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EAMDERA COUMTY

Sc\ciity-fivc Years of Intrepid IJisLory

J. MAR\ IN Hl'X'J'KK

Author "'The Trail Drivers of Tex. is'

" 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 .

— Macau lex .

HUNTER'S PKINTINi; HOUSE
BANDJiRA, TKXAS

Gopyritfht 1922
By ). Marvin Ilnnter

AliCSi'k'k

(g,;i.A(J83070

Pioneer History of Bumlcrd (Joitfifi/

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,

a I'lnnrcr Hi si or \i af lUntthra Cmrnfy

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 in-
terest and pleasure by bringing up those thrilling
scenes, for their excitements give a spice to life that
it would not have without them.

HW\V

Pioneer Hisforij of Baiidein (.ountii

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 pio-
neer; 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 encourag-
ing 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 com-
mon 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.

.V Pinnrrr Histoiij of liniidna Countij

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 posi-
tions other than presiding at the festal board, or beat-
ing 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 pio-
neer life. Bravely she has gone to the unprotected
frontier, with no shelter but the crude cabin, the dug-
out 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 irrev-
erently, 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 pri-
vation, 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

Pioneer Historij of Ihiinlcro Cou/ti 1/ 9

adapted to the rugged evironments of pioneer life.
However, as the tides of the ocean are forever faith-
ful to the mysterious attraction of the moon, so wo-
man has followed man across seas, over the mountains
and into the deserts to witness his adventures and
share his achievements. Those who lay the founda-
tions 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 states-
man or warrior, of patriots and freemen, of a civiliza-
tion 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 lul-
laby 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

10 Pioneer Hi star If of B((iifl(>r(( County

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, pro-
gressive 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

Pioneer Wstojnj of Brnxlern Coiiiifij 11

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 can-
not quench— is woman's love. It rises to the great-
est 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.

13 Pioneer History of Band era Counfy

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 excite-
ments, does not keep the old pioneers from wander-
ing back to the old stage coach, with its "four-in-
hand," 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 up-
on 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, orna-
mented 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 for-
get the crane swinging in and out with its manj^ pots
and kettles, and greatest of all, Avhich every old pio-
neer refers to with haughty- pride, the corn bread tak-

Pioneer llistoi'y of Bond era County 13

eii from the skillet and lid — the aroma of the black
coffee pot penetrating every niche of the room. Sitting-
qnietly 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 mani-
pulation 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

14- Pioneer History of Bandera County

distinctness will be brought into view, and his recol-
lection will reach back across the span of years to the
time when these things were. Would you, then, ac-
cuse the old pioneer of forgetting? The struggle and
progress and the indomnitable pluck of the early set-
tlers of Bandera county will be the priceless heritage
of our children to the remotest generation.

"Proud is that person who can trace
His ancestry to patriot sires — -

\Ylio, for the birthright of a race,
Lit Freedom's everlasting fires.

"The races rise and fall,

The nations come and go:
Time tenderly doth cover all

With violets and snow.

"The mortal tide moves on

To some immortal shore,
Past i)urple jieaks of dusk aud dawn,

Into the evermore."

Pioneer Histoinj of JUduleiri County lo

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 Ten-
nessee. 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 Ban-
dera 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

IG Pioneer HUfovy of Bandera Counfrj

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 lo-
cation 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 estab-
lished 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 Jus-
tice of the Peace of Bandera Precinct.

In 1855, through the agency of James, Montel ^
Co., a number of Polish colonists were induced to lo-
cate 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.

Shortly after the arrival of the Polish colonists.

Pioneer History of Bandera Conniy 17

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 Ban-

is 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 lend-
ing material aid in the county's development. Later
came Charles Montague, Sr., grandfather of Frank
and Joe Montague, promijient citizens of Bandera to-
da}'. 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 Ban-
dera, 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 pro-
vided. 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 com-
pajiy 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

Pioneer Bisiory of Bandera Comity 19

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

AVhen the Civil War came on, this company dis-
banded, 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 An-
derwald, 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 diffi-
culties 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.

(20 Pioneer Historij of B((iulera County

BANDERA PASS.

Bandera Pass is a noted gap in the chain of moun-
tains about ten miles a little west of north of the town
of Bandera. This pass was named for General Ban-
dera, 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.

Some of the men above named becanu^ famous in
the history of our state.

Pioneer Hi^f or I I of nrnnlcra Connhj xil

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 experi-
ment 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 pil-
lows 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 ex-
pedition 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,

22 Pioneer Historij of Bdiulevd Comdy

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. C-
Lane, 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 An-
drew Oliphant, a lawyer, and they embarked in the
sheep business, leasmg land in Kinliey county, near
Spofford Junction, on which to run their flocks. Oli-
phant 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 ap-
peared 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 battle-
field of Manassas. About 1854 he emigrated to Texas,
and for the last 33 years he has resided almost con-

Pioneer Histoni of Bond mi Coatitij 2S

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 cherish-
ed by all. His ranch was a home (o which all were
welcome, and he sped the parting guest wilh a (iod-
speed. 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 gen-
tleman who could not be guilty of an ignot)le act be-
cause 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."

^^ij. I'ioiiccr Hislonj of Ihtiidrid Coinifii

INDIANS KILL ASSESSOR McMURRAY.

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 In-
dians 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 crip-
l)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 Can-
yon 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 start-
ed 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

Pioneer Historic f ihtinh')(t Conn ft/ 25

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 search-
ing ])arty composed of P. D. Stinev, Uobei^t Hallan-
tyne, (). 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 camp-
ed 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 attack-
ed 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.

20 Pi oncer Histonj of Band era Con nil f

CAPTURED AN INDIAN.

It is said that Big Foot AYallace once captured an
Indian l)oy and wlien he carried his captive to Castro-
ville 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 be-
gan to move off. There was an Indian under that
blanket, and Mr. Hudspeth grabbed him in a grip-
ping 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 hus-
band 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 over-
powered 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 Tus-
calero Indian that had been captured by the Coman-

Pioneer History of Bitndent Coiiniij 27

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.

1U( HARD M. WARE.

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 re-
maining ill th(^ liouse for soine time and wlieii all
seemed quiet outside, Mr. Ware stepped out to re-
connoiter, when he was fired upon by an Indian con-
cealed behind a liveoak tree, the ball passing just over
his L.^ad. Next morniug the Indians had disappeared.

'2S Pioneer JtistoVy of Bdinlei'a Cojuifjl

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 })hinta-
tion 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 planta-
tions 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 Shreve-
port, but growing tired of this work, and the country

Pioneer History of }j and era Count ij 29

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 In-
dians. 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 ad-
dressed 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.'

30 Pioneer Hisiory of Bandera County

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 re-
plied. "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 dis-
tance the start of him and ran our best, dodging be-
hind 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

Pioneer HistoTij of lUmdcra Couiiiy 31

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 assis-
tance, 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 an-
nounced 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, cof-
fee, etc., which he sold to the uierchants in San An-
tonio, 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 Bri-
gade, 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 morn-
ing he hunted his oxen but could not find them, so
had to leave his wagon on the prairie. He searched

32 Pioneer Hisiory of Bandera County

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 un-
conscious all day, but next day was told the particu-
lars. 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

Pioneer Tfistovy of Bandera Comity S3

were on the main road where large wagon trains pass-
ed 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 (ier-
man 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 An-
tonio, 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

J^ Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 conval-
escent 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

Pioneer History of Bandera Covniy S5

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 Whit-
ley 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

,3'6' Pioneer HistoTij of Fxindera Count ij

reached Mr. Lewis' home on Williams Creek, in Ban-
dera 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 re-
turned 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.

Pioneer Hi sfovy of Hduihrtt (Comity S7

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, ar-
ri\'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.

:]S Pioneer History of Baiulera County

While I was in San Antonio I invested $300 in a
loan association, which afterwards went broke. Be-
fore 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 ap-
pointed 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, Bel-
gium, and Mr. Terrell entered upon nis duties. Here
we remained all of that year and until the summer of

pioneer HUforij nf BamJnut (hiintji SO

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 every-
where, 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

40 Pioneer History of Bmidera Counfii

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 starva-
tion. 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 to-
day. 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 in-
come 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-

Pioneer History of Bandera Coiiiify

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 inter-
esting periods. Through it all I can see the work of
an All-Wise, All-Powerful Creator, and I am content.

Tlie Old Duffy Hotel in Banderii

Jj.^ Pioneer History of Bandera County

KILLING OF THEODORE KINDLA.

In the summer of 1872, Theodore Kindla, aged
about 25 years, was a sheep boss for Judge J. B. Da-
venport, who ranged his flocks over in Sabinal Can-
yon, 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 poAv-
erless 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 asso-
ciated with him during his boyhood days. They
hunted together, worked together, and were boon
companions.

Pioneer Hisfory of Ban flcvtt Count y Jf-S

' CAME TO TEXAS IN 1850.

W. H. White, who resides in the Pipe Creek com-
munity, Bandera county, gives the following narrative
for this book:

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 coun-
try, 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 Han-
dera 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 con-
tentment, where happiness reigns supreme,

44 Pi oarer Hi star ij of Bo ml era Coiuity

THE KILLING OF BERRY BUCKELEW.

From A. J. Sowell's interesting book, "Texas In-
dian 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'* start-
ed, 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

PioneerZ History of Bandera County 45

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 be-
long 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 be-
lieved 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 Fen-
ley, 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 ar-
rows 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-

4-6 Pioneer History of Bandera County

front them two more were sent into his breast. Pro-
bably 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

Pioneer Bistory of Bandera County 47

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 includ-
ilig what is known as the Peach Tree Water Hole, so
named by the early citizens finding a peach tree grow-
ing there. Dr. Downs entered the Confederate ser-
vice 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 hold-
ings here he started to California with his family and
a large party of immigrants, among them being Wil-
liam 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, accompan-
ied by his son, Ed Downs, and Bladen Mitchell, start-
ed over to Mitchell's ranch to attend Charles Scheide-
montel, 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 dis-
tance, 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.

48 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 hav-
ing cut off all communication between the two sec-
tions 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

Pioneer Hisfory of Bandera Counfy 49

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 re-
member, came over to Bandera on horseback, travel-
ing a trail from Boerne to the Bandera and San An-
tonio 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 Ban-
dera 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 Ban-
dera 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 in-
cluded 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

^0 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 recollec-
tion, it was some grand opening. In 1873 E. Iluff-
meyer 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 at-
torney; (the district court then had jurisdiction in pro-
bate 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-

Pioneer History of Bandera County 51

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 con-
sideration 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, car-
ried it on horseback througii Elm l*ass to Bandera
every Wednesday, waiting an hour or so. then return-
ing 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 uiov-
ed to Boerne and acquired the Boerne Post, which he

52 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 Ban-
dera 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."

Pioiieer fTlsfoi'ij of Band cm Coiuttn .7.7

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 Beau-
mont, Miss Hattie Laxson and Perr^' l^axson of
Bandera.

Mr. Laxson joined Capt, Bill Adams' Company,
Second Texas Cavalry for frontier protection, enlist-
ing 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. Lax-
son was one of escorts provided for the overland mail
between San Antonio and El Paso. When his enlist-
ment expired he re-entered the service, being trans-
ferred 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," dur-
ing 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.

.74 Pioneer Hi story of Banilora Couniij

CHARLES DE MONTEL, SR.

Along in 1835 there came to the United States
from Germany a young man named Charles Scheide-
montel. He was of good family, well educated, and
ambitious, and having read and heard of the wonder-
ful 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 be-
ing known as Charles de Montel.

After Texas gained her independence he spent a
number of years in San Antonio, and became asso-
ciated 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 mar-
ried to Miss Justine Pingenot, a daughter of one of

Pioneer History of Baihdi-ro Coiuitij oo

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 after-
ward 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 com-
munity from which it was stolen.

.')(! Pioneer Histot'ij of Bouilera County

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 land-
ed 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 Regi-
ment, 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. Schla-
doer's mill. This was in 1867. Schladoer owned a
grist mill and a sawmill, and after working here sev-
eral 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

Pioneer History of Bafidcvd Coiuiiy 57

month and the foremanship in the mill to remain with
him, but he declined the offer, and came back to Ban-
dera 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 em-
barked 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 cot-
ton 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

o8 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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.

Surviving Mr. Schmidtke are only two„ children,
Charles E. Schmidtke of Bandera, and Mrs. Emma
Gates of vSan Antonio.

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 chil-
dren, 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.

Mr. de Montel, now in his 74tli year, is living on

Pioneer Historij of Bandcvn Coiuity o9

his ranch a few miles above Camp Verde, where he
and his good wife extend the genuine frontier hospi-
tality^ 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 re-
members when Indians made frequent raids into the
settlements and stole horses, and he often assisted in
scouting expeditions. He says he was out cow-hunt-
ing 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 break-
ing broncos, he was right on tl»e job. He made sev-
eral 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, round-
ups, night-herding, thunder storms, swollen streams,
etc., that the so-called cowboy of today never sees.

60 Pioneer History of Bdnclera County

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

Pioneer History of Handera County 01

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 chil-
dren 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 con-
siderable excitement over the daring hold-up, al-
though the robbers secured only $7.00 in money.

62 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 63

TOM CLICK HAS A NARROW ESCAPE.

One day in 1866, Tom Click, one of the early set-
tlers of Bandera countj^ dashed up to the ranch of
John A. Jones on Myrtle Creek and called for Mr.
Jones to come to him, as he had been wounded by
Indians. He was bareheaded and his horse was al-
most exhausted from fast running. He was assisted
into the house and given first aid treatment for an
arrow wound in the back, and a negro was sent to
Bandera after a doctor, who, when he came and ex-
amined the wound, pronounced that it had been made
with a poisoned arrow. Mr. Click related that while
coming through Bandera Pass he was ambushed by a
party of Indians and he had a desperate run for his
life. He headed for the Jones ranch, three miles
away, with the Indians close behind him, shooting
arrows and yelling loudly. One of the feathered shafts
struck him in the back, but he pulled it out as he ran
and used it as a switch to urge his horse faster. One
big buck ran close enough to almost catch the bridle
of Mr. Click's horse, but some bushes interferred and
he (juickly outdistanced the Indian. As they came in
sight of the Jones ranch the Indians gave up the chase.

Mr, Click suffered great agony, and came near
dying from the wound. It was believed that the ar-
row spike had been poisoned with the venom of a
rattlesnake, and the doctor had to administer strych-
nine to counteract the poison. It was a long time
before he finally recovered, but the flesh around the
wound rotted out and fell away. Tne fleetness of his
horse is all that saved Mr. Click from savage fury,
as he was unarmed, and unable to defend himself.

64 Pioneer History of Bandera Couniy

PIPE CREEK PIONEERS.

VVKITTEN BY MRS. MINNIE EDWARDS. PIPE CREEK. TEXAS.

I greatly treasure the Tnemories of the early days,
and remember many interesting episodes as handed
down by my parents. Rev. J. W. Scott and wife, and
my venerable grandfather, Jerry Scott. They were
among the first settlers on Pipe Creek in Bandera
county, coming here in May 1872, when Indians
were making devastating raids into this section.
Grandfather Jerry Scott settled on the East Prong
of Pipe Creek, and built a house of cypress timber
which he secured over on the Medina river, and had
it made into lumber at the nearest sawmill, several
miles away. He lived on this location many years
and was known to all of the old settlers. His home
was always open to preachers, and the circuit riders
always made their headquarters there, among them
being Jack Potter, "the fighting parson." Grand-
father often made the old fashioned rawhide bottom
chairs, and some of these chairs are still in use in
this county. After the country settled up and the
Indian raids were at an end. Grandfather moved to
the town of Bandera and owned a nice home on the
river, on the west side. While there their only
daughter, Mrs. Maggie Carver, died, leaving her
husband, Dick Carver, and four little children.
Grandpa and Grandma Scott took the four chil-
dren to raise and placed them in school until they
were old enough to do farm work, then Grandfather
bought a ranch north of Bandera, on Myrtle Creek,
and moved there. Later he returned to Bandera and
died there in 1894. The old home place there was

Pioneer Hisior'ij of Bandera County 65

washed away, with all improvements, in the great
flood in 1900. Grandma Scott, who was known to
all of the early settlers as ''Aunt Jane," made her
home with her youngest son, John Scott, but died at
my home in 1908.

My father. Rev. J. AV. Scott, first settled on Red
Bluff, a small stream about three miles east of Pipe
Creek. I was born there November 28, 1872, being
the second child. While we lived on Red Bluff, our
nearest neighbor was Marion Hodges. Father often
hauled cedar timber to San Antonio to sell to obtain
supplies, and when he was on one of these trips,
Mother, with her two children, went to spend the
night with Mr. Hodges' family. The next morning
she went home very early to milk the cows, and found
a calf with an arrow sticking in its side, She hurried
back to Mr. Hodges' and gave the alarm. A party
of men was organized and took the trail of the Indians
but did not overtake them.

Fatner moved up on the headwaters of Pipe Creek,
near (irandfather Jerry Scott's place, and liere the In-
dians often slipped in and stole their horses. At one
time some Mexicans discovered a bunch of Indians on
a mountain near our place, painting and feathering
themselves preparatory to an attack on father and a
Mexican who were clearing land not far from the
house. They hastened to notify us and the Indians,
no doubt seeing they had been discovered, went out
another way. At another time father hired a Mexi-
can named Felipe to clear some land on the West
Prong of Pipe Creek. He failed to come in one night
and when search was made he was found dead — mur-
dered by Indians. The place was afterwards called

0(j Pioneer Hisfoinj of Bandera County

Felipe Springs. My father built a house and we lived
there many years. There were eight children in our
family, seven girls and one boy, and all lived to be
grown and married before ever tasting a dose of medi-
cine from a doctor. Mother was a good nurse and
always kept good homeopathic remedies for our ills.

My father was raised on the frontier, in Comanche
county, and was inured to all the dangers incident
to pioneer life. He was converted in 1891, and be-
came a faithful devoted minister in the Holiness
Methodist church, and by his teaching of the Word
of God so planted it in the minds of his children that
they will never forget it. He died suddenly with
paralysis of the heart May 18, 1915, at Polly's Peak,
where he improved his last earthly' home. Mother
was called to join him September 9, 1919.

One of father's favorite songs was, **! am a Child
of the King," the first and second stanzas and chorus
reading as follows:

My Father is rich in houses and lands.

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands;
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,

His coffers are full — He has riches untold.

Chorus-
I'm the child of the King, the child of a King!
With Jesus my Savior. I'm the child of a King.

My Father's own Son, the Savior of men.

Once wandered over earth as the poorest of them;

But now He is reigning forever on high.

And will give me a home in heaven bye and bye.

Pioneer History of ISandera Couniy 67

The first postoffice on Pipe Creek was in a little
log house where Silven Odem now lives, and A. M.
Beekman was the first postmaster. The first store
was owned by Mrs. Marion Hodges on what is known
as the old Hodges place, just under the hill on the
west side of Pipe Creek village, where Mr. Hodges
settled after he left Red Blurt'.

The same year we came here also came Mr. Chris
Anderson, a native of Denmark, who is still living on
the place he settled so many years ago. He and his
good wife are well advanced in years, both being near
eighty years old They have always enjoyed good
health and, despite many inconveniences, have raised
and educated their children — two boys and two girls,
(vharlie, Fred, Laura and Lillie Anderson. All grew
to be useful and highly respected citizens. With the
disadvantage of living about five miles from school
these children managed to advance and finished in
college. Charlie Anderson became a teacher, Fred
Anderson became a physician, but died of influenza
during the World War, Miss Lillie Anderson taught
school a few years, and then married a Mr. Brown
and is now living at Sanderson, Texas : Miss Laura
Anderson married W. M. Wallace, and now lives at
Pipe Creek.

OS Pioneer History of Bandera County

MRS. MARY JANE WALKER.

Born in Claiborne Parisli, La., November 18, 1834,
and now in the 88th year of her age, Mrs. Mary Jane
Walker, nee Moore, looks serenely back upon the
great span of years that interv^ene between her child-
hood days and the glorious present, and rejoices that
she has lived to see the wonderful changes that have
taken place. Grandma Walker makes her home with
her son, John Travis Walker, and family on Chalk
Creek, Bandera county. She came to Texas with her
parents in 1853, and located near Austin. On June
22, 1857, she was married to William Andrew Walker,
in Blanco county. After living in Blanco and Llano
county for awhile she and her husband came to Ban-
dera county that same year, 1857, remaining here
awhile, then went back to Llano county. They re-
turned to Bandera in 1866 and located on Laxson's
Creek, afterwards buying the Joe W. Minear place
there. Nine children were born to them, four of
whom are still living, Mrs. Cynthia Artie Reed of
Lima, John Travis Walker of Bluff, Joseph Daniel
Walker of Seymour, Mrs. Selina Argie Ferguson of
Pear Valley.

One of the early day trageilies was the killing of
Mrs. Walker's brother, Joseph W. Moore, and his wife
by Indians above Medina, an account of which is
given elsewhere in this book. Another tragedy that
brought sorrow into her home was the killing of Mrs.
Walker's mother, Mrs. William Moore, in 1873. Mrs.
Moore was living at the Walker home on Laxson's
Creek, and one day started to walk over to the home
of a neighbor, Mrs. Curtis, about a mile away. The

Piniwer TTistoi'ij of Bandera Cniiiify (19

Indians came upon her when she was only a short dis-
tance from the house, and shot and lanced her to
death. The family, hearing her screams, rushed out
in time to see the Indians fleeing. Mr. Walker has-
tened to where she had fallen and found her in a
dying condition. It is believed that this band of
Indians were led by a renegade white man. but his
identity was never satisfactorily established. They
passed on down the valley, and killed a horse* on Pipe
Cieek. Mrs. Moore was buried next day at the Ar-
nold cemetery. She left four children, but Mrs.
Walker is the only one now living.

Mrs. Walker's husband, William Andrew W^alker,
died November 25, 1909, aged 82 years. He was a
brother to James W. Walker who now lives on Lax-
son's Creek. Nearly forty years ago Grandma Walker
obeyed the gospel and was baptized into Christ, dur-
ing a meeting that was held by Elder Alexander, one
of the earliest gospel preachers to visit this section.
She has remained faithful all these years and. not-
withstanding the infirmities of age she seldom misses
thr worship on the Lord's Day.

In 1897 her son, John Travis Walker, bought a
ranch tract on Chalk Creek, built a home, and has re-
sided there ever since. He was married January 20,
1897, to Miss Myrtie Yoast of Laxson's Creek. They
have three children, John Travis, Jr., of Seymour.
William and Clara, at home. Mr. Walker, though
quite small at the time his grandmother was killed,
remembers seeing the Indians running away after
they had committed tho brutal (leed.

70 Pimippr Ulfifoj'n of Bavdpvn County

F. M. HODGES.

One of the early settlers on Pipe Creek, in Ban-
dera county, was Francis Marion Hodges, who came
to this section some time in 1870, and pre-empted a
homestead of 160 acres on Red Bluff Creek, moving
his familj' thereto, and lived there for a number of
years. He sold this pre-emption to a German named
Finck and then moved to Pipe Creek, where he
bought 160 acres from a man named Munday. Here
he resided until his death, which occurred February
21, 1888. Mr. Hodges came from Missouri to Texas
in 1859, and located in Erath county, and afterwards
lived in McCulloch and Kendall counties. When he
came to Bandera county he became the first settler
on Red Bluff Creek. He was known to all of the old
timers and held in high esteem. Wheli he died he
left a wife and six children. Mrs. Hodges died at San
Antonio in 1892. One daughter, Mrs. Emma McKeen,
died in San Antonio several years ago. The surviving
children are Mrs Mary Beekman of California, John
F. Hodges of Bandera, Mrs Annie Jacobson of Rock-
port, Texas; James N. Hodges, a merchant of
Junction, Texas; Francis M. Hodges a ranchman of
Junction, Texas.

His son, John F. Hodges, married Miss Ollie Lee
in Anderson county, and now lives in Bandera. Mrs.
Hodges is Bandera county's efficient treasurer.
They have four children, two girls and two boys,
Rufus M. Hodges of Beaumont, Mrs. Verna E.
Wallace of San Antonio, Miss Emma Hodges and
John Franklin Hodges of Bandera.

Pionci'v HixtoTif of Baiidfra (^nnnfrf 71

J. A. V. PUE.

One of the best known citizens of Handera county
was Mr. J. A. V. Pue, who died in Bandera February
20, 1918. Mr. Pue was born near ?:ilicott City, Md.,
July 20, 1841. He graduated from Dickinson College,
Carlisle, Penn.. in 1859, enlisted in the Confederate
Army at the beginning of the war, and served thi-ough-
out the four years of conflict. He was wounc'ed at
the battle of Gettysburg. He came to Texas in 1865,
and to Bandera county in 1866. locating ten miles
northwest of Bandera town, on Hick's Creek, where
he built a cypress log cabin and lived there many
years. This cabin is still standing. During a period
of the reconstruction days after the war, when the
county's affairs were badly tangled and needed a mas-
ter hand to adjust them, Mr. Pue was appointed county
judge, and served very acceptably for somr time, or
until he resigned to devote his attention to his ranch
interests. He was married in Bandera April 5, 1882,
to Miss Jeanie L. Carpenter, a granddaughter of Gov-
ernor Isaac Shelby of Kentucky. Six children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Pue. four of whom are living,
Arthur V. Pue, Miss Nannie Pue, Miss Pauline Pue,
who reside at the old homestead, and Percy A. Pue,
who lives at Port Neches, Texas. Mrs. Pue died
July 28, 1902.

The eldest son, Arthur V. Pue, is a prominent citi-
zen of Bandera, and is a successful stockman. His
wife before marriage was Miss Flossie de Montel,
daughter of Charles de Montel, a pioneer citizen of
this section. They have six children.

The other son, Percy A. Pue, married Miss Virginia
Coorpender, of the Medina community. They have
resided at Port Neches the past four years.

r,'? Pi on err Hl.^tnvi/ of pKnidpra Coiivfj/

MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. MOORE.

