Bandera County, Texas - The whole text, 1922 (part 1 of 5)

Copkkight Deposit Eamdera Coumty

" A people i hat take no pride in the noble aehievemcnfs of i emote aneestors u'i/l never aehieve anything icorthy to be remetnbereJ xi'ith Pride by remote descendants .

Foreword

Bandera county has a wonderful history. During the seventy-five years that have passed since white people settled this region, history has been in the making. Many tragedies have been enacted, many privations endured, many dangers experienced during this long span of years - three-quarters of a century. We have yet living with us some of the hardy pioneers that came with the first settlers, men and women who are today nearing the century mark, but still active and full of life. Volumes could be written to recount the deeds of daring, the thrilling experiences, the hardships and sufferings, the heroic achievements of the early settlers of Bandera county, and then much would be left untold. The rising generation ought to know something of the cost of the blessings we today enjoy, and it is the purpose of this volume to place on record a correct history of these pioneers, and tell of the sacrifices they made in order to redeem this great land from the hands of the roving bands of Indians who had always claimed it.

We cannot place a marble shaft at the head of the grave of each pioneer that has fallen in defense of the frontier, but we can place to record in a book a correct and authentic account of what our frontier people had to undergo. We cannot afford to leave things so sacred to memory alone, for time changes all things, aiul soon these matters would all go into the forgotten past, wilh the passing of the old pioneers. In this way we will hand it down to coming generations, and thus not only perpetuate the fondest memories of the friends of th** past, but it will also be a source of interest and pleasure by bringing up those thrilling scenes, for their excitements give a spice to life that it would not have without them.

Our Pioneer Women

It is pleasant and right to recount the noMe deed's of our fathers, but far more pleasant to say something in praise of our gentle sisters, the heroines of the pioneer; she who rocked the cradle bed of childhood; our first, last and faithfullest friend. We would feel remiss in a chivalric dut^^ did wr' fail to notc^ her share in the great work of discovery and unpi'oVetnent, and it is only proper that we should recoi^d some encouraging word to her aspirations and advocate her claims to a just and proper place in ihe history of our great state. The trophies of the years that pass are a few immortalities gleaned from its sepulchred Epochs, events, chtiracters, that survive: oblivion is the common goal of the race. Whatever has contributed to human .weal li-as been remembered, memorialized i)y cenotaph and mausoleum and remains with us on History's page. > Their deeds shine on the pages of histor3^ like stars blazing in the nigh I, and their achievements have long been ce'ebrated in song and story. Romulus and Remus founded an empire and their names are immortal. Columbus discovered a new world and he stands unique in the sublime faith and courage which impelled him over an unknown sea.

Honor has been rather partial in bestowing her gifts and fame has placed her laurels chiefly on masculine brows, forgetting the countless heroines who were worthy of recognition. It is with great pride that we call attention to the fact that the pioneer women of Texas have proved themselves competent to fill positions other than presiding at the festal board, or beating out the rhythm of their blood with sandaled feet on polished floors, or strewing flowers in the path of the conquerer as he returns from the bloody carnage: for many noble names have swollen the list of those who have proven to the world that woman can be true and great even in the arduous duties incident to pioneer life. Bravely she has gone to the unprotected frontier, with no shelter but the crude cabin, the dugout or the open camp, where the winds whistled, wolves howled, where Indians yelled, and yet within that rude domicile, burning like a lamp, was the pure and stainless christian faith, love, patience, fortitude and heroism. And as the Star of the East rested over the manger where Christ lay, so, speaking not irreverently, there rested over the roofs of the pioneers a star of the West, the star of Empire, and today that empire is the proudest in the world. The pioneer woman, though creature of toil and loneliness and privation, she endured it with a constancy as changeless as the solitude and danger about her. She has borne her part in a{l the vicissitudes incident to the outposts of the borderland and her hands have assisted in kindling the fires on the confines of civilization to guide the wheels of empire outward, onward. Of necessity, the pioneer woman sacrificed more than the pioneer man, the finer texture of her being was less adapted to the rugged evironments of pioneer life. However, as the tides of the ocean are forever faithful to the mysterious attraction of the moon, so woman has followed man across seas, over the mountains and into the deserts to witness his adventures and share his achievements. Those who lay the foundations of empire and extend the outposts of civilization are worthy of all honor, and especially is this true of the pioneer woman. If Texas today boasts of statesman or warrior, of patriots and freemen, of a civilization and a social fabric into which is inwrought the elements of permanency and progress, she owes it largely to her pioneer women who founded the first homes, worshipped in the first humble chapels erected to (iod on these western hills and boundless prairies now crowded with temples and churches and schools and institutions of learning, while the multitudinous tramp of a million feet are still heard in the distance coming this way to enjoy what these pioneer mothers purchased by their sacrifice and privation. It was not given to many of these leaders to enter into the fruits of their labors. This splendid civilization we enjoy today, the social vines that shelter us, the civic boughs whose clusters feed us, all si)ring from the seed sown, and the harvest of tears reaped by our pioneers, our old settlers. These pioneer women were familiar with murh that has passed with the years, so rapidly have conditions changed. Be it said to their honor that in humble homes and with few advantages she did well her part: there was something in the lullaby that she sang to her children at twilight, in the sublime sitnplicity of her teachings that fostered a sturdy manhood and patriotism which was inwrought into the stalwart republie, the precurser of the Lone Star State. She has been scalped and tortured by the savage, and her blood has reddened these plains and valleys as an oblation on the altar of empire. Her life and the tragic scenes tb rough which she passed are each a romance where daring and adventure and sacrifice are the chief actors on its eventful pages.

All that is noblest in man is born of woman's con - stancy and deathless devotion to him. Knighthood found its inspiration in the pathos of her love and the charm of her smiles. Woman loves man, is jealous of his freedom, his liberty, his honor, and for him she sacrifices all. Heart and soul are the smallest things she immolates on any altar. The pioneer women of Texas robbed themselves out in drudgery and toil that their beauty might reappear in the structure their devoted hands built to liberty and progress: They buried themselves in these western solitudes, that from these living sepulchres might come the great pulse-beat of a mighty nation, buoyant, chivalric, progressive civilization. They gave up the comforts and pleasures of society, severed the tenderest ties of the human heart, home and kindred, the old altars where they prayed, the graves of their loved and lost, these the dearest things to a woman's heart, that we today might enjoy in their fullest fruition what they lost. We may well be proud of the temper of these Texas heroines; their dear old hands it is true were familiar with toil, but they wrought faithfully and well, and their dear old hearts beat the prelude to the grand march of the empire. Their feet beat out the trail over the trackless prairie and across rugged laiountains which hag sine© widened into the great thououghfares of commerce and travel; their tender hands planted the first flowers on the graves of those whose bones first reposed under Texas soil, (iod bless you, our dear pioneer women. We treasure yov\ as trophies fresh from the field of victory; may your declining years be rewarded with the gratitude and appreciation of all who enjoy the blessings and privileges of this great country; may your last days be as the calm eventide that comes at the end of a quiet summer day when the sun is dying out of the west. We beleive and admit it today that woman is heaven's "ideal of all that is pure and ennobling and lovely here, her love is the light of the cabin home." It is the one thing in the world that is constant, the one peak that rises above the cloud, the one window in which the light burns forever, the one star that darkness cannot quench - is woman's love. It rises to the greatest height, it sinks to the lowest depths, it forgives the most cruel injuries. It is perennial of life, and grows in every climate, neither coldness nor neglect, harshness nor cruelty can extinguish it. It is the perfume of the heart; it is this tha,t has wrought all miracles of art, that gives us music all the way from the cradle song to the last grand symphony that bears the soul away on wings of joy. In the language of Petronius to Lygia, "May the white winged doves of peace build their nests in the rafters of your homes," may the gleams of happiness and prosperity shine on the pathway of your remaining days, and may the smile of an apj)ro\'ing God be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your pathway, guiding you safely across the frontier of time to a safe place beneath the shade of the trees on the other side.

Times Have Changed

It is frequently said and sometimes believed that our old settlers are inclined to be forgetful of the past. But we do not believe they are even a bit forgetful of those happy days of long ago, the days of their youth, and the customs and manners of those early times. They are glad now and then to turn off the electric lamp and resort to their first love -the light of their fathers - the long to be remembered tallow candle.

The present day modernism, with all its excitements, does not keep the old pioneers from wandering back to the old stage coach, with its "four-inhand," the rude picket house that sheltered the family and provided protection from hostile bands; the ease and comfort of the old rawhide bottom chair; the pole bedstead, fringed with its calico curtain, and, not upon china rollers, but always had its place in its own corner, and the sleeper on awakening had the pleasure of looking into the depths of a great fire-place, ornamented with a mantel made from lumber whipsawed from the beautiful cypress, placed high, almost out of reach, and on which the old wooden clock, wound up every day with a crank, with its constant tick almost regulating the rising and setting of the sun. Held in reserve were the andirons, some of polished brass, others black from long continued use; and do not forget the crane swinging in and out with its manj^ pots and kettles, and greatest of all, Avhich every old pioneer refers to with haughty- pride, the corn bread tak- eii from the skillet and lid - the aroma of the black coffee pot penetrating every niche of the room. Sittingqnietly by -is tlie old red rocker of Our grandmothers, aud hanging from its back might be seen the "black reticule," and protruding from its folds the stem of a much worn pipe. The l)aby's cradle, made out of a hollow postoak tree, sawed down and split open, planks nailed in the ends and rockers put on, was within easy reach. The dining table was made out of three-foot postoak boards, and the spinning wheel wasthepiauo in that frontier home.

