Bandera County, Texas - The whole text, 1922 (part 3 of 5)

Mr. Hicks rendered great assistance in law enforcement and often aided the officers of Bandera in ridding the country of lawless characters, horse-thieves and robbers. He was a raeniber of the Baptist church and aided and encouraged every religious effort that was put forth in those early days. It is said that when a camp meeting would be held in the vicinity of his ranch Mr. Hicks would deliver a wagon load of corn at the meeting grounds every day and give it to all who had teams to feed. He secured a large body of land in Medina and Tarpley region, which was divided among his children. His death occurred January 2, 1899. His widow still lives at the old home ranch on Hicks' Creek, and is now in her 80th year.

Drowning Of Riggs

Many of the early settlers of Bandera county remember the drowning of Thomas Riggs in the Medina river below Bruin Creek some time in 1861. The river was on a big rise and it seems that Riggs, who was an expert swimmer, attempted to go across to look after some stock on the other side. He may have been taken with cramps, for he was seen to go under and failed to come up. Searchers found his body the next day lodged in a drift. George Hay, O. B. Miles, Thad Ryan and others went from Bandera to assist in the burial.

Lost A Wagonload Of Iron

When old Fort Territt, at the head of the North Llano river, was being built in 1858, supplies were hauled there from San Antonio, the main route passing through Bandera Pass.

Jack Farrell was a government teamster and had charge of a wagon train hauling these supplies to Ft. Territt, and on one occasion while making the trip over this route the roads were very heavy from recent rains, and when he reached Bandera Pass the road was so l)oggy he had to unload a cargo of bar iron that was being taken to the frontier post to be used in making horseshoes and for other blacksmith work. The iron was dumped off somewhere near the Pass, the teamsters intending to get in on their next trip a few weeks later. Jack P^arrell afterwards told O. B. Miles that when they returned for the iron it could not be located. Searchers in later years endeavored to find the load but without success, and it no doubt is right there today covered by dirt and silt that has accumulated for the past sixtj^-five years.

Old Time Charivaris

Forty years ago the old time charivari was verj^ much in vogue in Bandera county. When a couple got married they were given a "serenade" by tneir friends. Cow bells, tin pans, cow horns, plow points, boss fiddles, and anything that would make a racket, were bi-^ught into play and the din that was produced generally brought the treats to^the crowd,

The Montague Family

Chas. Montague, Jr., came to Bandera with his father in 1859, being at that time only a lad about 14 years old. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served th'-ough the Civil War, after which he went to New York and engaged in business, but his health failing there he returned to Bandera and lived 'here until his death, which occurred April 25, 1916. During the many years that he lived here he was one of the most useful and honored citizens of this count}^. In 1872 he was elected district and county clerk, and office which he filled acceptably for fourteen consecutive terms. He was admitted to the bar and for years was regarded as the most able attorney in this entire section of the state. As a factor in the business and commercial life of this community Judge Montague stood supreme. His word was his bond and his integrity was unimpeachable. He was a promoter and an ardent advocate of all things which spelled progress for the county he loved so well.

Judge Montague was married at Castroville, Texas, September 25, 1871, to Miss Laura Lytic, a sister to Capt. John T. Lytle, the well known stockman and trail driver. Tliis happy union was blessed with twelve children, ten of whom are still living, and arc useful and higlilj^ respected citizens: They are Mrs. Rose Gardner, Miss Margaret Montague, Joe G. Montague, Frank M. Montague, of Bandera; John Montague of Waterbury, Conn.; Charles Montague of Cananea, Mexico; Miss Victoria Montague of San Antonio; Eugene Montague of Lordsburg, N. M.; Brian Montague of Alpine, Texas; Dr. Laurence Montague of Tampico, Mexico. Two of the sons, Brian and Joe, entered the legal profession. They are graduates of the Texas State Universitj', as is also Dr. Laurence Montague who is now practicing medicine in Tampico, Mexico. Another son, Frank A[. Montague, is a prominent stockman of Bandera countv, and lives on the ranch established bv his grandfather, Charles Montague, Sr., more than sixty years ago.

When the World War came on six of the Montaji'ue boys went into the service, four of them went overseas, and all returned safely. Three of them became commissioned officers in the army, and received citations for bravery in action.

The family has occupied the present homestead in Bandera since 1880. There Mrs. Alontague, the mother of these manly sons and queenly daughters, presides with charming grace and dignity. She was born in Pennsylvania, but came to Texas when she was five years old. Her father, Francis Lytic, was one of the pioneer school teachers of this section. At three different times, while he was teaching on the Hondo, the Indians broke up his school. When she came here in 1871 Bandera was but a small village boasting of three stores, a blacksmith shop and two saloons.

James Franklin Hodges

What little I have to say in this sketch will apply to Pipe Creek and her people. I am not the oldest settler in the community, but I am an old settler. A few preceeded me here, but most of the older ones have passed to the other side and only a few remaineth. W. H. White, J. H. Newcomer and C. Anderson are still among the living. When I came to this section in 1875 it looked pretty rough, but there was something about it that appealed to me, so I planted my stake right here. There were many hardships to undergo, many obstacles to overcome. The country being new and very thinly settled, with no work to be had, our pathway was somewhat thorny. However, we managed to struggle through and have seen this section develop into one of the very best farming communities. Back in the seventies picket houses, thatched roofs and dirt floors were very common. Onl}' one house was on the road between Bandera and Pipe Creek and that is the house where H. L. Atkins now lives, known at that time as the James ranch. Most all of this section was public range then, but now the country is all fenced, and the little community of Pipe Creek has since that time grown from a mere handful of people to a large, thrifty and prosperous citizenship, so law-abiding that our precinct has not had a justice of the peace for more than 25 3^ears. Almost any other community of the same size would not only need a justice of the peace but would also need two constables to help him keep the peace. We have good schools, churches, roads, many nice farms in cultivation, and we raise good crops of corn, wheat, oats, sorghum, cotton, potatoes, turnips, pumpkins, melons, and several kinds of fruits and berries. We also raise horses, mules, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs and poultry. The butter and milk industry has grown to be quite a paying proposition. I see no reason why we should not claim first place in the things that go to make an independent people and a better citizenship. Great changes have been wrought l)ut to tell of all of the changes that have come to l*i])c Creek through all these years would recjuire a hctier thinker than 1 claim to have. 1 was born in Stoddard county, Missouri, according to record, September 15, 1849, and was partly reared during that unfortunate struggle between the North and South, so did not have the advantage of much schooling, and in ottering these few scattering remarks I do so with the wish that they will do harm to no one.

Early Day Mail Carrying

August Santleben in his book, "A Texas Pioneer," mentions the fact that his father, Christian Santleben, who lived near Castroville, secured the contract to carry the mail froin Castroville to Bandera, a distance of 32 miles, coming up Monday and returning Tuesday. The pay was $300 per annum. The route connected with the San Antonio and Eagle Pass mail line. This was in 1859 and August Santleben, then a lad 14 years old, carried the mail on horseback via the ranches of Dr. Behm, Tuerpe and Bladen Mitchell.

An Indian Captive

Frank M. Buckelcw, who now lives at Medina in this county, spent eleven months in captivit}' among the Indians. Mr. Buckelew has published a book recounting his experiences while in captivity, and as the edition is about exhausted he expects to rewrite the book, including therein additional details, and we are sure it will prove an interesting volume. For many j^ears he has been a minister in the Methodist church. The story of his captivity is about as follows:

In 18(56 when he was about 14 years of age, he was working for Judge Davenport ili Sabinal Canyon. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Buckelew, were dead, and young Buckelew was living with his tw^o sisters on the Davenport ranch. In company with a negro boy, Frank Buckelew was sent out to hunt for a lost ox bell that had dropped off somewhere on the range. The two boys found something in a thicket that aroused their curiosity, and upon close investigation it proved to be an Indian under a blanket. The Indian sprang toward them with a whoop, when the boys turned and fled, with the Indian after them. He came near enough to strike Frank over the head with his bow and captured him, but the negro boy made his escape.

The lad was taken up on a mountain hy the Indian, and conducted to the chief, who questioned him in broken English, and then gave orders for his clothes to be stripped oft*. Several Indians had appeared by this time, aiid after a sort of pow wow, they ordered the boy to go out on the brow of the iiiouniaiii where he could see the house and call his sisters to him. But the little negro boy had reached the house and given the alarm and the girls were suspicious that something was wrong and. although they were fearfully ahirmcd for their brother's safety, they would not venture out. There was not a man on the ranch at the time, and if the Indians had known this they would probably have made an attack and massacred the helpless women there. Failing to decoy the girls awa}^ from the house, the Indians took Frank am! went west, stopping in the head of the Nueces C;inyon. Here they securely bound the boy hand and foot, laid him in a gulley and left him while they wen! down the valley to steal horses. They were absent all day, and when they returned they brought a number of horses with them, and taking the captive they went to their large encampment on the Pecos river, several days journey. These were Lipan Indians.

During his captivity the boy was often put to test by the Indians and proved that he was not a coward. They often tormented him and treated him cruelly, especially was this true when he was first taken into the tribe. Indian boys took special delight in making life miserable for him until one day he suddenly retaliated by giving one of them a severe beating. He was badly scared in consequence, thinking now for certain the Indians would kill him.bul.on the contrary they applauded the act, and crowding around they patted him on the back and cried "Bravo, bravo!" assuring him that some day he would be heap big chief.