The following appeared in the San Antonio Light,
April 2, 1921. and gives sucli full account of the kill-
ing of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Moore that the article
is here reproduced:

Center Point, Texas, April 2, 1921.— The death
here on March 21 of Mrs. Amanda Lee, 57 years old,
recalled one of those early day tragedies which so often
cast gloom over the frontier communities. Mrs. Lee
was born in Blanco county in 1863, and came to Ban-
dera couhty when quite young with her parents, Joseph
Walker Moore and Elizabeth Moore. They settled
on the Medina river, about eight miles above the
present Medina City. They built a comfortable fron-
tier home and lived in peace and quiet until 1872.
Other members of the family were William, 11; Alfred
7; John Travis, 6; George Washington, 4, and Mary
Ann, infant. On Sunday, July 4, 1872, Mr. Moore
went visiting in a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen,
having his wife and four of the children with him.
Thej' were Amanda, who was ten years old at that
time, and John George and Mary Ann. William and
Alfred were left at the home of John Walker, uncle by
marriage. In the evening while returning from the
visit and near home, Mr. Moore got out of the wagon
in order to drive carefullj^ dow n a steep hill into the
bed of a small creek. A band of Indians were lying
in wait here, aware that someone was coming by the
noise of the wagon rattling over the rocks. The first
intimation Mr. Moore had of the presence of Indians
was the exclamation of Amanda, "Papa, there is some
men!" The Indians had just raised up from thoir

Pioneer Hisfory of Bandera Coiinlji 73

place of concealment and one of them shot an arrow
into Mr. Moore and mortally wounded him. He tried
to get back into the wagon but was not able to do so
and after holding on to the wagon bed a few moments
sank back and expired. Mrs. Moore was on the
wagon seat with the baby in her arms and an Indian
shot an arrow into her breast with such force that it
passed through her body. She fell backwards into
the wagon, dead. Amanda took the baby and held
it in her arms during all of this exciting time. The
oxen, being scared, ran off with the wagon and only
one Indian followed. He kept to the side of it and
tried to kill the children with a butcher knife. He
repeatedly stabbed at the baby but Amanda saved its
life by jerking the child to one side. It was wounded
however, in the back of the neck. Amanda also re-
ceived a bad cut in the side. George, the four-year-
old boy was wounded with the knife on tlie back of
the neck. The Indian tried to pull John Travis out
of the wagon at the rear end but he hung on and the
Indian could not get him out.

The house of John Walker was not far off and the
Indian finally abandoned his efforts to kill the chil-
dren and left them. John Travis was the only one
unhurt, and when the Indian left, stopped the oxen
and turned them towards Mr. Walker's. Mr. Walker
was away from home that day and his family seeing
the Indians some time during the day, ran away.
When Mr. Walker returned in the evening and found
his folks gone he was very uneasy and started out to
hunt for them. He met tlie Moore wagon and as
soon as he learned what had happened he went to the
sceni' of the killing. The dead were buried and the

7 A Pioneer History of Bandera County

children taken care of in the home of Mr. Walker un-
til Joe Smith, an uncle, came from Blanco county,
near Round Mountain, and carried them away. Not
long after the killing of Mr. Moore and his wife the
Indians made another raid and killed Mr. Moore's
mother. The old lady was going to see Mrs. Curtis
who was sick and a band of Indians attacked and
killed her near the house of Mr. Walker. He heard
her screaming and armed himself and repaired to the
scene as soon as he could but the Indians had done
their work quickly and were gone. Mrs. Moore was
lying on her face, having been lanced to death.
These raiding bands were followed by settlers but
the county being mountainous and brushy eluded a
successful pursuit and made their escape.

The body of Mrs. Lee was carried back and buried
near the old home and the graves of her parents. Be-
sides her husband, Joseph Lee, she left four daughters,
Mrs. Mary Neill of Camp Verde, Mrs. Eulia Bartley
of Center Point, Mrs. Lexia Reed who lives near
Medina City, and Miss Janey Ray Lee; a sister, Mrs.
Mary Ann Turner who was with Mrs. Lee when she
died, lives in San Antonio. Her husband Samuel P.
Turner, is in the employ of the government. Mrs.
Turner is the baby whose life was saved by her brave
sister during the Indian attack.

'to

LIVED IN A POLE PEN.

John F. Hodges was raised in Bandera county and
tells of many interesting things that happened during
his boyhood days. He says:

"When my father, Marion Hodges, settled on Red

Pioneer History of Bandera County 75

Bluff Creek in 1870, this was a wild country, all open
and full of deer, turkey, bear, wild hogs and wild In-
dians. Our home was a pole pen with a tent stretched
inside . Our nearest neighbor, a man named Granger,
lived across the mountains, eight miles away. Every
light moon the Indians would come into the country
to steal horses. One time, when father was away
from home, they stole two mares and colts from us
but the animals got away from them and came running
home. One of them was shot between the shoulders
with an arrow and the other was lanced in the neck.
We put them in the pen and mother took a gun, and
made me hold an old flintlock rifle, and we guarded
those horses until father returned. In those days we
sometimes had school two or three months in a year.
My brother, James N. Hodges, and myself rode to
Pipe Creek to school, a distance of nine miles. We
each carried a cap and ball pistol for we did not know
when Indians might attack us. Our school house was
made of pickets, covered with grass and had a dirt
floor. The benches were made of split logs.

"P'reighting was done with ox teams. Flour was
$14 per hundred, and sugar and coftee were scarce.
The next settler was Andrew Prather, who located
three miles east of Pipe Creek on what is now known
as the John Crist place. In 1871 Silas Shirley and
W. H. Wliite settled near Pipe Creek: in 1872 Felix
Newcomer located in that vicinity, and later Eben-
ezer Buck came there. Old Man Simpson settled on
Red Bluft' about seven miles below us."

Mr. Hodges made a number of trips *'up the trail"
with cattle to Kansas and the northern markets dur-
ing early days.

76 Pioneer History of Bandera County

JAMES WASHINGTON WALKER.

J. W. Walker, who lives on Laxson's Creek, three
miles east of Medina, was born in Grimes county, Tex.
December 25, 1847. His father, Jesse Walker, a San
Jacinto veteran, died when the subject of this sketch
was quite small. Sometime in the 50's the family
moved to Gonzales county. In 1862, when James
Walker was fifteen years old, he came to Bandera
county and worked for Berry C. Buckelew, herding
cattle for $7 per month, which place he held all winter,
then went to Camp Verde where he had two brothers
in the Confederate service. He tried to enlist at
that time but Major Lawhon, in command of the
troops stationed there, would not accept him because
he was too young. Sometime later, however, he suc-
ceeded in getting into the service, and a few days
after his enlistment four of the companies at Camp
Verde were transferred to South Texas, leaving only
a few men to garrison tlie post and look after the
camels there. Henry Ramsey was in charge of the
camels at the time and young Walker was put to
herding them. He says the animals, numbering
about 75 head, were a source of great annoyance and
trouble. They ate but little grass, and could not get
up the rough places to get to the brush which they
had to eat. Through the winter they were
fed on corn that had to be brought from San Antonio.
Mr. Walker now has a bell which was used on those
camels, aud prizes it very highly as a relic of those
frontier days. While he was at Camp Verde there
was also there an Armenian and a Greek driver who
had been brought to this country with the camels,

Pioneer History of Bandera County 77

The Armenian waa called "Hi-jolly," from the pecu-
liar call he uttered when herding or managing the
camels. Mr. Walker says he met this Armenian at
Aguacalientes, on the Gila river in Arizona, several
years later. At the outbreak of the war between the
states, Camp Verde was taken over by the Confeder-
ate forces under Gen. Ben McCulloch, and remained
under Confederate control until the war ended, when
the post again passed to the United States, and a
small force of Federal troops were placed there.
While these federals were there Eugene Oborski and
a man named Teinen took a contract to furnish hay
for the gov^ernment stock. This hay was cut in the
vicinity of the place now owned by L. N. Stevens,
and Mr. Walker was one of the hands employed to
cut it.

In 1869 Mr. Walker went to California with a
herd of 1500 mixed cattle belonging to Damon Slator
of Llano, Mr. Slator being his own boss. Those who
went on this trip were Jim and Charlie Moss, Jim
Walker, Alf Anderson, Bill Denison, a man named
Ferryman, John Dupont. John and Riley Billings,
Billie Click, a German named Mahaley, Jack Hamil-
ton, and Damon Slator. They took a route up
through the Concho country to the Fecos and crossed
at Horsehead Crossing, out by old Fort Stanton,
through Tularosa \ alley, across the Sacramento
Mountains to the Gila river, crossing the Colorado
river, passing Tucson and Fort Yuma, and went on to
the Winters Ranch in California where they delivered
the herd. On the trip they had some trouble with
Indians, particularly with some of the Fima tribe,
who were trying to run a bluff to secure some cattle

78 Pioneer Jlisfory of Handera County

from a herd belonging to a man named Crockett Riley.
Mr. Walker and several of the Slator hands went to
Riley's assistance and found him surrounded by about
80 Indians. They were off their reservation, and did
not really want a scrap, so when they were fired into
they hastily retreated. Mr. Walker killed the chief* s
horse at a distance of 500 yards. He was later ar-
rested by the Indian agent, and Slator gave the In-
dians five head of cattle to satisfy their claims for
loss of the chief s horse.

After delivering the cattle at the Winters Ranch
the cowboys scattered, and only two of them, Billings
and Riley, came back to Texas together. Mr. Walker
went to Los Angeles and San Francisco and struck
up with a man named Jacob Sanders who was from
Ohio, and they decided to go to New York. Accord-
ingly they secured passage on a steamer, the Golden
City, which sailed one Sunday morning. On the fol-
lowing Tuesday the steamer was wrecked in Mexican
waters and the crew and 450 passengers were forced
to take to life boats and landed on the barren coast.
In company with a guide the shipwrecked people
walked a distance of twenty-five miles to a cove, and
were there taken aboard a vessel that carried them
back to San Francisco. While on the coast the^'
were without food and had but very little water from
Tuesday until Saturday. As Walker and Sanders
had paid transportation to New York, the steamship
company allowed them passage on another vessel,
and they again started. He says they crossed the
Isthmus of Panama, and took a big steamer which
carried them across the Gulf of JNIexico and ran direct
to Ne\\ York. Arriving in that city, Mr. Walker de-

Pioneer tiistorij of Bandera County 79

cided he had seen enough of the world and imme-
diately started back to Texas by water, reaching Key
West, Fla., and from there proceeded to Galveston,
and when he hit land again it was to hike straigrit for
home. He had been absent one year and four months,
and came back rich in experience, but mighty poor
in pocket. On the same day he was shipwrecked off
the Mexican coast, February 22, 1870, his brother,
Riley Walker, was killed by Indians on Bell Moun-
tain in Llano county.

On February 10, 1864, Mr. Walker was happily
married to Miss Melvina Bandy of Bandera county.
To them have been born 13 children, 11 of whom are
still living: Thomas Walker, Mrs. Ada Moseley, Mrs.
Alice Smith, Jeff Walker, all of San Antonio; Jim
Walker, killed in Oklahoma by a falling tree; Jesse
Walker, died in infancy; Mrs. Ida Fines of Tuff'; C.
C. Walker of Caddo, La.. R. L. Walker of Medina;
Mrs. May Davis of Vanderpool; Miss Myrtle Walker
of Medina; Mrs. Ruby Neeley and Charlie Walker of
of Yoakum.

In 1895 Mr. W alker located on his present home-
site, where he has resided all these years, quietly
following farming for an occupation and raising his
sons and daughters to be useful men and women.
He has had an active part in the development of the
country, and recalls many interesting events that
transpired in this section. He remembers when
Cirandpa Stanard and his son, Harvey Stanard, Sr.,
located on Laxson's Creek. Mrs. Stanard taught
school in that neighborhood in the early 70's. The
Walker and Stanard families were neighbors for many
years, and the children grew up together.

8d Pioneer History of JBandera County

P. H. MAZUREK.

PhilHp H. Mazurek was born in Prussia Poland,
May 1, 1855, his parents coming to America when he
was eight months old. They came to Bandera, and
his father, Thomas Mazurek, purchased 49 acres of
land just above the village for $350, on long time.
Mrs. Mazurek died in 1865. leaving four children, two
of whom are still living, Phillip Mazurek of Bandera,
and Theodore Mazurek of Groom, Texas. Jn 1866
Thomas Mazurek was married to Miss Mary Gruska,
and to them were born four children, Julius, Luke,
Mary and Estaza, all living. Mr. Mazurek died in
1893, and his wife died in 1820.

Coming to Bandera when in his infancy, Phillip
H. Mazurek, the subject of this sketch, grew to man-
hood here, and has resided in the county continuously
over 66 years. In 1879 he was married to Miss Rosa
Kalka in San Antonio, who for forty years was his
faithful helpmeet and companion, until death claimed
her in 1918. To this union 16 children were born,
those now living being Victor Mazurek of Bandera,
Silvester and Joe Mazurek of Utopia; Kasper, Tom,
John, Frank and Raymond Mazurek of Bandera;
Stephen ]\Iazurek now in the U. S. Navy; Mrs. Vic-
toria Lines of Monclova, Ohio; Mrs. Gertrude Dugos
of San Antonio, Mrs. Eva Anderwald, Mrs. Paulina
Halamuda, Mrs. Helen Jureczki, and Miss Frances
Mazurek of Bandera.

Mr. Mazurek talks interestingly of the early times
in Bandera. lie says game was i)lentiful in the woods
and he often killed deer and turkey on the outskirts
of the tillage. When a wedding occurred in the com-

Pionp.er History of Bandera Coiiniy SI

muiiity it was the occasion for a great celebration,
the reveh'y sometimes histiiig three or four days. He
recalls the time wlien John Diigos and Miss Frances
Kaika were married in 1879, and what a great time
was enjoyed by the guests. Mr. Mazurek went to
Indian Creek spring to haul a barrel of water. He
was accompanied by Lawrence and Clements Kalka,
both small boys, and when they had filled the barrel
they discovered a big deer under a bkitt" in the creek
below. Mr. Mazurek took a rope and stealthily a}>-
proached the bluff and when just above the buck lie
deftly twirled the rope and droi)ped it over Liic
animal's antlers. Then some real fun began. The
buck cut up all kinds of capers, but Mr. ^lazurck
anchored him to a tree and weid forward and with
his pocket knife cut the deer's throal. Thus he pro-
vided plenty of meat for the big wedding feast that
followed. Judge Davenport and the Widow Cosgrove
attended this wedding, Mr. Mazurek says, and were
guests of honor. Cakes, pies, plenty of beer and
whiskey were provided and the event ended with a
big dance. The wedding celebration started on
Tuesday and ended the following Thursday.

In the early days shingle-making was the chief
industry, and Mr. Mazurek became an expert in this
line of work. The shingles were made from cypress
blocks which had been sawed into 32-inch lengths,
twice the length of the ordinary shingle. These
blocks were hauled up from the river bottoms, then
cut in two, marked off to the proper thickness, split
and rived with a froe knife and wooden mallet, then
taken to the old shaving horse and trimmed to a
feather edge with a drawing knife. They would be

82 Pioneer Sistoi'ij of Bandera County

stacked in huge piles to season, and afterwards put
up in bundles of 1,000, and in due time hauled to
market. One of the big ox-wagons used for hauling
them usually carried about 25,000 shingles, and in
San Antonio they brought about $4.50 per thousand.
A good shingle maker could make a thousand shingles
per day. Mr. Mazurek says Joe Kindla and i\.masa
Clark were the best and fastest he ever knew. The
road to San Antonio was very bad, especially at the
point known as the "Slide-otf," and it was so called
from the fact that in crossing that hill the load would
often slide off the wagon. To prevent this, a big
piece of cypress timber, r-alled the binding pole, had
to be placed across the load to keep it in place, and
even then there w^as danger of the wagon turning
over. The wagons in use then were home-made and
constructed of elm and cypress timber, the wheels
being solid wooden slabs or cross pieces of wood.
Thousands of shingles were manufactured here, one
tree yielding as high as 30,000 shingles.

Mr. Mazurek still has in his possession a cross-cut
saw which his father purchased from Davenport &
Hay in 1864, at $1.20 per foot, the saw being nine
feet long. It is still in good condition, although he
often used it in sawing stone.

In speaking of the early merchants of Bandera he
says Frank Jureczki owned a store on the site where
Albert Jureczki now lives, and sold whiskey at 25
cents a quart, or he would trade a gallon of the oil
of gladness for a bushel of corn.

When Schmidtke & Hay were engaged in business
in Bandera they took a contract to furnish a certain
amount of lumber and shingles to the government

Pioneer Eisionj of Bandera County 83

for some buildings at Fort Concho. A number of
ox-teams were put on the road, Mr. Mazurek driving
one of these teams, seven yoke of oxen, and hauled
about 2,000 feet of lumber on his load. Joe Minear
was guide and hunter for the teamsters, and kept
them supplied with plenty of fresh meat on the trip.
Joe and Gabe Anderwald, Constant Dugos, Charlie
Haiduk, Jim Lewis, Joe Click, and a negro, Bill
Hardy, were the teamsters. Mr. Mazurek says he
also hauled lumber to San Antonio in those days, for
which Ed Steves of that city paid five cents per foot
or $50 per thousand.

In 1902, Mr. Mazurek went out in New Mexico
prospecting, seeking a better country than Bandera,
but after spending several months there he came
back to his old home content to remain liere for the
balance of his time on earth.

"^ x;;..

The Old Carmichael & Hay Store

S4- Pioneer History of l^andera County .

EXPERIENCES OF J. P. HEINEN, SR.

J. V. Heineii, Sr., a highly respected pioneer
citizen of Bandera county, writes interestingly of his
experiences here in the early days. His narrative
will be read and appreciated by many of the old
timers who have moved away, as well as by all who
live here now and know him:

During the war between the states I lived with my
parents in Kendall county, near Comfort, I often
passed through the town of Bandera hauling corn for
the Confederate government to D' Ranis, driving a
team of eight or ten yoke of oxen hitched to a heavy
wagon, hauling three tons to the load. In 1866 I
came over to Bandera with one of my brothers and
we engaged in the mercantile business, building a
two-story stone building in the valley east of the
Riverside Inn. This stone building was washed away
in the big rise in the Medina river in 1900. In those
days, after the war, there was Yevy little money in
circulation in this section and I sold m,y goods mostly
on credit, for which I received shingles in payment,
that being the only commodity the people had to i)ay
with. To make u\y collections I made one or two
trips every month on horsel>ack lo ihe very head of
the Medina river, buying shingles and collecting them
for debts due me, and having them hauled to San An-
tonio and sold for cash. At that time there was no
Medina City. Mr. George Smith lived in a log cabin
two miles above the present site of Medina, on what
is now known as the Goodman place. I often spent
the night with Mr. Smith on my trips np the river.
He was unmarried at that time, lived alone, and al-

Plonppv Hisfoi'if of Bdndcvfi Cmiiity .'?/7

ways seemed delighted to have inc come and stay
with him. Like all frontiersmen, Mr. Smith was a
fine old gentleman, and I treasured his friendship
most highly. There were no houses between Laxson's
Creek and Mr. Smith's place, and only shingle camps
beyond where he lived. The Indians came in almost
every full moon, and when I left home I had no assur-
ance that I would get back alive, but 1 was fortunate
in never meeting the Indians face to face, although I
have been very near them a number of times.

I recall one instance during the time I was driving
the ox team to D'Hanis that I will mention here. A
band of Indians passed my wagon one night driving
a bunch of horses. It was a bright moonlight night
and I could plainly see them as the,y passed. The
next morning seven or eight men came to my cam])
and asked me if I heard any horses passing the night
before, and I put them on the trail. The Indians
hail stolen the horses near Quihi, and were in a hurry
to get them out of the country. They probably saw
my camp, but as they wanted horses and not oxen,
they did not molest me.

I have seen a nund)er of men that were killed by
Indians. A Mr. Hardin with his family lived wheie
Matl. Adamietz now lives across the river from Ren
Bat to. His son, a boy about 16 years old, went bee
hunting over on the divide between Indian Creek and
the Middle Verde. He burned some beeswax in order
to attract the bees, and thus locate their cave or tree.
When night came he did not return home, and his
parents, becoming uneasy, sent a man to town to get
help to make a search for him. About ten of us start-

86 Pioneer History of Bandera County

ed out, and after hunting all night we found him next
morning in Middle Verde Creek. He was lying in
shallow water, face downward, stripped of his cloth-
ing, and had an arrow sticking in his back. We put
a blanket around the body, tied it on a horse behind
O. B. Miles, who took the dead boy home. Another
time, Polly Rodriguez sent a runner to town saying
the Indians had chased a man named Gonzales to his
place. As we were readj^ to go on a scout we went
over to Privilege, six miles from town, in about an
hour, but the Indians were gone. We followed them
for some distance. About a mile above where the San
Antonio road crosses Pipe Creek they killed a man
who had been digging post holes. I think his name
was Reeves, but I am not certain. These and other
experiences like them are sad remembrances of those
frontier days.

In 1870 we had a big rise in the Medina river, the
water reaching a depth of nine feet in my store, and
ruined all of my goods to such an extent that I de-
cided to quit the mercantile* business and follow the
carpenter's trade. In that same year I was appointed
to a position on the state police force, an organization
created for the protection of frontier counties against
outlaws. There were many bad men on the frontier
in those days, generally in sparsely settled regions
where they thought they could do as they pleased.
To arrest and bring to trial these criminals was the
purpose of the organization of the state police. From
one to three men in each county were appointed on
the force. I was the only one in Bandera county, and
I served two years, resigning at the end of the second
year. The pay was $60 per month, and we had tg '

Pioneer Hisforij of Band era Comity S7

furnish our own equipment, horses, arms, etc. The
pay was wholly inadequate considering the risks we
were constantly called upon to face.

In 1868 I married Miss Ida Schlarlor. We raised
a large familjs six sons and two daughters, and I am
happy to say all are still living and very devoted to
their parents.

In 1873 we organized a minuet com])any. with
Robert Ballantyne as lieutenant, and 19 private >. It
was for protection against Indian depredations. The
state furnished arms and ammunition; we furnished
our own horses and other equipment. We were to
scout no less than ten days in each month, for which
we received $20 per month for eaeh man. However,
very often we were out twice that length of time,
when Indians were in the country, for which we re-
ceived nothing above the $20 mentioned. At the end
of two years the company was disciiarged and the
arms were returned to the state.

In the fall of 1875 I moved my family to San An-
tonio where I worked for two years at the builder's
trade, doing fairly well, but on account of my wife's
health I moved back to Bandera. In 1880 I bought
the ranch property where I now live. I have worked
hard all of my life to decently raise my family, and
I am happy to sa^^ I have succeeded in doing so. \
have seen many changes occur in old Handera county
during the time 1 have been here. Men have come
and gone, manners and customs have changed; the
wilderness, where only a few hundred people lived on
very small farms far between, has given place to a
greater population of thrifty enterprising people and
the land put in a high state of cultivation, with

SS Pi on en- TJifitnnj of Band ova Coiuity

farm after farm all over the county. It is certainly a
revelation to one who knew the early days, to behold
the transformation. First ox teams, later horse and
mule teams, now truck or auto, and the convenience
of the telephone — f'hanges no one dreamed of fifty
years ago.

I have gone through many hardships in my life-
time — privations such as the present generation does
not have to endure. The people of today have many
things we did not have, but with all the luxuries and
comforts of the present time, I doubt if thej' are bet-
ter satisfied than we were in the olden days. I am
glad I lived the pioneer life. Neighbors lived far
apart, but were the best of friends whenever they
met. There were no classes, no social lines drawn —
everybody was your friend. The almighty dollar
played no role in our social relations then. What
little anyone had everybody was welcome to it if in
need. Each one helped his neighbor, not expecting
pay for it. Alas, it is different now. Unless there is
money in sight you don't get very far. I am now 75
years old, and as I fondly look back to the long, long
ago my thoughts revert to my friends of that day, and
my heart becomes sad when I realize that many of
them have passed on to the great unknown, while
others have moved away to distant parts. Some of
them yet remain here, and when I meet them it is
with a hearty hand-clasp that betokens the life-long
comradeship and brotherly love which has endured
through all these years. May the Almighty God
bless and protect them, as He has protected me and
my family, is my earnest wish.

Pioneer History of Bandera Coiinfij SO

H. C. WRTGHT.

H. C. Wright was born in Tennessee, lived a few
years in Kentucky, and came to Texas in October,
1875. He settled at Waco, where he lived eight years,
a/id then came to Bandera county in 1884. Before
he left Waco he leased 320 acres of land in this county,
on Bruin's Creek, from the Taylor heirs, and for 14
years he extended the lease from time to time, and
finally bought the land. By hard work, close economy
and shrewd buying, Mr. Wright has steadily increased
his property holdings until today he owns more than
3,000 acres of fine land along the Medina river.

Mr. Wright was married in Kentucky to Miss
Marilda Speck, and they have two children living,
John Wright of Oklahoma, and Granville Wright of
Bandera.

When Mr. Wright lived at Waco in the 70's he
became acquainted with several of our great frontier
characters, notably Capt. Sul Ross, the famous ranger
who brought about the recapture and restoration of
Cynthia Ann Parker after she had spent 29 years with
the Indians. Mr. Ross afterwards became governor
of Texas.

(iranville Wright married Miss Dora Coffey, daugh-
ter of Smith CoH'ey of Tarpley. They have six chil-
dren, five l)0ys and one girl, their names being
Johnnie, Clay, Lena, Smith, Raymond and Clyde.
He owns a valuable ranch i)roperty on Medina Lake,
adjoining his father's lands, and is One of the direc-
tors of the First State Bank of Bandera,

90 Pioneer History of Bandera County

FURNISHED TELEGRAPH POSTS.

In 1875 the United States Government construct-
ed a telegraph line from San Antonio to Fort Mason
and Fort McKavett, and on to Fort Concho. George
Hay and Charles Schmidtke of Bandera took the
contract to furnish posts for the line from San An-
tonio to Fort McKavett, a distance of 175 miles.
They received ninety-eight cents each for the posts
delivered along the route. Schmidtke & Hay em-
ployed crews of choppers and put them in the cedar
brakes of Bandera, Kerr, Gillespie, Mason and Men-
ard counties, paying these hands from twenty-five
cents to seventy-five cents per post for cutting them.
The firm supplied more than 12,000 posts, twenty
feet long and better than two inches at the top. It
required more than six months time to cut the poles
and place them on the right-of-way, where soldiers
with government teams erected them. Mr. Hay
says they cleared over $3,000 on the contract, and
were not obliged to give bond, as the government
often required.