The old pioneers were not without music. The violin in the hands of some of the men, and the manipulation of the broomstraws, could not be surpassed - causing the terpsichorean to glide more smoothly over the puncheon floor, where, above all could be heard the words, "Swing your right hand partner half way round and all promenade." These expressions may seem a little odd to this fast moving "two-step" age, but you must remember that the early settler was not surrounded with the advantages of today.

The wooden axle wagon, with its tar bucket, was the mode of conveyance. Calicoes, not silks, were in demand; boots and spurs were indicative of everything that was strong - shoes only for the fair.

Just mention these things to an old timer, and you will be quick to see the sparkle come into his eyes dimmed by the passing years, his form will become erect, the furrows of care on his brow will soften and his voice will become young again, for he is living over the old s( enes of his happy youth. The faces of his early associates, the boys and girls of the frontier, will appear to him, the scenes of his childhood in vivid distinctness will be brought into view, and his recollection will reach back across the span of years to the time when these things were. Would you, then, accuse the old pioneer of forgetting? The struggle and progress and the indomnitable pluck of the early settlers of Bandera county will be the priceless heritage of our children to the remotest generation.

Bandera Has A J5Eginning

In the earl}' spring of 1853 A. M. Milstead, Thos. Odem, and P. D. Saner, with their families, came to Bandera connty and camped on the Medina river, where they engaged in making cypress shingles. They lived in tents for awhile, or until rude cabins could be provided. P. D. Saner and family came from Tennessee. Along about this time Mrs. Kees and her sons, Sidney, Adolphus and Alonzo, and a daughter who afterward married Judge Starke^', arrived in this county and located homes. The Witt family came liere about, the same time. Messrs. Milstead, Odem and Saner purchased the Hendrick Arnold Survey, consisting of half a league of land running from Bandera Creek to the Medina Kiver. Mr. Saner built a liouse on the river, just above the site of Bandera's present school building, and lived there with his family. Other people began to come in, and a settlement was soon formed. In the fall of that same year, Charles de Montel established a horse-power sawmill here, which afforded employment for a number of men. A commissary store was put in, two or three cabins were erected, and the settlement became a village which was, from the start, called Bandera. Associated with

Mr. de Montel was John James, a surveyor, and the firm, which became known as James, Montel & Co., platted the townsite of Bandera. Previous to the location of the town, and when the three original families were still living in tents on the banks of the Medina, came Amasa Clark, who is still with us, and now in his 94tli year.

On March 1, 1854, Elder Lyman Wight's company of Mormons, numbering about 250 persons, reached Bandera, and tarried here for a time, later removing to a point several miles below the village and established a camp on the Medina River, known for many years afterward as the '*Mormon Camp.' The site of this camp is now covered by the waters of Medina Lake. The Mormons remained there several years, but when their leader, Elder Wight, was claimed by death the colony disbanded and scattered. Of the remnant that remained here George Hay is the oid\ one of the original company that is living today. Mr. Hay is now 86 years old, and Cjuite active, being Justice of the Peace of Bandera Precinct.

In 1855, through the agency of James, Montel ^ Co., a number of Polish colonists were induced to locate hero. There were sixteen families in the colony. Of the original PoHsh colonists only a very few arc yet living, they being Mrs. F. L. Hicks, Mrs. John Adamietz, Mr. and Mrs. JohiLPyka, John, Gabe and Joe Anderwald, Mrs. Jake Postert, Charles Haiduk, Mrs. Frances Moravietz, Mrs. Joe Kalka, Mrs. Anton Anderwald, Constant Dugos, and possibly a few others. A full account of the coming of these colonists is given in the narrative of Mrs. John xVdamietz.

August Klappenhacli, a German, built the first store building and jjostoffice in Bandera. This l)uilding still stands and is a part of (ieorge Hay's residence. It was constructed of lumber sawed from cy})ress tiin- })er, and John Dugos, one of the Polish settlers, was emi)loyed to erect it. Shortly afterward the large building now known as the Riverside Inn, was erected by A. Savery, and later acquired by H. C. Duffy. It was also built of luitive cypress lumber, and is yet in an excellent slate of preservation and in constant us-, being one of Bandera's poi)ular hotels.

With the gradual growth of the \iPage the need of a school was soon felt, and accordingly a school house was built on the site now occuj)ied l)y ("lements Kalka's home, and P. P. Pool, afterwards the lirst county clerk, was the first teacher. About twenty pupils were enrolled, and the tuition was S2.00 })er month.

At that time Bandera county was attached l<> Bexar county, but in 1S.")7 the organization of I his county was effected, and the following officers were chosen: (). B. Miles. Chief Justice; AVilliam Curtis. Sheriff; Irvin F. Carter, Tax Assessor and Collector: P. P. Pool, County Clerk. At that time Handera was in the 17th Judicial District, and Judge Hionias Buckner was District Judge, and George H. Nooiian was District Attorney.

Thus Bandera had a beginning, and new settlers kept coming in and locating in different parts of the county. Among the early settlers was Capt. Charles Jack, who purchased a large body of land in Bandera and jNIedina counties. He established the Jack Uancii, still known by that name, a few miles north of Banis Pioneer HistoTij of Fxnidei-a County dera, and employed A. Moncur, William Ballantyne, Robert Ballaiityne and Eugene Oborski to make rails and build a fence around 320 acres of the land. These nuMi received $3 \)vv hun(h-ed for splitting the rails.

C). B. Miles was one of the first settlers here and was quite prominent in tlie affairs of the community, being Chief Justice for a nnmber of years, and lending material aid in the county's development. Later came Charles Montague, Sr., grandfather of Frank and Joe Montague, promijient citizens of Bandera toda}'. Mr. Montague j:>urchased from Milstead and Saner a greater portion of the Hendrick Arnold half league and established a ranch thereon, the old home rancli now being occupied by Frank M. ^fontague.

In 1844 Ca'^'troville was established on the Medina Uiver, about 35 miles below the present site of Bandera, and that town became (juite a trading point. But this was the remote frontier for a long time, and the settlers were wholly at the mercy of the Indians, except for such protection as ihey themselves provided. The establishment of Camp Verde in 1856, where United States troops were stationed, afforded some relief, and created a greater feeling of security. On March 29. 1800, Robert Ballantyne raised a compajiy of minuet men, from among the citizens here, and greatly aided in protecting the settlers. Judge George Hay has kindly furnished me with the names of the members of this company, and they are here given: Robert Ballantyne, lieutenant commanding; Francis Towle, first sergeant; August Pingenot, second sergeant; George Hay, first corporal; Joseph S. ('urtis, second corporal. Ten |)rivates: Richard Bird, G. W. Lewis, James Sier, Charles W. Wheeler, John

Thomas MclVIiirray, Thomas L. Biickner, Laomi L. Wight, Heber L. Chipman, Thomas L. Miller, and Leonard Estes. ''I'his company of rangers was commissioned hy (io\(MMH)r Sam Honston. Of this company only two are known to be living, Richard Bird, in Iowa, and George Hay of Bandera.

AVhen the Civil War came on, this company disbanded, and some entered the Confederate service. Later a Frontier Battalion was organized, with O. B. Miles as enrolling ofhcer. Those who eidisted were: Charles Montague. Jr., Andrew Mansfield, Anton Anderwald, liichard Bird, William Rallantyne, W. A. Walker, John Walker, James Walker, Thomas Bandy. James Bandy, John Bandy, Oscar Johnson, and others.

After the Civil War, and during reconstruction daj^s, Bandera continued to grow, desi)ite many difficulties and discouragements. Tlic hardships and privations of the early settlers, and glimi)ses of some of the tragedies that were enacted here are given in succeeding chapters of this book.

Bandera Pass

Bandera Pass is a noted gap in the chain of mountains about ten miles a little west of north of the town of Bandera. This pass was named for General Bandera, a Spaniard, who, in 1733 defeated there a large body of Apaches, wlio made these mountains their rendezvous for attacks on the Spanish missionaries around San Antonio.

Several battles have been fought at Bandera Pass, probaldy the most noteworthy being the desperate fight there in 1843 when Col. Jack Hays and his rangers defeated a large party of Comanches. In this fight the Indian chief was killed, and his grave is yet to be seen at the north end of the Pass. Hays' force numbered altogether about 40 men, among them being Ben McCulloch, Kit Ackland, Sam Walker, George Neill, Ad. Gillespie, Sam Luckey, James Dunn, P. H. Bell, Mike Chevelier, Ben Highsmith, Lee Jackson, Tom (ialbreth and Creed Taylor. Five rangers were killed in this fight, and six wounded. Lee Jackson was one of the rangers who lost his life. It was a very desperate encounter, being fought hand-lo- hand, and the Indians outnuml)ering the white men more than five to one. Many Indians were wounded and slain. They finally withdrew to llie north end of the pass and the rangers came back on the south side and there buried tlieir dead at a water hole. The exact location of the graves of these men is unknown at this time. Tom Galbreth, one of the men wounded in this fight, has a son living at Devine.