On one occasion a squaw drew a very sharp knife across his throat, as a threat that she would kill him but as he did not flinch, she desisted. Had he shown

Frank Buckelew remained in the camp on the Pecos for many months, during which time he learned to make arrows and bows and how to use them. He often made trips into Mexico with the Indians. On one of these trips he was seen by a man named Hudson, whc^ arranged for his escape, so while at San Vicente, with the assistance of a young Mexican, Frank Buckelew was successful in eluding the Indians and went to the home of Mr. Hudson, who accompanied him to Fort Clark and then brought him back to his people.

In recounting his introduction to the Indians at the village where they arrived after his capture, Mr. Bucklew, in his book, says: "In passing the river, by some means my pony fell behind some little distance, and had not yet overtaken the Indians when they were met by two young warriors dressed and painted in their war garb. About the time the two warriors met the savages in advance I saw an old squaw coming on foot from the village toward the party. She <^arried something in lier hand which at first I could not recognize, but as she passed the part.y of savages with an air of sullen indifference, and advanced toward me I discovered that it was a ((uirt she was carrying. Being ignorant of her object and helpless in the matter I rode forward until I met her. When she reached me she seized my horse by the reins and made signs for me to dismount, which I did without delay. No sooner had I landed on the ground than she began whipping me with the quirt. My body being naked, every lick seemed to cut to the blood, and every second her anger seemed to increase until I began to think her a maniac, and that she rai^ht not stop her cruelty until I was killed. I was powerless, however, to prevent the cruelty and so had to bear it in patience until she had almost exhausted her strength whipping me. She then whirled me around until I faced her when she gave me a powerful shove toward the village. It was evident from the stir among the Indians at the village that something unusual was about to take place, as the old s(|uaws, l)oys and girls, all hchl something in their hands, either cjuirts, sticks or clubs, and as I neared them, they began to form in hue alorg the main road passing through the village. I knew that resistance would be useless, as there were hundreds of warriors standing near to subdue and punish any resistance. I walked forward, not knowing what fate awaited me. When I reached the end of the line nearest me. and which consisted of the smaller boys and girls, they began striking me with their clubs and sticks, each one intent upon striking me before 1 passed. This continued along the entire length of the line, the force of the licks increasing as I reached the part of the line composed of the larger boys and girls and the old scpiaws. Before I he striking erased I was almost exhausted from pain and exertion, so much so that it required considerable effort to stand on my feet. I had not yet recovered from the painful flogging given me b}' the old scpiaw, and the ordeal was a terrible one. I was then painted and dressed as an Indian and became the adopted son of the warrior who captured me."

After being restored to his people, Frank Buckelew later came to Bandera and worked on the Jack ranch. On August 4, 1870, when he was 18 years old, he was married to Miss Nancy Witter, the wedding taking place in Bandera, and Uncle Bob Stevens performed the ceremony. Mr. Buckelew is an interesting character and often visits the schools of the county and relates incidents of his captivity to the school children.

W. S. Hinds was born Januarj^ 26, 1828, at Noxville. Ala. Came to Texas in 1845, and during the gold excitement he went to California in 1849, returning to Texas in 1858. He was married to Miss Nancy Caveness at Fort Mason. After the Civil War, in which he served as a soldier in the Confederate Army, he went to Old Mexico, then later to New Mexico to engage in ranching. In 1869, near Macias, N. M., he and his hired man were attacked by Indians and the hired man was killed. Mr. Hinds managed to escape but was compelled to abandon his wagon and team and the supplies he was taking to his ranch.

In the early part of 1870 he moved his famih' from New Mexico to Bandera county in an ox-wagon, settling on what is now known as the McHaney place near Medina. His neighbors were Benton, P. Keese, Chamblin and Haught families. The Indians made frequent raids, killing people and driving oft stock. Shingle-making was the chief occupation of tlie people there at the time, and one day in 1871, in company with Joe Sheppard, Mr. Hinds went up near the head of the North Prong of the Medina river to get a load of shingles. After loading them on the wagon they started for home and Sheppard, who was some distance behind, and near Dripping Bluff, was shot and desperately wounded by an Indian who was concealed behind a tree. Mr. Hinds took him to John Benton's home, now known as the old John Walker place, where his wound was dressed. He finally recovered.

Mr. Hinds located his home on the Medina at the mouth of Rocky Creek and went into the stock business. His devoted wife died November 15, 189.'). He has been a useful citizen in this count}^ for many long years, and is probably the oldest citizen in the county, being now ninety-five years old. He lives with his son, W. S. Hinds, Jr.. where he receives every care and attention. Mr. Hinds is the father of thirteen children, twelve of whom are still living. They are: R. W. Hinds, lives in Idabell, Okla., and served as U. S. marshal there for a number of years; G. G. Hinds, of Lima, is engaged in stock-farming, served as deputy sheriff under Major Sanders and I. W. Stevens several years; W. S. Hinds, Jr., lives on the old home place above Medina, is a stock-farmer; Mrs. Lorena Copeland lives at Smiley, Texas; Ben Hinds, lives at ^Yhite Signal, New Mexico, is a stockman; J. P. Hinds, engaged in stock-farming at Lima, served as dei)uty sheriff under Tom York, then went to Garvin, Indian Territor}^ and served as U. S. marshal until 1910, when he returned here and was deputy sheriff under Sam Smith for six years; J. F. Hinds lives at ^Yillow City, Texas, and is a farmer; Mrs. Delia Stocking lives at O'Brien, Texas; Mrs. Florence Buckner lives at Selma, Calif.; Mrs. Helen Stacy lives at Ardmore, Okla; Levi Hinds lives at Comstock, Texas, where he owns a ranch: Dee Hinds lives at

W. S. Hinds, Sr., always stood ready to help his fellowman, and lent his assistance to every inovement for the betterment of communitj^ welfare. He donated ground for the Rocky Creek school house, and took active interest in everything that would build up his neighborhood. Mr. Hinds always enjoyed good health up to 1916, when he was stricken with something like rheumatism, since which time he has been unable to use his lower limbs. He has twelve living children, 69 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

David Cryer Killed By Indians

In 1866 David Cryer and a man named Foster, who lived in Hondo Canyon, went to Bandera in a two-horse wagon after supplies. They started back home across the mountains through the pass, and when they reached a point near Sugar Loaf Mountain, about ten miles from Bandera, they were attacked by five Indians at the head of a ravine. Cryer, who was driving the team, was shot in the back and fell from the seat backward into the bed of the wagon. Foster secured the reins and whipped the team into a run, followed by the Indians, who continued to shoot arrows. The flight was over a rocky road and during the race the wagonbed jolted up over a wheel and the horses, not being able to run with it in that condition, began to slacken their speed, and, as the Indians had dropped behind some distance, Foster stopped the team and with great effort lifted the wagonbed back to its place and resumed their flight. It was only about two miles to their home and they soon reached there, seeing which the Indians, who were on foot and away behind, turned and left them. During the wild ride Cryer sufi^ered terrible agony, bouncing from one side of the wagon to the other with the arrow still in his body. It was deeply imbedded and could not be withdrawn until O. B. Miles, of Bandera, was sent for, and when he came he extracted the arrow and dressed the wound, but Cryer died in three days.

Several men went out to take the trail of the Indians, but they had scattered and got away, Many were picked up along the road where the ambuscade occurred. The Indians were not more than thirty feet from Cryer and Foster when they first showed themselves, and likely saw the white men as they came through the pass, and had ample time to prepare the ambush at the head of the ravine.

One of the early Methodist preachers that came to Bandera county was Andrew Jackson Potter, known as "the fighting parson" from his pugilistic encounters with frontier characters. He had been a racerider, a gambler and "tough," but was converted, reformed, and entered the ministry. For many years he traveled over West Texas, with his bible and rifle always ready for instant use. At one time he owned a small ranch on Mason Creek in Bandera county. He died at Tilden, Texas, while in the pulpit.

Mrs. Constantina Adamietz

There lives in Bandera at this writing a pioneer mother who came here with the original Polish colonists in 1855. She is Mrs. Constantina Adamietz, and she carries the burden of years lightly, happy in the midst of her pleasant home surroundings. Living as she does on the very site of where her parents first found haven some sixty-seven years ago, Mrs. Adamietz has much to remind her of the trying times through which she has passed - - days and nights that were full of danger -and the memories of a perilous past sometimes overwhelm the realization of the happy present and brings to her mind the recollection of many sad tragedies, or the remembrance of departed friends and loved ones of her youthful days who shared with her the joys and sorrows of days that are gone.

When I visited Mother Adamietz I found her busy with her housework, for she is still a housekeeper despite the years that have accumulated over her head. With that matronly dignity and grace that characterizes her race, she invited me into her parlor and the warm welcome she gave made me feel perfectly at

Mrs. Adamietz is living- on the site given to her father when he came to Bandera in 1855. The old home, which was a stone house, is still standing, but is in a dilapidated condition, the walls are falling in, and the roof is in bad shape. But a new house of considerable size has been built to take its place, and is occupied by Mrs. Adamietz and Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Ruge. Mrs. Huge is her youngest daughter. Around about this old homestead are other houses built in that early period by her neighbors, some of logs and pickets, and a number of them are well preserved and shelter descendants of the first colonists.