Previous to getting this contract Schmidtke &
Hay had purchased a great many cattle on credit,
drove them up the trail to Kansas, and lost money on
them, and the government contract for posts helped
to put them on their feet once more.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 91

"SECO" SMITH.

William Densley Smith was born in Franklin
county, Mississippi, October 24, 1836, and at this
writing lives on a pretty farm near Medina, Bandera
county, Texas. He is 86 years old, hale and hearty,
and carries the burden of years with ease. It was
away back in 1848 that his father, Robert M. Smith,
started to Texas, the land of promise, but when the
family reached M«nnphis, Tennessee, on their journey
to the Lone Star State, they found the Mississippi
river too high to cross, so they went to Tishomingo
county and rented a small farm, where they remained
about a year. While they were on this farm there
came along one day some men who were members of
the Fremont Expedition just returning home from
California. They camped near the Smith home, and
gave such glowing reports of the discover}^ of gold in
California that everybody became interested. But I
will allow "Seco" Smith, the subject of this sketch, to
tell the story:

"When father talked to these men and learned that
they were on their way home to get their families and
take them to California he made up his mind to ac-
company them to the Golden State, and all agreed to
meet at Council Bluff Ferry, on the Missouri river,
the following ^larch. When the time arrived we were
right there and joined the emmigrant train headed
for California. We followed the old Fremont trail to
Salt Lake City, Utah, where we took the Lower Route
into California, arriving at the Santa Ana river about
where San Barnardino now stands. Here we stopped
and father established a ranch, which he sold out after

92 Pioneer History of Bandera County

a time and we moved to near Los Angeles. We re-
mained in California five years, and father dec ided to
remove to Texas, via Ft. Yuma, Arizona, and El Paso,
To make this trip he engaged some men to accompany
us. but they were a tough lot and plotted to get us
out on the desert, steal our stock and leave us strand-
ed. There was an orphan boy in our party who over-
heard the plot and informed us of it, and of course we
were on the alert for the first indication of crooked-
ness. It came while we were encamped in the vicinity
of Ft. Yuma, when the ring-leader got drunk and
started to raise trouble. I was well armed and, though
just a boy, I promptly covered the leader and we
forced them to take their belongings and clear out.
There were twelve men in the outfit that left us.
They went on ahead some distance and were attacked
by Indians, one men being wounded in the fight. The
redskins got their stock and thej^ had to return to Ft.
Yuma. We made it through to El Paso without
mishap, and found that place to be only a small vil-
lage with one store. Here we tarried for a few days,
then resumed our journey and reached San Antonio
June 26, 185G, camping at the San Pedro Springs,
then on the outskirts of the town. Later we moved
out to the Olmos, six miles distant, where we remain-
ed a short time. While we were here the Indians
stole some of our horses and mules. I joined a party
headed by John Jo!ies, father of Andy Jones who now
lives near Bandera, and we followed the Indians to
near the head of the Medina river, where the trail led
through a hirge plum thicket, and the fruit almost
covered the ground where the ripe plums had fallen
off. Here we completely lost the trail, which had

Pioneer History of Bandera County 9S

been completely obliterated by bear tracks. All the
bears in the country must have been there eating
those plums. We had to give up the chase and re-
turned home.

"Father bought a small place from A. D. Jones,
moved to it, and remained there over 45 j^ears, or
until his death, which occurred when he was 89 years
old. I was married in 1857 to Miss Amanda Coker
of San Antonio. Three children, two girls and one
boy, were born to us. These two girls, Frances and
Josephine married Joe and Frank Moffatt. Frances
lives on the Frio, Josephine lives near Medina, and
my son, William A. Smith, lives at Douglas, Arizona.
My wife died in 1863.

"In 1867 1 was married to Miss Julia A. Long, the
daughter of S. A. Long, a San Jacinto veteran who
lived on the Hondo. Of this union there were seven
children, four boys and three girls: H. S. Smith of
Medina, J. D. Smith of Poteet, Frank M. Smith and
A. E. Smith of San Antonio, Mrs. Mary Mayfield of
Aledina, Mrs. Rosa Stevens of Bandera, and Mrs.
Laura Hand of Olustee, Okla. In 1878 my second
wife died.

"In 1898 I was married lo my present wife, who
was Miss Elizabeth T. Akin, the daughter of J. T.
Akin, an early settler of Handera county. Five chil-
dren have been born to us, two boys and three girls:
Mrs. Esther Skinner of Port Arthur, iNIiss Beulah
Smith. Austin Milam Smith, Sidney Raymond Smith,
and Miss Valentine Smith, under the parental roof.

"I am tiie father of fifteen children, all living, and

94- Pioneer History of Bandera County

filling places of usefulness in this world. One of my.
sons, Sam Smith, was sheriff of Bandera county
several years.

In 1860 I located on the Seco, about forty miles
from the town of Bandera, and that is how people
came to call me "Seco" Smith. There were three
different Smiths in that region. W. L. Smith lived
on the Frio; he was known as "Frio" Smith. Rube
Smith lived on the Hondo; he was called "Hondo"
Smith. I lived on the Seco, and ever since I went
there people have called me "Seco" Smith. These
are all Spanish names. In that language "frio"
means cold, "hondo" means deep, and "seco" means
dry. I do not know which is most distressing, to
be cold, deep or dry. However, the nickname has
stuck to me and I have had to carry it.

"While I lived on the Seco my nearest neighbors
were Ben Ragland and Squire Boone. I remember
when the Indians killed Berry Buckelew, and many
other tragedies that occurred in that region. In
1862 the Indians killed old man Schreiver about
three miles below my place. In company with Dr.
Schoff'hausen, Schreiver was out stock hunting when
attacked. Dr. Schoffhausen disappeared and it is
supposed that the Indians killed him too, but his
body was never found, although diligent search was
made for it. The Indians also killed my wife's
brother, Sam Long, over on the Blanco in 1862. His
brother, Andy Long, outran the Indians and got
away. After he was shot with several arrows, Sam
made his way to his father's home, and died as soon
as he got there. Julia Long, who afterwards became
my wife, had been to the postoffice and was return-

Pioneer History of Bandera County 95

ing home when the Indians attacked her brothers,
and when she saw what was taking place she started
to run for home, but was overtaken by the Indians,
jerked from her horse, and as she fell one of the In-
dians grasped her by the hair and with his knife cut
off a handfull, no doubt trying to scalp her. Evi-
dently fearing pursuit the Indians were in a hurry to
escape, and this fact probably saved her life. She
made her way home, not seriously hurt, but very
badly frightened. The same year the Indians killed
old man Sanders of Uvalde, between the Frio and
Leona rivers. I remember the attack that was made
on the Kincheloe home, when Mrs. Bowiin was killed
and Mrs. Kincheloe was fearfully wounded.

"On another raid the Indians killed Captain
Robertson and Henry Adams, while these two men
were in camp, and ate their hearts. They killed Dud
Richardson on the Frio, and scalped a little girl alive.
This same band of Indians killed Mr. and Mrs.
Stringfield, and carried their little boy, Tommy
Stringfield off into captivity. Mrs. William Hatfield,
now living at Medina, is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Stringfield, and was present when her parents were
killed, but managed to escape. The Indians came
on up the country and divided into two large parties.
"Big Foot" Wallace, with a party of men, followed
one of the bands which went out on the divide be-
tween the Sabinal and the Medina rivers. The In-
dians discovered their pursuers and laid an ambush
for them. They tied a fine mare on the side of a
mountain for a decoy and when some of the rangers,
over the protest of Bigfoot Wallace, went to get the
mare, the Indians fired on them and wounded Bill

96 Pioneer History of Bandera County

Davenport in the thigh. Wallace ordered his men
to dismount and prepare for a fight. Some of the
men then flanked the Indians on both sides and ran
them out, killing some of the Indians and capturing a
big herd of horses which had been stolen down in
Atascosa and Medina counties.

"The other band of Indians had gone up the
Sabinal, and I, in company with several men, took
their trail and followed them to the head of Devil's
River, out near where Sonora is now located. There
were about 100 Indians in this band, and they made
a very plain trail. A settlement fort had been con-
structed on the Sabinal for the protection of the few
settlers there, and a company of rangers from Wash-
ington county, under command of Captain Meyers,
was encamped about a mile below this fort at this
time. We sent a runner to the ranger camp for assis-
tance to help in chasing these Indians and Captain
Meyers sent 25 men to join us. In the party of
rangers were two men from San Antonio, Sam
Maverick and a young man named Simpson. As
soon as the rangers joined us we pushed forward on
the trail and followed is until sundown, then camped
where the trail went up on the divide between the
Sabinal and Ciuadahipe rivers. Early the next
morning we were again in the saddle and going for-
ward as fast as possible, but our progress was hind-
ered by the roughness of the divide which was
covered with honeycomb rocks, which made travel
very slow for the horses of our friends that had
been used to a flat, level country. These horses
wen^ clumsy and many of them soon became lame.
We traveled until late that ni^ht when we reached

Pioneer History of Bandera County 97

Paint Creek, a tributary to the South Llano river.
Next inorniug tlie Wasliiugton county fellows were
sick of the chase and all turned back, except two —
Sam Maverick and Simpson. Five or six of our
men decided to turn back also, leaving 26 of us to
follow on after the Indians. We were determined
to overtake those redskins if possible and try to an-
nihilate them, and resumed our chase. But the
next day twelve more of our party turned back, and
that left fourteen to continue on the trail of 100
Indians. The second night after they left us we
camped about a mile above old Fort Territt, our
horses were pretty well fagged out, our men all tired
from steady riding, and were about out of grub. We
did not know it at the moment but the night we
camped here, the Indians were camped just about a
mile further on. We found their camping place the
next morning after we resumed the chase. They
had butchered and barbecued a horse, and used the
paunch to carry a supply of water in. We dis-
covered from their preparations that they intended
making a long dry run across that semi-arid region,
but we hoped to overtake them in a few hours
and force them to fight. Two or three of our
horses gave out and our men took turns walking.
We followed the trail all that day and called a
halt and sized up the situation. We were many
miles from water, out of grub, hungry and worn
out; our horses were about exhausted, so we de-
cided to turn back. While we were resting here
John Ware went out and killed aii antelope. We
cut it up in chunks and started back to water,
about thirty miles, which we reached the next morh-

08 Pioneer History of Bandera County

ing at daylight. Here we cooked that meat and
ate it without salt or bread. We rested here awhile,
and then went back to Fort Territt, and camped.
We succeeded in killing several deer and turkeys,
roasted a great quantity of the meat, and resumed
our homeward journey. The second day on our re-
turn we had eaten all our meat and were again a
hungry bunch. That night we made a dry camp, and
one of the men killed an old turkey gobbler, and four-
teen hungry men ate him in a very little while. When
we got back to the settlement fort we found well load-
ed tables waiting for us, and we consumed everything
in sight. That Washington countj^ bunch got lost
when they started back, and beat us in only a few hours
with their clothes torn and their horses in bad shape.
"I think people sometimes hav^e a premonition of
death. I know of one case where such a thing hap-
pened. Rube Smith was a cowman, but not a kins-
man of mine. He lived on the Hondo. We went
down on the San Miguel one time to get some cattle,
and while we were there Rube received word that
members of his family were verj^ sick. He seemed
greatly worried about it and said if he could get one
man to go with him he would pull out for home,
about sixty miles. . I told him I would go with him,
and we immediately started and traveled all night,
reaching his home on the Hondo early the next morn-
ing. He talked about Indians killing him all the way
and at other times whenever he would be with me he
expressed his dread. It seemed to prey upon his mind.
He was a brave man. but no matter what the conver-
sation was about, he invariably brought up the sub-
ject of Indians killing him some day. Sure enough,

Pioneer Msiory of Bandera County VD

sometime afterward he was killed by Indians on the
divide betweeli the Teliuacana and the Hondo, after
putting up a desperate fight.

"Big Foot Wallace was one of the best men I ever
knew. He was modest and retiring in disposition,
but a terror when aroused. 1 met him in San An-
tonio in 1856. He had tanked up and started to his
location on the Chicon, and while riding along he
dropped his rifle and broke the stock off. He came
back to San Antonio to get it fixed, and I met him at
this time. Wallace told me that a belly full of booze
and a broken gun was a poor combination to take out
into an Indian country. How did he get his nanie.^
I will tell you: Colonel Duran was a member of Jack
Hays' company of rangers, and he told me that once,
when they were camped at San Pedro Springs, in 1845,
Hays gave twelve or fifteen of his men permission to
go up on the Guadalupe and hunt and scout for awhile
as things had been quiet along the border for some
time. These men, with Wallace in the crowd, went
above New Braunfels, had a fine time, saw no Indian
sign, and thinking there was no danger, they relaxed
their vigilance one night, with the result that the In-
dians came while they slept and drove off all their
horses. They were forty miles from San Antonio, and
afoot, with all of their camp equippage and saddles.
They built a raft of logs, loaded their stnff on it, and
started down the river. Wallace and another
man got on the raft to steer it. while the other
men walked along the bank of the stream and kept in
in hailing distance. Wallace pulled off his shoes and
placed them on top of the blankets and saddles on the

7 00 Pioneer History of Bandera Count ij

rafl, and whilo floaliug tliroui'h a swift, deep channel
the raft was overturned and everything on it went to
the bottom and was lost, except Wallace and his com-
panion who swam out. They could not recover a
thing for the current had washed it all down. Wallace
joined the party on the bank and walked until his
feet became sore and his friends had to take turns in
carrying him. Finally they found a bunch of wild
cattle and shot a yearling. They cooked the meat
and used the hide to make some mocassins for Wallace
and he was enabled to get along veiy well. When
the party reached New Braunfels the German citizens
curiously eyed Wallace's feet and called him "Gross
Fos" (Big Foot), and the name was taken up by his
companions, and ever afterward stuck to him. Big
Foot Wallace once owned a grant of land in Bandera
county, above Medina, and Wallace Crrek was named
for him, as was also the town of Big Foot in Frio
county. He died January 7, 1899, in his 83rd year,
and his remains now rest in the State Cemetery at
Austin.

"I located on Wallace Creek, in Bandera county, in
1878, and remained there about three years, then
bought 640 acres on F^en ton's Creek from B. F. Bel-
lows. Later 1 sold this land and moved to Medina,
where I have a nice farm, and am spending the even-
ing of my life in quiet retirement. Most of my old
comrades have passed over the borderland of time.
The days of long ago seem but yesterday when I re-
call their faces and the happy times we had together."

Pioneer History of Bandera Coai/ty Wl

JUDGE HUGH C. DT^FFY.

Far back in the pioneer days a young mail came
to Bandera and for fifty-four long years he was iden-
tified with the affairs of the town and count3\ That
man was Hugh C. Duffy. Born at Castle Blayney,
County Monaghan, Ireland, October 11, 1844, he
came to America with his mother and sister whe:i he
was 14 years old. For a while they lived at Fond du
Lac, Wisconsin. Eventually the bright Irish lad
found his ivay to Texas, locating at Boerne in 1864,
where he taught school a number of years, and came
to Bandera in 1866. Here he foresaw wonderful op-
portunities for the young man of pluck anrl energy,
and he decided to stay and take his chances with the
other pioneers here. He studied law and was admit-
ted to tlie bar, and for many years was the only at-
torney in tlie county. He became known as one of
the most prominent lawyers, which position he main-
tained for over fifty years, C'oming here when Ban-
dera county was enshrouded in the mist and cloud of
frontier deprivation and isolation, an en\ironment
that has contributed to the darkening of many a
I, dented life through sheer denial of opportunity and
outlet, Mr. DuU'y began an earl.w manly Hghl
against the environing shadows, spreading a light
about himself in which he worked straight upward to
a high and responsible place in the county's affairs,
and his career of usefulness ended only when death
called him November 13, 1920.

He was married February 15, 1870, to Miss Jose-
pliine Lytle of Castroville, who for over thirty years
was his faithful companion and helpmate. Mrs.

10!2 Pioneer Hifitory of Bavrlern Connfy

Duffy died August 13, 1900. To them were born six
cliildren, two of whom died when quite small. The
surviving children are C. H. Duffy of San Antonio,
George L. Duffy of Uvalde, Mrs. A. P. Kehoe of San
Antonio, and Miss Laura Duffy of Bandera.

A short time after Mr. Duffy arrived in Bandera
he engaged in the mercantile business, and later pur-
chased the building now known as the Riverside Inn
and opened a hotel. This hotel is now managed by
his daughter. Miss Laura Duffy. He had a wide ac-
quaintance throughout this section, and was held in
highest esteem as a citizen and lawyer by all who
knew him. He held no ill will or malice toward any-
one and if he ever had an enemy it was never known.
His kind, amiable disposition and courteous manner
toward everyone at all times marked him as a gentle-
man of the noblest type. He always looked on the
bright side of everj^thing and his cheering words and
cheerful manner were always encouraging and helpful
to those with whom ne came in contact.

DANIEL RUGH.

One of Bandera's early citizens was Daniel Rugh,
whose memory is still fondly cherished by many of
our people. Mr. Rugh was born near Pittsburg, Pa.,
in 1812. In 1849 he started to California but when
he reached Rock Island, Illinois, he was stricken with
granulated sore eyes and had to abandon the trip.
He remained in Rock Island and Selina until 185.9,
when he emigrated to San Antonio, Texas. With his
wife and four daughters he came to Bandera February

Pioneer History of Band era Couvtij 10- >

14, 1860. The two youngest daughters died during
an epidemic of diptheria in 1862. The eldest daugh-
ter. Miss Tvy Rugh, taught school in Bandera for a
number of j^ears until her marriage in 1870 to R. M.
Taylor. Another daughter married Jack Miller and
lives near Utopia. Three daughters and one son,
Charles Reed Rugh, were born in Bandera.

In 1872 Mr. Rugh moved to the ranch now owned
by J. A. Miller. In 1873 he sold his cattle for $22.50
a round and his sheep for $4.00 per head and moved
to Bandera town where he built the present City
Hotel, which is still occupied by his son, Chas. R.
Rugh. Daniel Rugh and his wife were among the
first members of the Methodist church in Bandera
and were consistent workers therein until 1899, when
both passed to their reward, their deaths occurring
four months apart. Mrs. Rugh was born in Ireland
and came across the ocean when she was 17 years old,
landing at Quebec. Her father died on board ship
and was buried at sea.

During the war between the states Daniel Rugh
served as sheriff of Bandera county, at a time when
courage and integrity were necessary to maintain law
and order. He reached the age of 87 years, nearly
forty years of which were spent in Bandera county.

Charles R. Rugh married Miss Mila Huffmeyer.
They have seven children: Emil Rugh of Moorings-
port, La., Misses Helen and Mary Rugh. Daniel,
Ashley, Charlie and Duane Rugh of Bandera.

104 Pioneer History of Bandera Count] f

THE MANSFIELD FAMILY.

Andrew Mansfield was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, July 9, 1827, and grew to mannood
there. When he was 21 years old he went to Missouri
and lived there eight years, then returned to Pennsyl-
vania where he spent four years. He came to Ban-
dera in February, 1860, with the first Merino sheep
ever brought here, and located them at the place then
known as the James ranch, where Rev. H. L. Atkins
now lives. These sheep were brought by boat down
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and across the Gulf of
Mexico to Galveston where they were unloaded and
driven to Karnes City, where a part of the flock was
left for Colin Campbell and the balance brought right
through San Antonio and on to the James ranch for
Samuel Christian and John H. James. Mr. Mansfield
worked for John James from the time of his arrival
until the fall of 1870, when he bought 184 acres of
land where the old Mansfield homestead is now, and
started into the sheep business for himself, in which
he was quite successful. In 1880, in company with
Judge J. B. Davenport and James McElroy, he went
to Pennsylvania and brought back two carloads of
registered sheep and six head of the first registered
Durham cattle that came to Bandera.

Mr. Mansfield was married to Miss Laura Thal-
mann October 25, 1868. Six children were born to
them: Andrew, Herman, Edward, Walter, John and
Cora. Before his death, which occurred February 22,
1897, Mr. Mansfield acquired considerable property
in Bandera county. The only public office he ever
held, was a road overKseer's commission, he being the

Pioneer History of Bandera County 105

first overseer on the Bandera and San Antonio road,
covering the distance from Bandera to Zepada's,
twenty-four miles this side of San Antonio.

He was conscripted with John Adamietz and An-
drew Knapic in 1862 and served under General Ireland
along the Texas seacoast until the war between the
states was over, when he returned home and for many
years devoted his time to his growing stock interests,
and working for the upbuilding of the county. Mrs.
Mansfield survived him twenty years, and died May
12, 1917.

A. L. (Andy) Mansfield married Miss Matilda
Dorow January 21. 1895, and they have nine children,
Lee, Fred, Roy, Earl, Harold, Clara, Emma, Evelyn
and Selma. Lee Mansfield married Miss Clara Leah
Hicks, and Fred Mansfield married Miss Lena Wright.
All live at Bandera.

C. H. (Herman) Mansfield married Miss Minnie
Thomas. To them were born three sons, Rhea, Robert
and Coy. Herman Mansfield died in January, 1919.

W. E. (Ed) Mansfield married Miss Cora Buck.
They have nine children, Mrs. Laura Autrey, Homer,
Frank, Hayden, Bruce, Minnie ^lae. William, Louella
and Joyce.

W. O. (Patty) Mansfield married Miss Annie
Graves. Has one child. Miss Anna Mae Mansfield.
J. M. (John) Mansfield married Miss Mabel Miller.
Miss Ella Mansfield married John H. Bruce. They
have three children, Minnie, Hubert and Alleen.

lOG Fioneer History of Bandera County

THE MAASS FAMILY.

William Maass, Sr., was a native of Germany. He
came to Texas in the early days and located at San
Antonio, where he married Mrs. Charlotte Kissling,
nee Oelze. In 1874 he moved his familj^ to Bandera,
and located on Middle Verde Creek, on the place now
occupied by W. W. Whitley. In the family were Mr.
and Mrs. Maass, two of Mrs. Maass' children, Mary
and Adolph Kissling, and five children of their union.
Will J., Albert, Lena, Tina and Reinhardt Maass.
Albert Maass died in 1918; Tina Maass Straus died
in San Antonio in 1919. Mrs. Louisa Evans and
Will J. Maass are the only members of the family
now living in Bandera county.

Willi-am Maass, Sr., died in the late 90's, aged 78
years. His wife died in 1902.

W'ill J. Maass married Miss Elizabeth Lewis in
1885, and settled at the head of Julian Creek, where
he has lived ever since. To this union eight children
were born, seven of them still living. Thej'^ are Mrs.
Louisa Anderwald, Mrs. Irene Anderwald, George and
Lindsey Maass of Bandera; Mrs. Delia Toudouze of
San Antonio, Mrs. Edith Hermes of Tarpley: William
Fred Maass, now cit}^ marshal of Randlett, Okla.
Miss Emma Maass who married Rudolph Kokes, died
in San Antonio in 1918. The wife and mother, Mrs.
Elizabeth Maass, also died in 1918. Later Mr. Maass
married Miss Etta Butcher of Clarksburg, W. Va.

Will J. Maass was eleven years old when his father
moved to Bandera county, and he distinctly remem-
bers manj^ of the early day events here. He became
an expert fiddler and played for the dances and so cial

Pionepv History of Bandera Coiiniy 107

functions of thirty-five years ago, and says people
came from many miles around to attend those gather-
ings, and the dancing went on from sun-down until
sun-up. Good fellowship, neighborly feeling and a
generous hospitality alwaj^s marked those occasions.
His father's neighbors on the Middle Verde w^ere Or-
lando Thallman, Capt. McGill, Ernest Oelze, a Mexi-
can named Jesus, J. B. Davenport, Joe Holt, Mrs. B.
C. Buckelew and children. All of these neighbors are
gone except Mr. Thallman, who still lives on his old
home place. Some have moved to distant parts, some
still reside in the county, and some have died.

When the family settled on Middle Verde the
country was ail open, for it was before wire fences
had been introduced. TJie range was free, and was
covered by high grass. Mr. Maass says he thinks
August anh Fritz Rothe were the first to build a wire
fence in the section where lie lived . They fenced a
large body of pasture land over on the Hondo.

Morgan Moncur, one of the very earliest settlers
in Bandera county and well known to all the old
timers, was an uncle to Mr. Maass, and Henry Frick.
who served as sherifi' of Bandera count}^ a number of
terms, was a brother-in-law, having married Mr.
Maass half-sister, Mary Kissling.

P'orty-eight years have passed since Will J, Maass
came to Bandera county. He grew to manhood,
married and raised his family of sons and daughters
to be useful and respected citizens of this section,
and has thus been a factor in the develpment and up-
building of the county, and he expects to spend the
balanre of his days here among the friends that have
always proved true.

10^ Pioneer History of Bandera County

SIXTY-FIVE YEARS IN BAXDERA.

Joseph W. Holt was born in the town of Bandera
December 18, 1857, grew to manhood in this countjs
and has Hved here ever since. His father, Mose Holt,
came to this section from Grayson county in 1856 and
died in Bandera just a few months after the subject
of this sketch was born. His widowed mother married
John Cosgrove who lived on the Seco.

On March 20, 1878, Mr. Holt was married in Ban-
dera to Miss Elizabeth Buckelew, Judge J. B. Daven-
port performing the ceremony. To this union were
born ten children, seven of whom are living. They
are Eben Holt of Tarpley, Jim Holt of Bandera, Mrs.
Almeda Chipman of Bandera, Mrs. Bessie Johnson of
Los Angeles, Calif.; Miss Tiny Holt of San Antonio, ,
Emmet Holt of Welder, Kansas, and Joe Holt, Jr., of
Bandera. Mr. Holt now lives on Indian Creek, west
of Bandera, and is engaged in stock-farming. He re-
members many incidents of frontier days, and recalls
several occasions when Indians stole horses from his
step-father, Mr. Cosgrove. On one of their raids the
savages killed his wife's father, Berry Buckelew, an
account of which is given elsewhere in this book. He
also remembers killing of Assessor McMurray between
the Seco and Hondo. McMurray stayed all night
with the Cosgroves the night before he was killed.