Camp Vekde

Camp Verde, on Verde Creek tiiree miles nortli of Bandera Pass, was estal)lish(Ml in 1856 for frontier protection and as a camel post. The idea of using camels for transportation on the Texas frontier was fostered by Jefferson Davis, wiio indncid Conf^ress to pass the act establishing tliis ])ost and sending to Egy})t to secure camels. Eighty camels and tw^elve Armenian drivers were brought here, but the experiment was a failure after ten years trial. Tlie soft, spongy feet of the camels prevented their use in these hills, and in the course of time the government sold most of them for $12 to $14 per head. Some of them escaped and grew wild, some were taken to Mexico to be used by a transportation company, and some were taken to California. Amasa Clark, who lives near linndera, worked with these camels and has two pillows made from camels' hair which he secured while there.

Among those in command of tiiis post at different limes were (icn. Robert E. Lee, (ien. Albert Sidney Johnson, Major Bowman, Lieut. Wheaton, and other-s. It was from here that Gen. Johnson started on his expedition to operate against the Mormons in Utah in 1857,

There is now but little left of the old post. The ofhcers' barracks building has been slightly remodeled and is occupied as a dwelling by Mr. W. H. Bonnell, who owns the property. The other buildings have all been torn down aiid removed,

Bladen Mitchell

Bladen Mitchell came to Bandera county from Mantissas, Virginia, in 1856. and located a ranch on the north side of the Medina river, at what was then known as the Ten Mile Crossing, later called Mitchell's Crossing, bnt now covered by the waters of the great ^Medina Lake. Mr. Mitchell had a large bunch of good horses, but tfie Lidians made frequent raids and soon got them all, so he turned his attention to cattle raising, associated in this undertaking with E. CLane, better known as "Stuttering Lane," Mr. Lane owned suttler's stores at Camp ^'erde, Eort Mason, and Fort McKavett, and furnished the money to buy cattle. This partnership continued for a number of years. Mr. Mitchell later moved to Bandera, and while living here he foruied a partnership with Andrew Oliphant, a lawyer, and they embarked in the sheep business, leasmg land in Kinliey county, near Spofford Junction, on which to run their flocks. Oliphant moved to Eagle Pass and remained there. The sheep venture was not successful and ]\Ir. Mitchell retiu'ned to Bandera and became deputy sheriff under Buck Hamilton, which place he held for a number of years, and when Sheriff Hamilton died Mr. Mitchell was appointed sheriff to fill out the unexpired term. At the time of Mr. Mitchell's death the following appeared in the Bandera Enterprise:

"Died at Utopia on the 20th day of April. 1890, Bladen Mitchell, in the 56th year of his age. Jiorn in Virginia on what is now historic ground - the battlefield of Manassas. About 1854 he emigrated to Texas, and for the last 33 years he has resided almost con- tinually in Bandera county, wlierc he started a horse ranch about the year 1858, which was l)r()ken up l)y repeated raids of Indians wlio twok from liini in all ahout 400 head of i>()od stock, the hisl raid Ixmuu in 1869, wlien in one month tliey stok» al)()ul 1 oO head. In 1867 he was desperately wounded with a poisoned arrow in a fii>ht wilh Indians mai' tlie ohl Downs ranch, Jiaving gone tiiither in searcli of Dr. D )wns to dress the broken leg of a friend, Chas. Scheid(Mnontel. Known by all the old settlers of the country and l)y nearly all the later arrivals, lie was loved and cherished by all. His ranch was a home (o which all were welcome, and he sped the parting guest wilh a (iodspeed. Noted for his hospitality, his g. nial, kindly manner drew to him friends from all j;arts of the country. Reared in the Episco])al churcli, through life he remained a consistent member of that faith. Honest and upright in his character, gentle and kind in his manners, he was known only to be loved and he was loved best by those who knew him best. Aye. even in his last illness which was only troubled with the fear that he might become troublesome to his friends. Living, he was the true friend, the gentleman who could not be guilty of an ignot)le act because his own conscience forbade it. 'Noblesse oblige' was to him. perha])s unconsciously, a rule of life. Dying, he has left no l)lot on his name, bul a memory that will be loved and honored so long as tlio.se who knew him shall live, and a character which they will emulate."

John Thomas McMiirray was serving his first term as tax assessor and collector of Bandera county in 1861. and while on an assessing trip was killed by Indians on a draw to the Seco below the Joe Nye ranch, (ieorge Hay, of Bandera, gives the following version of the murder of Mr. McMurray:

"John Thomas McMurray came into my store one day and told me he was going over on the Hondo and the Seco to assess taxes, and was going alone. I told him he might encounter Indians, and advised him to go with the mail carrier, but he said he was not afraid. Mc^NIurray had belonged to our ranger company and I knew him to be a very brave man. He had a cripl)led arm caused by the accidental discharge of a shot gun, which somewhat incapacitated him, so we elected him tax assessor and collector. After leaving me that day I never saw him alive again. He stayed all night at a ranch over on the Seco, and next day, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, while traveling along he came upon two men who were in camp and eating a late dinner. These men were coming from the Frio Canyon to mill at Bandera. They invited McMurray to take dinner with them, but he said he was in a hurry and did not have time to tarry, so passed on, and when about a mile from this camp he was attacked by a large i)arty of Indians. He quickly turned and started to run back to the^ men who were eating dinner, Init was killed before he had gone very far, being shot in the back with arrows. The campers heard the yells and saw the Indians, and became frightened and hastily left, going back to their homes. Whether or not they knew McMurray liad been killed I do not know, but they never stop])ed until they reached the Frio. The weather was bitterly cold, it being winter time, and when word was brought to Bandera several days afterwaid that AEcMurray was missing, a searching ])arty composed of P. D. Stinev, Uobei^t Hallantyne, (). H. Miles, myself, and others went out to the ranch of Henderson C. McKay, where we stayed all night, and the next morning we started out and found the body, laying face down. McMurray's pistol and assessment book had l)een taken away by the Indians, but he had not been scali)C(l. We buried him there, and ever since then that draw has been known as Dead Man's Hollow."

Amanda Davis Killed By Indians

Ih 1854 i{ichard Davis, with his family, was camped on the Medina river, eight miles above the present site of Bandera, where he was making shingles. One day when his three daughters, Amanda, Susie and Lucy, went to a spring to get water they were attacked by three Indians who were concealed in the high grass, and Amanda was shot with arrows, one of them ])assing through lier heart. The other two little girls outrnn the Lulians and n^aclied their camp in safety. Mr. Davis nnd Kit Stanford followed the Lidians on foot for some distance, but did not overtake them. The body of the murdered girl was brought to the sawmill settlement for burial.

Captured An Indian

It is said that Big Foot AYallace once captured an Indian l)oy and wlien he carried his captive to Castroville one of the citizens there begged Wallace to give the hoy to him. Wallace, in his characteristic way, re])lied: "This is my Injun. If you want an Injun go and catch one. Thar be plenty more whar this one cum from."

Joseph B. Hudspeth, an early settler of the Hondo Canyon, eighteen miles west of Bandera, heard a disturbance on his premises one night, followed by the furious barking of his dogs, and going out in the moonlight to learn the cause he discovered a blanket lying on the ground not far from his front door. Thinking some of his famil}^ had left the blanket out in the yard he stooped to pick it up, when to his great surprise the blanket suddenly rose u]) and began to move off. There was an Indian under that blanket, and Mr. Hudspeth grabbed him in a gripping embrace and called to his wife to bring his gun to him (piick. Mrs. Hudspeth lost no time in fetching the gun and seeing the struggle her husband was having, slie placed the muzzle of the gun against the Indian's head and tried to pull the trigger but the gun failed to fire. Mr. Hudspeth finally overpowered the savage and took him into the house where it was found that the Indian was just a t)oy about 13 years old. but very active and strong. He was nearly naked having only a breech-clout and the blanket. Next day the Indian boy was brought to Bandera, and it was learned that he was a Tuscalero Indian that had been captured by the Coman- ches wh(Mi he was six years old. lie had been on a raid witli tlie Comanches, and l)ecoming separated from tlie band had become lost and at the time was trying to steal a horse from Mr. Ilndspeth on which to make his way back to the tribe.

The young Tuscalero was turned over to Polly Rodriguez, a well known guide and trailer for the rangers. lie remained with Rodriguez many years and was known to all of our early settlers.

Ricliard M. Ware was an early settler in Sabinal Canyon, locating there in 1852. In 1866 Mr. AVare and Charles Durbin started to Bandera to get meal. The distance was forty miles, and it was the nearest mill from this canyon. On the way back, and when nearly home, in the lower part of Seco Canyon, they saw a drove of horses coming up the valley towards them dri\en by a bnnd of Indians. Just above wlicre the ohl Bandera road crosses the Seco a man named Myrick had built a house, but it was vacant at this time. Ware and Durbin made a run f(jr this house, and were discovered by the Indians who came yelling nnd shooting at them. The white men beat the race and got inside the cabin, and ])repared for a figiit, but the redskins did not attack. After remaining ill th(^ liouse for soine time and wlieii all seemed quiet outside, Mr. Ware stepped out to reconnoiter, when he was fired upon by an Indian concealed behind a liveoak tree, the ball passing just over his L.^ad. Next morniug the Indians had disappeared.