Mother Adamietz, in relating many of the events of those days, was quick to remember dates and names and at times she spoke with much feeling. Sometimes a tear would glisten as she recalled some pathetic incident, and at other times a hearty laugh would accompany her recital of a humorous anecdote. Her narrative follows:

"My parents, John and Frances Pyka, were poor peasants in Polalid, struggling along from year to year, enduring the hard lot of the peasants of that time. One day father heard of the opportunities for immigrants to secure homes in America, nnd was told that he could go with a party that was being made up to sail for the New World, the land of the free. Poland's struggles for freedom have been recorded in history. Our country was not successful as was America, and Polisli patriots turned longing eyes in this directioii and rejoiced over the good fortune of their comrades who came to this country . Therefore, wlieii the opportunity presented itself for father to bring his family to America he was quick to seize upon the chance. Preparations were hastily made and we were ready long before the starting time. At last word came that we were to start on a certain day, and then came the sorrow of bidding old friends goodbye - friends we never expected to meet again in this life, unless they should come to America. I was just a little girl then, only nine years old, with never a care or worry, and full of anticipation of the long journey. But when I kissed loved ones there goodbye my heart was sad and I could not keep from crying.

"We started, sixteen families in all. Our family consisted of father and mother, myself, my two sisters, Frances and Caroline, and brother, John Pyka. I was the eldest child and of course it was my duty to help mother with the smaller children. We went aboard ship, and for nine weeks we sailed the broad ocean. Every day was just alike, and at night a stillness as of death settled about us. Mother suffered a great deal from seasickness, as did many of the other passengers. Three of our party died on the trip and were given a sea burial. The bodies were wrapped in canvas, weights attached, and dropped overboard. I was greatly distressed when these burials took place for I feared the fish would eat the bodies. At last we reached Galveston Bay, and there was much hurrying and scurrying about when the ship dropped anchor. Everybody began collecting their scant belongings, mothers calling their children, and the men giving directions for all to keep together. We landed at Galveston in January, 1855. In our party were the families of Verner, Koerdles, Pittel, John Pyka, Kasper Kalka, Albert Ilaiduk, Frank Anderwald, Samuel Adamietz, Frank Jureczki, John Dugos, and three or four others whose names I cannot now recall. We were absolutely without money, and possessed only a few effects besides our clothing. From Galveston we went to Indianola, from whence we traveled by wagon and on foot to Victoria, and then on to San Antonio, where we were met by Charles de Montel, who owned the land where Bandera is situated. He provided conveyance and took us to Castroville and Quihi. I remember quite well the conveyance that served us. The vehiclces were ox-carts with solid wooden wheels, and the yokes were fastened to the horns of the oxen. We were overjoyed to reach the end of our long journey. Mr. Montel gave to each man in our party a lot in the town of Bandera, and sold to a number of them small tracts of land in the vicinit3^ Father bought, on credit, 40 acres located just across the river, and it is now owned by my brother, John Pyka. Very soon a number of cabins were built, of logs and pickets, and we were ''at home" therein. There was a colony of Mormons here when we arrived but they later moved to the Mormon Camp, several miles below here.* Of the settlers who were here when we came I know of only two that remain, George Hay and Amasa Clark.

"Then, as now, this was a beautiful country, but it was a wilderness. Game was plentiful and we did not lack for meat. Indians were also numerous, and often we heard of the raids they made in other parts of the country, killing people and stealing horses, and and they soon began coming into our settlement. Then we wished we were back in Poland where no such dangers lurked, but as we were without means on which to leave we were compelled to remain here and 'grow up with the country.' We soon became accustomed to our new surroundings, the social life of the community became active, and we set about to make it as enjo^^able and happy as our circumstances would permit. Mr. Montel was a generous man, and treated our people with kind consideration. He had a sawmill here and gave our men employment at the mill and also put them to clearing lafid. The women helped to grub land, worked in the fields and performed any labor they could to help make the living. At the sawmill, which was located where the old Peters gin now stands, great cypress trees were converted into lumber and shingles and hauled to San Antonio. Mr. Munroe, a Mormon, erected a flour mill just below town, which was operated by water taken from the river. The dam was made of logs and stones, some of which remain in the river at a point near The Loop, and the old mill race is still to be seen along the bank of the river. This mill race was constructed by Polish labor, men and women digging it with spades. Among the best workers was Mrs. Moravietz, who still lives here. The mill was carried away by a flood in the river after many years of successful operation.

"Mr. Montel had a small store here which was managed by a Mr. Hepke. Mother cooked for the men who worked for Montel. Father was a wheelwright and carpenter and followed his trade. Everybody worked. We realized that we had come as strangers to a strange land and we knew that the only hope for us to succeed in this new land was by dint of industry' and hard work. How well we performed our task is apparent today in the development that has been made. The generations that have followed these early Polish settlers have become thoroughly Americanized by the process of amalgamation. Pretty homes, well tilled farms, schools, refinement, religious influences that are widespread, and a happy, thrifty, contented people is what the stranger finds here today. We, the pioneers, had our pai t in the making of all of this, and we look with pride on what our hands have wrought.

*T was married to John Adamietz, May 10, 1866, Father Zielenski performing the ceremony. To us were born 11 children. My eldest son, Valentine J.

x4Ldamietz died May 5, 1921, at Thibedeaiix, La. Another son, Pete Adamietz, died March 2, 1893, and Felix Adamietz was killed while mining at Morenci, Arizona, in 1901. Eight children yet survive, and are located near me. They are Mrs. Mary Kindla, Alex Adamietz, Mrs. Annie Abernathy, Mrs. Bina Jureczki, Matt Adamietz, Henry Adamietz, Ignatius Adamietz and Mrs. Frances Ruge. All live in or near Bandera, except Mrs. Abernathy, who resides in San Antonio. My brothers, Frank and Anton Pyka, were born after my parents came to Bandera, and were raised here.

"We bought our first milk cow at Castroville, and father went down there afoot and drove her home. I have plowed in the field, picked cotton and done all kind of farm work. I remember the first roasting ears we had to eat. An American neighber named Curtis showed us how to cook them on the cobs and eat them. We never had roasting ears in the old country.

"In the course of time other families came over from Poland, among them being Anton Pyka, Sr., Tom Mazurek, Jakob Jureczki, and some came from the Polish colony in Karnes county, Mr. Zerner, the father of Mrs. Kaspcr Dugosaiid Mrs. Albert Jureczki, being among the latter.

"My husband died October 25, 1911. My parents died many years ago. I can recall many tragedies of those times, for the Indians made frequent raids into this settlement and stole horses. One night they stole some horses from Herman Thallman's stable that was located near where the Davenport store now stands. They got the horses by removing several logs from the stable. One night Gideon Carter, a Mormon, was carrying a little child in his arms and, with his sister, was going to visit a neighbor. An Indian concealed behind a tree or in a fence corner shot Mr. Carter through the body with an arrow. He ran to the home of O. B. Miles where the arrow was pulled out. Carter recovered and afterward went to Utah. Albert Haiduk also had a narrow escape from death. One night he thought he heard some cattle breaking into his corn field, and when he went to investigate he found it was Indians. He ran back to the house, but was wounded with an arrow before he could get inside. The Indians got all of his horses. I remember when Frank Buckelew was taken captive by the Indians, and also recollect the killing of Theodore Kindla over in Sabinal Canyon. I recall the time when Amasa Clark, Dr. Thompson and John Kindla were attacked by robbers on the road from San Antonio. Dr. Thompson was killed outright; Kindla died from the effects of his wounds several years later, and Mr. Clark fully recovered and is w^ith us yet. Bandera county's chapter of tragedies is a long one. The savage red man left a trail of blood through this region that made many homes desolate and brought woe and grief to the people. Those were trying times, and the present generation in luxuiy cannot gain the faintest idea of the privations and hardships endured by those who blazed the way for civilization. Besides the dangers that lurked on every hand, we had to do without many things that are necessary today. We had no drugs or medicines and when overtaken by illness homeopathic remedies were resorted to. Every housewife knew how to "doctor" her children, and how to set and l)andage fractured limbs, make poultices, dress wounds and relieve suti'ering.

We had no furniture except home-made articles. We had no cook stoves, the open fire-place and the skillet and pots cooked our meals. We carded wool and cotton and wore homespun clothing. Every girl learned to spin and weave and many of the boys learned it too. The men had to split rails to build fences - barbed wire was then unknown. We had to invent many ways to get along in those days.

"When tne Civil War came on we remained aloof from partizanship, but many of our American and German neighbors became involved and some went to war, while others went to Mexico. Men were hung for their sentiments and many disappeared to never be heard of again. These were terrible times.

"The Spanish- American War came on in 1898, and several of our young men enlisted. Then in 1914 the World War was started, and when America became involved our sons went forth to offer their lives on the altar of patriotism. Some of our Bandera boys made the supreme sacrifice on the battlefield.