Hezekiah Griffin lived on East Verde Creek, south-
east of Bandera, where he had pre-empted 160 acres,
of land. His father and family lived with him. Among
the Grifhns was a young man named Josiah Griffin.
One day when Josiah went out to look for some horses,
he was attacked by two Indians and came near losing

Pioneer ttisfory of Bandera County 100

his life. He was unarmed, but fought the redskins off
with rocks and kept them (hedging until his sister, at
the house, discovered his peril and ran to his aitl with
a shotgun. As soon as the brothers and father learn-
ed of the attack they hastily mounted their horses
and gave chase, but the Indians got away. Griffin
was pretty badly wounded with arrows, one penetrat-
ing his arm, another his thigh and a third struck him
in the small of the back. The spike that penetrated
his thigh embedded itself in the bone, and was re-
moved three j^ears later by Dr. Herff of San Antonio,
He finally recovered and afterwards married Mr.
Holt's sister.

Mr. Holt says he worked on Judge Davenport's
ranch, now owned by Dr. J. O. Butler, for six years.

While living on East A^erde Creek, Mr. Holt was
often employed bj' Parson Dial, a Cumberland Pres-
byterian minister, who was also a surveyor, to carry
the chain while making surveys and was paid $1.50
per day for his work. One morning very early he
went out to help Parson Dial and neglected to tell
his mother where he was going. As the day lengthen-
ed and he did not appear Mrs. Cosgrove became very
uneasy about him. When night came and her boy
was still absent she became almost frantic, feariiiii'
that he had been killed by the Indians, so taking two
of her children on a saddle pony, and accompanied by
Sam Davenport, she started over to the Ross place on
the Julian to learn if they had seen the missing boy.
Young Holt, having finished his day's work and un-
aware of the uneasiness of his parent, leisurely started
home and when near the Quihi Pass he discovered a
strange procession approaching, which he took to be

110 Pioneer History of Bandera County

Indians. Hastily concealing himself near the road-
side he nnlimbered a big pistol he had with him, and
when the party came within just a few steps of his
position he made ready to fire upon them, but think-
ing he had better be sure he called out "Who goes
there." They evidently did not hear him call, for no
answer was made, and he was on the point of pulling
the trigger when he decided to challenge again, and
it is well that he did so, for the strange party was his
mother and brother and sister. Mr. Holt says he
has been scared pretty badly at different times, but
this was the worst scare he ever had, when he discov-
ered how near he had come to killing some of his own
people.

ATTACKED BY A PANTHER.

In 1876 a negro named Henry Ramsey lived near
Indian Creek, several miles from Bandera, and one
night he heard a disturbance out in his front yard.
When he opened the door to investigate the trouble a
large panther sprang into the room and attacked him.
The only weapon the negro could secure quickly was
a large butcher knife and with this he killed tlie pan-
ther, but not before the ferocious beast bad bitten
and lacerated his arms and body and torn his clothes
into shreds. Old Doctor Peacock attended the wound-
ed man but in a few days symptoms of hydrophobia
appeared and the negro died in horrible agony.

In those days panthers were numerous throughout
this region, as were bears, Mexican lions and other
wild animals.

Pioneer History of Banclercv County 111

JUDGE GEORGE HAY.

George Haj" was born at Erskine, Renfrewshire,
Scotland, March 17, 1836. With his parents he sailed

for America from Liver-
pool, England, Sept. 10,
1841. They came across
in a sailing vessel, the
Tierien, add landed at
New Orleans October 19,
1841, from whence they
went np the Mississippi
to St. Louis, where \\\ey
tarried but a short time,
then proceeded to Nau-
voo. the Mormon city in
Illinois. They remained
at Nauvoo until 1845,
when the family went
back to St. Louis, where
the elder Hay died, and
in the fall following the
to Keokuk, Iowa,
later moving to Clark county in that state. In Sep-
tember, 1848, hearing of the wonderful opportunities
in Texas, and seeking a land free from the antagonism
at that time directed against the Mormons, the family
with others sta^'ted to Texas in wagons drawn by mules.
A long trip was ahead of them and the way was beset
with all sorts of dangers and perils, but fearlessly the
little band took up the journey. George Hay was
then a small bo3% 12 years of age. . AVhen the party
reached Kansas City, then a very small town, they

Jiul<,'-e Geor^^e Hay

widow with her children moved

11$ Pioneer History of Bandera County

were joined by a family named Johnson and a man
named Spencer Smith of ('ouncil Bluffs, Iowa. Their
destination was Zodiac, a Mormon settlement on the
Perdenales river, three miles below Fredericksburg,
which they reached safely after nearly three months
on the road. Here the Hay family remained until
1850. A Mormon settlement had been made near
Fort Grog^an in Burnet county, where a mill was
erected, and the place was afterwards called Mormon
Mills. Mrs. Haj^ and her children moved there,
where they tarried until the spring of 1853, when they
moved over to the Packsaddle Mountain vicinity to
graze their cattle. In company with a large party of
Mormons headed by Elder Lyman Wight they decided
to transfer their location to Bandera county, reaching
here March 1, 1854. Elder Wjght's company ^num-
bered about 250 souls and wjie|ijthey arrived in Ban-
dera countj^ they found onh^ a very few people here,
the Hadrians, Milsteads, T. L. Odem, P. D. j Saner,
Mrs. Rees and sons, Charles de Montel, and ,others.
In speaking of his arrival in Bandera, and subsequent
events. Judge Hay said:

"This was a beautiful country then, a wilderness
it is true, bui inviting and offering our people won-
derful possibilities. Charles do Montel had a horse-
power saw mill with a circular saw, and the men of
the community were nearly all employed in getting
out cypress timber and working at the mill. August
Pingenot supplied the camp, for Bandera was but a
camp then, with game. Here I met Amasa Clark,
who was in the employ of Milstead. This was in
1854, and the friendship that was formed then has
endured to this good day, and grows with the passing

Pioneer History of Bandera County 713

years. Here I also met DeWitt Biirney, an uncle to
our })resent district judge. August Klappeuhach
kept llic commissary for Mr. iVIontel. Klappenljacli
afterwards built the first house in Bandera where he
kept a store and postoffice. This house is still stand-
ing and forms one end of my residence. It was huilL
in 1855, and was constructed of cypress lumber sawed
at the mill here, the carpenter work being done by
John Dugos, the father of Kasper and Christian Dugos,
worthy citizens of our town. The elder Dugos had
just arrived from Poland with the Polish colonists,
and could not speak English, and had to receive his
instructions as to dimensions and plan of the building
in the sign language. Tf I remember rightly the
Polish colonists arrived here February 3, 1855, and as
they were destitute, they had a hard struggle for a
number of years, but perseverance and the realization
that they were living in free America helped to get
them on a footing which they have since maintained.
"After remaining here until the fall of 1854,
Elder Wight and his company moved down the river
about twelve miles where they established a settle-
ment, known for many years as the Mormon Camp,
where they remained until 1858. Elder lAnum
Wight died and was buried there. The site of this
camp is now covered by the waters of Medina Lake.
With their leader dead, the Mormons then scattered,
some going to the Indian Territor}^ and several fam-
ilies remained here; among those who chose to remain
in this section were Andrew Ilutt'man, Mrs. Janet
Ballentyne, i.\bram Moncur, Joseph Goodale.Meachem
Curtis, and others whose names I can't recall just

114 Pioneer Historjj of Bandera County

now. Today about all of them are gone except my-
self and my wife.

Bandera county was organized in 1856. O. B.
Miles was first chief justice, William Curtis was
sheriff, James P. P. Poole was the first county clerk.
The first term of court was held in a building in the
western part of town which was used as a school
house. I was deputy clerk under Poole, but did not
have very much to do. Afterwards I was elected
county clerk and served for several terms. Finally
I decided that I did not want the office and hustled
like everything to elect my successor, I*. D. vSaner.
I also served several terms as assessor and collectoi-,
and am now serving as justice of tlie peace of Bandera
precinct.

"In the fall of 1869 I became associated with James
Booker Davenport in the mercantile business in the
house now occupied as a dwelling by Sheriff Henry
Stevens. Later Mr. Charles Schmidtke came into the
firm and it became known as Davenport, Schmidtke
& Hay, dealers in general merchandise. Our busi-
ness thrived, but later Mr. Davenport retired and
Schmidtke & Hay conducted the business until 1874,
when H. H. Carmichael bought an interest in the
firm and we erected the stone building now used as a
warehouse by the Bandera County Ranchmen &
Farmers Association. Mr. Schmidtke retired from
the firm and Carmichael & Hay continued until 1903,
when we met with reverses, and almost in a twinkling
the crash came and we were swept off our feet. Mr.
Carmichael died here in 1913. Later I moved to
Hondo, where I lived for ten years and engaged in
the confectionery business there.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 115

"In 1861, when the Civil War came on, ahnosl
every man between the ages of 18 and 45 were enroll-
ed in the Frontier Battalion for frontier protection.
I was commissioned a lieutenant, but being an officer
made no difference to me. I went into the ranks,
stood guard and performed all the duties of a private.
I have never received a cent for mv services and none
of my comrades ever received a cent of pay. We had
to furnish ourselves too. Some ammunition was sup-
plied, but it was of such poor quality as to be almost
worthless. The Indians often made raids down into
this settlement and below here, and we would take
I heir trail, sometiuics inflictiui;' severe pimislunenl ou
I he red rascals. There are many thrilling incidents
connected with the history of this county. Many
tragedies have taken place, many hardships were
endured by the first settlers, many of the old timers
have passed over the great divide to return no more^
many of our sons,have gone out and won high places
in the world, many of our daughters have married
and raised manly sons and lovelj^ daughters who are
toda}' filling places of usefulness in different parts of
the country. I am proud that I can look back upon
the sixty-seven years that I have spent here and
realize the wonderful changes that have taken place,
;ill for the belterment of mankind and the glory of
American manhood and womanhood that brought
these things to pass."

Judge Hay is now 86 years old. He is quite ac-
tive and discharges the duties of justice of the peace
in an acceptable manner. His mind is very clear,
and he recalls dates and events with the precision of
a much younger man. He has ten children living,

il6 Pioneer History of Bandera County

41 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. His
living children are Mrs. Amanda Elam, George A.
Hay, Mrs. Georgiana Risinger, Frank T. Haj', Mrs
Mary Langford, of Bandera, Charles William Hay of
Colingua, Calif., Joe M. Hay of Hondo, Mrs. Ola
Croisdale of Austin, John Hay of San Antonio, Mrs.
Janet Currie of Los Angeles, Calif. Another daugh-
ter, Mrs. Ora Smith, died in California during the
influenza epidemic and was brought home for burial.

Judge Hay is spending his declining years at the
old family homestead in this city, where for many
years he and his good wife kept open house to the
traveling public, and entertained many distinguished
visitors under their hospitable roof.

Mrs. Hay, before her marriage, was Miss Virginia
Minear. She is a native Texan, having been born in
Fannin countj^ near Bonliam, March 25th, 1844.
She came to Bandera county when about eight years
old with her widowed mother. Hertfather was mur-
dered in Coryell county, where he had taken up a
homestead. The burden of years rest liglitl^^ upon
this good old mother and she gets about as lively as a
middle-aged woman. She attends to all of her house-
hold duties, and has a pleasant, cheerful greeting for
all visitors.

EMIL HUFFMEYER.

Emil Huffmeyer was born in San Antonio in 1845,
and came to Bandera in 1873 He first owned a store
where the Montague residence now stands, afterwards
putting up a log building where he eventually erected
the stone building now occupied by W. J. Davenport

Pioneer Hifttoni of Bandera Coaniy 117

Ik Co. He also built the dwelling where L. H. Hayes
now jives. In 1878 his brother, Adolphe Huftineyer,
bought an interest in the business and they continued
the partnership through many years. When the court
house was built in Bandera, the Hutt'meyer brothers
were on the contractor's bond and were compelled to
complete the contract, thereby losing several thousand
dollars. Tn 1893 Emil Iluffmeyer sold his interest in
the business here to his brother, and moved to San
Marcos where he again engaged in mercantile pursuits,
with considerable success. All through life he made
many friends and had but few enemies. He died at
San Marcos April 14, 1919. His wife still lives in
tnat city.

Adolphe Huffmeyer, who was associated with him
and afterwards succeeded him in the mercantile busi-
ness in Bandera, was married to Miss Mat tie Hugh
in 1880. Thc}^ built the stone cottage on Water
Street, where their five children were born. They
now live in San Antonio.

H. H. CARMICHAEL.

n. 11. Carmichael came to Texas from Missouri
when he was 14 j^ears old. It was during the Civil
War, and he was accompanied by his mother, sister,
and others. They came through in an ox-wagon,
their destination being Georgetown and Helena, where
they had relatives. After the close of the war they
returned to ^Missouri, where Mr. Carmichael finished
his education in the Columbia University. When he
was 20 vears old he came back to Texas, and at

]1S Pionrrr Hiftfnrii nf Jlrnidrra Coinify

Helena bought his first herd of cattle to take "up the
trail." In 1873 he came to Bandera to buy cattle, and
received at the Jones ranch.

Mr. Carmichael was married October 22, 1876, to
Miss Mary E. Risinger of Helena, coming directlj^ to
Bandera. They lived for several months with Grand-
ma Hay. mother of George Hay, while waiting for
their home to be built, the first home being started
where the J. E. Browning home at Medina now stands.
The land on which Medina City is now located was
the pasture of Mr. Carmichael at that time. When
the new home was almost finished the Indians made
a raid between Medina and Bandera, and killed a Mr.
Phillips, a brother to Mrs. Buck Hamilton. As there
were no near neighbors, he felt it would be unsafe to
establish a home there, so the almost finished dwelling
was torn down and moved to Bandera, rebuilding it
where the home of Lee Risinger now stands. Mr.
Carmichael engaged in the mercantile business with
George Hay, and acquired an interest in the mill and
gin here. The first mill and gin was washed aw^ay in
1900. It was then established on the hill and is now
the ice plant. He continued in business in Bandera,
and was also interested in the firm's branch houses at
Ozona and Sanderson, until the break came.

The present Carmichael home was built for his
sister and was used as a boarding house. After her
second marriage he obtained the property and moved
there. It is still the Carmichael home, a grand old
colonial mansion, with spacious grounds and stately
trees surrounding. Eight children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Carmichael, two dying in infancy. Lawson
the eldest son, died six years ago. Those now living

Pioneer Hififory of BdiifJera County 110

are Ihil Carmichael of Sabinal, Jolin Carmichael of
Tiiscon, Arizona: Mrs. Stanley Lewis of Sabinal, Mrs.
M. M. Peters of Many, La.; Gervys Carmichael of
Houston.

For severl years after he returned to Texas Mr.
Carmichael bought and drove cattle to Kansas mar-
kets. It was a remarkable fact that on these drives
he was younger than most of the men who were work-
ing for him. His death occurred nine years ago. Mrs.
(^armichael survives him and makes her home with
her children.

JUDGE EDWARD M. ROSS.

Judge Edward M. Ross was a native of New York.
He was a veteran of the Mexican War, and after his
discharge from the armj^ he later re-enlisted and for a
long time was stationed at Camp Verde. While at
this post he gained the idea that he had found a good
couiitr}' with a great future, and he located right here,
established a ranch, and engaged in raising sheep,
cattle and horses. He was one of the pioneer school
teachers of San Antonio, living there in the early 50's.
He served as county judge of Bandera county several
terms.

Judge Ross died at the home of his son-in-law, Eb
Buck, near Bandera in 1909, at the advanced age of
90 years. His wife died in 1899 Of the seven cliil-
dren born to Judge and Mrs. Ross five are yet living.
They are John Ross of Bandera, Mrs. Mary Perner of
Ozona, Mrs. Kate Buck of Bandera, Ed Ross and
Jim Ross.

120 Floiippv History of Band ova County

FABIAN L. HICKS.

One of the prominent men of Bandera county in
the early days was Fabian L. Hicks, who came to
Texas in 1855 from North Carolina. He was born at
Forrestville, in that state, April 16, 1828. Shortly
after arriving in Texas he joined an expedition under
Capt. James H. Callahan to cross the river into Mex-
ico to chastise a tribe of Indians that had been depre-
dating on the frontier of Texas and escaping into the
sister republic. After returning from this expedition
Mr. Hicks came to Bandera county and went into the
stock business. Here he was happily married to Miss
Hedwig Anderwald, and raised a large family, Ten
children were born to this couple, six of wdiom are
now living: Fabian A. Hicks of Utopia, Gleamer Hicks
of Tarpley, Mrs. Animate Garison of Medina, Lucius
Hicks of Tarpley, Elvius Hicks of Bandera, and Mrs.
Hercelia Meadows of Medina. The child i en that have
died were Cleophas Hicks, Albina Hicks. Mary Hicks
and Mrs. Eratha Fee, who was the wife of (ieorge
Fee, a Bandera newspaper man.

Mr. Hicks went on many scouts after Indians,
and was always ready to fearlessly take the trail and
follow the red devils as long as there was any chance
to overtake them, In A. J. Sowell's "Texas Indian
Fighters" is given the following account of a chase in
which Mr. Hicks was engaged:

"On one occasion Mr. Hicks and a number of
others pursued a band of Indians to the head of the
Medina river and came so close upon them, the trail
being very fresh, Mr. Hicks proposed a halt while he
reconnoitered. Going down into the bed of a creek

Pioneer Hisforji of Bandera Coitnty 1(^1

where there was some water, the Indian sign was so
fresh that he knew they must be in the immediate
vicinity. Thej^ had watered their horses there and
the water was still muddy; in fact it seemed that they
had run away from the water as if they had detected
the presence of the white men. Mr. Hicks went down
the creek a little furtner and then turned back, as the
Indian trail had left the creek and went among the
rocks wliere he could not see it. After getting nearly
back to where the Indians had watered their horses
he discovered an Indian sitting on his horse on a bluff
not more than thirty j^ards away, looking and listen-
ing. Hicks took a quick but steady aim at his side
and fired. At the crack of the rifle the Indian uttered
a loud squall and went tearing down into a ravine on
his horse, and Mr. Hicks could hear him making a
noise down there like a buzzard or something of that
sort, as you might say, a squawking noise. Hicks
quickly reloaded his gun and went back to where he
left his horse and the other men. They now went to
look for the wounded Indian and the others, but noth-
ing could be seen of them. Blood was found on the
trail wliere the Indian ran his horse after Hicks shot
him. but down in the ravine he got with his compan-
ions and the}^ carried him away, the trail continuing
towards the divide in a very rough country. Mr.
Hicks wanted to follow, but the other men refused to
go, saying the Indians knew of their presence and
would be certain to ambush them somewhere. One
of the men in this party had l)een shot by an Indian
with an arrow only a short time before, right in the
town ci' Bandera, just after dark one night. On the
way back they met a squad of soldiers from Camp

122 Pioneer History of Bandera County

Verde on trail of the Indians. They went on and
found the Indian dead on the trail after \hey passed
the place where he was shot by Hicks."

Mr. Hicks rendered great assistance in law en-
forcement 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 vicin-
ity 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 re-
member 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.

Pioneer HiMory of Bandera County 123

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 pass-
ing 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 re-
cent 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 en-
deavored 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,

Pioneer History of Bandera County
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 oc-
curred 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 unimpeach-
able. 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

Judire Chas. Montatrue

Pioneer History of Bandera County 12o

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 Mon-
taji'ue boys went into the service, four of them went
overseas, and all returned safely. Three of them be-
came 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 daugh-
ters, 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.

1^6 Pioneer HisfoTy of Bandera County

JAMES FRANKLIN HODGES.

In contributing data for this book, James Franklin
Hodges, a worthy citizen of Pipe Creek, Bandera
county, sends in the following:

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 re-
maineth. W. H. White, J. H. Newcomer and C. An-
derson 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 hard-
ships 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 com-
mon. Onl}' one house was on the road between Ban-
dera 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 com-
munity of Pipe Creek has since that time grown from
a mere handful of people to a large, thrifty and pros-
perous 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

Pioneer History of Bandera County 127

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 indus-
try 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, Sep-
tember 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 Tues-
day. The pay was $300 per annum. The route con-
nected 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.

128 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 Metho-
dist 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 investi-
gation 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 In-
dian, 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 ap-
peared by this time, aiid after a sort of pow wow,
they ordered the boy to go out on the brow of the

Pioneer Sisiory of Bandera Vounty 129

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 sus-
picious 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 mas-
sacred 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;in-
yon. 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 num-
ber 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 re-
taliated 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!" as-
suring 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

180 Pioneer History of Bandera County

the least sign of fear there is no doubt but that she
would have used the knife.

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 com-
ing 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. Be-
ing 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 sec-
ond her anger seemed to increase until I began to

Pioneer Eisiory of Bandera County 131

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 vil-
lage. 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 hun-
dreds 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 war-
rior 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

132 Pioneer History of Bandera County

married to Miss Nancy Witter, the wedding taking
place in Bandera, and Uncle Bob Stevens performed
the ceremony. Mr. Buckelew is an interesting char-
acter and often visits the schools of the county and
relates incidents of his captivity to the school children.

W. S. HINDS, SR.

W. S. Hinds was born Januarj^ 26, 1828, at Nox-
ville. Ala. Came to Texas in 1845, and during the
gold excitement he went to California in 1849, return-
ing 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 peo-
ple there at the time, and one day in 1871, in com-
pany 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

Pioneer History of Band em County 7.'?,7

distance behind, and near Dripping Bluff, was shot
and desperately wounded by an Indian who was con-
cealed 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 re-
covered.

Mr. Hinds located his home on the Medina at the
mouth of Rocky Creek and went into the stock busi-
ness. 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 Gar-
vin, 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

13 Ji- Pioneer FTif^fovy of Bavdeva County

Calexico, Calif., and is a civil engineer and foreman
of a dredge line at that place.

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 donat-
ed 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 some-
thing 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 ar-
rows. 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

Pioneer History of Banrlera County iSo

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 In-
dians, 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 pre-
pare the ambush at the head of the ravine.

"FIGHTING JACK" POTTER.

One of the early Methodist preachers that came to
Bandera county was Andrew Jackson Potter, known
as "the fighting parson" from his pugilistic encoun-
ters with frontier characters. He had been a race-
rider, a gambler and "tough," but was converted, re-
formed, 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.

1S() Plonppv Hifitnry of Baiulera Count]/

MRS. CONSTANTINA ADAMIETZ.

There lives in Bandera at this writing a pioneer
mother who came here with the original Polish colon-
ists in 1855. She is Mrs. Constantina Adamietz, and

she carries the burden of
years lightly, happy in
the midst of her pleasant
home surroundings. Liv-
ing 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 peril-
ous past sometimes over-
whelm the realization of
the happy present and
brings to her mind the recollection of many sad tra-
gedies, 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 de-
spite the years that have accumulated over her head.
With that matronly dignity and grace that character-
izes her race, she invited me into her parlor and the
warm welcome she gave made me feel perfectly at

Mother Adamietz

Pioneer History of Bandera Coiinty 137

home and free to ask questions about her experience
in this her adopted country.

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. Wal-
ter 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 pre-
served 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 in-
cident, and at other times a hearty laugh would ac-
company 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 Amer-
ica, 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

138 . Pioneer History of Bandera Countij

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 sis-
ters, 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 still-
ness 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 hur-
rying and scurrying about when the ship dropped
anchor. Everybody began collecting their scant be-
longings, mothers calling their children, and the men
giving directions for all to keep together. We landed

Pioneer Hisfoni of Bandera Conntij 139

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 Gal-
veston we went to Indianola, from whence we travel-
ed by wagon and on foot to Victoria, and then on to
San Antonio, where we were met by Charles de Mon-
tel, 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

Catholic Cliurch al Bandera, Built in 187(3

140 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 re-
main, 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 perform-
ed any labor they could to help make the living. At
the sawmill, which was located where the old Peters

Pioneer History of Bandera County 1^1

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 wheel-
wright and carpenter and followed his trade. Every-
body 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.

142 Pioneer History of Bandera County

x4Ldamietz died May 5, 1921, at Thibedeaiix, La. An-
other 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

Pioneer History of Handera County 143

sister, was going to visit a neighbor. An Indian con-
cealed behind a tree or in a fence corner shot Mr. Car-
ter 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 re-
gion 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 to-
day. We had no drugs or medicines and when over-
taken 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.

i44 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 twi-
light 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."

Pioneer ITistory of Bandera Vonniy 74^

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, Leo-
pold, 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 ; Ray-
mond 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-hunt-
ing trip, coming up in Bandera county to the ranch
of August and Celeste Pingenot, which is now owned

lJi.6 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 start-
ed west with them, camping the first night at Mescal
Spring. Here they killed a horse and ate it. From
■here 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

Pioneer History of Bandera County 1^7

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 In-
dian 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 day-
break 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 dili-
gent 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 dis-
banded. 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.

14.8 Pioneer Histojnj of Bandera County

We made our home three miles from the Haby
settlement, where I engaged in farming and stock-
raising 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, Rio-
medina; 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 in-
fancy 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.

Upon reaching Texas they stopped in San Antonio
for some months. San Antonio was then only a small

Pioneer Hiaforif of Bandera Coniity 149

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

IftO Pioneer History of Bandera County

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.

Farming was all done with oxen, walking plows
being the only implements used. Small grain was

Pioneer HiMnrij of Bandera Count] f 151

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 familes went to church in ox wagons and
hauled their supplies from San Antonio, a distance of
60 miles.

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.

1.53 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 Kerr-
ville, 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: Dis-
trict 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

Pioneer History of Bandera County 153

we give some of the items just as they appeared in
the local columns of the first issue of the Bugle:

^The jail is without an occupant.
^[A new school house and church is being built at
Pipe Creek.

TfProf. Ryan's school numbers over fifty in regular
attendance.

^Soap bubbles and merchants who don't advertise
soon burst.

^Huffmeyer & Bro. shipped two wagon loads of
pecans to San Antonio last week.

^[The Bandera brass band under the supervision of
Mr. Bowser is progressing nicely.

^Rev. Father Eberhard, Catholic pastor at this
place, celebrates high mass at Boerne tomorrow.

^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. Every-
body' 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.