Life Story Of Mrs. Annie E. Brown Writtkn By Mrs. L. Hicks. Tarpley, Texas

I was born in Thibadeaiixville, La Fourclio Parish, Louisiana, in 1838. My father was a slaveholder and owned an interest In a steamboat company. Wlien I was four j^ears old my mother died, but with the help of servants and my old black "Mammy" nurse, m}^ fatlier kept me until I was seven years old, wheu he, too, was claimed by death. Then I was taken into the home of my guardian where I grew up with his children. We received our education in the })hintation liome, having private tutors who taught English, aritlunetic, spelling, writing, reading, French and Latin. Public schools in the South at that time were very scarce and poorly attended, most people either keeping tutors or else sending to boarding schools.

When 1 was 18 years old T w^as given my portion of my father's estate, and went to live with relatives at Alexandria, La. Here I again took up the study of French and Latin, having finished my other studies in the home of my guardian. Life on the plantations was usually ({uiet. We had time to read, study, do fancy work, and take recreation. Tlie large plantations placed neighbors se\eral utiles apart, yet we would have con^pany perhaps two or three times a week. We traveled on horseback or in ('{trringes. Our amusements were riding, picnicking, dancing, fishing parties, and boating- While at Alexandria I met IVL-. Brown and we were married November 25th, 1859. At this time Mr. J^rown was a clerk in a wholesale house in Shreveport, but growing tired of this work, and the country being in a state of turmoil and on tlie verge of civil war, we decided to go to California, so we set out for Austin, Texas, intending to go from there to El Paso, and on to California. We expected to fall in with one of the immigrant trains, as we did not care to make the long journey alone. We had converted all of our property into money before leaving home, and traveled to Austin in a light spring wagon. Here we spent a month, when we learned that we could not go to California via El Paso on account of hostile Indians. We then decided to go to Eagle Pass, cross over into Mexico, and follow what was then called the Southern Route, but before we started we learned that we would not be permitted to enter Mexico unless we carried cotton. Accordingly Mr. Brown bought a wagon and five bales of cotton, and we set out, but when we reached Eagle Pass we were not permitted to cross, so we had to sell our cotton on this side and come back. Two months later we reached Souse (^reek, four miles below Castroville, and being worn out with our long journej', Mr. Brown left me to board with a family named Beipert, while he went to San Antonio and engaged in hauling cotton to Eagle Pass. I slaved here four or hve nu)uths, and when my baby girl was one month old I rented a room from Mr. Christian Santleben and went to housekeeping during Mr. Brown's absence.

One da}', while sitting in my room - my baby was on the bed - a strange man suddenly entered and addressed me in (ierman. 1 replied tluit ! could not speak that language, but vould call the lady of the house who would talk to him. He then uttered an oath and said. 'T can talk as good English as you.'

I thought he was drunk, so I went and called Mrs. Santlehen. who was sick in bed, and when I told what he said she at once arose and remarked that he must be a crazy man who had been at hirge. She went into \\\y room and found him standing over my babv with a long knife in his hand. She asked him what he was doing there. His reply was, "My mission in life is to make angels for God." With rare presence of mind, realizing that she had a desperate lunatic to deal with, Mrs. Santleben hastened to say, "You cannot make angels unless you first take the sacrament. Come, and I will give you bread and wine," to which he replied. "That's so," and walked from my room into a hallway adjoining it, and while he was eating what Mrs. Santleben prepared and set before him, Mary Santleben and I took the baby and escaped through a back window and ran into a cornfield and hid. But 1 couk! not bear to leave the old lady alone with thai crazy man, so giving the baby to Mary, I told her to go to the nearest neighbor for help, and I went back to the house. The man seemed to have forgotten the baby and while he was still eating, Mrs. Santlel)en and 1 c|uietly left the house and went out on the prairie where we could watch until he left. We were afraid he would set fire to the house. Finally he came out, and catching sight of us, he drew his knife and started running in our direction. We had some distance the start of him and ran our best, dodging behind trees as much as possible. Mrs. Santleben, being old and ill, fell time after time, saying she could go no farther, but each time I helped her up and urged her on. Finall}- we came to an arroya where we managed to hide, and, not finding us, he went on down the road toward San Antonio. The help we sent for never came. This was during the Civil War and owXy very old men and young boys were left in the homes, and as there were only two hoys at the place where we sent for help they were afraid to come to our assistance, as they knew the crazy man and were afraid of him. We learned later that he reached San Antonio and entered a home there while the family was at supper. He turned the table upside down, and announced that his mission "was to make angels for God." These people called in the officers and it took eight of them to conquer him. He was sent back to the insane asylum and 1 think died there.

After this Mr. Brown took two more loads of cotton to Eagle Pass and brought back dry goods, sugar, coffee, etc., which he sold to the uierchants in San Antonio, reserving what we would need ourselves. One day while in San Antonio he was arrested and thrown into the guard house as a deserter from Sibbley's Brigade, when as a matter of fact he knew nothing of this brigade. He had friends who soon secured his release. He then began freighting for the government to do which he liad to j)urchase a heavy ox-wagon that would carry a certain amount of cotton, and drawn by three yoke of steers. He was to take the cotton to Eagle Pass and bring back supplies for the government. He had never driven oxen before, but started out and managed to get as far as Kincheloe Prairie, somewhere near Sabinal, and cam})ed there, hobbled out his steers and went to sleep. Next morning he hunted his oxen but could not find them, so had to leave his wagon on the prairie. He searched for these oxen about three months, but never found them. After tliis he came back to Mr. Santleben's and made arrangements for the use of his teams, agreeing to give Mr. Santleben half of liis earnings. He continued in tliis work until the war ended.

While Mr. Brown was at this work I had another fright. We had left Santleben's house and rented a house from a man named Katisky, who had a grown daughter. This girl came to my house one morning and said, "Something dreadful has happened. So bad I cannot tell you." My thoughts naturally turned to Mr. Brown, and I was sure he had been killed. She led me to the door, and a short distance in front of her home I saw the body of a man hanging from a tree. At the sight of this I collapsed. The manner in which she had informed me of the finding of this body caused me to jump to the conclusion that it was my husband hanging there. I was unconscious all day, but next day was told the particulars. We did not learn the dead man's name, but he had charge of a train of negro teamsters going with cotton to Eagle Pass, and was hanged bj' a vigilance committee tliat thought he was running his negroes into Mexico to keep from giving them nj). I tliink this was done by TrumbulFs committee, but do not believe they were actuated by love of lil^erty in this instance.

While liunting his oxen out on the Frio river, Mr, Brown Ijecame acquainted with a Mr. Woodward, who owned a plac e on the Medina, eight miles from Castroville. He told Mr. Brown that he could have all he could make on this place if he would stay on it and look after his ranch, so we moved thereto. Here were on the main road where large wagon trains passed loaded with sugar, coffee, and other supplies for Sail Antonio. We often exchanged corn, meat, and oilier j)ro(hicls with the Leanislers for proxisions and dry goods.

Afterward wc rented a farm, half and half, w ilh some German boys. Here we planted a corn crop, also a garden - our first garden in Texas. A droutli struck us, and on the 26th of July we cut down our corn for fodder. The next day it rained! The (ierman boys did not cut their corfi, and raised a fairly good crop. Disgusted witli this venture, and having spent about all the money we had brought with us from the east, we again decided to move, so we went to Devine and "squatted" on a piece of land about two miles from that place. We received a ver\ cold welcome to our new home, as the night we arrived there (in January) we had the heaviest snow 1 have ever seen in Texas. Mr. Brown had to sit up all night and build big log-heap fires to keep us warm. Tlie children and 1 tried to sleep ])etween two feather beds. Our new home was near that of Capt. "J5ig Fool'" Wallace, who we found to be an excellent neighl)or, ^\\\(\ we soon bec'ame fast friends. After wc had been here some time Mr. Brown made a trip to San Antonio, returning home one night about 12 o'clock. He had driven a horse and a mule on the trip, and when he reached home he just turned them out. Early the next morning a neighbor came over to borrow a horse to ride, saying he had staked his own horse out and he had gotten away. Mr. Brown went with him to get the horse he had used the night before, and a short distance from the house they found the mule with three arrows sticking in his body. Tlie mule soon died. They never found the horses, for the Indians had taken them away. No other depredations were committed at this time, but later the Indians killed a boy, Issaac (Jalbreth, who had gone to look after a horse he had staked some distance from iiis home. His mother heard his screams and ran to him, but he was dead when she got there. The mother stayed with him while her daughter went for help. This daughter is now Mrs. Heath of Hondo.

Some time after this two of our neighbors, Mr. Whitley and ^Ir. McCrej^ and their two sons, went out on Black Creek hunting. While the boys were away from camp the Indians killed Whitley and Mc- Crey. They were brought to Devine for bm'ial.

Times became very dull, and Mr. Hrown hired a negro boy to do the work about the place while he went to San Antonio to seek employment. Failing to secure work there he went to Fort Worth, where he was stricken with typhoid fever. While convalescent he secured a i)osition, started Imck for the children and I, expecting to move us there to make our liome. But while on the road he relapsed and died, and I was left lo figlil lifcs baliles jdouc

1 traded the improvements on my claim to Captain \\ allace for a pan* of fine horses and put the negro boy to freighting, and thus made my living for awhile, but at last the negro married and I could not keep him longer. Then I took boarders, Captain Wallace being one of them. With the money I managed to save from keeping boarders I bought hunber and built a house about four miles above Devine, thinking I would make my home there. I had purchased the land from a lawyer, Russel Howard, of San Antonio, but when I had it surveyed, to my dismay. I found my house stood on land belonging to a man whose heirs lived in France. 1 tried to trade for this land, but could not do so. However, I planted a cotton crop, l)ut as it was a (hy year I raised onh a few hundred pounds. Accompanied by my daughter, Alary, and a neighbor's daughter, I took this cotton to ("astroviile to have it ginned, expecting to make the trip in a day. But 1 lost the tire and felloes from one of my wagon wheels and was compelled to sta\- overnight to have it fixed. We started home next morning, and met a party of our neiglibors who had become uneasy about our safety, fearing Ihe Indians had killed us.