"Three-quarters of a century have passed over my head - years that have been full of joy and sorrow, pleasure and excitement, and now as I sit in the twilight of life's autumn and behold the wonderful changes that have taken place, I am proud to know that I have been an humble i)articipant in Bandera's making."

Leopold Haby

Leopold Haby was born in the Haby Settlement, now called Rioniedina, in Medina county, November 15, 1851. His parents came from Oeberenzen, Alsace, Germany, in the spring of that year and located in that settlement, where they raised a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, namely, Leopold, Gregor, Raymond, Guido, John, Alex, Otto, Theresia and Katie. Theresia married M. J. Ripps and afterwards died. Guido and John Haby are also dead. Katie married Clias. Wurzbach, and still lives at Rioniedina. Gregor lives at Bonita, Ariz ; Raymond at Uvalde, Alex and Otto live at Rioniedina, and Leopold lives nfear Medina Lake. The father, Jacob Haby, died December 11, 1899, aged 76, and the mother, Mrs. Catherine Haby (nee Mann) died February 17, 1916, aged 83.

When Leopold was eight years old he accompanied his father on a freighting trip to Port Lavaca with an ox-team. Two trips were made in the year 1859, and two trips the next year, 1860. Each trip required three to four weeks time. Other trips were made in 1863 from San Antonio to Eagle Pass, then young Haby was needed at home to take care of the stock and farm, as all of the young men went into the army. Indians were ver^^ troublesome in those days. Nick Haby, an uncle, killed an Indian one night when the redskin was trying to steal horses from a pen at his home in the Haby settlement.

In 1868 Leopold Haby went on his first cow-hunting trip, coming up in Bandera county to the ranch of August and Celeste Pingenot, which is now owned by Louis Haegelin. In the party with him were Jacob Koening, Louis and August Rothe, Adolf Wurzbach, Ben Wernette, George Heyen, Bill Shoemaker and Justin Hans. August Pingenot joined the party and they hunted and rounded up cattle throughout the country around Bandera, penning at the ranch of Polly and Jose Rodriguez, at the Jack ranch, at the Bandy ranch, and at Bladen Mitchell's.

Mr. Haby relates some of his experiences as follows : "In the spring 1870, myself, Joe Haegelin, Alex Haegelin, John Liebold, and Joe Brieten went with ox teams to San Antonio, and loaded freight to take to Fort Concho, a distance of about 200 miles. We remained at Fort Concho all summer, and hauled hay for the government, Christopher Schuchart having the contract. We returned home and the following year we again hauled frieght from San Antonio to Fort Concho. In 1872 I enlisted in Company V Minute Men, composed of George Haby, Captain; John Green lieutenant; Charles Brown, Adolph Wurzbach, Julius Heihling, Frank Monier, Joe Burrell, Sr., Armin Boehme, John Kami, Joe Burrell, Jr., Frank Beal, G. Zapata, Sari a Menchaca, Jones and Van Riper. We enlisted at Boerne November 6, 1872, and during the next few months we were kept busy scouting and trailing Indians. A bunch of redskins came down on a raid and stole horses near San Antonio and as far out as the Culebra. They secured 110 head and started west with them, camping the first night at Mescal Spring. Here they killed a horse and ate it. From they went by Mitchell Crossing, up Cypress Creek, thence west over to the Verdes. They passed within two miles of the Davenport ranch, and near there killed another horse and had a feast, and then went on to Sycamore Spring, about five miles from where Tarpley is now located. John Green and some of the minuet men were in camp on the Culebra, and (ieorge Haby and men were camped on Elm Creek when this raid took place. There were about twenty men in the two companies. We immediately took the trail which led out towards the head of the Hondo and Verde Creeks, the route being known as the old Indian trail. It was late in the afternoon, and after getting our supper we took a direct course to tlie Davenport ranch, where F. L. Hicks, a noted scout and Indian fighter, joined us, and we followed the old cattle trail to the Hondo, stopping about two hours before daylight to secure sleep and rest. Mr. Hicks stood guard and made cofi'ee for us while we slept. We turned out and again got in the saddle at daybreak and made our way to Sycamore Spring, and just as we reached there we saw three Indians coming Over a hill. They discovered us about the same time and took to the brush and got away. We made diligent search for the remainder of the band but did not find them, but we got the stolen horses, 110 head. After scouting around for sometimes we decided the Indians had made good their escape, so we started back home with the recaptured horses, coming via Bandera. Some of the men went back on the trail in hopes of finding horses that the Indians had abandoned and we all met at Pingenot's ranch that night. We received our discharges in 1873 and the company disbanded. I was married October 18, 1875, to Miss Hortensia Haegelin, the ceremony taking place in St. Joseph's Catholic church in the city of San Antonio.

We made our home three miles from the Haby settlement, where I engaged in farming and stockraising for eight years. In 1883 I moved to Bandera county with my family, settling on Vance Creek, near Mescal Springs, thirteen miles east of Bandera, where I am still living."

Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Haby have six children, three sons and three daughters. They are Titus A. Haby, Helotes; Mrs. Alexandrina Ahr, Lacoste; Mrs. Olga Tschirhart. Medina Lake; Robert Haby, Riomedina; Mrs. Louise Letcher, Pipe Creek; Arnold L. Haby, Medina Lake.

Uncle Jack Stevens

J. L. Stevens was born in Green county, Tennessee, February 6, 1838. His mother having died in his infancy he lived with his grandparents in Tennessee until he was nine years of age, then, with them, he went to Madison county, Arkansas, to visit his father, but before they reached there his father died. They remained in Marion county three j^ears. Both of his grandparents died, so with two of his uncles, Henry and Billy Stevens, he started for Texas. It required six weeks to make the trip of about 400 miles, but it was a very interesting trip for a boy of twelve years. Buffalo and many other kinds of wild game abounded in the country through which they passed and many times they saw the carcasses of these animals near the road wnere they were killed by hunters.

town composed principally of Mexican huts built of adobe and grass. From here they went to Atascosa county and engaged in farming and cattle raising. Here Jack, as he was called, learned the blacksmith's trade and assisted his uncle, Henry Stevens, in a shop.

In 1854 there was a severe drouth in the country south of San Antonio which lasted for three years, so they moved their cattle up into Bandera co'inty, where Billie Stevens had acquired considerable range land. One of the first men they met when they got to Bandera was Amasa Clark. Jack immediately fell in love with this country and remain«^d here most of the time until the Civil War began.

Bandera county was a much more open country then than now. The hills which are now covered with brush were then only covered with rank grass. Water, too, was more abundant in the country in those days. Creeks, which are now dry most of the year, then afforded good swimming and fishing pools.

In the spring of 1861 he went to San Antonio and enlisted in the 32nd Texas Cavalry, Co. I, and served in that company the full duration of the war. He was engaged in numerous skirmishes but was never in any real battles as he was in Texas and Louisiana during the whole time. After the war was over and he had received his discharge he went to iVtascosa county. Somewhere in the Bible it is said that "where a one's treasure is there the heart will be also." This was literally true in this case, for he rented a blacksmith shop and worked there for two years, making occasional trips to Bandera. In March, 1866, he was married to Miss Lucy Wells of Atascosa. Of course, new that he could take his "treasure" with him, he was anxious to make Bandera - the place he Hked so well - ^his home. Accordingly he returned here and purchased a small place on Hicks' Creek, nine miles from the town of Bandera, which at that time was only a small settlement composed mostly of a colony from Poland, and a remnant of a Mormon settlement which had located about ten miles below. Mr. Stevens moved his bride to their place on Hicks' Creek in November, 1866. They came through in an ox-wagon, taking five days to make the trip. The first thing they did when they reached their place was to erect a log cabin near a beautiful spring on the creek, near where the home of Mrs. F. L. Hicks now stands, and they lived in this cabin two years, then moved farther up the creek near another spring. Not far from this site their present home now stands. Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Hicks were their nearest neighbors. They, and a family by the name of Taylor and the Pue brothers, Arthur, Bob, Ventress and Will, were the only people living on Hicks' Creek at that time. On Laxson's Creek, two miles to the west, lived Jessie and Tom Laxson. the Arnolds, Merritts, Walkers and Buckelews. There was no settlement whatever above them for several miles above where Medina now stands. Other families moved in, but when they heard of an Indian raid they would leave.

The Indians were a constant menace to the lives and property of the people. It was almost impossible to keep horses. Mr. Stevens lost all he had twice. The men never thought of leaving off their six-shooters any more than they would their shoes.

rut with cradle and scythes and in the early years they threshed with sticks. The first threshers in the country were tread -power threshers run by one horse. The horse had to be changed often as it was very hard on them.

The produce of the country was very cheap and hard to sell. Cattle sold as low as $3 per head. One of the sources the people had of making money was the making of the immense cj^press trees, which grew along the river, into shingles which they hauled to San Antonio. The stumps of these trees that were used for shingles can still be seen along the river.

The last raid the Indians made through the country around Mr. Stevens was in the early part of 1873, when a party came through, killing a Mrs. Moore on Laxson Creek and killing and stealing horses. When Indians were heard of in the country the men always dropped their work no matter what it was and formed a party to try to catch them. The Indians usually got through the country in such a hurry that they were seldom caught up with.