15 Jp Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 In-
dians came down a point to the right and made attack
upon him. He ran back the way he came and suc-
ceeded in getting through the bars again, but was pur-
sued. 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.

Pioneer Histonj of Bandera County llift

**At this time Mr. William Felts and Miss Jose-
phine 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 down-
ward. 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 Ban-
dera 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 over-
taken. 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."

I'^tO Pioneei' History of Bandera County

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 Novem-
ber 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 con-
tinuously 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 repu-
tation 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 de-
mise, and whose deep and pungent grief is shared by
hundreds who realize that in the death of Henry Ham-
ilton 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 va-
if indeed it be possible for any man to ever fill it

Pioneer History of Bandera County 157

with that degree of satisfaction to the public generally
that Mr. Hamilton gave."

From the Bandera Bugle of about the same date
the following was clipped :

"The hopes of recovery entertained on Thursday
last previous to the issue of the Bugle proved falla-
cious. Daily the sufferer grew weaker, and on Mon-
day 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 invar-
iably 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 sec-
tion 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 with-
out 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

158 Pioneer Hisiory of Bandera County

four sons to mourn his loss and to grieve over the de-
parture of a loving and self-sacrificing father.

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 assem-
blage of sorrowing citizens who by their presence testi-
fied their love and respect for 'Buck.'

J. M. Hamilton, who now lives at Kerrville, is one
of Buck Hamilton's sons, and Mrs. Hairiet Chipmau
of Bandera is a daughter.

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 num-
erous 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 lo-
cate. 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 un-
til it was burned out in 1915. Mr. Hudspeth died

PioneerZ-Sistory of Bandera County 159

in Bandera in 1907. The old Hudspeth homestead,
on Water Street, is now owned by J. R. Price.

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 Ham-
ilton; 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.

160 Pioneer Mistory of Bandera County

GREW UP IN BANDERA COUNTY.

Mr. O. L. Adams, who lives near Tuff, in Bandera
county, relates his experience as follows:

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 old-
est 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 moun-
tains and rocks and soon became tenderfooted. The
native cattle were fat, while ours died. Our Godsend

Pioneer History of Bandera County 167

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. Every-
body was so busy hunting game they did not have
time for plowing.

"My brother-in-law, being young and inexperienc-
ed 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

162 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 Ban-
dera 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-

Pioneer Risiory of Bandera County 163

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 instruct-
ed 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 wa-
ter 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

IGJf. Pioneer Hi stoTjj of B(uidera County

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, in-
tending 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 pre-
pared 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 home-
stead, 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

Pioneer History of Bandera County 76V7

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."

Un Xorih ProuL'- of Medina Kiver

IBG Fionmr History of Bandera County

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 Ban-
dera; Mrs. Frances Knapek, Mrs. Mary Marine, Mrs.
J^ucy Gollihar, Mrs. Bina Franklin, all of San An-
tonio; 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 to-
gether. 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. Sabi-
nal, 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 gather-
ed 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-

Pioneer History of Bandera Comity 167

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 shin-
ing 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 morn-
ing 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.

168 Pioneer History of Bandera County

UNCLE HENRY STEVENS.

Henry Stevens, Sr., was bcrn in Washington county,
East Tennessee, December 23, 1818, and died in Ban-
dera, Texas, January 12, 1912, aged 94 years. He
was married to Miss Margaret Adams in Marion coun-
ty, 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 fol-
lowing paragraph is taken, in which mention is made
of Pat Saner, who became one of the pioneers of Ban-
dera 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, sit-
uated at the head of one of the most beautiful streams
in the state. Here I decided to stop. My father-in-
law went on to San Antonio, which was then nothing

Pioneer History of Bandera Coionty 169

more than a small village. On reaching San Marcos
I rented a piece of land and began to make prepara-
tions 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 Pur-
gatorj^ 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 un-
saddled 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 be-
gan 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.

170 Pioneer History of Bond era County

We reached home safely, and this was my last hunt
on Purgatory."

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 An-
tonio. 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 lucra-
tive 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.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 171

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 citi-
zens 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 be-
ing in the crowd. The fight was at very close quar-
ters, 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 In-
dians were killed and a number of them were wound-
ed. They finally gave up the fight and left the moun-
tain, 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 mar-
ried. 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.

172 Pioneer History of Bandera County

SETTLERS OF SABINAL CANYON.

Gideon Thompson was among the first settlers of
Sabinal Canyon, locating there in 1852 with his fam-
ily. Capt. William Ware had preceeded him only a
very short time. Later John and James Davenport,
Lee Sanders, Henry Robinson, and Aaron Anglin, lo-
cated 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 after-
wards put up a sto^-e there. X band of Tonkaway In-
dians 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 protec-
tion 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 Robin-
son, 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 oc-
curred in Sabinal Canyon would require a large book.

Pioneer History of Bandera County

17^

JOSE POLICARPO RODRIGUEZ.

To attempt to give the full experience and adven-
tures 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 nam-
ed 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.

^tt--^

The Medina Dam

•tr"^^^

17 ii. Pioneer History of Bandera County

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 Hamil-
ton were engaged in hauling hay, using four-horse
teams. The day before he met his death, Mr. Win-
field 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-

Pioneer History of Bandercv County 17 o

ed to cross the Medina river at the Castroville Cross-
ing, now known as the Slab Crossing, and was drown-
ed 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.

17 G Pioneer History of Bandera Cowniy

REMINISCENCES OF B. F. LANGEORD, SR.

My father, M. H. Langford, moved from Burnet
county to Bandera county with his family in the year

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 Ban-
dera 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-

B. F. Lanj/ford, 8r.

Pioneer History of Sander a Ctoimiij 177

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 per-
mitted 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 An-
tonio 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

178 Pioneer History of Bandera County

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, al-
though they have stolen my horses and left me afoot
several times. What little education I have I receiv-
ed 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 chil-
dren 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

Pioneer History of Bandera County 179

Uncle Gid Thompson's daughters. They raised sev-
eral children. He died while residing in the Sabinal
Canyon.

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 regu-
lar 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 two-
story 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-

180

Pioneer History of Bandera County

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. Lang-
ford of San Antonio, M. H. Langford of San Antonio,
Mrs. Ruby Barnett of Del Rio, and John F. Lang-
ford 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.

Ranch 01 B. F. F. Laiigtoru, bi., on i-rnneg-e Creek.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 181

After my mother's death my father married Mrs.
Cryer, widow of a man who was killed by Indians
near Bandera. She died some twenty years ago.
There were eight children in our family, as follows:
J. D. Langford, deceased; I. B. (Berry) Langford, de-
ceased; Ti. W. Langford, lives near El Paso; J. M.
Langford, is a real estate broker in El Paso; M. M.
Langford, my half-brother, is engaged in the tele-
phone business at Reagan Wells; Mrs. Martha Fen-
ley, died at Uvalde in May, 1922; Mrs. Eliza J. Har-
per, lives in El Paso: Mrs. Mary Miller, a half-sister,
lives at El Paso.

My brother, I. B. Langford, or Berry as we all
called him, married Miss Lizzie Bird, who still sur-
vives and lives in Bandera. They had five children
Will, Clarence, Allie, Frank and I. B., Jr. Will Lang-
ford became a physician and lives in Sutton county.
Frank and Allie are engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness in Bandera. For many years he operated a car-
penter 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 coun-
ty 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,

182

Pioneer History of Bandera Count]/

later buying out the general merchandise business of
R. W. Gray & Son. He successfully followed mer-
chandising until 1915, when his establishment was
destroyed by fire, since which time he has been en-
gaged in the automobile business, and is at present
the local representative of the Ford company. Every-
body 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.

The Oia Gersaorif Blacksmith Shop.

Pioneer History of Bajulern Coitnty 188

BANDERA'S FIRST BASEBALL CLUB

Along in 1891 Bandera's first baseball club sprang
into existence. It was sponsored by Judge Charles
Montague, and enthusiastically boosted by Judge
Hugh Duffy. The nine was duly organized and equip-
ped with bats and mitts and a catcher's mask, and
Mrs. Montague made the uniforms for the whole club.
After a time and much practice the team tossed a
challenge to any baseball club for a game on tl.e Ban-
dera diamond. Kerrville accepted the challenge, and
came over and pulled oft' the first baseball game ever
played in Bandera, waltzing off with all the honors.
The visiting team piled up a score of 94, while Ban-
dera failed to cross the home plate. George H. Rice
was captain of the Bandera team, while the captain
of the Kerrville team was a health-seeker by the name
of Barrett. Anton Pyka caught for Bandera, at least
he occupied the catcher's box, and saw every ball de-
livered by the Bandera pitcher knocked into the old
bull pen. Anton was also the only Bandera player
to connect the bat with the ball. He reached third
base.

The team was composed of the following:

George H. Rice, first base.

John Davenport, pitcher.

Anton Pyka, catcher.

Loss Carmichael, short stop.

John Gersdorff, center field.

Frank Gersdortt', left field .

John Zimmerman, right field.

John Montague, third base.

Will Hay, second base. ;

ISJf Pioneer History of Bandera Count] f

A TRAGEDY OF THE CIVIL WAR.

When the country was in the throes of internecine
strife many tragedies occurred that did not reflect
credit upon the communities wherein they took place.
Almost every county in this state had its hangings
and murders of men who did not espouse the cause
that was lost. Bandera county did not escape the
stigma that attached itself to the perpetration of a
crime that was wholly uncalled for and without reason-
able excuse. However, it is in measure gratifying to
know that the perpetrators of the blackest crime that
stained the pages of Bandera's history were men who
did not belong in this county, but were citizens of
other sections, and therefore no blame can placed up-
on the citizenry of this county which has always been
of the highest order.

In 1863 a party of men, who, not caring to take
sides in the great struggle that was being waged be-
tween the North and the South, left their homes in
Williamson county, Texas, and started to Mexico.
They were well provided with good mounts, heavily
armed, possessed several hundred dollars in cash, and
were fully equipped for the long journey to the neutral
republic on the other side of the Rio Grande. This
party of eight men and a boy passed through Bandera,
and stopped here for a day or so, resting their horses
and buying such supplies as they needed on the trip.
They did not make any secret of their destination or
the cause of their going, but openly stated that they
were on their way to Mexico, to avoid conscription.

At the time there was stationed at Camp Verde,
twelve miles north of Bandera, a force of cavalry.

Pioneer Historif of Bandera County TSJ^

When it became known that this party of men were
in tne country and going to Mexico, a detachment of
twenty-five men under command of a Major Alexan-
der set out to apprehend them. When the detach-
ment reached Bandera the men had gone, but they
were overtaken on Squirrell Creek, below Hondo, and
were promised a fair and impartial trial by court
martial if they would surrender. They gave up their
arms and in company with the soldiers started back,
little dreaming that they would never see another sun
rise. When the party reached the Julian, a few miles
east of Bandera late in the afternoon thej?^ went into
camp for the night. After supper some of the men
suggested that they hang the prisoners right there.
Others opposed such outrageous action, but those op-
posing were overruled, and some of them left the
camp, refusing to have anything to do with the crime,
or even witnessing it. The officer in command seem-
ed to give his consent and the unfortunate prisoners
were hanged, one at a time, to a live oak tree. A
hair rope was used, and as each man was strangled to
death, he was cut down, the noose left on his neck,
and another one pulled up to slowly strangle. One
of the prisoners requested that he be shot, and his
request was granted. He was shot through with a
full charge, the ramrod being left in the gun and
penetrated through his bod3^

Joseph Poor, who lived over on Middle Verde, was
camped near the scene of the murder that night, but
did not hear tlie disturbance. Next morning he went
out to look for his horses that had strayed away from
his camp, and he came upon the bodies of the men.
Seeing the ramrod protruding from the body of one

1S6 Pioneer History of Bandera County

of them he mistook it for an arrow, and thought they
had been slain by Indians. He hastened to Bandera
and gave the alarm, and a party comp(»sed of O. B.
Miles, George Hay, John Pyka, Robert Ballentyne,
Amasa Clark and others hastened to tne scene of the
murder, and found the bodies of the eight men lying
scattered about, just as they had been left. An in-
quest was held and a verdict rendered, attaching
blame on the major and his party. A shallow grave
was dug, and the eight bodies, wrapped in blankets,
were placed into it and covered with dirt and stones.

The boy who was with this party of Williamson
county men, was taken away by the murderers, and
was never heard of again. What his fate was no one
knows.

After the war ended, and courts were again func-
tioning, the men responsible for this crime were in-
dicted by the grand jury in this county, but all had
disappeared. They wer«" never brought to trial, al-
though the case was continued from term to term.
The court records of Bandera county will reveal the
names of the men who stood charged with the crime
of murdering helpless prisoners.

In after years a monument was erected over the
grave of the murdered men, and it stands there today
in an out of the way place in Frank Pjdva's pasture.
Inscribed on the tombstone are the names of the men
as follows: "C. J. Sawyer, W. M. Sawyer, George
Thayer, William Shumake, Jack W hitmire, Jake Kyle,
John Smart, Mr. VanWinkle. Died July 25, 1863."
In its seclusion the grave is never disturbed, while in
the springtime wild flowers grow and bloom over the
mound, songbirds make melody in the nearby trees

Pioneer History of Bandera Coitnty 187

and the soft breezes that blow through the branches
chant a requiem to the departed souls.

THE BANDERA ENTERPRISE

In 1862 William Hudspeth and a Methodist minis-
ter named Chambers established the Bandera Enter-
prise, which was published for more than thirty-five
years. The printing office was first located upstairs
in the building now occupied by the Bandera post-
office, and after it was purchased by Charles Fee it
was moved to a building alongside of the property
where the Risinger building now stands. Mr. Fee
died in 1896, and T. A. Buckner leased the paper,
editing and publishing it for a number of years. He
was succeeded by other editors from time to time un-
til 1916, when the plant, which still belonged to the
Fee heirs, was destro^'ed by fire. The Enterprise was
never re-established after the plant was burned. Some-
time later J. F. Rocke, an itinerant newspaper man,
came along and started the Bandera New Era, later
disposing of it to Dr. J. M. Rappold, who published
it for awhile, then sold the business to T. A. Buckner,
who in turn sold the New Era and its equipment to
the present owner, J. M. Hunter.

The Bandera Enterprise was one of the old land-
marks of this town. For years it chronicled the com-
ings and goings, the marriages and deaths, the trad-
ing and trafficking, the joys and sorrows of l^andera
people. It was always a welcome visitor in the homes
of the people of this county.

188 Pioneer History of Bandera County

SKETCH BY W. F. SURBER.

My father, Adam Surber, was born in Virginia in
1804, and when he was about 18 years old he emigra-
ted to Kentucky with his parents where they bought
land in Pulaski county at fifty cents per acre. My
grandfather's name was Jacob Surber, and he lived
many years after moving to Kentucky. There were
eight children in our famih% but I am the only one
now living. I was born Januarj^ 13. 1835, and am
therefore 87 years old. My wife and I have raised 11
children, all now married except one girl and she is
living with us. We have 34 grandchildren and 26
great grandchildren.

I left Kentucky January 10, 1870, and landed at
Center Point, Texas, one month later. This was in
Indian times, and raids frequently occurred. One
time while I was away from home, up on the Verde
threshing, my wife had a severe toothache and got up
during the night to get fresh air, and when she opened
the door someone jumped over the fence and ran
away. The next morning there were two horses about
300 yards from the house that had been killed by the
Indians. Not long after that the redskins came in
again and stole two fine Kentucky horses from my
cousin, Munroe Surber, near Comfort. The last and
most brutal raid occurred in 1876. A family named
Terry lived about a mile and a half south of Center
Point. When the Indians came in on this raid they
found Mr. Terry and his four little children some dis-
tance from the house and killed him and two of the
children, badly wounded a third child and carried a
little girl, nine years old, off with them. A negro boy

Pioneer History of Bandera County l89

named Jack Hardy had been captured in this raid
and witnessed the killing of Terry and his children.
At the time of the attack Terry was sitting down on
the ground riving boards from cypress blocks and his
children were playing about. As he had his head
down he did not see the Indians approach, and was
unaware of their presence until one of them shot him
with a rifle. He sprang to his feet, ran a short dis-
tance and fell and was then lanced to death by the
Indians. Mrs. Terry, at the house, heard the com-
motion and seeing the danger, made her escape, ran
to the settlement and gave the alarm. A party of
men took the trail of the Indians and followed it to
the Frio where they ran onto the savages and recap-
tured the little girl. The negro boy got away from
the Indians and was picked up by the pursuing party.
I helped to wash and prepare the body of Terry for
burial the next day. He was horribly butchered.
Besides being shot he had been pierced through the
bodv with lances and was bloody from head to foot.

WAS BORN IN SLAVERY.

Andrew Jackson, colored, came to Bandera Octo-
ber 16, 1870, acquired a body land here and is today
living on it. He was born in slavery in Tennessee
April 1, 1847, and w^as owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Dun-
can. In 1867 he enlisted in the United States Army
nnd served three years at frontier posts in Texas. He
received his discharge and came to Bandera, and dur-
ing the fifty-two years he has lived here he has been
a peaceable, and law-abiding citizen.

190

Pioneer History of Bandera County
JOHN H. ROSS

John H. Ross was born at Bandera March 4, 1861.
His father, Judge Edward Merritt Ross, came to Texas
from New York in the
early fifties. He was
a school teacher and
taught a school in San
Antonio, later going to
Castroville to teach.
He was stationed at
Camp Verde while
in the United States
army, and while there
sustained a broken leg.
and was sent to San
Antonio for treatment.
He returned to New
York, where he was
married to Miss Kath-
erine Delaney, and
then came back to
Texas and located at ^*^'"" ^- ^^^^

Bandera, on the place now owned by E. Buck-
John H. Ross, while a boy, was sent to New York
and spent two j^ears there. He returned to Bandera
and grew to manhood here. On September 2, 1890,
he was married to Miss Caroline Guiske. and to them
were born eleven children, all of whom are living.
They are Mrs. Kate Moore, Mrs. Wilhelmina Fergu-
son, Charles W. Ross, John P. Ross, all living at
Yoakum; Frank Ross, of Medina Lake; Eddie Ross,
with the U. S. Marines in the Dominican Republic;

Pioneer Mistory of U and era County 191

Freddie, Carolyn, Elenora, Inez and Clyde Ross of
Bandera. Mrs. Ross died August 5th, 1914, since
which time Mr. Ross has been keeping house with the
aid of his unmarried daughters at the Ross Ranch be-
low Bandera. He is a good citizen, has the esteem
of his fellowmen, and can be counted upon to use his
means for the upbuilding of the country.

CONGRESSMAN CLAUD B. HUDSPETH

Bandera count}^ people look with pride upon the
achievements of Claud Hudspeth, son of Captain
Street Hudspeth, who formerly lived at Medina.
Left an orphan at an early age the subject of this
sketch entered the old Bandera Enterprise office
and learned to set type. He later went to Brady and
there obtained an old Washington hand press and a
few pounds of old type which he moved to Ozonaand
started the Ozona Courier, in 1892, later changing the
name of his paper to the Ozona Kicker, which was
published until 1911. When he embarked in the news-
paper business he was only about seventeen years old,
but he had grit and pluck and soon began to climb
upward. In the course of time he was elected to the
legislature for several terms, then became state sena-
tor from the same district. Later he moved to El
Paso and in 1918 was elected to Congress, which high
position he now holds.

192

Pioneer History of Bmidera County
BEN BATTO.

Ben Batto was born in Germany in 1841, and came
to America with his parents when he was only two
years old. The family came with the Castro Colon-
ists and were among
the first settlers at
Castroville, later mov-
ing to D'Hanis. The
name Batot was pro-
nounced Batto, some
of the family spelling
it that way. Mr. Batto
was married to Miss
Rosa Nother of San
Antonio, and to them
were born four chil-
dren, Will Batto, Mrs.
Isabella Adamietz, Ed
Batto, of Bandera, and
Mrs. Rosa Mandry of
San Antonio. With
his good wife Mr. Batto
lives on the place he
settled thirty-six years ago, two miles west of Ban-
dera. He has an interesting life history, a part of
which is revealed in the following sketch:

"I was about 18 years old when T joined a com-
pany of rangers, during the Civil War. Captain Rob-
ertson and Lieutenant Malone were the first leaders,
and Chris. Kelley of Sabinal was the Indian trailer.
While we were in camp at Moss Hollow, about six
miles below D'Hanis, we received a report that the

Ben Batto

Pioneer History of Bandera County 193

Indians had killed Big Foot Wallace. It was about
twenty miles to where Wallace lived, but we iuiniedi-
ately set out, about ten of us, and arrived at his
place about dark. His lonely little cabin was deserted,
no one there, and all we found in the way of j)r()vi-
sions there was a small piece of bacon and ;i little
corn meal in a sack. We prepared to camp, and in
about an hour Big Foot Wallace came strolling in
with his gun over his shoulder, his two pistols in his
belt, his Mexican blanket on his arm, and leading
his horse. When we told him of the report that had
reacned us he laughed heartily and told us that that
morning he had seen a party of Indians coming, and
had employed a ruse to make them believe that a
bunch of white men were near. lie appeared in plain
view of the redskins and waving his big ]Mexican hat,
yelled loudly to "Come on," and dashed toward the
Indians, who scattered and ran off, leaving all of
their horses. Wallace told us that he seldom slept in
his cabin, but would take his blanket, go out into the
brush some distance away and spend the night.
Often when he came in next morning he would find
moccasin tracks around the cabin. The next morn-
ing Wallace drove up a fat yearling and shot it down,
then told us to help ourselves to the meat, and we
did.

"We afterwards went to Petro Pinto, on the other
side of Fort Clark, and were kept busy scouting,
going out almost every day. We .found a big Indian
trail and prepared to follow it. Chris. Kelley, myself,
old man Reiley, with several others, followed the
trail to the other side of Devil's River, to a point
called the Painted Cave, then proceeding' on to about

19 J(. Pioneer Itistory of Bandera County

five miles further a short halt was made for dinner.
Here we filled our canteens and after eating we again
took up the pursuit, the signs on the trail indicating
that the Indians were not very far ahead. We
traveled until dark. The water supply had been ex-
hausted and we made a dry camp. Early next morn-
ing our thirst was extreme, but we resumed the chase
hoping to soon find water. Scouts were put out to
search for water as we went on. After traveling all
day a report came in late that evening that water had
been found, and all made a rush for it, but when we
got there we found we had to jump six or eight feet
over rocks to get to it. Old Man Reiley told me to
hold the horses and he would get me some water, but
when he brought it he would let me have only a
swallow or two at a time for fear that it would make
me sick. We had to make a detour of about a mile
to get our horses to the water. The men drank so
much water that it made nearly all of them sick, and
that night only three were able to stand guard, Mr.
Reiley, Mr. Kelly and myself. The next day we
again took the trail and struck the Pecos about sun-
down, and all struck for water, ])ut it was so red and
ijiuddy looking we could hardly drink it. Mr. Reiley
lohl lis he \vr>nl(l show us how lo clear the walcr, so
laklug a prickly pear he split it open and put a little
of the slime in a vessel of water and it immediately
cleared. We went on to the Rio Grande and found
another big camp that had been abandoned only two
or three days before. They had crossed into Mexico
and we could not follow as we had no orders lo go
into Mexico. We then returned to Pietro Pinto
an<i tiftlT spending several mouLliLi' in camp we wTre

Pioneer msiory of Bandera County 195

permitted to go home subject to call, but the company
soon disbanded. T then began working at the stone-
mason's trade, building houses at several places. T
went to Fredericksburg and built two-story houses
for Mr. Doel)ler and others, and Mr. Doeblcr liired
me to go to Fort Concho to build a sutler's store for
Jim Trainer. About this time the government work
started there and I had employment for about fifteen
months. Then I decided to go to Fort Griffin, and
in company with George Fulbright we started for that
post. While nooning at Dead Man's valley we heard
a noise and I went up on the bank of the creek to
ascertain what it was when a bunch of Indians ap-
peared and tried to run over me on their horses, but
I pointed my pistol at them when they came too close
and ran back to my partner. We were greatly out-
numbered and it looked as if they would sure get us.
We ran down the creek a short distance and found a
dry hole in which we took refuge and prepared to
make our last stand. The Indians stayed around us
until dark, but did not venture near enough to get
shot. About nine o'clock that night they tried to
scare us by yelling and shooting in our direction.
One bullet fell right beside me and filled my eyes full
of sand. Finally one of the Indians called out in
Spanish, 'Come out, we will not hurt yon' but we
did not go out, for we felt pretty safe where we were.
The Indians then left, and about two o'clock that
night we left our place of refuge and went to where we
had left our camp and horses, but the Indians had
taken everything except two tin cans. We hastened
to Mountain Pass where some soldiers were guarding
the stage stand and reported the presence of the In-

196 Pioneer Mi story of Bandera County

dians but the soldiers were too busy guarding the
stage mules to take the trail. I secured a night job
in a barroom at Ft. Griffin with a man named Dash.
The saloon was usually crowded with soldiers and
friendly Indians, the soldiers playing cards, and the
Indians loitering around to beg for whiskey, but I was
forbidden to give them any liquor. I bought a little
pony from a Tonkaway Indian, and kept it staked
not far away. One night I suspected that some of
these friendly Indians intended stealing my pony, so
I went out and sat down by a little bush near the
horse and began watching. Pretty soon two Indians
came riding up to the horse and tried to loosen the
stake rope. I yelled at them and asked in Spanish
what they wanted to <lo with my horse. They im-
mediately ran off, leaving an old poor horse there
with mine. It hat) a piece of l)utt'alo hide on its back.
I went up to the horse and began to examine him,
when suddenly an arrow sped in my direction and
found lodgement in the old horse's neck. I fired my
pislo! in the direct ion Trom whence \\w, arrow came,
llicii dropped lo the gr(jiiiid and lay lliere for a})Out
Iwenly niinulcs, bul as llic Indians did not. re-a|)f)ear
I l(»ok bolli horses and wen I l»ack lo I he barroom. I
thought these Indians were Tonkaways, who were
friendly and hung about the fort, but the next morn-
ing the Tonkaways came in and said the Comanches
had stolen all of their horses that night. I had a
very lucky escape, after all.