Discouraged by the drouth and also somewhat frightened by hearing of the finding of the bodies of two dead men in a pasture near mine. 1 again deter mined to move. Air. Lewis, one of my neighbors who owned all of the land where Devine now stands, had sold out and moved to Bandera county. The family came back and gave me such a glowing description of the cool, full flowing streams, fine grass and pictures(|ue mountains, I hat I tlecided to come here. Mr. Dave Lewis promised to move my etlects, so on November 25, 1876, we started, with Air. Lewis and Sharp Whitley driving for us. Again J was greeted by a storm, a Texas *'blue norther," accompanied by sleet and ice. We had expected to reach Air. Lewis' house that night, but were compelled to stop at Barnes Bluff, near the old Rothe ranch, and seek protection from the storm. The men sat up all night to keep up the fires or we might iiave frozen. The next day we reached Mr. Lewis' home on Williams Creek, in Bandera county. Here we spent a very quiet winter with his family. Soon after we came here Deputy Sheriff Phillips was killed by the Indians atSeco Pass, about four miles from where we were staying. We lived with the Lewis family until spring and having filed on land as a homestead, I felt that I should go and live on it, as the law required it, and, over the protest of my neighbors, I took my son and camped under a large oak tree. While here Grandpa Cazey came and begged me to leave; said he was afraid he would have to come and j)ick up my bones some day. 1 rei)lied that if it was to be my fate I would just as soon have him pick them up as anybody, but this was my home and I intended to stay.

When summer had passed I got Grandpa Lewis to take me and my son back to Devine, where I had rented out my place, to get my share of the crops, and while down there I traded that land for a yoke of steers and a big ox-wagon which I knew I could sell when I got back to Bandera county. Wlien I returned 1 found my neighbors had erected a log cabin tor me duriu;^ niy absence, ll ^^;-s mA (juile finished, the roof not having been pul on About this tune Sam Cazey and Jim Lewis prepared to go over on the Sabinal River to made cypress shingles. Sam Cazey asked me to take charge of his place while he was gone, which I did. and spent the winter there, and taught the neighborhood school for three months. I had nine pupils. Most of the neighbors paid tuition in trade or work^ INIr. Hudspeth paid money, and Jim Lewis paid me with shingles with which I covered my house and the next spring 1 moved back to it.

The following year a family h.'uixmI Kllis moNcri into the county. Mrs. Kllis Avas an i ma lid. and 1 was engaged to take care of her. I had done a great deal of nursing but never before for wages. I remained with the Ellis family all summei- and in the fall they sold out to Mr. Ross, who in turn sold to Mr. Tuckei'.

Tlie following spring 1 was employed at (he Ma\- erick ranch, and remained there three years When the Mavericks sold out, Mrs. Maverick urg.Hl me to go to San Antonio with them, and I went there to follow my profession -that of nursing. I secured all 1 could do, and often liad to refuse work for lack of time to do it. 1 nursed for about thirty years, most of the time in San Antonio. I alwa^^s nursed under specific directions of a doctor, some of tliem being old Dr. f'upples. Dr. Ferdinand Hertf, Sr., Dr. Adolph Hertf, Dr. Harnitz, Drs. Kingsley. Dr. Jones. 1 made several trips to Boerne to nurse. We went by the old stage coach, leaving San Antonio in the morning, arri\'ing at Leon S])rings for dinner al the Aue Hotel, and reaching Boerne some time in the afternoon. I also went to Kerrville and nursed under Dr. Palmer, who still lives there. In all of my nursing I never lost a patient. I went to Del Hio to nurse a lady, and while there I was in a terrible storm, whicli wrecked a new Episcopal church and several shacks. The house in whicli I was staying was badly damaged and my patient was made very ill. In caring for her I dislocated my back, from which I suffered very much, and the injury prevented me from nursing for nearly three years.

While I was in San Antonio I invested $300 in a loan association, which afterwards went broke. Before I returned to my home on Williams Creek, I tried to get my money back, but they refused to pay me. However, with the help of Mr. E. H. Terrell, in whose family I had nursed, I succeeded in getting my money back. After paying my bills there I reached home with about $125, with which I bought lumber and built another house on my place, my daughter and her husband occupying the log house there.

When Mr. E. H. Terrell, of San Antonio, was appointed minister to Belgium by President Harrison, I was engaged to accompany them to Belgium as nurse and companion. Our first stop was at St. Louis, where we spent a week with Mr. George Maverick, a brother to Mrs. Terrell. Then we went on to New York, where we spent two weeks while Mr. Terrell was in Washington getting everything in readiness to assume his duties abroad. As we came to New York our route took us through Johnstown, Pa. As we left Johnstown 1 remarked that I would not live in that place for all the wealth in the valley. The rest of the party laughed at me, but the first news we heard from America when we landed at Havre, France, was that Johnstown had been swept away by a flood.

I was very seasick while we were crossing the Atlantic. We landed at Havre, and went from there to Paris, where we spent nearly a month waiting for the former minister to finish his work so we could move to the legation. Then we went to Brussels, Belgium, and Mr. Terrell entered upon nis duties. Here we remained all of that year and until the summer of the next year, when Mrs. Terrell, the cliildren and I traveled in Switzerland. Our first stop was at Basle, the "Gateway to Switzerland," w'lere we spent awhile sightseeing. Then Mr. Terrell joined us and we went to Berne, and saw the world famous "Pit of Bears," and also the "Apostles' Clock." Prom Berne we weut to Anterlarkin, a beautiful little city at the fool of the Alps, with a lake on either side. Here we spent two months, and saw a great many wonderfully beautiful sights. Mr. and Mrs. Terrell wen'i everywhere, climbed the Alps, and saw everything, while T kept the children. I made man}' short trips with them. While here I saw snow fall in August. When we returned to Bussels Mr. and Mrs. Terrell resumed their official and social duties. I had the care of the children, and remained with them a year and a half longer. Learning that Mr. Terrell was expecting to be transfered to Russia T asked them to release me so I could return home, as I had always entertained a horror of Russia and could not bear to think of going there. So I left my good friends and sailed for home, making the long journey alone without any trouble, except I was very sick as long as I was on the ocean. I was indeed glad to reach old Bandera county once more, and remained here for sometime. Later I went to Eagle Pass to do nursing, and made several trips into Mexico, going to Monclova and Terreon. On one of these trips I was in a railroad wreck, but escaped unhurt.

1 returned to Bandera county to take care of my cattle, and follow ranching once more. When I moved up from Devine in 1876 I had two fine horse poUars which I traded for a cow and calf. I gave this cow and calf to my son. I also had a 60fb feather bed which J traded to Jim Lewis for a cow and calf, Mr. Lewis also agreeing to floor my cabin, which up to this time had only a dirt floor. This was in 1877. These cattle had been on my range all these years and had increased so I had to have more range. I purchased a piece of land from Street Hudspeth, and to pay for it and fence it I borrowed $700 from im^ son. In 1916 he wished to go to Arizona, and needed the money, and I let him have the cattle to pay the debt, and he sold them. It was a very lucky deal all around, as three years of drouth followed, and if we had kept the cattle they would have died of starvation. From the first cow that I ever owned I am sure I have sold $1,000 worth of stock, and I still have one of her descendants, which I am milking today. After paying my son, I was free from debt and had 480 acres of land. For several years I tried farming, and then rented out my land for awhile, but it was unsatisfactory, and I decided to sell out. I sold my original pre-emption, 160 acres on the head of Williams Creek for $950, and in the fall of 1920 I sold the balance of my land, except 74 acres On which I have built a house and cultivate a garden and raise cow feed. I received $10 per acre for the last land I sold, and put the money Out on interest and the income is sufficient to keep me in comfort the balance cf my days. I live alone from choice, that I may feel free to work when I please, play Or read whenever I wish, and do as I like.

I have seen Southwest Texas and Bandera c0iint;f change from a wilderness to a land of cultured honied; have seen the prairie schooner replaced by the aut^o- mobile: have lived through the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish- American War, the Philippine War, and the World War, and I hope there will never be another. The pioneer homes here had but few comforts, no luxuries. Their beds were made by driving stakes in the ground and placing split rails across; on this was placed a shuck or feather bed. The women sewed by liand, but I was fortunate in having a sewing machine. We cooked in the open fire-place. I have seen many great changes, too many to mention. I aiR now 83 years young, and I believe I have lived in one of the world's most interesting periods. Through it all I can see the work of an All-Wise, All-Powerful Creator, and I am content.

