He, a boy only 18 years old, fresh from old Tennessee, all alone, surrounded by savage, blood-thirsty demons screaming for scalp and blood! Ten thousand thoughts rapidly revolved and passed through his mind; he would never again see his Tennessee home, his dear old widowed mother, brothers and sisters, kindred and friends; he expected to be killed and scalped, and his body left to be devoured by wild beasts and no one ever knew what became of him. But an overruling, All wise Providence ruled and prevailed. Father's first thought was to step and get his true and tried rifle, which was standing against a tree near by, but, "No," he said, "I am helpless; I can do nothing but submit to my doom and fate and die brave like a man by standing my ground." He afterwards said, "I was scared nearly to death."
His hair stood on end, raising his hat on his head. But having heard of and read in history that if the white man acts brave the Indians will admire his bravery and not kill him. He therefore summed up all the courage possible under the circumstances and surroundings and continued grubbing. The Indians advanced within fifty yards. Suddenly they all stopped. Three, who proved to be chiefs, held up their arrows with white rags tied to them, which signified peace and friendship. The chiefs got down and advanced to where father stood, saying in broken English: "Howdy do, much heap brave, good white man; much heap brave," patting him on the back, "make heap brave, big chief; whippy all big tribes." Father felt greatly relieved, having never heard more appreciative, soothing, enchanting words. They took up the black dirt in their hands saying: "Much heap rich, good dirt; makey heap good corn," and they assured father they wanted corn. Then and there he freely and liberally gave them all the parched corn he had, which was a very small amount, indeed, in return for which they threw down at his feet dressed bear, buffalo, wolf, panther and deer skins. They then enquired for a store. He told them the nearest store was Sam Fulton's, eighty-five miles northeast of where Paris now stands. They camped on the familiar and noted Wards Creek an entire week. Father said he never saw so much game of all kinds killed in the same length of time in his life. They invited him to their camps, which invitation he gladly accepted and freely partook of their hospitality, feasted royally, and smoked their pipe of peace. They also accepted his invitation and ate many a hearty meal around his campfire which consisted of all kinds of wild meat without bread or salt. Water was used, there being no such thing as milk or coffee. They pleaded and earnestly urged that father go with them and be their big chief, but he reconciled them to let him remain . and in so many moons he would have corn to trade them for peltry. They packed their ponies, gave a war whoop, yell, and away they went in the direction of Sam Fulton's store, 85 miles away, which was the last father ever saw of them. He felt once more monarch of all he surveyed.
A photograph of those wild Indians with brass rings in their nose, wild cat tails hanging in their ears, warpaint on their faces and half dressed' in skins of wild animals, would attract curiosity and attention, and many would exclaim : "How did the pioneer settlers escape from being killed and scalped ?" Perhaps the boys and girls, and grown up people, too, will better appreciate their privileges, opportunities and surrounding circumstances if from reading our sketches of true facts and history of early pioneer life in Texas they can fully realize the difference between then and now. Oh, what dangers, hardships and inconveniences they endured that we, their posterity, might have peaceful, prosperous, happy contented homes! Let us ever reverence their memory, and commemorate their brave, daring, adventurous deeds by meeting at least once a year in reunion of the surviving old settlers, and may our children down to future generations continue to perpetuate the practice until time shall be no more.
Guns with ammunition were few and scarce, a judicious, economical use of same in engagements with Indians and wild animals was always essential, and really necessary, for in a mortal combat life and death issue, there was no time to be lost, no time for mistakes. Father and Uncle Joe Spence had an experience one day they never forgot to their dying day. After killing a great many buffalo, bear, panther and deer in the Journigan thicket where it was once said that "a bowie knife could not be thrust up to the handle in it so tremendously thick was the grass interwoven with brush, vines and briars." Their supply of ammunition was nearly exhausted. In this case of emergency five Indians came dashing out of the thicket, screaming and yelling, letting fly showers of arrows close about father's and Uncle Joe's heads. They, of course, had to defend themselves as best they could under the circumstances. Their supply being short, they had to reserve their loads until compelled to shoot, which they did, killing two of the Indians. They would come dashing up to within 75 or 100 yards then turn, all the time intending to decoy them to shoot out their remaining ammunition, then they would have run upon, killed and scalped them, but father and his comrade planned and maneuvered cautiously. Father said: "Joe, the one that kills the old chief shall have his fine, fleetfooted dapple gray horse which was trained to wheel and turn suddenly on his hind feet and jump seemingly 40 feet. Their custom was to lean away under the side of their ponies, only one foot hanging over the horse's back for white men to shoot at. But in one of his dashes big chief straightened himself up and banteringly and defiantly patted his breast, at which time father drew a bead and sent a rifle ball through his breast. He reeled and fell to one side, and was caught and held on his horse by two of his warriors, who rode on each side until they reached an opening in the thicket and hastened to escape, but upon their pursuers' close, desperate chase, father saw smoke, also buzzards fly, which indicated an Indian camp. Of course, safety demanded a right about, hasty retreat, sadly disappointed at not having come into possession of the coveted prize. Although Indians invariably take a white man's scalp when possible, yet they considered their tribe ruined and disgraced when a white man took one of their scalps, and always used every strategy, cunning and precaution to prevent one of their number, though dead, from falling into the hands of the white man.