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are still living on their place on Hick's Creek. They raised a family of thirteen children, twelve of whom are now living - six sons and six daughters.

The Bandera Bugle

The Bandera Bugle was established by Stevenson & Ward December 3, 1880. The paper, a five-column four-page sheet, was neatly gotten up, and the local advertisers therein were H. H. Carmichael and E. Huffmeyer & Bro., general stores; Bandera Institute, W. J. Ryan, principal; F. W. Ellis, carpenter; Bandera Hotel, Henry Hamilton, proprietor; and Land for Sale by Chas. Montague, Jr., county clerk. The first page of the first issue contained two letters from Kerrville, one from Center Point and one from Castroville from correspondents. The Kerrville letter stated that R. H. Storms had qualified as county judge; that James Brown and Miss Maggie Witt were united in matrimony by Rev. A. J. Cowart of Center Point; August Rossberg died of trichina. The Center Point letter stated among other things that corn was worth 75 cents a bushel and flour $4.00 per hundred pounds; that a Christian minister "dipped" a grown man and a little girl in the freezing waters of the Guadalupe, and that cotton picking was over and wheat sowing suspended owing to bad weather. The following law cards appeared on first page: W. W\ Martin, R. H. Burney, Kerrville; Leslie Thompson, W. R. Wallace, Hal Gosling, Castroville. The official directory gives the following list of county and district officers: District Judge, T. M. Paschal: District Attorney, W. R. Wallace; County Judge, T. A. Peacock; Sheriff^, Henry Hamilton; Clerk, Chas. Montague, Jr.; Assessor, F. G. Newcomer; Treasurer, J. A. Hudspeth; Surveyor, Sam Stevens; Commissioners, John Adamietz, F. W. Dorow, C. T. Parker and W. M. Taylor. Following

^Eighty-eight bales of cotton have been ginned by Mr. Carmichael thus far this season. He expects to reach 100 bales before the season closes.

^The foundation for the new school house has been completed and the construction of this house will commence as soon as the weather will permit.

^A wagon load of wild turkeys were brought into town last week and sold for 25 cents apiece. Everybody' could have a gobbler for Thanksgiving. This is the advantage of living in a county where there is plenty of game.

Stevenson & Ward sold the Bandera Bugle to John Guthrie, a Scotsman, who maintained his office in the house now occupied by J. F. Tail's blacksmitli shop, where he continued several years. He later moved the plant to Boerne where he established the Boerne Post. He died there in 1904. Will Guthrie, one of the former owners of the San Angelo Standard, was a son of the editor of the Bandera Bugle.

The Killing Of Jack Phillips

About the last killing by the Indians that took place in Bandera county, was the murder of Jack Phillips at Seco Pass, in the winter of 1875. Jack Phillips was the father of Tom H. Phillips, now a prominent ranchman and merchant at Lima, in this county. The best facts obtainable in regard to this tragedy are given in A. J. Sowell's book, *'Indian Fighters of Texas." and are as follows:

"Jack Phillips, who lived six miles above Bandera on Winan's Creek, started to Sabinal Canyon on business for his brother-in-law. Buck Hamilton, who was sheriff of Bandera county. There was no wagon road over the mountain to the canyon after leaving the settlement in Hondo Canyon; only a horse trail from there on. Phillips ate dinner with M. C. Click, then living in Hondo Canyon, and then went on his way. When he arrived at the pass which leads into Seco Canyon he was attacked and killed by Indians. The trail was above where the main road runs. Mr. F. L. Hicks had made a pasture fence across the trail and in lieu of a gate Imd common draw bars through which to pass. Phillips got through this and the Indians came down a point to the right and made attack upon him. He ran back the way he came and succeeded in getting through the bars again, but was pursued. It was a long chase of half a mile, the Indians firing, and the horse was finally shot through the shoulder with a ball and fell into the ravine. The doomed man now took down the ravine on foot, but was soon overtaken and killed. If he made any fight with them it could not be told.

**At this time Mr. William Felts and Miss Josephine E. Durban were on their way from Sabinal Canyon to Bandera to get married, and came upon the body shortly after the Indians left. They first saw the horse which was lying in sight of the trail, and went to him. Here they discovered the tracks of Phillips, where he ran down the ravine, and following these about fiiiy yards came to him lying face downward. They hurried to the ranch of Mr. Click, told him the news and stayed at his house that night. Next morning Click, Weaver and others went after the body and Felt and Miss Durban went on to Bandera and carried the news over there. When Mr. Click and party arrived at the scene of the killing the horse was still alive but unable to get up and was shot by Dave Weaver. The body of Phillips lay face downward, stripped and mutilated. The Indians had taken the saddle off the horse and carried it away. The bodj^ was brought to Joel Casey's the nearest Hondo settler, and Mr. Click went to Bandera that night and had a coffin made. Mr. Phillips was a Mason and was buried by them at Bandera. The Indians were followed by Hondo men, but not overtaken. The shoes of Phillips were found on the trail. A scout of Texas rangers was on trail of these same Indians, but their horses gave out and they were just turning back on Wallace Creek, fifteen miles away north, at the time the Indians were killing Jack Phillips, it was learned afterwards."

Buck Hamilton

Henry Hamilton, more generally known as "Buck'* Hamilton, was sheriff of Bandera county several terms. He was born in Weekly county, Tennessee, April 15, 1833, and was married to Miss P. A. Phillips November 25, 1856. When he moved his family to Texas in 1859 he settled in Kerr county where he resided until 1869, when he came to Bandera county and remained here until his death, which occurred in 1888.

In February, 1875, Mr. Hamilton was elected sheriff of Bandera county, which office he held continuously until the day of his death, and during which time he, by his cool undaunted courage and widely directed energy, won for himself the well-earned reputation of being one of the very best sheriffs in Western Texas. In speaking of the death of Sheriff Hamilton, the Bandera Enterprise of July 26, 1888, said:

"Mr. Hamilton was not only a good officer, but he was a good man; a man whose big heart was fall to overflowing with sympathy for the unfortunate, and whose large and generous soul was a well-spring of cheerful good hu^mor which constantly flowed out to all with whom he came in contact, binding them to him in chains of lasting friendship. Deceased left a wife and several children to mourn his untimely demise, and whose deep and pungent grief is shared by hundreds who realize that in the death of Henry Hamilton they have lost a true and noble friend, and that the community has lost an officer and a citizen whose place, as such officer and citizen, will long remain vaif indeed it be possible for any man to ever fill it

"The hopes of recovery entertained on Thursday last previous to the issue of the Bugle proved fallacious. Daily the sufferer grew weaker, and on Monday evening about 11 o'clock he quietly breathed his last; and he who had been familiarly known over this western country for many years as 'Buck,' was no more than mortal clay.

"Previous Us the war, and when quite a vigorous young man, the deceased came from Tennessee and settled on the Guadalupe near Comfort. He removed from there and came to Bandera nearly twenty j^ears ago, and for twelve years he has held the office of sheriff. Although repeatedly opposed, his jovial, kindly nature made him many friends and he invariably overcame all opposition. As sheriff he had few equals - he was sagacious and cool in judgment. For many year's the counties around ih this western section were a harborage for criminals and desperadoes of the worst stamp, who committed murders and other crimes with impunity. But through the admirable judgment and fearlessness of Buck, Bandera remained and is at the present time one of the most peaceable counties in the state. Necessarily his sheriffship made him widelj' known, and he will be long remembered for his fund of anecdote, his practical jokes, his kindly disposition, and for the many good deeds done without ostentation and in secret. He died a comparative young man, being only 55 years of age. He leaves a wife and a grown up family of three daughters and

The remains of the deceased were interred on Tuesday amidst manifestations of extreme grief on the part of relatives, and in the presence of a large assemblage of sorrowing citizens who by their presence testified their love and respect for 'Buck.'

Mrs. Mary E. Hudspeth

Mrs. Mary E. Hudspeth, whose maiden name was also Hudspeth, was born in Pickens county, Alabama, September 20, 1834, moved to Mississippi with her parents when she was nine years old, and later going to Arkansas where she was married, in 1854, to William Hudspeth. They moved to Texas in 1864, and when the Civil War ended and their negroes were freed, they went to San Saba county, where James A. Hudspeth, a brother to the subject of this sketch, then lived. Xl that time Indians were numerous in that region and caused a world of trouble to the settlers, so after remaining there a year or so Mr. and Mrs. William Hudspeth came to Bandera to locate. Mr. Hudspeth was a lawyer and hung out his shingle here and for many years practiced in the courts of this and adjoining counties. He was the founder of the old Bandera Enterprise, a newspaper which was published here for about thirty-five years, or until it was burned out in 1915. Mr. Hudspeth died

During the early days several Hudspeth families lived in Bandera county. Captain Street Hudspeth, the school teacher who lived at Medina, was a brother to Mrs. Mary E. Hudspeth. He was the father of Hon. Claud Hudspeth, now a member of Congress from this district; Jimmie Hudspeth, who was well known to the early settlers, was a half brother to her; Joseph B. Hudspeth, who lived on the Hondo, was a cousin; another Street Hudspeth, also a cousin, and known as "Little Street," married Miss Mary Hamilton; and still another Street Hudspeth, who lives at the Dr. J. O. Butler ranch, is a cousin to her. Mrs. Hudspeth is now 88 years old, and lives in Bandera with Miss Marj^ Wachter, where she receives tenderest care and attention. The infirmities of age have crept upon her, but despite the burden of years, she is able to get around and often visits her friends about town. She treasures the friends of other days, a number of whom are still living here, among them being Mrs. H. C. S. Barnes, who is now more than 90 years old and lives with her son, F. D. Barnes, below Bandera. In the early days Lincohi & Hart conducted a general merchandise store in Bandera for several years. Mr. Hart died, and some time afterward Mr. Lincoln died. Mrs. Lincoln is now an invalid in a quiet retreat at Glendale, California. Mrs. Hudspeth speaks in af fectionate terms of those old friends. Everybody loves "Aunt Mary" Hudspeth, and those nearest and dearest to her praj' that she may be spared many years longer to bless them with her sweet presence.