Killing Of Theodore Kindla

In the summer of 1872, Theodore Kindla, aged about 25 years, was a sheep boss for Judge J. B. Davenport, who ranged his flocks over in Sabinal Canyon, below Utopia. One evening Ivindla left camp, and went to look for a water hole, intending to move his sheep to a new range the next day. When only a short distance from ?amp he was attacked by several Indians, who roped him, shot several arrows into his body, lanced him several times, and while he was still alive the hell-born savages scalped him and peeled the skin from the soles of his feet. They left him then and passed on up the valley. After they were gone Kindla got up and, though horribly wounded, made his way toward his camp, but after going about 200 yards he fell and expired. A Mexican herder, who saw the Indians coming, concealed himself in some bushes and witnessed the tragedy, but was poAverless to render aid as he was unarmed. As soon as he felt safe to venture forth he went to the fallen man and finding him dead, hastened to give the alarm, but it was late the next day before help came, and the bo(h^ was so badly decomposed that burial was made where the unfortunate man fell.

Theodore Kindla was the son of John Kindla, a pioneer citizen, and was a half-brother to Ernest F. Kindla who now lives in Bandera. Phillip Mazurek, also a well known citizen of Bandera, remembers Theodore Kindla (juite well, and says he often associated with him during his boyhood days. They hunted together, worked together, and were boon companions.

I was born in Anderson county, Tennessee, Dec. 25th, 1834. and came to Texas with my parents when I was 16 years old. We reached Rockwall January 1, 1850, where father rented a farm. Later he bought a place 18 miles east of Dallas and lived there four years, then moved to Denton county. In the early part of 1859 we moved to San Antonio, which at that time was only a small place. When the war between the states broke out I cast my lot with the Confederacy and served until the war ended, then returned to San Antonio. I was married in 1865 to Miss Mary Ann Reynolds, and we have six children: (ieorge White of Pipe (^reek; James and William Wliite of (iirard, Texas; Joe AVhite of Austin; Mrs. Lydia Sherman of San Antonio, and Mrs. Laura Churvi of Houston.

I located on Pipe Creek June 12, 1870. The first night we were here the Indians killed one of my oxen and crippled another. The population of the county at that time was small, but this was a beautiful country, game was plentiful, the future looked good, and I "stuck it out" and endured the hardships with the other settlers. For fifty-two years - more than half a century - I have lived on Pipe Creek in Handera county, Texas, the best place on earth. I came and found this region a trackless wilderness, infested with wild beasts and wild men; but the old dangers have passed away and today I l)ehold a land of contentment, where happiness reigns supreme,

The Killing Of Berry Buckelew

From A. J. Sowell's interesting book, "Texas Indian Fighters," we get the following account of the killing of Berry (J. Buckelew, the father of L. B. C, Buckelew, who lives near Lima, in Bandera county:

'-Berry Chami)ion Buckelew was born February 15. 1824, in Laurens county, Alabama, and came to Texas in the early fifties from Arkansas. He had four milk cows, and these he broke to the yoke and worked them to his wagon to Texas, and then traded for some young steers and milked his cow^s. In 1856 he settled on Laxson's Creek, but soon after moved to the Sabinal Canyon and lived at the Blue Water Hole on a ranch of Judge James Booker Davenport, and kept some stock for him on shares. During this time he went back to Laxson's Creek, w^here his nephew was making shingles and carried a load to San Antonio and sold them. With the proceeds of the sale of the shingles Mr. Buckelew bought supplies and started ba^k home, and in the evening of January 26th, 1866, he arrived at Cosgrove's ranch -on the Seco, and ate supper there about sundown. LI is team was very tired, and he borrowed a yoke of oxen from Cosgrove to pull his wagon on home. But a curious thing happened. He was unable to hitch the oxen to the wagon, although they were perfectly gentle. They continually plunged and tried to get awa3% and were tinally turned loose and Buckelew started on home, the distance being five or six miles. Before h'* started, however, Cosgrove told him he had better not go, as Indians were in the country and he had seen two of them. This was on Friday evening, and Buckelew left the ranch about dusk. On Saturday morning Mr. Cosgrove saw a horse across the creek in a fiat and sent a negro after it, thinking it was one of his, but when the boy came back lie said the horse did not belong to the ranch. Cosgrove went over to look at the liorse and found that he belonged to Buckelew - one he led behind the wagon to drive up his oxen on every morning while camping on the trip. Mrs. Cosgrove said: 'I will bet anything the Indians have killed Mr. Buckelew.' Her husband thought not, and said she was too easily scared. On Sunday some cowmen ate dinner there, and Mrs. Cosgrove told them she believed Buckelew was killed. Kedniond C.ivens, hearing all this, went over on the Sabinal to the Davenport ranch and asked Mrs. Buckelew where her old man was. She answered that he had not yet returned from his trip. Givens then told of the circumstances of his passing the ranch, and an alarm was at once raised. Givens went up the canyon to Waresville after men to help hunt, and got Ben Biggs, Joel Fenley, Wilson O'Bryant and others, and they closely searched the road on both sides back to Cosgrove's. The body was found one iind a ludf miles from home, some distance from the road, down in a gully, as was also the wagon and team. One ox was dead, having been shot by the Indians, but the other three were still hitched to the wagoli, alive but unable to get out of the lavine. Mr Buckelew was lying on his back and a pile of rocks was under his head, and three arrows were in his body. It was evident that he was walking beside his wagon when the attack was made, and the Indians came up in his rear and shot one arrow into his back, and as he whirled around to con- front them two more were sent into his breast. Probably then the team left the road and ran away, and he followed, trying to get some protection from the wagon, until it went into the ravine and the oxen stopped from inability to proceed any further, and here the Indians killed him, beating his head badly in doing so. The body was taken home by the men who found it.

"Berry Buckelew, Jr., who still lives in Bandera county, was six years old when his father was killed and remembers well how he looked when laid out, and went up and kissed him. He thinks his father lived until just before the body was found, and that he placed the rocks under his head himself. His reason for this, and a very good one, is that the body was still warm when found, although having been there two days and nights. It is likely that the led horse broke loose when the team ran, and came back to Cosgrove's.

"After the killing of her husband, Mrs. Buckelew went back to Bandera, bought a lot in town, and sent her children to school. Here after a time (in 1868) she married James W. Siers, a veteran of the Mexican War, and llicii mo\ cd l)ack lo Laxson's Creek."

Dr. Edwin M. Downs

One of the prominent citizens of Bandera county in the early days was Dr. Edwin M. Downs, who brought his family here in 1857 and located a ranch on East Verde Creek, about five miles from the village of Bandera. He built a substantial two-story stone dwelling, which later was destroyed by fire. Dr. Downs owned an immense body of land extending from the East Verde to West Verde Creek and includilig what is known as the Peach Tree Water Hole, so named by the early citizens finding a peach tree growing there. Dr. Downs entered the Confederate service as a surgeon, and was located at Ft. Inge, Ft. Lancaster, Ft. Stockton and other army posts. After the war he returned home, and disposing of his holdings here he started to California with his family and a large party of immigrants, among them being William Curtis, who was Bandera county's first sheriff, Joe Curtis, Mr. Snow and a man named Bowers. Two of Dr. Downs' sons, Ed and Henry Downs, are now living on the Nueces.

While living on East \'erde Dr. Downs, accompanied by his son, Ed Downs, and Bladen Mitchell, started over to Mitchell's ranch to attend Charles Scheidemontel, who had sustained a broken leg. They were attacked by a party of Indians, and Mitchell and Ed Downs were wounded, Mitchell being shot with a l)oisoned arrow. They outran the Indians and got back to the Downs ranch, and sent Calvin Dutcher to Bandera, A party of men went out there, among I hem being Geoige Hay, Robert Ballantyne, and (). B. Miles, arriving about three liours after the fight. They followed the trail of the Indians for some distance, but the savages had such a good start they could not be overtaken. Both Ed Downs and Bladen Mitchell recovered from their wounds.

At the time of this fight Dr. Downs was partially paralyzed, and had been in that condition for some time, but he attended all patients he could get to.

Early Days In Old Bandera

Judge C. W. Harris, of Medina, is one of the old timers of Bandera county, is Justice of the Peace of Medina Precinct, owns a nice home and a valuable bod\' of land there. He kindly furnished me with the following:

*'My grandfather, Charles Jack, came to Bandera in 1857 and bought the A. Ebner Survey, about five miles north of Bandera, on the Bandera and Center Point road, the place still being known as the Jack Ranch. He improved the place as rapidly as possible, putting 200 acres in cultivation and working the same with slave labor up to about the close of the Civil War. He left Texas in 1866, and died in St. Louis, Mo., in August, 1867. I wish to here mention a feat performed by him which is known by the people living in Bandera at the time. In 1858, or 1859, he threw his saddle on a bay mustang pony, at his home near Bandera, and rode him through to his old home near Genesis, Illinois, unaccompanied by any one except a chance stranger here and there along the trail for a few miles. I remember when he arrived at his liome, and I rode that pony many times. His name was Jim, and he lived many years after that long journey. My grandfather returned to Texas after a short time, and we did not see him again until 1866, the war having cut off all communication between the two sections of our country.