"I went to Fort Belknap on the Brazos, and from
there went with a crew of men to Buffalo Springs
where it was intended to build a fort. After being
here about a v.eek our water got so low the mechanics

Flonrrr TTiainvii of Banrlrra Coniify

197

had to dig for water. Ten of the wagons were order-
ed down on Brushy, about 25 miles from Jkilfalo
Springs, and a day or two later the report came in
that the In*dians had killed the teamsters and taken
all the mules. After working here several months,
putting up several buildings, the place was finally
condemned and we went to Jacksboro to build Fort
Richardson. I spent fifteen months there, and then
returned to San Antonio, later going to D'llanis
where I secured the contract for building VA. Domi-
nica's church, a two-story store house for John Phone,
and other buildings.

"Yes, I have hunted buffalo and enjoyed the
sport. On one occasion a man named Pruesser and
mj^self, accompanied by a negro servant, left Fort
Concho and went on a buffalo hunt up on the North

Scene in Sabinal Canyon

IDS

Pioneer History of Bandera County

Conclio river. IVIr. Pruesser was a great buffalo
hunter. We killed several of the animals late one
aftenior^n while the negro had stayed in camp. The
iici;ro li:i(| ii(>\(>r killed ;i huffnlo, and was very
anxious to try his hand, so we took him out to where
we had shot down an old l)ull, and told him to kill
the animal. He aimed his gun and pulled the trigger,
and then ran up to see if he had made a fatal shot.
As he approached the old bull suddenly got up and
made for the negro, who seeing that flight was im-
mediately necessarjs at once lit out for a small tree
not far away, with trie bull bearing down upon him.
He reached the tree and swung himself out of
reach of the infuriated beast, and right there he stay-
ed until the bull exhausted his energy and fell over
dead. The negro did not want to hunt buffalo again.

The Old McNeill Store at Medina, Now Owned by Wm. Hatfield.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 190

JUDGE R. H. BURNEY.

Hon. R. H. Burney, who has for many years been
District Judge of the Bandera district, composed of
Bandera, Kerr, Medina, Zavalla. Real, Edwards and
Kendall counties, is a pioneer of this section. He
was born October 22, 1854, in McNary county, Ten-
nessee, and came to Texas with his pjirents when he
was two years old, His father, Judge H. M. Burney
settled in Kerr county and was one of the prominent
men of this section during his life time. Judge
Burney's mother is still living and has reached an ad-
vanced age.

The subject of this sketch had but meagre oppor-
tunities to secure an education as he was growing up,
but being ambitious he made the best of such oppor-
tunities that came his way, and by dint of hard
study and self-denial he entered the Southwestern
University at Georgetown, Texas, in 1875 and gradu-
ated in 1879 from that institution with the degree of
bachelor of arts, and also in the same year, after a
course of lectures, was made a bachelor of laws in the
law department of Vanderbilt University at Nashville,
Tennessee.

Judge Burney served as a ranger under Capt. Neil
Caldwell, and rendered excellent service in this ca-
pacity. He was State Senator from this district for a
number of terms, the district at the time being com-
posed of sixteen counties. On the bench Judge Bur-
ney is at his best. His wide experience, his thorough
knowledge of law, his fair and impartial decisions, and
his kindly bearing stamps him as one of the best jurists
that has ever occupied the bench in this district.

^00 Fioneer History of Ihui-dera Count i/

TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DUFFY.

' ' B//f oh! fo) the touch of the vanisJied hand,
.hilt the sound of the voice that is still. ' '

—fohn RoylfCy Reilly.

To me Bandera has not been the "sam«^ old place"
the past two summers.
The glorious sunshine,
the soothing breeze,
the singing river and
the haunting melody
of the mocking bird
still greet me but there
is no cheery "Come
in, Fm so glad to «ee
you again." For some-
where ad own the long,
long trail far from old
Bandera, the kindly
Colonel Duffy is greet-
ing old friends who
preceded him to the
home of his Father.
And, oh! how I miss
the gentle soul! To
know him was a beni-
son: to listen to his
philosophy of life, a
reward. His Southern
courtesy, lofty ideals

and untainted purity of mind were an inspiration tq
all who came in contact with him Never did I hear
a slighting remark fall from his lips about any human

Col. HiiKh Duffv

PUmN'v Histovij of Bandera Coanty ?i01

being. He saw but the good in all. Troubles of his
own he undoubtedly had, yet you never heard them.
Unthinking, I unburdened on him a tale of woe, and
lo! before the Colonel's cheery words of consolation
the clouds of care rolled away and the sun was shin-
ing, the flowers blooming and my whole being was in
tune with Nature. Had he an enemy, I have not
heard about it. Scores who knew^ him in a small com-
munity for decades assured me that they never heard
anyone allude to Mr. Duffy in other than terms of
sincere appreciation.

One day I asked the Colonel to briefly state some
simple creed which he would consider a helpful guide
for the mortal with high ideals. The simple answer
came, ''Remember the (lolden Rule. You know the
Good Book says 'To err is human,' Uphft the fallen."
What a world of advice in |)lain. understandable lan-
guage! No wonder Mr. Duffy was every man's
friend.

He has passed on, but that stream of consciousness
which we call his soul still lives on — in the good that
he did, in the example of kindness and cheer that
clung around him as a halo, in the fact that the com-
ing generations will be told of him as a model, a plain
pioneer of Bandera wlio lived here some fifty years
and of whom they may be justly proud. K.

202 Pioneer History of Bandera County

CHRISTOPHER FAGAN.

WRITTEN BY RTCHAUU J. FAGAN. RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY

My uncle, Christopher Fagan, was one of the first
permanent settlers near the head of the Medina, at
the place now called Lima. He left Rah way, N. J.,
when he was about grown, and went to Ottawa, 111.,
to visit his sister but soon enlisted for service against
the Indians in the west. For twelve years no tidings
came from him, but one day my father received a
letter from him saying that he had been an In-
dian fighter, had been in a great manj^ battles with
Indians, and later had been through the Civil War
and had not received a wound of any kind. lie stated
that he had located at Medina, in Bandera county,
Texas, and spoke highly of the country, the climate
and the people. In 1865 he took up some cypress
land along the Medina river and erected a saw mill to
make shingles. These shingles were conveyed to San
Antonio in wagons drawn by six yoke of oxen. Sev-
eral men are still living in Bandera county who were
employed by him at the mill. I can readily recall the
names of Jim Walker and John Pyka. The saw mill
prospered until a great storm and flood washed it and
the dam away, and he escaped only by swimming to
higher ground. He did not rebuild the mill but turn-
ed his attention to stock-raising and followed that
business successfully until his health began to fail.
At the time of his death he had large herds of cattle
scattered over the country.

Christopher Fagan was a man of very few words
and never talked about himself, so perhaps we lost
some interesting and thrilling events in his life's his-

Pioneer History of Bandera County 203

tory. In his later years he wrote very interesting
letters to his brother (my father) in New Jersey, and
these letters showed how much he was attached to
Texas and her people. He loved the picturesque Me-
dina river and the majestic hills. He often advised
my father to come and live there. Some his land is
now owned by T. H. Phillips and some of it is owned
by J. C. Hillman. Uncle Christopher never married.
He died in 1882, and was buried in Bandera cemetery
by his friends.

DEATH OF J. T. STEVENS.

Since the sketch of J. T. (Uncle Jack) Stevens was
written and printed in preceding pages of this book,
death has laid its icy fingers upon his brow and his
great soul winged its flight to the realms above on
Friday, June 30, 1922. Thus another of the old pio-
neers has crossed the borderline to rest beneath the
shade of the trees on the other side. He was a true
type of the frontiersman, noble, generous, upright,
and leaves to his descendants the record of a life well
spent and full of deeds worthy of emulation.

Today his mortal remains repose in the Medina
cemetery. A grass-covered mound, bedecked with
flowers, and marked with an appropriate monument,
will proclaim that *'llere sleeps a pioneer," and the
passing generations will not forget that he helped to
blaze the paths through the wilderness for the tender
feet of civilization and made this land a safe place in
which to live.

^04 Pioneer Historij of Band era Cojinfij

THE THALMANN FAMILY.

Among the earliest settlers of Bandera was Lei-
breicht Thalmann. who came here before the Polish
colony located at Bandera. With his wife and two
children he came from Germany to America in 1852,
stopped in Goliad county, and while they tarried
there another child was born to them. They later
went to Castroville and then came to Bandera, in
1854. Mrs. Thalmann died in 1865, and Mr. Thai-
man died during the late '70s. When he came to
Bandera he })uilt his home on the site where the Dav-
enport store property is located, and later he secured
a ranch on Mason and Bandera Creeks. Seven chil-
dren were born to this couple, but the onl}^ one now
living is Orlando Thallman, who ranches on Middle
Verde Creek, southeast of Bandera. Of these seven
children four grew to manhood and womanhood here,
Laura, Herman, Leibright and Orlando. Laura mar-
ried Andrew Mansfield and became the mother of the
Mansfield boys, Andy, Ed, John and Padd}^ substan-
tial citizens of this county; Herman Thalmann mar-
ried Miss Viola Porter of Missouri, and to them were
born two children, Marcus Thalmann and Mrs. Laura
McCurdy, the latter died this year, 1922. Mrs. Her-
man Thalmann died in 1881, and Mr. Thalmann was
next married to Miss Louise Maudsley, and to them
were born thirteen children, eight of whom are living:
Mrs. Louise Jones of Mooresville, Herbert Thalmann
of Hobby. Mrs. Mabel Whisenhunt of Medina, Fred,
Ellen, Amy, Winifred and Victor Thalmann of Ban-
dera. Herman Thalmann died in 1914, leaving his
family in good circumstances. Since his death his

Pioneer Sistory of Bandera County 205

•
widow has successfully managed the large ranch hold-
ings, ably assisted by her sons.

Leibright Thalmann left Bandera in 1875, and has
never been heard from. His whereabouts are un-
known.

Orlando Thallman, with whom this sketch will now
deal, was the youngest son. He was born in 1855. the
midwife presiding on that auspicious occasion being
Mrs. Samuel Adamietz, who often stated that it was
her first case after coming from Poland, and that he
was probabl}'' the first American child born in Ban-
dera. He grew up here, attended school, knew all
the best swimming holes and fishing places in the
river, and hunted game in the woods. In 1874 he
married Miss May E. Cole, and went to liousekceping
on the ranch where he now lives. Mrs. Tlialmandied
in 1910. Seven children of this union are living, Dave
Thallman of China, Texas; Mrs. Joesphine Eckhart,
O. F. Thallman, Bandera; Jim Thallman, Oxford, Fla. ;
Henry Thallman, Beaumont; Aaron Thallman, Hondo;
Miss Eva Thallman, chief <lietician in the General
Hos{)ital, Boston, Alass. For reasons of his own, Mr.
Tliallmaii prefers to spell the family nnnic "Thallman"
instead of "Thalmann." When a boy he went to
school to old Professor Koenigheim, and speaks in
highest praise of that pioneer teacher. Among the
pupils of that school he recalls the following: Bob
and Hi Thompson and their sisters of the Sabinal
Canyon, Mart Binion, Jim and Billie Biggs, Ike Ste-
vens, Frank, John and Berry Langford, Dave. Rob-
ert, Arantha and Rena Chipman, George and Amanda
Hay, Tom and George Stevens, Tom, Brannick, Re-
becca and Rhoda Riggs, and others. The ager. of the

206 Pioneer' History of Bandera County

scholars ranged from five to thirty years, and old
Prof. Koenigheim would lick the largest as readily as
he would spank the smallest. Mr. Thallman also at-
tended a short term of school on Doe Creek, taught
l)y Prof. Dobljins. Former teachers had had difficulty
in controlling obstreperous boys in that school, until
Dobbins, who was a stranger, came along and applied
for the school. He straightened out some of the big
boys, read the riot act to the district supervisor, and
was giving general satisfaction to the patrons, when
he suddenly took a notion to leave and quietly de-
parted for parts unknown.

Mr. Thallman was raised here during Indian times,
but says he never saw an Indian while he was working
on the range. They made frequent raids into this
county, stealing horses and killing people, and he be-
lieves they often saw him, but he never saw tbem.
One morning, when he was about thirteen years old,
he went out after the oxen, which grazed near the
head of Privilege Creek. Seven of the oxen had bells
on, and when he had located these bells he went to
the fatherest ones to round them up and drive them
in, going in a gallop and hallowing to them as he went
along. He was gone about half an hour, and as he
came back he found one of the oxen had been killed
by Indians and they had hurriedly cut out and carried
away some of the flesh. He dismounted and removed
the bell, little realizing that perhaps savage eyes were
watching his movements. Rounding up the remain-
ing oxen he proceeded leisurely homeward, and when
he reached town and informed Robert Ballentyne and
some of the rangers of what had occurred they would
not belie \'c him, bul in a fc\v huur^ ruuucrij came in

Pioneer Bistorij of Bandera County 207

announcing that the Indians had stolen a lot of horses
belonging to Bladen Mitchell and others.

When Mr. Thallman located a pre-emption on
Middle Verde he was the first settler to establish a
home on that creek. The nearest habitation at that
time was the sheep ranch of Judge Booker Davenport.
Here Mr. Thallman has remained all these years.
His ranch of 2225 acres is one of the ideal stock-farms
of the county.

HENRY RACKOW.

Henry Rackow, who died in Bandera June 27th,
1 922, was one of the pioneer citizens of the county,
coming here in 1871. He was born in Prussia in 184G,
grew to manhood in that country, served in the Prus-
sian army in the war with Denmark, and immediately
thereafter he came to America and enlisted in the
United States Army, where he served several years.
When Mr. Rackow came to Bandera he accepted a
position in the Carmichael mill and worked there for
a number of years. He became assistant postmaster
and served through several terms. Later he purchas-
ed some sheep and engaged in ranching on Mason
Creek for awhile. He was a charter member of and
helped to organize the first Masonic lodge in Bandera,
and was an active member of that body up to the
time of his death. Mr. Rackow was never married,
and is survived by only two or three relatives in the
United States.

208 Pioneer History of Handera Couniy

ANDREW GATLUF JONES.

The Jones famil^^ has been one of the solid, repre-
sentative and substantial families of Bandera county
since the early days of settlement. "Uncle Andy,"
as he is familiarly known, is one of the best citizens
Bandera county has ever produced, and his sons and
daughters are numbered among the quiet, thoroughly
honorable and upright citizens of the county. He
was born in Bexar county February 24, 1853. His
father, John A. Jones, a true type of the Texas pio-
neer, came to Bandera county in 1864 with his familj^
and located on Myrtle Creek, Mr. Jones dying there
in 1895, and his good wife, Mrs. Mahala Jones, sur-
viving until 1920, when she died. There were eight
children in the famih- of John A. Jones, five boys and
three girls, namely; Sam Jones, deceased; Jim Ike
Jones of Parker Canyon, Ariz.; Ranse Jones, deceased;
John L. Jones, for many years sheriff of Kimble coun-
ty, now deceased; Andy G. Jones, the subject of this
sketch; Mrs. Margaret Stevens, deceased; Mrs. Ma-
hala Brown, deceased; Mrs. Eliza Brown, lives on the
Nueces River.

Coming here in an early day, and foreseeing won-
derful development for this region in the years to
come, John A. Jones accumulated extensive land hold-
ings and when death called him he left his family in
good shape to meet the struggles of life. In 1914 the
old Jones homestead was destroyed l>y fire. All of
the house furnishings, clothing, and $700 in money
were lost in the fire. The house was built in 1864.

Andy G. Jones was a small boy, about 11 years
old, when his parents mo^■ed to Bandera couniy. He

Pioneer Bisiory of Bandera County W9

grew to manhood, married and raised his family here,
and today lives on a beautifully located ranch not far
from the location made by his father in the early
days. He went to school in a little clap-board shack
with a dirt floor, which stood at the forks of Bandera
and Myrtle creeks. Tom Buckner, father of T. A.
Buckner the newspaper man, was his first teacher,
and Mr. Jones says he was a good one. lie taught
there in'ne months, it being a pay school, with an en-
rollment of al)out 25 scholars at $1.50 per month per
scholar. Among the pupils were Sam Jones, Joe
Minear, Tom Stevens, Jim Brown, George Stevens,
Margaret Jones, Armizenda Curtis, Lydia (Curtis,
Heman Chilson, Will Chilson, Martha Buckelew and
others. All the larger boys carried sixshootcrs to
school for protection, Mr. Buckner was loved by all
of his pupils, and took great interest in their sports.
During the recess and at the noon hour he would
plaj'' their games with them and engage in such sport
as ""Bull Pen," "Keep Sake" and other playgrouud
pastimes. Another teacher of that frontier school
was a man named Bryant, who had formerly been a
sheepherder. Mr. Jones says Professor Bryant was
very absent-minded, and one day while the scholars
were studying their books Bryant began whistling a
tune that caused all the school to titter. Noticing
the commotion, and not aware that he himself had
produced it. Prof. Bryant rebuked Andy Jones for
whistling in school.

In 1874 Andrew G. Jones was married to Miss
Anna Stevens. They had six children, five of whom
are yet living, Mrs. Dora Duncan of Medina Lake;
Ish-d. Lelia Emsley, di'dclin P.W; Jolm Ilxnny JoiTCb,

210 Pioneerlliistoiy of Bandera County

lives in Kerr county: Lou B. (Baker) Jones, lives on
Bandera Creek; George Jones, lives near his father;
Mrs. Noma Smith, lives near Camp Verde. Mrs.
Jones died in 1889. Mr. Jones next married Miss
Laura Nerthlin, and to this union were born six chil-
dren, as follows: Florida, Pink, Virgil, Gervis, Ma-
nila and Salome Jones, all of them being at home.

In relating some of his frontier experience, Mr.
Jones said:

**I was a member of Robert Ballentyne's company
of minute men, organized for the protection of the
frontier. We had to scout twenty days in each
month, and our pay was $20 per month. We furnish-
ed our own grub and mounts, while the state supplied
us with guns and ammunition, and gave orders how
we should take care of our horses. When in camp
we had to stake and sideline each animal and put out
A guard. \ Mexican named Manuel, who has been
an Indian captive for fifteen years, was our trailer
and guide, and he was a good one. He knew just
how to follow all signs and trails, and he thoroughly
hated an Indian. One day we struck an Indian trail
on Mason Creek and followed it to where the San
Antonio road crosses Privilege Creek. Here the tr;iil
led lip I lie creek, and wo foimd a M<*\i<:iii lli.il Icid
been killed b^ tlif redskins. The Mexican was at
work building a fence when he was attacked, and
when he was struck with a rifle ball he ran and took
refuge in an old chimney which was standing where a
frontier cabin had once stood, and there he died.
We found the body in this chimney in a sitting pos-
ture, with his pistol in hand ready to shoot. From
Lhcic \vc went on and came to a hbuoe which the In-

Pioneer History of Bandera County

dians had pillaged. They carried off a number of
articles and trinkets, some of which we picked up as
we hastily followed the trail. We found where they
had stopped and painted themselves, preparatory to
an attack on Jim and John Scott, wdio were clearing-
land, but they probably discovered our approach and
fled, scattering in several directions, so that we could
not successfully follow their trail. We then went to
the Bladen Mitchell ranch and decided to go over to
the Casey ranch on the Hondo and try to intercept
the Indians as they came out of the country. We
patrolled that region, two men each twenty miles
apart scouting and observing signs, but without suc-
cess. Then we crossed over to West Prong of the
Medina, and here we found a bunch of big wild beef
steers. Our captain told us to kill them and we shot

rie.7cni cciioci tLiua^ng <■-' - -ieaiu.

212 Pioneer History of £andera County

eight of the big fellows, and as wild as cattle ever got.
Taking a supply of the beef we went on to the head
of the Frio, Tom Click and I patrolling. We found a
place where the Indians had left fourteen Indian
saddles, and also where they had made a great many
arrows and mended moccasins. We stayed there four
days expecting the Indians to come and get their
saddles, but as they did not show up we burned the
rudely made saddles, and left there.

''I remember when the Indians killed Mr. and
Mrs. Mocu'e on North Prong of the Medina river.
We took their trail the next day and followed it
across the mountains. They went into dense cedar
brakes where it was impossible for more than one or
two men to go together. F. L. Hicks was with us on
this scout and when we came to the dense brakes our
captain said it was unsafe to go in, and several of the
men turned l)ack, but Mr. Hicks said Lo me: 'And}',
let's go in; we can whip every red rascal in there,'
so in we went. It was a risky thing to do, but Mr.
Hicks was a man absolutely without fear and when
dni.v t'alh'd lie was always ready Lo respond. it is
said Uial Indians will not kill a crazy man, so I guess
they Ihouglil W(? were crazy j'oi- (Milcring llial l)ig
Ihiekcl.

"The ncxl scodi wc niadt* we hired old man Smith
with his three yoke of steers and went to the Frio
Water Hole, where we built a good pen, and then we
went to Bull Head on the Nueces and gathered 400
steers which we intended Lo bring to Handera and
sell Lo Schmidtke &: Hay for $2 per head. We ap-
pointed Sam Jones as our boss on this mavericking
cxpt'di'tion. "'"^liile on the Nueces vre €a'ptu?r'eVi two

Pioneer Historij of Bniidcrd County 213

government horses on tlie range with halters on.
They had escaped from some post some months or
years before and had become wil(h We brought the
steers in to the pen as we gathered them, and one
night they stampeded and seventeen of tliem were
killed by running against cedar stumps which had
been left in the pen. About ten miles this side of
the water hole was another pen which was called Post
Oak, and we brought our steers to it. Four men had
to stay with the wagon, and as we were coming to the
Post Oak pen, Jim Brown, Jim Gobble, Lum Cham-
pion and myself intended to reach a spring at the
head of a hollow. There was some Indians there, but
I suppose they heard the wagon and hid oul, as we
did not see them. Near the spring I picked up a pair
of moccasins and a small mirror which had been
dropped by them. Leaving Champion and Gobble
with the wagon, Jim Brown and I scouted around the
spring to try to locate the Indians, but without suc-
cess. We found where they had killed a cow just a
short time before and taken some of the beef. They
were afoot, evidently coming down into the settle-
ments on a horse-stealing expedition. When we re-
ported our discoveries to the captain he said we could
not leave the cattle to follow the Indians, but to guard
against attack. That night old Manuel and I stood
guard around the horses, and at different times dur-
ing the night the horses showerl signs of alarm and
we made ready to secure an Indian scalp, but they
did not come. We delivered our steers in due time
and received $2 per head for them, and also received
$50 for the two government horses we had captured,
and we thought we were making money. Somebody

f:il4 Pioneer History of Banrlera County

reportefl to Austin tliat wo liad gatViered the 400
steers, and our arms were ordered to be returned and
we all got tired from the ranger service.

"When I was a boy on my father's ranch the gov-
ernment kept a lot of camels at Camp Verde. One
day we hobbled three of our horses and turned them
loose near the house, and fourteen of those old camels
came lumbering along. The horses took fright at the
sight of them, and we did not see those horses again
for many days. My brother and I penned the camels,
all of them being gentle except one. We roped the
wild one, but never wanted to rope another, for the
old humped-back villain slobbered all over us, and
that slobber made us deathly sick. W^e had a jolly
time with those camels when we got rid of the foul,
sickening slobber, and as we often rode broncos and
wild steers we rode those camels too. The camel has
a swinging pace and is easy to ride when you catch
the motion of its gait. They could easily travel 100
miles in a day. The Indians seemed to be afraid of
the camels and of course never attempted to steal any
of them."

JOE SHEPPARD WOUNDED.

In A. J. Sowell's book, "Texas Indian Fighters,"
is given the following account of the wounding of Joe
Sheppard :

"On one occasion, above where M«^dina City is now,
about where the Crockett place is, Joe Sheppard was
riding along alone, and was shot by an Indian with a
gun, who was hiding behind a big cypress stump.

Pioneer History of Bandora CoTuitij i?!-^

Sheppard saw the Indian just before he fired and
thought it was a bear. When the ball struck him he
sprang from his horse and ran behind a drift near the
river and waited with his gun ready to shoot, not
knowing how many Indians there were, and supposing
they would follow him. No Indians came, however,
but soon a man named Joe Henning came upon the
scene in a wagon, and helped Sheppard get into it
and lie down. The ball hit him in the side and he
was badly hurt. Henning carried him to a doctor,
but he could not find the ball and said it must have
dropped out while jolting in the wagon, or else dropped
inside of him, as he was unable to find it. After a
hard struggls Sheppard recovered."

The accuracy of the above is in doubt. In the
sketch of W. S. Hinds, Sr., to be found on page 132
of this book, mention is made of the wounding of Joe
Sheppard, and it is stated that Mr. Hinds picked the
wounded man up and hauled him to John Benton's
home, where his wounds were dressed.

In those days such attacks often occurred. The
pioneer settler expected these attacks and usuallj'
went prepared to meet them. The silent speeding
arrow was the weapon most generally used in making
attacks from ambush, but in the case of Joe Sheppard
a large calibre rifle was used.

^16 . Pioneer ITi.<ifov]/ of Brmrlera Coinif]/

THE MAYFIELD FAMILY.

Mrs. Samantha Elizabeth Mayfield, who lives at
Medina, has furnished the following sketch of the
coming of the Mayfield family to Bandera county:

"On December 25th. 1877, four families left San
Saba for Bandera. They were W. L. Mayfield, wife
and six children; B. M. Mayfield, wife and seven
children; W. W. McElroy, mother and three children;
Mrs. White, sister of Mr. McElroy, and two little
girls; and besides these four families there was Bud
Wilson, Will Campbell and a Mr. Brown. We had a
very enjoyable trip. Between Fredericksburg and
Boerne we were caught in a snow storm and had to
remain in camp several daj^s, but we had good tents
and did not suffer. Our travel was necessarily slow
as we bad three ox teams and one horse team. About
January 10, 1878, we arrived at the Polk Ranch on
the head of Red Bluff Creek, where we stopped for
awhile and cleared some land for Louis Polk, then we
went to the Hondo Canyon and settled a place about
six miles above where Tarpley is now located, or about
where the Cleophas Hicks ranch is situated. If I re-
member correctly, there were onh'' fourteen fam.ilies
living in Hondo Canyon when we went there: Uncle
Tommie Lewis and his two sons, Dave and Jim; Mrs.
Annie E. Brown, better known as Grandma Brown:
Uncle Street Hudspeth, Joe Hudspeth, INIr. Tuckoi*,
Uncle Henry Jeffers, Martin Jefi'ers, Taylor Hester,
Joe Shull, Marsh Click, Joe Phelps, Uncle Joel Casej'
and his son, Sam Casey. I know of only one person
new living in the Hondo Canyon who was there when
we ipoved in and that is Grandma Brown, unless it

Pioneer His for J/ of Bandera Covvty !217

be that her daughter, Mrs. Ryle, is still living there.
We remained on the Hondo one year, and then moved
to what is now known as the Hansen ranch on
Winan's Creek. This was a wild country with plenty
of game, deer, turkey and a few bear. We have been
here forty-four years, and durinjjthat time have made
only two crop failures — in 1879 and 1917. We can
make more with less work and as little rain here as
any place in the United States.