I came to Bandera county in 1883, from Callahan county, with my father, Richard Adams, two brothers and one sister. My mother died two years before we came here. Brother Gip was fourteen years old, I was nine, Brother Ben was seven, and Sister Sarah was five years old. My brothers and I drove 90 head of cattle and several saddle horses all the way through, standing guard at night. Father was sick and just able to drive the wagon team . When we left Callahan county we intended going to Uvalde, but when we reached the Medina and saw the clear water and the abundance of free range, he decided to locate on the Medina and at once bought out E. B. Bennett, near the head of the West Prong of the river, at what is now called Tuff. There was no school here at that time, and we had to go to Medina Cit}^ for our mail and supplies. We had plenty of neighbors, newcomers like ourselves, excepting Andy Crockett and sons, who were about the first settlers. Our neighbors were Thomas Clark, W. H. Anderson, R. E. Love, W. A. Haught, E. B. Bennett, Steve Howard, Billie Wilson, Willis Rymes, and Jack Johnson. Four months after our arrival father died, December 16, 1883. M^y oldest sister and her husband then came from Lampasas county and took charge of the place and the children. We had a hard pull to winter our cattle, as they were not acclimated. They were not used to the mountains and rocks and soon became tenderfooted. The native cattle were fat, while ours died. Our Godsend was plenty of venison, wild hog meat and bear, and wild honey was plentiful and to spare. Bread was very scarce and far between the first year we were here. After that we raised plenty of corn. In those days it seemed that corn would make with very little cultivation. I have seen good corn raised with but one plowing - -just streaked off as we called it. Everybody was so busy hunting game they did not have time for plowing.

"My brother-in-law, being young and inexperienced with stock, soon let the ranch run down, and lost and sold the property, retaining nothing but the bare homestead. His wife died August 24, 1888, leaving him with three small children and we four, making seven orphans, and he took us to the home of his parents, who lived onBrewington's Creek, a tributary of the North Prong of the Medina river, near what is now Lima. And right here I want to say Grandma Watson was one of the best women that ever lived. She had four small children of her own to look after, but cheerfully took in our crowd of seven, and was a real mother to all of us. She waited on the sick far and near, and lost her life while going to the bedside of Mrs. E. J. Humphries. She was drowned in u, small stream east of Pecan Valley on the North Prong of the Medina July 9, 1889. Never was a nobler life given in the cause of mercy. Whatever good there is in me today stands to the credit of Grandma Watson. Again we were left motherless, and I went to work for Mr. Lewis, who lived on Coal Creek near Medina City, for $10 per month. I worked for him six months and as there were no cold drink stands those days to get a boy's money, I had $60 when I quit. In 1890 I helped Mr. Lewis drive 1500 goats to Eagle Pass, intending to take them into Mexico, but a quarantine was on at the time so we could not get them across. I quit Mr. Lewis at Eagle Pass and went to work for Joe Moffitt, an old time Bandera county man who at that time was a goat buyer. I later learned that Mr. Lewis drove his goats back to the Frio, near Leakey and sold them for 75c a head, which was considered a fair price then. Mr. Moffitt and I left Eagle Pass with a herd of horses and drove them to Guadalupe river, where he disposed of them, and tried to buy goats at 50c per head. We rode over the counties of Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, and part of Uvalde, finding nothing cheaper than 75c per head. Mr. Moffitt said he could not pay so much, so we returned to Eagle Pass, in October. 1890, and he paid me off and let me go, because he had nothing further for me to do. However, he offered me a home with him, to stay as long as I pleased. There will always be a warm spot in my heart for him, for he treated me well. The next day I started for Bandera county, on a half-broke Spanish pony. I met another old Bandera citizen, Mr. Paul Means, who at that time lived at Eagle Pass. He was running a peddling wagon from Utopia to Eagle Pass, and wanted some one to drive stock for him which he bought and sold along the way. I made several trips with him, and then returned to my brother-in-law's on the North Prong of the Medina where I remained until the spring of 1891. We heard there was plenty of work at Corpus Christi, and that wages were good there, and that people there would almost hire you whether you wanted to work or not, so my brother-in- law took my sister Sarah, Brother Ben and myself along and started down there. He had his three children and a widow named Arnold and her seven children, making fifteen in our crowd. Mrs. Arnold's mother lived on the Nueces river, near Corpus Christi, I met up with a boy by the name of Wesley White from the Frio, and he and I decided to go on ahead and try to get work. We borrowed all the money Brother Ben had, which was ten cents, and left them at Oakville. We reached the Nueces river and found that we had to pay toll to get across. We argued with the Mexican boatman, but 10 cents would not get us across, so we left a pair of good leather leggings with him and kept our dime. We stayed that night in Nuecestown with a friend of Wesley White's, and next day began hustling for a job with the cotton farmers, but found none. There were three Mexicans for every place. We rode all that day in search of work, but there was none to be found. Late that afternoon in Corpus Christi I spent our dime for bread, and a fellow told us that a town was being built just across the Nueces Bay and might get work there. To get there we were instructed to follow the wagon tracks into the bay and then follow between a line of stakes until we got across, so we plunged in and after going some distance the water became so deep I had to get up on my knees in the saddle to keep from getting wet. Wesley missed the road and his horse went under. Off the road the mud was very deep. In trying to help him my horse also missed the road between the stakes and seemed to turn a complete somersault. We finally got out and rode on to the town, and slept that night in our wet clothes by the side of some cord wood which helped keep off the wind. We traveled all next day but found no work. We reached Meansville and turned south and crossed a slough on a bridge, intending to go to Nuecestown on the south side of the river. When we reached the river the ferry cable was broken and the river was almost out of its banks. W^e turned back to the bridge across the slough and found it gone. The river had risen since we crossed and had cut us off". Things looked gloomy for us. We hadn't eaten anything for two days, except that 10c loaf of bread, and we were desperate. We prepared to swim the flooded river, which was about 100 yards wide, and the waves were rolling three feet high. As we started into the river we were seen b}^ parties on the opposite side and were warned not to attempt to swim the stream. Thej^ sent over a boat and took us off. We found my brother-in-law in the town and that, at least, was one time I was overjoyed to see him. We stopped for a while and worked for 75c per day and boarded ourselves. We almost broke even. Then we tried grubbing land at $8.00 per acre, and that was worse. At last I got a job at $10 per month on a farm, and stayed there until I saved enough money to get back to old Bandera county, returning here in October, 1891, When I returned I found a home with Tliomas Clark, where I worked for my board, finally 1 came back to the old homestead, all we had left, but having no means to make a crop I was forced to look for work again. I went to Burnet county in the fall of 1892 and worked for farmers there at $12 per month, and they sure worked me almost to death. I remained there until the fall of 1893, and was but very little better off than when I started, although I had a few clothes and a pony. T returned to the old homestead and slept on the hearth without bedding until I got a little start. T have managed to stay there ever since. December 28, 1897, I married Miss Ola Irvin. daughter of D. B. Irvin, a life-long citizen of Bandera county. We have been blessed with fourteen children, twelve of whom are living, three girls and nine boys, all able to oat what they can get. A short time ago I received a letter from Prof. Wesley Peacock of the Peacock Militarj^ Academ.y at San Antonio, in which he stated that I was worth $12,000,000, a million dollars for each child. I guess he is right. So you see I have come out O. K. by staying with old Bandera, where I expect to remain the balance of my days."

John Pyka

John Pyka was born in Poland October 29, 1848, and came to America and Bandera in 1855 with his parents. He grew to manhood here and was married to Miss Josephine Knapek, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Knapek. They have ten children living, namely. John, Jr., Alex, Pete and Ben Pyka of Bandera; Mrs. Frances Knapek, Mrs. Mary Marine, Mrs. J^ucy Gollihar, Mrs. Bina Franklin, all of San Antonio; Misses Ida and Stella Pyka of Bandera.

Mr. Pyka lives just across the river from Bandera, where he has resided many years. When he was a boy he witnessed many of the thrilling things that happened here. He says he and his sister, Mrs. John Adamietz, often plowed and worked in the field together. He secured an ox-team and went to hauling freight, making several trips to Fort Concho with lumber for the government on contract for Schmidtke & Hay. He also hauled cotton from San Antonio to Eagle Pass, each trip requiring three weeks. When returning home he would come through Uvalde. Sabinal, and by way of the Davenport ranch.