On another occasion father and a few friends Uncle Jerry Ward was one of the number, rigged up their camp outfit into an ox wagon, took their bear dogs, guns and ammunition and hied away to the head of the famous North Sulphur, at which place they camped one week, cutting bee trees, killing bear, panther, buffalo and many other animals too numerous to mention. In several desperate engagements with wounded bears they lost several of their best bear dogs. Mr. Bear defended himself by standing on his hind feet and when dogs approached near enough they would box with their forepaws and send the dogs head over heels through the air, often resulting in a dead dog. Mr. Bear would also often securely hold a dog tightly in his embrace and hug and squeeze them to death. A great many bear were killed on that trip enough bear and various other kinds of game to last one year. They also secured an abundance of good, rich honey in barrels and several fine swarms of bees in hollow logs.
An experience never to be forgotten happened en route home. Jolting along, the packing to secure the bees in the hive came out. Of course, the bees made for everything in sight, causing a tremendous stampede of men and oxen, resulting and terminating in the worst stung men and oxen you ever saw oxen pitching and bellowing, scattering gums, bees, honey and bear meat and pieces of wagon for miles and miles along the way. Oxen broke their bows and furiously plunged into the thicket, where they remained secure by hiding away for a week before they were found. They were wild and foolish, a knotty sight to be sure. On another trip near same place they barreled up an abundance of honey, and on their way back home they camped on the head of a rocky branch. The barrels leaked out so much honey that the next morning the branch was running with honey trickling down over ledges of rocks.
Father put down Bois d'Arc land corners, stakes and posts seventy years ago which are as sound and good as when placed there; more endurable than iron, for iron will rust and finally give way, but Bois d'Arc has the staying qualities which seem to defy Mother Time in duration.
On said trip father and his brave comrades went as far north as Red River, but finding nothing there to satisfy their curiosity, they turned about in the direction of home. On their return trip one day about noon, when they were very hungry and tired, they came upon the friendly semi-civilized Shawnee Indian village, which stood about two hundred yards west of Uncle Pinkney Self's spring, which is about one mile northeast of Shiloh church. Father said : "Boys, fix to fight, we see smoke ascending from an Indian camp." And, of course, they thought they were the bloodthirsty, wild Indians; but, after spying and close investigation, father said: "Boys, they are a friendly tribe, for I can see pole cabins, hear little bells on stock; hear dogs barking." So they boldly rode up into their camp, around which camp fire Shawnee Bill, big chief, and warriors sat feasting on bear, buffalo, venison and wild honey. When they saw father and crowd rapidly approaching they sprang to their bows and arrows, tomahawks and scalping knives, prepared to give battle, but father held up the ramrod of his gun, with a white flag tied on it, indicating peace and friendship, which had the desired effect, for Big Chief Shawnee Bill came forward and met father and the boys at once, shaking hands with them, speaking broken English, freely invited and welcomed them to partake of their hot and smoking feast, which was good enough for a king. Words fail to describe father and the boys' appreciation and gratitude to their host for the royal style of entertainment which they never forgot to their dying day. Father said that was the first time in his life he ever ate buffalo, bear and venison cooked in royal Indian style; and they, being very hungry, surely did justice to the occasion. After a hearty meal Big Chief Shawnee Bill pointed to one of his brave warriors, who brought a large rock pipe with cane stem, filled with some of their kind of smoking herbs, each one taking a whiff and passing it on around until Indian warriors and whites had all smoked, which was a sure and invariable token of peace and friendship; "white man no smoke with big, brave Indian, big Indian heap kill him." Covenants and agreement contracts were then entered into between redskins and whites; "white man help Shawnee, Shawnee help white man follow, fight and whip wild Indians and bring back horses, cattle or hogs when they had stolen same from Shawnee or white man." They ever proved faithful and true to said treaty contract, for often when father or boys had horses, cattle or hogs stolen by wild tribes, by letting Shawnee Bill and warriors know, they came at once and proceeded on the trail, even by starlight, when the white man could only follow same slowly. After coming upon the wild tribe with stolen stock a desperate battle ensued, generally resulting in Shawnee and white man getting their stock back; but sometimes the wild tribe was too numerous, going their way with the captured, stolen prize. Father said to Big Chief Shawnee Bill one day: "Bill, why is it that Indian takes white men's, women's and children's scalps?" Bill shook his head, saying: "Me no tell brave white man; come so many moons," telling father the exact time and he would show him why they take scalps. So when the time came, father with his picked, brave fighters, was on hand. Shawnee Bill, after welcoming him and the picked fighters, chose some of his bravest warriors and they at once proceeded on their perilous expedition. Coming to a deep ravine, having an immense tangle of grass, weeds, vines and briars, they could only progress slowly afoot. Soon they heard an indescribable yelling and weird Indian songs, which proved to be a wild Indian war whoop dance around white men, women and children scalps, which was their custom certain times each moon. Their music consisted of beating on dried buffalo and beef hides, and every time they came to a certain Indian warrior as they were dancing, screaming, yelling and jumping high, around and around, they would hold their hands enchantingly over his head, constantly going through weird ceremonies. Father whispered, "Bill, why do they practice such strange maneuvers over the head of a certain Indian all the time?" "We are now where I show you why they take white men, women and children's scalps; he having most scalps on his belt will be their big chief next moon. They do not take their word for how many they have killed and scalped, but having the scalps they know for sure and reward accordingly."