My husband. B. M. Mayfield, died January 9,
1912, aged 77 years. I am the mother of twelve
children, seven boys and five girls. Four of these
children have died, leaving eight, who are married
and have large families. Walter, the oldest, lives at
Medina: Brice, also of jNIedina: Mrs. Ernest Banta of
Medina; Harry, of Port Arthur; Sam and Mrs. T. A.
ikickner of San Marcos; Mrs. L. A. Holster of Shreve-
port, La., and Jas. H. Maj^field of Medina, with whom
I make my home.

"T believe I am the only one left of the older ones
of our original party that came here in 1877. I am
now 78 years old, in very good health, and quite
stout for a person of my age."

218 Pioneer History of Bandera County

THE BUCKNER FAMILY.

Among the pioneer settlers of this county were
Judge E. E. Buckner and his son. Thomas L. Buck-
ner, who came out from Kentucky to cast their for-
tunes on the frontier. Judge Buckner was one of the
first Judges of the old 38th Judicial District and made
his headquarters at Castroville, then the county seat
of Medina county. His son, Thos. L. Buckner, who
had had the advantage of a good education, went to
Austin and entered the Confederate Army and was
commissioned a lieutenant. After the war he return-
ed to Bandera and married Miss Martha Buckelew.
Two sons were born to them, Emmett and Tom Buck-
ner, who grew to manhood here. The father died in
1875. Mrs. Buckner in 1881 married Jas. Pogmore
and taking up a pre-emption on Winan's Creek they
lived there many years, Emmett Buckner married
Miss Elorence Hinds, daughter of W. S. Hinds. Sr,, of
Rocky Creek. They had eight children, six of whom
are still living. In 1919 Emmett Buckner moved with
his family to California where he died with influenza.
His wife and three unmarried children still reside in
that state while the three oldest daughters still live
in this section, being Mrs. Wm. Edwards of Pipe
Creek, Mrs. Ered Smith and Mrs. Sterling Eisher of
Utopia. Toni Buckner was married in 1894 to Miss
Harriet Mayfield and they have reared a family of
four children. For many years they lived in Bandera
county, Mr. Buckner entering the newspaper business
when in 1904 he leased the old Bandera Enterprise.
Later he was engaged in newspaper work at Center
Point and Kerrville, and now he and his son, Walter

Pioneer History of Bandera County 319

Buckner, own the San Marcos Record, one ot the best
weekly newspapers in Texas.

The senior Thos. Tv. Buckner was Bandera's first
county and district clerk. He taught school for a
number of years, and there are many old men and
women living here who were among his pupils.

Judge E. F. Buckner, after living here several
years, went back to Kentucky where he died at a ripe
age. One of the ancient landmarks of the county is
the old Buckner homestead on Myrtle Creek, on the
old Ike Stevens place. It is built of cypress logs,
covered with home-made shingles, and by request of
Mr. Stevens before his death, the old house has been
allowed to stand as a monument to the early settlers.
At the time Judge Buckner built this cabin on Myrtle
Creek, Clias. Montague and his son, Charlie, settled
on the present Montague ranch and built the old rock
residence which still stands there. The two boys,
(Charlie and Tom, were close chums as they grew up
and later soldiered together. Their friendship and
experiences of the early days is perhaps the cause of
the close friendship that through all these years has
existed between the two families. A remarkable fea-
ture of this friendship is the fact that as there was a
Charlie Montague and a Tom Buckner to chum to-
gether in the seventies, their sons, Charlie, Jr., and
Tom, Jr., were special chums when they grew to young
manhood, and the close bond of friendship still exists.

(xrandma Pogmore. mother of the lUickner boys,
lived until 1915, when she died at the home of her
son, Tom Buckner, at Kerrville. The step-father,
James Pogmore, died some years before at the home
of Emmett Buckner on the Hondo.

9.20

Pioneer History of Bandera County

AMASA CLARK.

A word painter with vision enough to grasp history
in the making could weave a wonderful story of the
life of this grand old man, Amasa Clark, who looks
serenel.y back upon al-
most a hundred years
of the greatest changes
the world has known.
Men have looked with
awe upon some inani-
mate object — a tree or
a towering peak — that
has stood immutable
amid the changes of
the years. Amasa
Clark h a s watched
changes as great, and
more, he can tell of
them. His memory is
fresh, and he tells the
story with interest and
spirit.

Mr. Clark was born on Socharrie Creek, in So-
charrie county, New York, September 3, 1828, only a
few years after Old Hickory whipped the British at
New Orleans and before the Alamo and San Jacinto
field were baptized into immortality by the blood of
Texas heroes, he has passed through five wars on the
soil of the Ignited States. Thus he has faced all the
dangers, hardships and privations that were the lot
of those who went ahead to soften the wilderness for
the tender feet of civilization. From the time when

Amasa Clark

Pioneer Mlsiory of Bandera County 221

armies contended with muzzle- loading muskets, and
wooden frigates sailed the seas, he has watched the
science of warfare develop into systematic slaughter
by aerial monsters, hurled by the tremendous force of
explosives a thousand times more powerful than the
gunpowder that prostrated the American Indians with
awe at the £oming of the first white men. He has
lived from the time when solid shot was the greatest
weapon at the command of the armies to the day of
the explosive shell which sweeps all things living from
vast areas. He has watched the trail of wild things
through the wilderness metamorphosed into teeming
paths of commerce. He has seen the place of the ox-
drawn vehicle taken by the high-powered automobile
and the giant airplanes contending for the supremacy
of the air. Amasa Clark has seen much, and it is his
earnest hope that he may live to see Society and its
foster-mother, Civilization, triumph at last in the
realization of universal peace.

When Amasa Clark came into this world Texas
was a province, the home of wild beasts and
savage men; a province whose rivers, mountains
and i)lains were unexplored, and whose future found
oiilline only in the aml)itious plans of a Uurr, a Wil-
kinson, or a Blannerhassett. When but a lad he left
his native state, New York, enlisted in the army and
valiantly fought his way from Vera Cruz to Chapul-
tepec with General Scott, and when victory had
crowned the American arms in Mexico he came to
Texas. Here he cast his lot to blaze the way for on-
coming generations. He has seen the signal fires of
the savage gleam from a thousand peaks and lia^ fol-
ToVy-ed their encri'mscned trail across the hills an'd

222 Pioneer History of Bandera County

plains along the vast extent of our Texas border.
Sitting upon the pedestal of years, he now looks down
upon an Empire state where savage invasion is only
a memory; where homes, towns and cities dot the
land, where a million boys and girls go to school, and
with lofty and exultant pride may well this venerated
father exclaim, "I was an humble factor in this won-
derful achievement."

Like most men of his advanced age the period of
second childhood has succeeded that of vigorous man-
hood, but the memory fraught with the record of three
generations is not bedimmed by the frailties of ex-
treme age, and he has a ready recollection of events
and incidents of the early period that is, to say the
least, remarkable. Just a question or a suggestion is
all that is needed to awaken his memory and he un-
folds narrative after narrative of thrilling events of
the distant past. Incidents of his early childhood
days are clearly remembered by him and he relates
them to his grandchildren and great grandchildren to-
day. He claims his age as 94, and has records to
prove it. He is still a well preserved man apd quite
active. He has never used tobacco or liquor, and is
proud of it. Mr. Clark is today drawing a pension
of $50 per month from the government for his service
in the Mexican War in 1847. He is one of onl}' 73
survivors of that great conflict. He landed at Vera
Cruz with General Scott's forces and marched to
Mexico City, taking part in all the bloodj' engage-
ments along the way, finally making a triumphant
entry into the Mexican capital and saw the Stars and
Stripes ^\ ave proudly from the National Palace. It
would require a \ blume to recount his experiences in

PioneerZEistory'of Bandera County 223

that war alone. He was commended by his superior
officers for bravery in action and in street jBghting in
Mexico City.

Mr. Clark manages his farm of 160 acres, looks
after his business affairs with the same ability he has
always displayed. He gets about without the aid of
a cane, his step is sprightly, and his extreme age is
indicated only by his stooped shoulders and white
hair. In appearance he would easily pass for a man
about 68 or 70 years old. He is the father of nine-
teen children, several of whom are now old men and
women. Sixteen of his children are living. On July
10, 1859, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Eliza Jane
Wright, at Fredericksburg, Texas. To them were
born eleven children ; Annie and x\masa, Jr.. died
with diptheria while quite young; Ed Clark, lives in
Bandera; Isaac Clark, lives at Caddo Mills, Texas,
Mrs. Amanda North, lives at Poteet, Texas; Mrs.
Mary Selby, died in Atascosa county; Mrs. Caroline
Taylor, lives at Van Nuys, California; Mrs. Olive
Cosgrove, lives near Bandera; John Clark, lives at
Tarpley, Texas; Mrs. Eliza Massey, lives at VanNuys,
California; Sam Clark lives near Bandera. Mrs.
Kli/a Jane (lark died July 1, 1888. On May 4, 1885,
Mr. Clark was married to Miss Lucy Wedgeworth.
To them were born eight children: Zack Clark of
Atascosa county; Ben Clark of Bandera; Orange Judd
Clark of Bandera; Mrs. Bessie Schmidtke of Bandera;
Mrs. Albert Maass of Randlett, Oklalioma; Mrs.
Bertha Hill of San Antonio; Alvin Clark of ('harlotte,
Texas; Mrs. Kittic Evans of San Antonio. Several of
Mr. Clark's children have large families, and he does
not laiovv llie number uf his deijccndanlb.

23^ PioJieer History of Sandera County

Today Mr. and Mrs. Clark live on the farm, four
miles west of Bandera, which Mr. Clark purchased
many years ago from a man named Hardin, Here
Mr. Clark engaged in the nursery' business until ad-
vancing age compelled him to retire from that work.
He still has a fine orchard, and last year, 1921, he
marketed nearlj^ 1,000 bushels of pears at $1.00 per
bushel.

At the close of the Mexican War Mr. Clark was
discharged from the service at San Elizario, near El
Paso, and afterwards came to Bandera and has resid-
ed here continuously ever since. He gives some of
his experiences here as follows:

"After my discharge from the United States army,
and from active service in Mexico, I went to San An-
tonio, where I remained for some time. Then I went
up on the Guadalupe river, just below where Center
Point is now situated, and assisted O. B. Miles, who
was hauling shingles to San Antonio for Gillis & Wil-
kins, w^ho had the only shingle camp there, A tribe
of Delaware Indians were encamped nearby and were
very kind and friendly toward us. Some of our men
had visited the Bandera Pass region and had often
spoken in such glowing terms of the picturesque
scenery and the abundance of game in the Medina
valley that T determined to visit this region myself,
They reported three families camped on the Medina,
and those three families were the founders of the first
settlement in Bandera county, which afterward be-
came the town of Bandera. The Delaware Indians
fre((uently invited me to join them in their hunting
forays, and one time they insisted that I accompany
them to the ^ledina vallev to kill deter for the hides.

Pioneer Bisiory of Bandera County 235

Thus I made my first visit to the beautiful Bandera
region. T found game plentiful, and the three families
here were so hospitable and friendly and treated me
witli such kind consideration I decided to tarry with
them for awhile at least. That sojourn has been pro-
longed over a period of seventy years, and I am still
here. This country was in its wildest state when I
came here in 1852. It was no trouble to step out a
short distance from camp and kill deer or turkey.
Grass was knee high, there was not as much brush
and oak timber here then as grows on our hills today.
The country was open and you could see objects a
mile or two away much easier than you can now see
them a few hundred yards distant. I remember the
first bear I ever killed. I had gone out to Privilege
Creek one time to cut hay, and while there our supply
of meat gave out, so I went forth to kill a deer, and
came upon a big bear. I shot him dead, and we had
plenty of meat. Another bear experience that might
interest the boys and girls, happened when I had
some cattle on the Davenport ranch. I went out
there one day to look after them, and while on my
way I found an old bear with two very small cubs.
I caught one of the cubs and the old bear stood up-
right and made for me, growling and showing her
teeth, but I outran her and got away with the young
one. She did not seem inclined to pursue me very
far, probably because she was afraid to leave the
other cub. 1 took my cub home with me and raised
it to a good size. He became very gentle and afford-
ed me much pleasure and amusement. Sometimes I
would turn him loose and he would invariably head
fur the slop bucket and eat the contents, and often he

226 Pioneer Mistory of Handera Couniy

would climb to the water shelf and sit down in the
water bucket. I went off on a trip one day and when
I returned I was grieved to find some bc^ys had killed
my beloved pet.

*'The first Indian raid that occurred in this region
that I know of took place along about 1854. Charles
de Montel had a horse-power saw mill, and worked
eight or ten horses. A negro named Oliver was the
driver. One morning this negro went out to look for
the mill horses but could not find them, for the In-
dians had stolen them and taken them up the river to
a point known as White Bluff. As soon as it became
known that the Indians had driven them oft', Gideon
Carter, Irvin Carter, O. B. Miles, Dan Turner, and
several others took the trail and started up the river,
and when they had gone several miles \hey met the
horses coming back, as they had escaped from the In-
dians. Turner was leCt in charge of the horses and
the other members of the party pushed on to over-
take and chastise the Indians. Some distance further
on they espied two Indians coming on the back trail
with their heads down, following the horses' tracks.
When the Indians saw the white men they dashed off*
jirul got into ihe brush. Tlie white men went on and
soon discovere'd th« Indiiins' camp and made ready to
charge it, bul a deep gulch prevented them from ad-
vancing far, so they had to go around some distance
to get to it. The Indians, seeing them approaching,
left the camp and went up on a mountain, one of them
riding a beautiful white horse, but during the charge
which followed the Indian killed that white horse to
keep him from falling into the hands of the white
int'n. The InVJian^ made ^bud their escape and the

Pioneer History of Bandera County 227

pursuers returned to the camp where they found a
bible and some boys' clothing in one of the wigwams.
This occurred about twenty-five miles above Bandera.
"I remember when the Duffy hotel was built. It
was erected for Mrs. Nicholson, a daughter of Mr.
Savery, and the lumber in it was sawed out of heart
cypress. Later Duffy & Martin ran a little store
therein. I recall an amusing incident that occurred
in the little store one day. The firm had on sale
some canned cranberries, which was a new berry to
many of the citizens here. Some of the boys called
them 'cram' berries, and one asked Duffy, 'Where do
we cram 'em.^' Mr. Duffy promptly replied, 'Cram
them in your mouth.' I greatly miss Hugh Duffy.
He was one of the noblest characters I ever met. The
many years that I knew him I always found him the
same generous, gentle, kind and afi'able gentleman.
Another polished gentleman who came here in those
early times was Joseph H. Poor, who came from Port-
land, Maine. He was a well bred, scholarly gentle-
man, and had a sheep ranch on Middle Verde. I
lived with him for some time, and while I was there
the Indians killed two of his slieepherders, an Irish-
man whose name I have forgotten and a German
named Karl Asmus. Poor owned several negroes, and
after the Civil War he was shot by one of the freed
negroes named Dave, and came near dying from his
wounds. Andrew Mansfield and myself, when we
heard of the shooting, went over there and attended
Poor, who finally recovered. The negro was tried
for attempt to murder, but for lack of sufficient evi-
dence to convict he was acquitted. Poor later went
back to Maine a'n'd dt^d ili't'rc :^cfme years aftcAvai'd.

228 Pioneer History of Bandera County

"O. B. Miles was another early settler here who
was one of my good friends. He was in my regiment
in the Mexican War, but we were not in the same
company. Mr. Miles, like myself, was born in -New
York state. He lived for awhile over on the Guada-
lupe near Comfort, and moved his family to Bandera
in 1853, and became chief justice here when the coun-
ty was organized in 1857. The first term of court was
held in a little building in the western part of town.

"Bandera has many running creeks which flow into
the Medina river. It may be interesting to know
how some of these creeks were named. AYhen the
hrst three families, vSaner, Milstead and Odeni. came
here from Boerne in 1852, they moved in wagons
drawn by oxen. They crossed a little stream which
they called Red Bluff Creek because of the reddish
color of its steep bank. They camped on another
httlc stream, and while there Odem lost his pipe.
Since that time that stream has been called Pipe
Creek. They journeyed forward and came to another
gurgling brooklet where the prospect was so pleasing
and the landscape so inviting Odem was heard to say
that he would 'lay his pre-emption there with the
])rivilcgc of lifting iT it' lh(\v found better land farther
oil. Th;il w.is cxcr nllcrw itrd ciiljcd i*ri\'ilcg(' ('iTck.
HundciM (.'reek was Ihiis e.illed lieeMilse ll li;ul ils
'\j\x\it- near Bandera J 'ass ■\iason Creek was at one
time called Wolf Creek. Milstead killed a doe on a
little branch and it was named Doe Creek, and a dry
run nearby was called Mud Creek. Winan's ('reek,
Hicks' Creek, Laxson's Creek, l^rewingtoirs Creek,
and W^illiams' Creek were named for first settlers;
\Yallace Creek \vas ;jo named because Big Faul AYal-

Pioneer ITii^foi'ij of Bttmlci'd Count \i 9i?id

lace at one time owned land there. Rocky Creek was
rightly named. Julian (pronounced hool-yan) is a
Mexican name, as is also Verde. Tn that language
'verde' means green. There are many other streams
in the county that T do not recall how tliey were
were named.

"A great many tragedies have heen enacted dur-
ing the time I have lived here, and to recount them
all woidd require a book several times the si/e of this
volume. There were murders committed bj' the In-
dians, and killings by white people. A man named
Harnes, who lived on the Hondo, disappeared some-
time during the sixties. It was beHeved at the time
that he was murdered and his body burned.

At the time the Indians killed Tom Click they
stole a good horse from me. The horse was a very
fast animal, and that daj^ while I was at the Rangers
camp Joe Sutherland and Polly Rodriguez matched a
race. Quite a crowd gathered to see the fun. It was
agreed that the one who got beat in the race would
have to run against my horse. They did not know
the speed of my nag. When all was in readiness they
selected me to start the horses off, and old man Chip-
man and others went to the coming out place to judge
winner. As I gave the order to 'go' they dashed off
and my horse followed. I just let him run and he
beat the other two horses by a good lengtli. Chip-
man said I had judged the race at both ends of the
track. That night the Indians stole my horse.

"Yes, I attended all of the weddings and social
functions in those early days, and danced with the
belles of the community. . I knew all of the Polish
girls.. Sou^e of them are still living and, like myself,

230 Pioneer History of Bandera County

have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Miss
Kusha (Kate) Dugos was a comely maiden. She mar-
ried Anton Anderwald, still lives in Bandera, and is
now past eighty years old.

"One time, in 1856, when I was returning from a
trip to San Antonio with Dr. Thompson and John
Ivindla, we were attacked hy robbers at night while
we slept. Dr. Thompson was killed outright, and
Mr. Kindla was so badly injured he never recovered,
and died some years later from his wounds. I was
badl}^ battered up, and rendered unconscious for sev-
eral hours, and I still carry the scars on my head.
An old rusty gun barrel was the weapon used. When
I came to myself the next morning I managed to get
the oxen yoked to the wagon, and assisted Kindla
into it, and we made our way to the only house be-
tween San Antonio and Bandera, where we were given
aid. We were then taken to San Antonio and I spent
some time in a hospital there. A posse was organized
and the robbers were trailed to San Antonio, where a
battle ensued in which Phil Stroupe, the city marshal,
and one of the robbers were killed. While I am very
active and in good health now at the age of ninety-
four, I believe the injuries sustained in this murder-
ous attack weakened my constitution to some extent
and greatly impaired my hearing.

''I remember when the camels were brought to
Camp Verde, and how the government expected to
use them to transport dispatches across the desert to
El Paso and to other posts. I worked with those
camels for fourteen months, 1859-1860, and as a relic
of these days I still have in my possession two pillows
made from camels' hair. The camels are gone, and

Pioneer History of Bandera County S-Jl

but one of the buildings at old Camp Verde remains
standing.'*'

Mrs. Lucy Clark, the present wife of Amasa Clark,
was born in Jackson county, Mississippi, January 7,
1859, and came to Texas with her mother Mrs. James
Wedgeworth, in December. 1881. settling near Sabinal
Station. Later Mrs. Wedgeworth moved to Vander-
pool in Bandera county, where her daughter, Miss
Lucj'^ Wedgeworth, was married to Amasa Clark in
1885. Three of Mrs. Clark's brothers are still living.
Zack Wedgeworth lives at Clovis. California; James
Wedgeworth lives at Jourdanton, Texas, and John
Wedgeworth lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Two sisters
are also living, Mrs. S. D. Smith of Melvin, and Mrs.
Amanda Snow of Ingram. Mrs. Clark is the mother
of eight children, four boys and four girls, all living,
and their names are given in the list of the Clark
children on a preceding page. In that list the name
of one daughter appears as Mrs. Albert Maass, when
it should be Mrs. Elberta Maass. Two of Mrs.
Clark's sons. Orange and Alvin Clark, were in the
service during the World War, Orange with the
Marines, and Alvin in the air service. Both of them
went overseas and came back without injuries.

/:i/)2 n oncer Hi at on j of Ftmidrrn Ooinify

GABRIEL ANDERWALD.

1 was born in Poland, March 24, 1851, and when I
was four years old ray parents, Frank and Elizabeth
Anderwald, came to America with a colonj^ of onr
people and settled at Bandera in 1855. Here I was
raised and for sixty-seven years I have lived right
here at Bandera. In 1880 I secured the farm tract
where I am now living and improved it, but the life
of a bachelor did not suit me at all, so in 1881 I was
married to Miss Mary Moravietz, and we have lived
on that farm more than forty years,raising: a family of
nine children, four boys and five girls. Their names
are as follows: Mrs. Annie Dugos. of Bandera; Mrs.
Susan Gavlich, of Boerne; Tom Anderwald, who mar-
ried Miss Nona Snare and now lives at Pipe Creek;
Raymuld Anderwald, lives at home; Genevieve, who
has taken the veil and is now in the Sisterhood; Frank
Anderwald, who married Miss Agnes Tanheiser and
lives on Middle Verde; Henry Anderwald. lives at
*White Deer, Texas, and Misses Augustina and Amelia
Anderwald, live at home. I have seen Bandera grow
from a straggling village with only a few families to a
good sized town and the population of the county in-
creased from two or three hundred to several thousand.
When I was a boy I worked for fifty cents a day,
from before daylight in the m.orning until after dark
in the evening, and thought I was getting big wages.
I wore homespun clothing, home-made shoes and a
hat plaited from wheat straw. Our luxuries were
very few and our means limited. But we had our
pleasures in those days, despite the dangers that sur-
rounded us and the inconveniences with which we

Pioneer Hhtori I of nancleva Conn 1 7/ .'?.7.7

had to contend, and I believe we enjoyed life then
much better than the young people of this day and
time with their automobile joy rides, picture shows,
jazz dances, and scant attire. We Jiad our parties
and dances, picnics and barbecues, and best of all
the wedding celebrations. 1 remember when my
father-in-law, Tom Moravietz, married Miss Frances
Haiduk. Is was his second marriage, his first wife
having died some years before. The couple went to
San Antonio in an ox-wagon, where the ceremony was
performed and when they returned to Bandera three
days later a big celebration was held. We feasted
and danced all day and all night. Albert Haiduk
was the fiddler on this occasion, and he kept the music
going as long as the crowd stayed. John Pyka, Mrs.
John Adamietz, Cuistian Dugos, John Anderwald, and
others yet living can remember what a big time we
had. And another celebration that is not forgotten
was the double wedding of my brother, John Ander-
wald and Miss Annie Jureczki and Cuistian Dugos and
^liss Agnes Halamuda, which took place on July 2,
1872. We feasted and danced for two days and two
nights, and were all utterly exhausted when the fes-
tivities ended. Both couples are still living here.

In the early days F. A. Hicks opened a silver mine
on the ranch of A. McCiill on Cow Creek, about ten
miles west of Handera. He found some ore Ihal
promised good returns, but after going some depth it
did not pay. A man named Meyer bought the mine
and spent a great deal of money on it, but without
returns. It was finally abandoned. While the mine
was being worked, a man named Jim Buckelew lost
his life by falling into the shaft.

^SA 'Pioneer History of Bandera County

I went up the trail to Wichita, Kansas, in 1873
with a herd of cattle for Schmidtke & Hay . In 1874
I worked for the same firm cutting logs and making
shingles. While I was engaged in this work Morgan
Moncur and myself were sent down to the old Mor-
mon Camp, accompanied by two negroes with teams
to haul the logs. We camped at Mrs. Spettel's place,
now covered by Medina Lake, and while here the
Indians stole our work stock one night. They did
not get our saddle horses for we had them staked close
by. The negroes got scared and pulled out, but
Moncur and I took the trail of the Indians, followed
it to Turk's Head hill, from there west to Bee Bluff
on the Verde, then towards the Hondo, but the trail
circled back and came out below the Davenport rancJi
and then went on to Burns' Pass. When we reached
the Pass we saw five Indians on Commission Creek
with a large drove of horses. The Indians discovered
us about the same time and started the horses in a
run, while one of the redskins took a position on a
small hill to watch our movements and see if more
men were likely to come and join us. We stopped
and held a council to decide just what to do, when
suddenl3' the lookout Indian dashed away to join his
comrades. We then went to Casey's ranch for help
and Joe Casey and Bill Hester agreed to go with us
in pursuit of the Indians. We knew they were mak-
ing for the head of the Hondo, so we cut across the
country to intercept them, and when we reached the
head of the Hondo the Indians were already there,
and we discovered their presence when a rifle ball
whizzed dangerously close to us, causing us to scurry
for cover behind some trees. Bill Hester had a

Pioneer nistory of Bandera County

9.35

Winchester and returned the fire, causing them to
circle about a bit and then they passed over the ridge
going upon another hill vvliere four other Indians
joined them, making nine in all. It being after sun-
down, and darkness coming on we decided to give
up the chase, as there were only four of us, and we
were poorl\' armed. We returned home, and the next
day INIorgan Moncur gathered a party of nine or ten
men and went to the head of the Medina, where they
overtook the Indians, and found about eighteen of
them. The redskins scattered and all got away.
Only one horse was captured by the white men, and
that was an old animal belonging to William Ballen-
tvne and it had been left behind by the Indians.