He was never engaged in a fight with Indians, but had a number of narrow escapes. One time he and old man Sam Adamietz were stock-hunting near the Julian Pass, and saw an Indian running away from them. Mr. Pyka was then just a small boy and thought the Indian was a white man who had gathered a bundle of wood and had it strapped on his back. He wanted to yell at him, but Mr. Adamietz advised to not do so as the fleeing man was an Indian. The bundle on his back was his quiver of arrows. At an- other time, one night, John Pyka went to the fiekl across the river and while there he discovered a man on horseback making his way along the rail fence in his direction. His dog and horse showed signs of alarm so he started back toward home, seeing which the Indian, for such it proved to be, attempted to head him oif and a race began. The moon was shining brightly, and he could plainly see his pursuer, but he got on this side of the river and the Indian stopped about where B. F. Langford's field is now on tlie east side of the river. The boy hurried home and told his parents of the chase, but as such occurrences were frequent not much attention was paid to it. That night the Indians came into Bandera and stole some horses and mules from a stable that was located near the Duffy Hotel.

Mr. Pyka remembers the killing of the Hardin boy by Indians, and went with a party of men to recover the body. An account of this tragedy is given in the narrative of J. P. Heinen, Sr. He remembers many other tragedies of those frontier daj^s, and after he grew to manhood he was called upon by Sheriff Buck Hamilton to assist in making arrests, or to serve papers in court matters. He helped to bury the eight men who were hanged by soldiers from Camp Verde July 25, 1863. The bodies were found the next morning and Mr. Pyka says it was a most grewsome task to bury them. The murdered men were from Wil- 1 iamson county and were going to Mexico to avoid conscription, when they were overtaken and brought back as far as Julian Creek and executed by some of their captors. The bodies were left on the ground until next day when they were found and buried.

Uncle Henry Stevens

Henry Stevens, Sr., was bcrn in Washington county, East Tennessee, December 23, 1818, and died in Bandera, Texas, January 12, 1912, aged 94 years. He was married to Miss Margaret Adams in Marion county, Arkansas; she died in Bandera in 1905. To this union were born eleven children, as follows: Ike Stevens, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Gibson, deceased; Tom Stevens of Bandera; George Stevens of Arizona; Mrs. Texanna Jones, deceased; L. N. Stevens, lives near Bandera Pass; Mrs. Lizzie Jones of Junction, Texas; Mrs. Lula Brown of Seligman, Arizona; Henry Stevens, now sheriff of Bandera county; Mrs. Magdalene Kissee of Flagstaff, Arizona; Mrs. Mittie Jones of Helotes, Texas.

Mr. Stevens came to Bandera countj^ in 1866, and during his long residence here he was a most useful citizen. When he was 90 years old he published a small book recounting his experiences in Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas, and setting forth in an appendix thereto his religious views. From this book the following paragraph is taken, in which mention is made of Pat Saner, who became one of the pioneers of Bandera county:

"My brother decided to stay on the farm with father, so I decided to accompany my wife's people from Arkansas to Texas. It was in 1849 we got our wagons and teams ready to start, and it took us two months to reach the little town of San Marcos, situated at the head of one of the most beautiful streams in the state. Here I decided to stop. My father-inlaw went on to San Antonio, which was then nothing more than a small village. On reaching San Marcos I rented a piece of land and began to make preparations to make a crop. I soon got acquainted with a man bj^ the name of Pat Saner, who was a jolly, good hearted fellow, and a great hand to hunt. There were a great many wild cattle in the cedar brakes on the head of a little but very dangerous stream called Purgatorj^ which flows into the San Marcos river. Deer and turkey were very plentiful then. This man Saner, his brother Tom and myself hunted a great deal the year I was there. On one occasion we went out for a hunt in the mountains and soon after dark we unsaddled our horses, w,hen all at once we began to hear strange noises, which seemed to come closer. J was rather like the old darkey, not particularly^" scared but I felt a little loose. We had heard the Indians would sometimes make a noise like a wolf or some other animal, and we were satisfied they were around our camp, so we saddled our horses and left the campfire for them. Soon after we left the camp it began to rain, and we were soon drenched. It was so dark we could not find our wa3% and we drifted along until I rode into a hole four feet deep. I was riding a mule and after some scrambling around I got out and got my mule out too, but lost my rifle in the mix-up and did not find it until the next morning. I wore a pair of buckskin breeches and when they got wet they began to stretch so I had to cut them off several times. AVe finally made our way to a ranch where an old bachelor lived and he invited us in to a fine supper. I lay down before the fire to sleep and when I awoke about sun-up the next morning I found my buckskin breeches were so drawn up that I could scarcely walk.

One of the sons, Henry Stevens, Jr., has been for a number of years sheriff of Bandera county, and has proved to be of the same material as his illustrious father, having as his motto that "anything worth doing at all is worth doing well." He was born July 23, 1869, right here in Bandera, in the stone building just across the street from the Bandera New Era printing office. He grew to manhood here, obtained his education in Bandera public schools, and when he was twenty- three years old he was married to Miss Agnes Winfield, the ceremony taking place in San Antonio. They have six children living, namely: Claud L. Stevens, Mrs. Clara Cox, Mrs. Eulola Davenport, Miss Margaret Stevens, Boyd Stevens, and Miss Edna Stevens. Miss Margaret Stevens holds a lucrative position at Rantoui, Illinois, at the present time.

Mrs. Stevens was born in Lavaca county, but came to Bandera with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Winfield, when she was four years of age. Her father was drowned in Julian Creek in 1881, an account of which appears in this book. She is a sister to Mrs. H. J. Hermes, Sr., of Tarpley, and has a brother, Alfred Winfield, and a sister, Mrs. Matilda Duncan, living at Palestine, Texas. Another sister, Mrs. Eva Johnson, lives at Cameron, Texas, and another brother, Ed Winfield, lives at El Campo. All are well known in Bandera, having been raised here.

Was In Packsaddle Mountain Fight

On August 5, 1873, a desperate fight took place at Packsaddle Mountain in Llano county, in which Eli B. Lloyd, now one of Bandera county's honored citizens took part. There w^ere eighteen Indians in the band and were surprised and attacked by eight white men, Eli Lloyd, Stephen Moss, and Robert Brown being in the crowd. The fight was at very close quarters, William Moss was desperately wounded with a bullet and had to move back. Eli Lloyd received a bullet in the arm, which he still carries, but he kept on fighting and succeeded in killing the chief of the band. Every man in Lloyd's party received wounds, more or less severe, except two. Several of the Indians were killed and a number of them were wounded. They finally gave up the fight and left the mountain, and the settlers made their way back home with their wounded. Mr. Lloyd captured the shield and other equipment of the chief he killed and when he moved to Bandera county many years ago he brought the shield here with him.

Eli B. Lloyd came to Bandera county in 1879, and now lives on his ranch near Tuff, with his good wife. This frontier couple has raised a large family, five girls and four boys, all of whom are living and married. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd are typical frontier folks, their hospitable home has always been open to the wayfarer, and they have kept up the frontier customs and manners through all these years.

Settlers Of Sabinal Canyon

Gideon Thompson was among the first settlers of Sabinal Canyon, locating there in 1852 with his family. Capt. William Ware had preceeded him only a very short time. Later John and James Davenport, Lee Sanders, Henry Robinson, and Aaron Anglin, located there. When Mr. Thompson first came to the canyon he had four children in his family, William, Hiram, Robert and Mary Ann. The five families all lived at Captain Ware's place for sometime, and it became known as Waresville. Charles Durbin afterwards put up a sto^-e there. X band of Tonkaway Indians camped near the mouth of the canyon and spent some time there on a bear hunting expedition. They were a friendly tribe and were somewhat of a protection to the settlers. Other people gradually came in, among them being John Fenloy, John Brown, Leek Kelley, Laban Kelley, Jasper Wish, Silas Webster, Sebe Barrymore, William Barrymore, Henry Robinson, Dud Kichardson, Henry Fuller, John Leakey, Newman Patterson, "Butch" Dillard, John Bowles, Judge McCormick and others. The Indians made numerous raids into that section, and in these raids, which covered a period of over twenty years, many people were killed and hundreds of horses were driven out by the redskins. In 1866 they attacked the ranch of R. H. Kincheloe in his absence and killed Mrs. Bowlin, a neiglibor who was there at the time, and wounded Mrs. Kincheloe with arrows and lances in more than a dozen places, leaving her for dead. To give in detail accounts of all of the tragriilies that occurred in Sabinal Canyon would require a large book.

Jose Policarpo Rodriguez

To attempt to give the full experience and adventures of Jose Policarpo Rodriguez, one of the early pioneer citizens of Bandera county, would require more space than this book affords. He was a noted guide, scout, hunter, trailer, Indian fighter, and also a preacher. Wlien he came to Bandera county in the fifties he located oh Privilege Creek on 360 acres of land which he purchased from John James for fifty cents per acre. He was born at Zaragosa, Mexico, in 1829, and died at his home on Privilege in 1914, aged 85 years. Polly's Peak, a noted landmark, was named for him. He built a stone church with his own hands in the Privilege community and preached there for many years. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are prosperous and respected citizens of that community. Polly Rodriguez had the confidence of all men, and he builded wisely and well for oncoming generations.