"I left my home in Chicago in October, 1871, reaching Bandera in November, 1871. I came by rail to New Orleans, crossing the Mississippi on the ferry to Alexandria; thence by vail to Brashcn City, now

Morgan City; thence across the Gulf on one of the Morgan Line steamers (The Josephine) to (ialveston; and thence by rail to Columbus, the terminus of the railroad; thence to San Antonio by stage 160 miles, it taking me sev^eral hours longer to travel the 1()() miles than it did to come from Chicago to New Orleans, about 1200 miles. I stopped in San Antonio a short time, then took the El Paso stage for Hoerne. 'Pap' Howard, known throughout West Texas, was was the driver. After remaining in Bocrne several days 1, with P. 1). (Pat) Saner, Sheriff Standerbach, and two other gentlemen whose names I do not remember, came over to Bandera on horseback, traveling a trail from Boerne to the Bandera and San Antonio road at the Prather place. This would hardly be considered a road now, as it consisted of two trails close enough together for a wagon wheel to run in each trail. Between J^oerne and the crossing of Bandera Creek there was just one house in sight of the road, that being the home of Marion Hodges and it was in Kendall county. The next house was on Bandera Creek, on the James Ranch now owned by J. A. Miller, and I thiid< Andrew Mansfield lived there at that time. Arriving in JJandcra we put up at flic hotel of Mrs. Hay, mother of Judge (leorge Hay. Schmidtke & Hay ran a general merchandise store in the rock building now occupied by Henry Stevens as a residence. General merchandise in those days included merchandise not now sold on the open market but obtainable by the worldly-wise in any town that pretends to be up-to-date, at somewhat higner pri( es than in the good old days. Bandera Lodge, No. 324, A. F. & A. M., Occupied the upper floor over the

Sclimidtke & Hay store, it having been chartered in June. 1870. There was a blacksmith shop where the Noonan store is now, and Charlie Gersdorff worked there. The Riverside Inn belonged to H. C. Dutt'y and was occupied by him and Charles Montague, Jr., as a residence. In the spring of 1872 Geissel & Scheidemontel opened a saloon where the Lincoln building now stands, and, to the best of my recollection, it was some grand opening. In 1873 E. Iluffmeyer opened a store where the Montague residence is now located. His brother, Adolph, afterward went In with him, the firm being known asE. Huffmeyer & Bro. They built and for many 3'ears occupied the building now used by AY. J. Davenport & Co. At the time of my arrival ill Bandera the public officials were Judge Thornton, district judge; T. M. Paschal, district attorney; (the district court then had jurisdiction in probate matters, and if there was a county judge I do not remember him). Wm. E. Westerfield was district and county clerk, Thad C. Rine was sheriff, and I think Chas. Montague, vSr., was county surve,yor, as I know he was doing most of the surveying at that time; I ha\'e forgotten the names of the assessor and treasurer. Chas. Montague, Jr., was justice of the peace, and was elected district and county clerk in 1872, holding that oflice about thirty years. H. C. Duify was the oidy attorn< y-at-law in Bandera then, and right here I want to say that my friend, Colonel Duffy, is the only man I have ever known that I never saw angry. He was always in a good humor, and lqv,ed the human family. At the time of my arrival ancl for some time thereafter, there was not a resident minister of the Gospel or a practicing physician with- in the county, but to the best of my knowledge and belief the morals and general health of the people were fully as good then as they are now. I am confi- (leiil I can verifj' this statement by the people of that day who are now living.

"In the spring of 1872 Pat Saner and I sold to Sam Jones and P. C. (John) Clark the (i I and Circle S brands, estimating the cattle at 700 head, for a consideration of $5.00 per liead cash. Tlierc were a great many three and four-year-old beeves in the herd, but it was considered a good sale. Pat Saner did all tlie trading - all I had to do with it was to rake half of the money into a shot sack, that being my interest in the brands. The mone}' was counted out in Mexican doubloons, Mexican twenties and Mexican dollars on the table in the othce of the county clerk, wliich was in the log part of the house now o<:'cupied by Judge Hay. the hotel of Mrs. Hay occupying the rest of the house. At that time Bandera leceived mail weekly. It came from San Antonio to Comfort by stage, and Joe Heiiien, brother of J. P. Heinen of Bandera, carried it on horseback througii Elm l*ass to Bandera every Wednesday, waiting an hour or so. then returning to Conifort. I remember of only two newspnj)ers that came in the mail -the Galveston News and the Louisville ('ourier-Journal. We used to read them just a little at a time to make them last until \\\v next Wednesday'. I believe Bandera's first newspaper was started by a man named Stevenson in 1878. He sold out to John Guthrie in 1881, and the name was changed to The Bandera Bugle. Mr. Guthrie ran the Bugle until some time in the early 90s, when he uioved to Boerne and acquired the Boerne Post, which he conducted up to the time of his death. The motto at the masthead of the Bugle read: 'Who tootetb not his own horn the same shall not be tooted.' In the early 80's William Hudspeth, attorney, and D. F. Chambers, a Methodist minister, started the Bandera Enterprise, which they later sold to George and Charles Fee. Chas. Fee died shortly afterward and George Fee owned and managed the paper until his death, then the plant was leased to different parties by the Fee estate until it was destroyed by fire. I was a paid-up subscriber to all three papers from their start to their finish, and have started in with the Bandera New Era, our present county paper, on a like proposition. In April, 1881, I brought my wife to Bandera, having gone to Chicago and married. Our six children were born in Bandera, one at the Buck Hamilton House, and five on the corner now occupied by Mansfield's store. Their names follow: Leila G. Berueffy (nee Harris), Ft. W^orth; Roy S. Harris, El Paso; W. Guy Harris, San Antonio: Hart James Harris, died in July, 1888, and buried in Bandera cemetery; Don M. Harris, Corpus Christi; Nell Shelley (nee Harris), Corpus Christi.

"I have spent a little more than fifty years of the seventy-two years of my life in Bandera county, and should 1. perchance, live seventy-two years longer, I shall not change my residence. And again, if, when time is no more, I should be allowed to choose my abiding place for the endless ages, I would come back to Medina."

Thomas A. Laxson

Tom Laxson and his brotlier, Jesse Laxson, came to Bandera county from Middle Tennessee in 1857, and located on a tributary to the Medina river about 11 miles above Bandera. This stream afterwards took the name of Laxson's Creek. Jesse Laxson lived there until 1870, when he moved to Atascosa countj" and died there in 1912.

In 1866 Tom Laxson was married to Miss Rufana Chipman of Bandera, Justice of the Peace Oborski performing the ceremony. They have four children living, David Laxson of Elgin, Jesse Laxson of Beaumont, Miss Hattie Laxson and Perr^' l^axson of Bandera.

Mr. Laxson joined Capt, Bill Adams' Company, Second Texas Cavalry for frontier protection, enlisting at Piedras Negras Creek near Uvalde, and was stationed at Ft. Lancaster. While there he says he was taken desperately ill and was treated by the old Bandera county physician. Dr. Downs, who saved his life. While stationed at Ft. Lancaster, Mr. Laxson was one of escorts provided for the overland mail between San Antonio and El Paso. When his enlistment expired he re-entered the service, being transferred to San Antonio, and South Texas posts. He was at home on furlough when the war ended, and therefore never "surrendered."

Mr. Laxson has seen many "ups and downs," during the many years he has lived in Bandera county, but he delights to meet his old comrades of b^^gone days and recount the thrilling events of pioneer days in old Bandera county.

Charles De Montel, Sr

Along in 1835 there came to the United States from Germany a young man named Charles Scheidemontel. He was of good family, well educated, and ambitious, and having read and heard of the wonderful opportunities in free America, he ran away from the Fatherland and came to Philadelphia, where he tarried for awhile, then came to Texas, which at that time had begun the task of throwing off the Mexican yoke to become a republic. Sam Houston's little army needed men. and Charles Scheidemontel enlisted w^itli the Texans. He reached the San Jacinto battle field just after the gl6rious victory had been won, and helped to guard Santa Anna while the Mexican dictator was Houston's prisoner. While in the army Mr. Scheidemontel often met (ieneral Houston and became intimately acquainted with him. One day the General overheard some of the soldiers taunting the young German about his long name, and after reprimanding the tormentors, he called Scheidemontel to him and gave him authority to shorten his name to Montel, or de Montel, and he did so, thereafter being known as Charles de Montel.

After Texas gained her independence he spent a number of years in San Antonio, and became associated with John James in the w^ork of survejdng the Henry Castro grant and the Bexar district. When the first Castro colonists reached Port Lavaca in 1843, Charles de Montel piloted them to their new home on the Medina river, and was present at the foundinji of Castroville in 1844. The same year he was married to Miss Justine Pingenot, a daughter of one of the colonists. Fifteen children were born to them, seven of whom are still living: Cnarles de Montel of Camp Verde, Ed tie Montel, Mrs. Pauline Taylor, and Miss Mollie de Montel of Hondo, Robert de Montel of Castroville, and Oscar de Montel, who is now in South America.

Mr. de Montel resided at Castroville until his death which occurred some time in the 80's, when he was in his 76th year. His wife died in 1898. A short time after locating with the colonists, Mr. de Montel built a sawmill at Castroville, later moving it up the river to about where the Mormon Camp was afterward located, and after running it there awhile he moved it to the present site of Bandera in 1853. Having acquired a large bod}^ of land here. Charles de Montel, John James and John H. Herndon induced some Polish colonists to settle on the land, and thus established the settlement that made Bandera. Mr. de Montel often traded with the Indians and was held in high regard by them. It is related that the Indians once stole some horses at Castroville. Sometime later a friendly Indian rode one of the horses into the town and when the horse was recognized the Indian was seized, a rope was placed around his neck, and the colonists were preparing to swing him to the limb of a tree, when Mr. de ^Nlontel came uj). The Indian explained to him that he had secured the horse in a trade with other Indians, and soon convinced Mr. de Montel that such was the case, and he was released. Mr. de Montel convinced the colonists that no man, though an Indian, would liardly steal a horse and then deliberately ride the animal back into the community from which it was stolen.