Winding their way cautiously to keep from being discovered by their enemies, they finally arrived safely and sound in camp, feeling a great deal safer and wiser men. After two weeks' prospecting tour, exploring the beautiful country, they returned to Uncle Jesse Shelton's and found them all well, safe and sound and enjoying life. The half has never been told of the magnificent scenery that extended far out in panoramic view on every side, as the early heroes, pioneers, first settlers of our Texas homeland, journeyed day by day. Neither will the half ever be told of their many privations, inconveniences, hardships and dangers endured by our pioneer fathers and mothers in blazing out and opening up the way for all that follow until time shall be no more. We should ever reverence their memory and duly appreciate our opportunities, privileges and circumstances.
For many years before the war between the North and South father was government contractor, driving beef cattle through on the range to Omaha, Nebraska, and many other noted points, and distributed a great deal of money throughout this country among cattle raisers, for he always bought up a great many and drove them through with his own, being gone on said trips for months from home, never sleeping in a house. He was really inured to hardships and exposure; had a robust constitution, adapted to all kinds of rough and tumble life, under all conditions and surrounding circumstances, adapting himself therto cheerfully, courageously and perseveringly. But when the great Civil War was declared, he having great faith in the cause of the Confederacy to retain their slaves, which they had honestly bought with their own hard-earned money, he exchanged many thousands of dollars for Confederate bonds, which, of course, was a clear loss, as ours proved a lost cause. Many years before the war father paid four thousand ($4,000.00) dollars in gold for negroes at the noted Jason Petigrew sale, which proved a loss, as they were all freed a few years after his purchase; he also lost eight hundred dollars in gold stock in the first charter grant to a railroad to extend from Memphis, Tennessee, to El Paso, Texas, thence on to the Pacific, which, of course, forfeited its charter as a road could not be built on account of the Civil War. Of course, he always believed, as do I, that the present T. & P. Railroad is the same with the charter renewed and extended.
Father enlisted in the war at the outset and served as first lieutenant in Captain A. J. Nicholson's company, Colonel Young's regiment, llth Texas. He served faithfully and true to the cause he honestly believed to be just and right in many a hard-fought battle, through prolonged dangers, sickness and hardships incident to a heroic, patriotic soldier's life. He received a furlough at Corinth, Mississippi, on account of a breakdown in health. A short time after his arrival home the war was declared ended. Our cause lost, leaving an almost wrecked and ruined Southland, but our brave patriotic boys, who were fortunate enough to get through that bloody destructive war, at once on their arrival home set about rebuilding our country and shattered fortunes.
Mother died the first year of the war. Two thousand head of cattle dwindled down to four hundred head and over sixty head of horses to twenty; four hundred head of hogs to forty, and one hundred head of sheep to fifteen, and as father had sold the most of his once-possessed thousands of acres from 25 cents up t6 $1.00 per acre, our personal effects and real estate had nearly all passed away like a dream, a shadow or a vapor. Truly, we are made to exclaim, "vanity, vanity, all is vanity," and perish with their using and it cut down like the flower and the grass and man goeth to his long home from whence no traveler ever returneth, and the mourners goeth about the streets; but such is life, we are in the midst of death, subject alike to joys, cares, bereavements, sin, sickness, temptation, misfortunes and sorrows; but with renewed faith, hope, fortitude and courage we look up, pressing upward and onward, ever realizing that to each dark cloud there is a silver lining, and that beyond the clouds the bright, golden, brilliant sun is gloriously and vigorously shining, reminding us that we shall meet again to part no more, where God's love and spirit is ever shining.
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