Drowning Of Joseph Winfield

I 1881 Joseph Winfield, a highly respected citizen of Bandera, was drowned in Julian Creek, about two miles east of Bandera. Mr. Winfield and Will Hamilton were engaged in hauling hay, using four-horse teams. The day before he met his death, Mr. Winfield and young Hamilton had crossed Julian Creek when it was dry, going out to get the loads of hay. During the night it came a heavy rain, and when they were returning to town with their loads tney found the creek running, but it did not seem to be very deep. Hamilton drove into it, and made it across all right, but when Winfield's team reached the main current they became unruly. He was riding his wheel horse and dismounted in mid-stream for some reason or other, and it is believed that one of the horses either kicked or pawed him on the head. Hamilton went back to assist him, and noticed be was acting rather strange. He brought him to the bank and told him to remain there, and went in after the team. When he got them started out he noticed Winfield in the water again, drowning. He succeeded in getting him out again, but he died in a very short while.

The Medina river was on a big rise at the time, and was up for several days, so that Mr. Winfield's body was buried near where he was drowned. Four years later it was removed to the Catholic cemetery in Bandera.

A young man named Halamuda helped to dig the grave in which to bury Mr. Winfield on Friday. The following Sunday after the burial, Halamuda attempt- ed to cross the Medina river at the Castroville Crossing, now known as the Slab Crossing, and was drowned before he could be rescued. His body was found several weeks later several miles down the river.

Thomas Click Killed By Indians

In the fall of 1866 Thomas Click was killed by Indians near the crossing on the Medina river, three miles above Bandera. He had started from Bandera one night to pay a visit to a man named Huffman who lived six miles west of town and was preparing to move away, and it was at the fork of the road where the Indians came upon him. He was unarmed and could put up no defense, so was easily killed by lance thrusts. He fell by the roadside, and the Indians stripped him and dragged him into the high grass a short distance away. The next day his brother, M. C. Click, and D. A. Weaver came ahmg, noticed a pool of blood by the road and upon investigation found a small butcher knife which they recognized as belonging to Tom Click, and after further search they found the body. Officers in town were notified and an inquest was held, after which it was taken to Bandera and buried. A party took the trail of the Indians, but they were not overtaken. Click was riding a mule at the time, which the Indians secured and carried away with them.

Reminiscences Of B. F. Langeord, Sr

1864, during the Civil War. Burnet county had so many cattle the range was overstocked and ver}^ poor. Father found plenty of grass and water on the Seco. so he stopped there for about a year, but the Indians became so troublesome we could not keep horses with which to tend our stock so we moved to Bandera for protection and for school purposes. My mother died in 1870, and father moved down to the Frio. My younger brother, I. B. Langford, and myself remained here and I have lived in the county ever since. I believe I have been identified with every movement for bettering the condition of the people of the county, and have always tried to take a stand on the right side of every moral issue. When we came here we received mail from Castroville only once a week. County scrip was worth only twenty cents on the dollar, but it would pay a part of our taxes. When I was twenty-one years old I was appointed district clerk. Having been too young to take any part in the Civil War I could take the oath then re- quired of all officers. Just after the war every man twenty-one years old had to register his name, age and occupation before he could vote. The board of registration was composed of one negro and two white men. I held the office of registrar, kept the books and registered the names of all who were permitted to register. We had to have at least one negro on every election board, and everybody had to come to the county site to register. All officers were appointed by E. J. Davis, provisional governor of Texas, and they had to take the oath that they had never aided or abetted in the rebellion in any way, so there were very few who could hold office. The government would not allow us to organize ourselves into minute companies for protection against the Indians, and when Indians came into the country we had to send a courier to headquarters at San Antonio to notify the commanding officer who would send out a squad of soldiers, and these soldiers would march leisurely along the road for three or four days and go back and report that there were no Indians in the country. The Indians would be a hundred miles away before the troops reached here. I remember on one occasion the soldiers stole one of our neighbor's horses and took him to San Antonio. He was a very noted horse, strangely marked and could be easily identified. We heard of the horse being in San Antonio and I went down there with the owner to get him, but our efforts were unsuccessful. Sometime afterward, however, he got men there to watch for the horse, and they got him. Now, that was the kind of protection we got from Uncle Sam during reconstruction days. Indians have come right int the town of Bandera and taken horses since I have lived here. District court was in session at one time when Indians came in and stole horses out of a stable within fifty steps of the Duffy Hotel. The Indians that gave us the most trouble were the Kickapoos and Lipans who lived in Mexico, making their raids through this region and escaping across the border. Our government would not allow us to follow them into Mexico, but I remember one time our boys did follow them across and severely punished them. One man of the party, named John Pulliam, was killed by Mexicans. I knew him quite well.

I was born and raised on the frontier of Texas but never came in contact with savage Indians, although they have stolen my horses and left me afoot several times. What little education I have I received it right here after I was grown. We had one of the best schools in this western country. People moved here from other counties to send their children to school. The school house was located on the site now occupied by the residence where J. M. Hunter lives, and the teacher was Samuel Koenigheim, a Canadian by birth. He was a true type of the pioneer teacher, but the scholars all liked him and made rapid advancement under his rigid discipline. He did not spare the rod in the least, but could wallop the boys, big and little, and laugh while doing it, never getting out of humor, often telling us how much he hated to punish us, but said it had to be done in order to make good citizens of us. We took our "lickings" like little men, and we did not quit school either. In 1868 Mr. Koenigheim married one of his school girls, Miss Fannie Thompson, one of

When I came to Bandera there were no regular re- Hgious services held here. An occasional sermon was preached by some traveling minister. Our first regular preacher was Andrew Jackson Potter. My wife and I and a great many others were converted under Brother Potter's preaching in 1867. We have had a pastor for the Methodist church in Bandera ever since that time, some of tliem being Kingsbury, Chambers, Thornsbury, J. L. Harper, Buck Harris, A. (t. Nolan, F. H. C. Elliot, H. C. Godwin, J. D. Worrell, and a liost of others.

We used to have longer terms of district court when we had two saloons and only about .*^0() voters than we have now with 1500 voters and prohibition. All of the murder cases we had were chargeable to the saloons. There has been wonderful improvement in moral conditions here. We hardly need a jail here now, and we have not had a jailer for several years. I built the first jail we ever had, a small twostory stone building.

The first wedding I ever attended here was thai of John Adamietz and Miss Constantina Pyka, which took place on May 10, 1866. Those Polish weddings were great events. W^e always had plenty to eat and plenty to drink, too, and we kept up the fun all night and went home with the girls in the morning. The next wedding I remember was J. J. Bandy and Miss Aliff Mj'rick in 1866, and the next was that of T. A. Laxson and Miss Rufany Chipman the same j^ear. There were several others about that time, but I re- member particularly when Andrew Mansfield and J. P. Heinen were to get married at the same time, but something turned up that changed their plans, Andrew Mansfield and Miss Laura Thalmahn were married October 29th, 1868, and J. P. Heinen and Miss Ida Schlador were married a few days, earlier, if I remember correctly. When I was married in 1869, Sheriff T. C. Rine performed the ceremony, as there was no minister here and we wanted to get married. At that time the law gave the sheriff authority to perform marriage ceremonies. My wife was Miss Arantha Chipman, and to us were born eight children, three girls and five boys: Mrs. Ella Cox of Bandera, Mrs. Leah Matthews of Beaumont, E. P. Langford of Bandera, G. H. Langford of Beaumont, A. P. Langford of San Antonio, M. H. Langford of San Antonio, Mrs. Ruby Barnett of Del Rio, and John F. Langford of Bandera. I was born in Coryell county, Texas, in 1847, and was about seventeen years old when I came to Bandera county, I am now engaged in the hardware, furniture and undertaking business in the town of Bandera.

My brother, I. B. Langford, or Berry as we all called him, married Miss Lizzie Bird, who still survives and lives in Bandera. They had five children Will, Clarence, Allie, Frank and I. B., Jr. Will Langford became a physician and lives in Sutton county. Frank and Allie are engaged in the mercantile business in Bandera. For many years he operated a carpenter shop here, and lived in the house now owned by Phillip Mazurek. He built the Langford House, where Tom Gray now lives, and ran a hotel there for a long time.

Lee Risinger

Lee Risinger was born at Belmont, Gonzales county in 1864, and came to Bandera in 1877, attending school here until he was seventeen years old, then went to work as a cowboy. In 1895 he accepted a position in the store of H. H. Carmichael & Co., and when that firm failed he opened a store of his own, later buying out the general merchandise business of R. W. Gray & Son. He successfully followed merchandising until 1915, when his establishment was destroyed by fire, since which time he has been engaged in the automobile business, and is at present the local representative of the Ford company. Everybody knows Lee Risinger and everybody likes him. Quiet, peaceable, home-loving and progressive, he is of that kind of citizenship that all live communities need most. Tn 1884 Mr. Risinger was married to Miss Georgiana Hay, daughter of Judge George Haj^ of Bandera. They have six children living, four boys and two girls, Mrs. Lola Stevens, Royce Risinger, Fred Risinger, Mrs. Cecil Knibbe, Clinton Risinger and Hubert Risinger.