Charles F. Schmidtke

Charles F. Schmidtke was one of the pioneer builders of Bandera. He was born in Koenigsberg, (Germany, in 1839, and came to the United States in 1856 to escape military service, which was compulsory in that country. He was 17 years old when he landed in New York, and secured a position in a flour mill on the North river a few days after arriving in this country, receiving a salary of $40 a month and his board and washing included. This was big money to the young emigrant, whose wages in the old country was only a very small sum each month. In 1860, when the war between the states broke out, he was offered a bounty and a bonus to enlist in the army, and he became a private in Company C, 18th Regiment, New York Volunteer Cavalry, serving in the ranks two years, but when it became known that he was a miller by trade he was taken out of the army and placed in a mill. When the war ended Mr. Schmidtke came South and for a time stayed in San Antonio, later going to Castroville, and then came up to Bandera and secured employment in F. H. Schladoer's mill. This was in 1867. Schladoer owned a grist mill and a sawmill, and after working here several months Mr. Schmidtke went back to San Antonio and secured a good position in C. H. Guenther's flour mill. In 1868 he was married to Miss Amelia Oelze at San Antonio. Mr. Guenther paid him $75 per month and furnished a house for the newly married pair to live in. After a year in the Guenther^mill he decided to remove to Bandera and go into business for himself. Mr. Guenther offered him $100 per month and the foremanship in the mill to remain with him, but he declined the offer, and came back to Bandera in 1869 and purchased a little grocery store from Eugene Oborski, which was located about where Mrs. John Adamietz lives. A short time after he had embarked in the mercantile business, George Hay came and invited him to move his stock of goods down to his place and go in partnership with Hay & Davenport, who operated a store in the building now occupied as a residence by Henry Stevens. Thus the firm of Schmidtke, Hay & Davenport was formed. Schmidtke soon bought out the Srhladoer mill, and then he and Mr. George Hay bought the interest of Judge J. B. Davenport in the store and the firm became known as Schmidtke & Hay, the store being managed by Mr. Hay, while tiie mill was operated by Mr. Schmidtke. They also had the postoffice in the store. They began a system of improvements on the mill, putting in saws to cut shingles, and turn out good lumber. They also put in a Hour mill and ground wheat, the power being supplied by a turbine water wheel in the river. People from Hondo and New Fountain brought in loads of wheat for them to grind, and it often happened that many of the patrons had to wait over several days on account of so many people being in line ahead of them. Later on the firm erected a cotton gin in connection with the mill, and successfully ran it several years, until a Hood washed it all away, and it was never rebuilt.

The firm's mercantile establishment prospered, and H. H. Carmichael came in as a partner, and two subs' anlial stone buildings were erected, one for the store and the other for a saloon. These buildings now belong to the Bandera County Ranchmen & Farmers' Association, and are used as warehouses in which to store wool and mohair.

In 1875 Mr. Schmidtke went to Junction City and established a branch store, remaining there about a year, but owing to ill health he was forced to s?ll out and return to Bandera. He had contracted illness from exposure while working in his mill here, and he was never afterward well. He finally sold his interest in the store at this place to Carmichael & Hay, and bought a ranch, the property that is now occupied by Dr. J. M. Rappold, and moved his family there and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1884. His funeral was conducted by the Masonic Lodge of Bandera, of which he was an active member.

Charles De Montel, Jr

Charles de Montel, Jr., was born at Castroville, Texas, February 3, 1848, and grew to manhood there. He was the eldest son of Charles de Montel, one of the founders of Bandera. In 1888 he was married to Miss Annie Steinle, and to them were born six children, three sons and three daughters. They are Lee and Richard de Montel of Bandera, Frank de Montel of Camp Verde. Mrs. Flossie Pue of Bandera, Misses Annie and Aileen de Montel of Camp Verde.

his ranch a few miles above Camp Verde, where he and his good wife extend the genuine frontier hospitality^ to all visitors. He moved to this ranch in 1900 and engaged in stockraising, whicli he has successfully followed for many years. Mr. de Montel well remembers when Indians made frequent raids into the settlements and stole horses, and he often assisted in scouting expeditions. He says he was out cow-hunting one day and while returning home he discovered two Indians waiting in ambush for him. He rode on, apparently unconcerned, until lie reached a certain point, then took a different course and made a wide detour to get home, successfully eluding the Indians. The (lerman and French settlers around Castroville lived in constant dread of the hostile Jndians. -who would come down the valley on their raids, murdering l)eople, killing stock and driving off horses. Being born and raised on the frontier, Mr. de Montel was inured to the dangers and hardships of those perilous times. Early in life he became an expert rider, and rode with more ease on the back of a mustang than he enjoys in a Ford car today. He could wield a lariat or shoot a rifle with precision, and though he is now past three-score and ten, his good right hand has not lost its cunning, nor is his aim untrue. In cow-oamp, in the branding pen, on the trail, or breaking broncos, he was right on tl»e job. He made several trips uj) the trail, when cattle were driven to the northern markets, and had a full snnre of experience that fell to the lot of the real cowboys, trips full of excitement and thrills incident to stnmpedes, roundups, night-herding, thunder storms, swollen streams, etc., that the so-called cowboy of today never sees.

Mrs. Amelia Schmidtke

The subject of this sketch was born in Darmstadt, Germany, November 6, 1845. and came to America with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oelze in 1858. They came across the ocean in a saih'ng vessel and were thirteen weeks on the water. Landing at New York, they worked their way to San Antonio, where they located. Mr. Oelze drove an express wagon in that city many years, and amassed quite a sum of money in tliis line of business. Miss Amelia Oelze was married to Charles F. Schmidtke in 1868, and a year later, with her husband, moved to Bandera and lived in a house near where Mrs. John Adamietz now lives. After the death of Mr. Oelze, her mother came to make her home with Mrs. Schmidtke, and resided here many years, her death occurring January 17, 1885, and she was buried in the Bandera cemetery.

In 1884 Mrs. Schmidtke's husband died, and she was left with two little children, Charlie, aged 14, and Emma, aged 6, but with the assistance of friends she bravely took up the management of the home ranch, and soon paid off an indebtedness of over $1,000 which the husband was owing at the time of his death. Her death occurred Februarj^ 21. 1914.

The Buck Family

E. Buck, Sr., was among the pioneer settlers of Bandera county. He was born in New York state, and came to Texas when a young man, reaching Bandera in 1873, bought a homestead and located ^t

Pipe Creek, where he remained until 1880, when he went to Del Rio and spent several years in that region. He died in San Antonio about fifteen years ago- His widow returned to Bandera to make her home, and died here about twelve years ago. Mrs. Buck, nee Ralston, was a native of Ireland, and came to the United States when a small child. Ten children of this family are living, eight of them today residing in Bandera county, and being among our most prominent citizens. They are: Eben Buck of Bandera, Mrs. Laura Callaham of Houston, Mrs. Harriett Newcomer of Pipe Creek, Mrs. Annie Callaham of San Antonio, Frank Buck of Bandera, Walter Buck of Pipe Creek, Robert Buck of Pipe Creek, Dan Buck of Bandera, Mrs. Mamie Buck of liandera, Mrs. Cora Mansfiekl of Bandera.

Eben Buck, the eldest son lives near Bandera, and says he remembers when they moved to this county in 1873, and settled on Pipe Creek. Their neighbors there during the early daj^s were Silas Shirley and family, Mrs. Mathilda Newcomer and sons, John and Jack, Marion Hodges and family, W. H. White and family. J. L. Andress and family, the Prather family. Uncle Jerry Scott and family, John Scott and family. The first postmaster was A. M. Beekman, who also conducted a store at Pipe Creek. J. W. Hamilton later built a store there. Mr. Buck recalls that he stopped at Hamilton's store one day just a few minutes after two robbers held up the storekeeper, John Scott, Jim Holman and an Englishman named Williamson. There was considerable excitement over the daring hold-up, although the robbers secured only $7.00 in money.

He also remembers the grasshopper pest in the sprmg of 1873. Corn was about knee high at the time the swarms of grasshoppers arrived, })ut in a few hours they cleared the fields.

John Kindla Came With Colonists

John Kindhi, with his wife and three children came over from Poland in 1855 with other colonists, and located at Bandera. A short time after their arrival here his wife died, and some time later he married Mrs. Margaret Cebula of Karnes county. Of this union three children were born. Today only one member of Mr. Kindla's family is living, Mr. E. F. Kindla of Bandera. John kindla died April 5, 1882, from injuries received several years before when he and Amasa Clark were attacked by robbers. ]Mrs. Kindla died March 25, 1894.

E. F. Kindla, the sole survivor of this pioneer family, is a highly respected citizen of Bandera. He owns valuable farm and ranch property above and below the town of Bandera. His wife before marriage was Miss Mary Adamietz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Adamietz, another pioneer couple. Mr. and Mrs. Kindla were married in 1890, and have seven children Hving: Mrs, Agatha Berger of San Antonio; Frank Kindla, teller in the First National Bank at Mercedes; Mrs. Paulina Wright of Dallas- Mrs. Mary Harris of Omaha, Nebraska; John, Ignatius and Felix Kindla of Bandera. When the World War came on, two of tlieir sons entered the service, and one of them went overseas.