Bandera County Court House

3'">0 rioiieer TTifitnvii of Band era Coiuitij

FULMORE'S VERSION.

In Z. T. Fullmore's "History and Geography of
Texas as Told in County Names," appears the follow-
ing version of the naming of Bandera county. Some
of the early settlers here do not vouch for the truth-
fulness of the last paragraph :

"Bandera county took its name from Bandera Pass.
The word means "flag." The reason for the applica-
tion of this name to the pass, which is the natural
gateway through the Guadalupe Mountains, is not
certainly known. There are three traditions in regard
to it, two of which are in entire accord with well known
historical facts and virtually connect themselves with
them. The pass is about fifty miles northwest of San
Antonio, and was directly on the route from San An-
tonio to the San Saba Mission. For many yeare it
was a strategic point for the Indians. Yoakum's His-
tory of Texas informs us that in 1752 an armed force
pursued a band of marauding Apaches, who had made
one of their numerous forays to San Antonio. That
around and near this pass the Indians had their vil-
lages, and when they reached this place they made
their stand and fought vigorously, but were severely
beaten by the Spaniards. A tradition was current
among the old Manchaca and other families in San
Antonio a hundreds years ago as to this battle, with
the added statement that the Spaniards,
after they had severely chastised the Indians,
left their flags planted upon thf mountain top as a
signal and warning that more punishment would be
meted out if they resumed their raids upon the settle-
ments. We are informed by the histories that the

Pioneer History'of Handera County 237

Comanches, a few years later, came down into this
region, made war upon the Apaches and soon over-
came them. Not content with this, they began their
raids upon the settlements, and in 1758 destroyed the
Mission San Saba and its garrison.

"The government at the Citj^ of Mexico had per-
sistentl}" failed to garrison San Antonio with a suffi-
cient force to protect the settlers. In 1759 they in-
duced the Apaches to join them as auxiliaries and
with a force of 500 men, a majority being Apache
auxiliaries, marched against the Comanches. Meeting
a force of 0,000 Comauches and allied warriors, they
retired to San Antonio and disbanded. The only hope
for protection of any sort now rested upon their ability
to treat with the Comanches, and for this purpose
Padre Calahorra and other priests were deputed to
make treaties. One of the results was the fixing of
a boundary- between the regions they were to occupy
and the Gaudalupe Mountains became the line and a
flag on the mountain was the sign of the treaty. AYliile
the treaty was habitually violated by the Comanches
it afforded the only i)rotection the settlers had in
after years.

"The circumstances and facts of the tradition,
which refer to this treaty, were related to a party of
gentlemen who were traveling through that region in
1867. They encamped for the night at the count}^
site, and while there some thieving Comanches crept
in under cover of the darkness and stole some horses.
As soon as it was found out, the sheritf with a posse
started in pursuit, riding as rapidly as possible to this
pass, through which they knew the thieves would at-
tempt to go, but when they reached the puij they

338

Pioneer History of Bandera County

found the Indians had preceded them and had left a
red flag planted upon the mountain nearby. They
immediately abandoned pursuit and returned home.
Upon being asked why they abandoned their pursuit
they explained that that flag meant a fight with an
armed force of Comauches in the event they went be-
yond; that the Comanches claimed the mountains as
a line which set aside to them all the region to the
north and west of this pass under an ancient treaty
with the Spaniards (evidently the treaty above re-
ferred to), and any thieving Indian band who could
get their stolen property safely across that line, was
fully protected by the whole tribe. They relied upon
this old treaty to give legal color to their robberies."

Uandtjia. Public bcijuul IJLuldiiii

Pioneer History of Bandera County 239

J. A. TEGGERT.

J. A. Teggert was born in Canada in 1845, and
emmigrated to the United States when he was quite
a young man. He came to Texas in 1871, finally
locating at Somerset in Atascosa county, where he
was married to Miss Eugenia Lewis in 1876. In
1877, with his wife, Mr. Teggert moved to Bandera
county and rented land from Harvey Stanard, near
Medina City, on which he raised big crops. He was
so favorably impressed with the country that he was
content to remain here many years, and although he
now resides at Electra, in the Panhandle, he ma,kes
frequent visits to old Bandera count}', where he still
has many friends who are always glad to welcome
him. Mrs. Teggert died at Medina in 1914.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Teggert,
and grew to manhood and womanhood in Medina.
The children are Mrs. Essie Johnson of Medina, Miss
Flora Teggert of Arizona, Jim Teggert of Electra,
Mrs. Lela Hardwick deceased. Homer Teggert of
Electra, Mrs. Zella P'reeman of Panhandle, Mrs.
Louie Brown of BeaumonL, Robert Teggert of Pan-
handle, Mrs. Beatrice Wyatt of Electra, Miss Gladys
Teggert deceased.

240 Pioneer History of Bandera County

SCOUTED IN BANDERA COUNTY.

Taylor Thompson, veteran newspaper man who
died in the Confederate Home at Austin in 1919, com-
manded a body of rangers that made frequent scout-
ing trips to this region during the sixties. I have
quite a number of sketches which Mr. Thompson con-
tributed to the press a few years ago, and among them
I find the following:

"On one occasion, with a squad of fourteen men I
followed the trail of a party of Indians from a point
in Medina county to somewhere near the head of the
Medina river, where we despaired of overtaking them,
and abandoned the trail. The next morning I sent
ten men under the command of my corporal, to return
south, going down the Hondo Creek, while with three
companions I took the more easterly route, intending
Ibo go by the town of Bandera and thence down the
Medina river to a rendezvous agreed upon on the
lower Hondo. When a few miles below the old Mor-
mon Camp on the Medina late one evening we came
to the camp of three men avIio were traveling in a
w'agon. They were strangers to us but we camped
wath them for the night, the two parties together
numbering seven men. We learned that the three
men lived in Atascosa county and had been up in the
mountains on a bee hunting expedition. W^ehad seen
several Indian signal smokes that day. There was not
a settlement within ten miles of our camp, and as there
were ten or fifteen horses in the camp, we all prepared
to sleep with one eye open that night, though of course
the sentinel was posted before we retired. I took the
tiecopd watch, going on duty at 11 o'clock. 1 had

Pioneer History of Bandera County ^Ji.1

scarcely reached mj' post when a voice, seemingly
about twenty yards away, called me by name and
said, 'Come out here, I want to show you something.'
Of course I did not go, but after looking around cau-
tiously I went to camp and saw that my six compan-
ions were all lying on their blankets. When I resumed
my post another voice on the opposite side of the
camp called out in Spanish, 'Look out, you d — d
rangers, we'll get all of your horses tonight, and may
be some of your scalps.' The voice did not seem to
be more than twenty j^ards away, but I could find no
one where the speaker seemed to be. I knew that
many Indians spoke Spanish, and I aroused my com-
panions and we scouted the vicinity thoroughly but
could find no one. The voice continued to sound at
intervals, in different directions, always speaking in
Spanish. We began to think the place was haunted.
I slept no more that night, but nothing untoward oc-
curred. While drinking our coffee the next morning
and discussing the events of the night, I noticed that
one of the Atascosa men, George Powers by name,
could scarcely control his risibilities. He finally ex-
ploded and told us that he was a ventriloquist and
had been amusing himself at our expense that night.
We took the matter good naturedly, but when we
reached the little town of Castroville we nearly bank-
rupted Mr. Powers making him 'set 'em up' to us.

"The Medina river has its source about thirty miles
above the town of Bandera. When I entered the ran-
ger service early in 1864, the head of the Medina was
a rendezvous or gathering place for the Indians, a
large body of whom would assemble tliere, and then
dividuig into b'mall parties, would raid the country to

'B4^ Pioneer ttistory of Bandeta County

the south, going hy different routes and returning,
meet again at the rendezvous.

"On one occasion, with my entire detachment I was
camped on the Verde Creek, not far from the old mil-
itary post of Camp Verde, which at that time was not
occupied. We had been there several days, and one
afternoon one of our scouts come in and reported hav-
ing discovered a fresh Indian trail going south, some
miles to the east of our camp, the Indians probably
intending to pass down between the Hondo and the
Medina. A little later two more scouts came in and
reported having found two other trails going south,
some distance apart, and several miles to the west of
our camp. I knew how useless it would be to attempt
to follow these trails in all their windings and turnings
and feeling sure that the Indians making these differ-
ent trails had divided at the rendezvous and would
meet there again as they went out. Accordingly we
moved to the head of the Medina, where we kept as
closely concealed as possible, carefully scouting the
country in the vicinity, and keeping a close lookout
for Indian signal smokes to the south and west.

*'We had been in our position four or five days
when one day some of our scouts reported having seen
a signal smoke to the east of our camj), and the same
day 1 discovered two signal smokes to the west> and
some distance apart. We felt sure that these smokes
indicated that three parties of Indians were returning
to the rendezvous, the route each party was pursuing
gradually converging. We also felt sure that each
party was still some distance away, that being so far
•fi'om any settlement they felt comfortably secure from
pursuit, iaii'd \vb'uld c^ainp Avhei^e iilght c'\'ert'c^ok I hem

Pioneer History of Bandera County S4S

and not attempt to reach the rendezvous until the
following day; and we also knew that the rate of speed
at which they would travel would depend largely upon
the number of stolen horses they were driving. T held
a consultation with our old trailer, Macedonio Del-
gado, and several other experienced frontiersmen, and
we determined to start to meet the party that had
made the signal smoke the furtherest to the west. I
do not know why we came to this decision, but as the
sequel proved, it was fortunate that we did so. The
sun was about three hours high when w^e started, and
we kept our movements concealed as much as possible
by taking advantage of brushy sections of the country
as well of the many hills in that mountainous region,
all of which was covered with a growth of scrub tim-
ber. Shortly before sundown, by the aid of my glass,
I discovered two more signal smokes much nearer to-
gether than the first two I had seen to the west, whicli
indicated that the two parties were gradually (h'awing
nearer together, and our object had l)ecn to meet one
of the ])arties before they formed a junction. Wc
waited until night had fallen, and then cautiously ad-
vanced in the direction of where we had seen the last
smoke. Our scouts felt sure that tlie Indians were not
more than ten miles away, and we kept a sharp look-
out for their camp fires. We had proceeded probably
ten miles when we discovered five or six fires and then
we knew the Indians had gone into camp for the night.
We approached as near as possible without detection,
and then Macedonio and myself proceeded on foot to
rcconnoiter. We approached the camp so closely that
we distinctly heard the sound of female voices speak-
ing in Spauj-fh, aa well as the SQuud of childrcii Ci';fiiig,

^^44 Pioneer History of Bandera County

and we knew that the Indians had taken several cap-
tives, and we judged that there were fifty or sixty
warriors in the camp, which proved that the two par-
ties had come together. We also plainly saw in the
moonlight a large bunch of liorses which was being
herded by six or eight Indians. We watched the camp
until everything became quiet, then returned to our
companions. All but three sentinels lay down to
sleep, for we intended to attack the camp at daylight
As there were so many Indians together, we knew they
would not be in a great hurry about breaking camp
in the morning.

"Shortly before daylight 1 aroused my companions;
we mounted and approached the Indian camp until
we were within about 300 yards of it. Then we di-
vided into two parties, intending to attack from two
directions. The number of Indians was more than
double that of my detachment, but our superior arms
gave us a great advantage. When it was good light
I gave the signal to charge by firing a shot from my
pistol. The Indians were taken completely by sur-
prise, and at the point where my party struck the
camp they scattered at the first onslaught, leaving
three women tied to as many trees. One of the war-
riors as he passed near one of the women tried to kill
her with a knife, intlicting an ugly wound in her shoul-
der. I was close to them at the time and by a lucky
shot I made a good Indian of that particular warrior
as he was in the act of striking a second blow at the
woman. The fight was a hot one, but was of short
duration. No party of Indians that ever raided the
Texas frontier could stand the fire of six-shooters at
close range. We"*stampcded the herd of liorseb and

Pioneer History of Bamlcra CoTuity

later gathered up forty or fifty head of them. The
fight was scarcely over when John and George Bell,
with four Mexicans, came dashing into the camp. It
developed that the three women we had found in the
camp were the wives of the two brothers and one of
their vaqueros, and each of the women had a child
about two years old. The Indians had attacked the
Bell ranch near Laredo five days before, when all of
the men were away four or five iiiiles from the ranch,
where they had rounded up a bunch of cattle. On
their return, about the middle oC the afternoon, they
at once took the trail with all the men on the place.
We had three men killed and four wounded. We
found nine dead Indians, but of course we never knew
how many were wounded. Mtogether we considered
it a pretty good day's work."

School House on Middle Verde Creek

,?4^ Pi on OPT Hif^tory of Bdndova Coiuiti/

FIRST COMMISSIONERS' COURT,

The first Commissioners' Court of Bandera comity
met on March 21, 1856, according to records on file
in the county clerk's office. Present wereO. B. Miles,
chief justice; William Ballantyne, William Curtis and
William Ramsey, commissioners; \. Hoffman, sheriff;
J. W. P'l^oole, clerk. Bonds of the following officers
were approved: August Klappenbach, clerk of the
district court; F. W. Davidson, justice of the peace,
Precinct No. 1; F. L. Hicks, justice of the peace,
Precinct No. 2; I. F. Carter, assessor and collector;
Gideon Carter, county treasurer.

In the minutes of the Commissioners' Court, of
May 20, 1856, appears the following: "Ordered by
the court that F. W. Davidson. J. P., having abscond-
ed, his office as justice of the peace for Precinct No. 1
be declared vacant from and after this date." It is
only right to add that some time thereafter the court
entered a modification to this order by inserting in
the minutes: "It is not meant by 'absconded' that
F. W. Davidson had left with money belonging to
said office, for money he had not."

The sheriff's bond was $200, and the district clerk's
bond was 1100. In the minutes of the court July 26,
1856, number of poll taxes reported was 38; state
taxes collected, $45.83; county taxes, $23.04.

August 18, 1856, Charles de Montel filed in the
county clerk's oflSce a map of the town of Bandera.

On December 6, 1856, it was ordered by the court
"Charles de Montel is hereby authorized to locate
and survey all lands appropriated for school purposes
by the state for use of this county, for which he is

Pioneer History of Bander (i County 24-7

to receive SI 00 per league and ten per cent interest
until paid."

February 16, 1857, the Commissioners selected and
approved the following list of grand jurors: F. L.
Hicks, Gideon Carter, I. F. Carter, P. D. Saner, A.
Moncur, R. Ballantyne. J. Williams, M. Curtis, C.
O. Isham, Spencer Smith, J. 1>. L. Gressman, A.
Hawley, J. Ballantyne, ¥. M. Andrews, J. C'urtis, L.
L. Wight, B. Bird, C. Montague, i\. W. Bird, I*.
Moncur.

MONUMENT STILL STANDS.

In 1873 a law was passed providing that a monu-
ment be set up at each county seat to establish the
true meridian, from which to get bearings and secure
uniformity of all surveys. Chas. Montague, Sr., com-
plying with the provisions of this law, that same year
placed a monument on the public square, showing
the true north line, and that monument is still stand-
ing. Many people living in Bandera today do not
know why this monument was placed there. While
it has withstood the elements for half a century, the
monument is in fair condition, but steps should be
taken to preserve it for ages.

'2Ji.8 PloiiiPpr HiMnry of Band era County

RESCUED THREE. CHILDREN.

Another one of Taylor Thompson's narratives is
as follows:

In the early autumn of 1862 with a detachment of
sixteen rangers, I followed an Indian trail away out
somewhere to the northwest of old Fort Mason. We
were not familiar with that section of country, and I
did not know just where we were when we abandoned
the trail and gave up the pursuit. Fort Mason is
forty-five miles from the German town of Fredericks-
burg. Kerrville and Comfort were settled at first ex-
clusively by Germans. They we^e a hardy class of
settlers who came to that new country and some of
them more bold and daring than others, had settled
on ranches adjacent to the villages named, along the
the beautiful streams and vallej^s in that section and
these isolated ranches as well as the villages them-
selves at the time of the settlement, and for mahy
years afterward, were subject to frequent raids and
incursions from hostile bands of Indians. It is well
known that the early German settlers of that section
made several different treaties with the Comanche
Indians by which they hoped to enjoyed immunity
from Indian depredations. It is also well known that
the Comanche Indians were never good hands to
keep treaties. They were wont to abide by the terms
of the treaty when it was to their own advantage but
when they saw an opportunity to rob and plunder a
German ranch and thought they could escape with
the booty a little thing like a treaty did not count
for much with them.

At the time we abandoned the Indian trail above

Pioneer History of Bandera County ^4-9

spoken of our horses were much jaded and we were
out of meat and the first place we came to where
water and grass was plentiful and game abundant we
went into camp for five or six days in order to recup-
erate our horses and kill and dry enough meat to last
us back to our own homes. We remained there five
days and when we started back I determined to pass
tne town of Bandera, which is situated on the bank
of the Medina river, which heads above the now
thriving town of that name. But the country around
the head of the river was then wholly unsettled and
it was said that the head of the Medina was a rendez-
vous for Indians; that when coming down upon the
settlements during a raid they came in large bands
together, divided up into smaller parties there, raiding
into different sections of the country and meeting
there again as they went out.

We camped one night about ten miles below the
head of the river, and about twenty miles from the
town of Bandera. WV had seen no Indians nor In-
dian signs since we had started on our return, but of
course we kept a vigilant lookout on our horses when
we camped at night. There being fifteen of us to-
gether we had no fear of an attack, the only real
danger being that the Indians might stampede our
horses at night. I should have stated that the town
of Bandera was settled originally by Mormons, that
some thirty miles below on the same stream was the
town of Castroville, which was for many years the
county seat of Medina county and was settled ex-
clusively by Germans, while there were a few German
ranches near the town as was the case near the other
German settlements. On the night in question the

^''^0 Pioneer History of Bajidera County

moon was past the full and shone brightly at intervals,
being occasionally obscured by drifting clouds, in fact
the weather reminded one of what the old settlers
called a weather breeder. There was not a settlement
within twenty miles of where we were camped and
about 10 o'clock I was making the round alone among
the horses and when approaching a small thicket of
bushes, T heard a voice distinctly saying, "Say,
Mister, stop!" Of course I promptly halted and
asked who was there. The voice replied, "Mister,
you're a white man ain't you.'*" I replied in the af-
firmative and told the speaker to come out and he
should not be hurt. Whereupoh two small boj^s
emerged from the thicket and approached holding
each other's hand. I took them back to camp and
then began to questioned them. The elder said he
was 11 years old, that his name was Fritz Krawitz,
that his little brother aged 8 was named Willie; that
the Indians had come to his father's ranch about ten
miles from Castroville three or four nights before,
while his moth-'^r was attending a sick neighbor. The
father was at home with these two and a little girl of
6. That the Indians had killed his father, and car-
ried off the three children. The boy said the Indians
had camped, he thought, not more than three miles
from us and that he and his little brother had found
an opportunity soon after dark of stealing out of
camp; that he hated to leave his little sister, but she
was not near them at the time and these two little
children had stolen out into the wilderness not know-
ing where they were, and only intent upon escaping
from their captors.

I asked Fritz how many Indians he thought there

Pioneer History of Bandera County ^51

were in the party and he said he thought about
thirty. When asked if he thought he could find the
camp again, ]ie said lie believed he could. Justo
Rodriguez, my corporal, old Macedonia, the trailer,
and myself, held a hasty council of war and when I
had interpreted to them all Fritz had told me, we de-
termined to attempt the rescue of the little girl,
though we had no doubt but that the Indian camp
would be astir owing to their having missed the two
boys.

Fortune favored us for though the little boy was
unable to locate the camp himself we accidentally
came upon it and found it more quiet than we had ex-
pected. The fact was, tnough we did not know it
then, a portion, probably one-half, of the band were
scouring the adjacent woods and brush for the fugi-
tives, and it seemed almost miraculous that we had
not encountered any of these. We stopped about
four hundred Awards from the camp and Macedonia
and 1 went cautiously forward through the brush to
reconnoiter. We heard the little girl crying but
could form little idea of the number of Indians there
were in camp. Returning I left the little boy with
two men to guard him behind some rocks and divid-
ing the remaining fourteen into two parties we ap-
proached the camp from different directions as cau-
tiously as possible. We had probably got within
thirty or forty steps of the camp before we were dis-
covered. Then the Indian lookout or sentinel gave
a whoop and then we all dashed into the camp with
a yell. By rare good fortune one of the men came
to the child when there was no Indian nearer than ten
or fifteen steps of her. Of course several had been left

252 Pioneer History of Bandera County

to guard her, but had evidently left their post for
some purpose. There was a quick, sharp skirmish for
five or ten minutes and then all the warriors who were
able took to the brush. The only wonder was that
they stood as long as they did, for they never ccmld
stand firearms at close range. We had the little girl,
however, and hastily started for where we had left
our horses. Macedonio, however, stayed behind long
enough to count the dead Indians, and said be found
six lying among the trees. One of my men was killed
and five wounded slightly in the skirmish.

In the meantime we heard horses coming toward
us from different directions and we then knew that a
part of the Indians had been out hunting for the
missing boys. Our own dead comrade had been car-
ried back to where we had left the horses and we re-
mained where we were until daylight. Macedonia
dressed the wounds of the five men, and the dead
man was buried there, the grave being scooped out
with hatchets and bowie knives. Five days later we
delivered the three children to their parents, the
father not having been killed as Fritz thought, though
he was severely wounded.

Altogether we had made a pretty good night's
work of it, for we had rescued the three children, had
made six "good" Indians, as General Sheridan would
have called them, and the morning after the fight we
gathered up eight or ten horses before we left the
scene.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 253

JUDGE F. W. DOROW.

One of the substantial citizens of Bandera county
for manj' years was Judge F. W. Dorow, who died in
Bandera October 18, 1921. Judge Dorow was born
in Germany January 3, 1845, and came to America
when he was seven years of age, his parents settling
at New Braunfels, Texas. When he was seventeen
years old he enlisted in the Confederate Army and
served on the Mexican border and along the Gulf of
Mexico during the war. He was married in 1869 to
Miss Lena Voges at New Braunfels, and moved to
Helotes Creek, near the present Helotes store and
lived there until 1872, when he located on Pipe Creek
where he resided until 1918. Here he raised his fam-
ily, and when his children had all grown up, married
and had homes of their own, he sold the old home
place and went to live among his children. Mrs.
Dorow died December 23. 1899. Surviving are the
following children: W. V. Dorow of Beaumont; H.
A. Dorow of San Antonio; A. E. Dorow of Utopia;
Mrs. A. L. Mansfield. Mrs. A. Meadows, Mrs. D. W.
Buck of Bandera, and Mrs. H. J. Babbitt of I'ipc
Creek.

Judge Dorow was a member oi" tlie Masonic fra-
ternity for more than forty years and in his dealings
with mankind he exemplified the principles of that
great order. He was a member of the Twenty-third
Legislature, and served as County Judge of Bandera
count}^ for four years. He also served as justice of
the peace and county commissioner from the Pipe
Creek precinct for many years. Always a staunch
friend to the schools, and an exponent of civic ad-

254- Pioneer Bistory of Bandera County

vancement, his work is still apparent on every hand
and will be in evidence for many years to come.
With his passing Bandera county lost one of her most
honored citizens, and one whose place will be hard to
fill, because men of such lofty ideals as Judge Dorow
possessed are scarce the world over.

A. L. SCOTT.

A. L. Scott came to Texas from Virginia in the
early eighties and located in Karnes county. Mem-
bers of his family contracted malaria and he sought
the mountains of Bandera to aid them in recovering
health. For many years he resided here, following the
occupation of school teacher, and was for a number
of years surveyor of this county, and owned a small
farm just across the river from Bandera. Mr. Scott
died several years ago, leaving a widow and seven
children. Mrs. Scott now lives in San Antonio, and
often visits Bandera. The names of the children are:
A. L. Scott, Jr., now living in Central America; Mrs.
Gussie Chancy of San Antonio; Miss Frances Scott,
executive of Y. W. C. A. work at San Antonio;
Dunklin Scott, civil engineer with headquarters in
San Antonio; Mrs. Sadie Dullnig of San Antonio;
Richmond Scott, engaged in the brokerage business
in San Antonio; Herbert Scott, civil engineer employ-
ed by the City of San Antonio.

Pioneei'lBi story' of Bandera County
J. F. TAIT.

255

J. F. Tait was born in St. Louis Mo., in 1861, and
came to Bandera county in 1882 when he located at
Medina and opened a blacksmith shop. He remained
there until 1899, then moved to Bandera to establish
a shop in this city. He was married to Miss Eliza-
beth Rankin January 16, 1889, and they have two
children, Lieut. George R. Tait of Brownsville, and
Mrs. Cleora Risinger of San Antonio. Mr. Tait has
built up a substantial business since coming to Ban-
dera, and is one of the best known men in the county.
He owns the Southwestern Telephone sj^stem here
which has over 150 miles of lines and over 200 subscri-
bers in the county besides long distance connection
with outside points.

S56 Pioneer Bistory of Bandera County

THE STANARD FAMILY.

In the spring of 1871 Harvey A. Stanard, with his
wife and two small children, came to Bandera county
in a hack, and located on Laxson's Creek. They had
started to Bandera from Cedar llapids, Iowa, seek-
ing a change of climate on account of Mr. Stanard's
health. En route to this county they tarried for a
short time at Waxahachie, where the second child,
now Mrs. Leora Stiles, was born. As soon as the
family located on Laxson's Creek the Indians came
and stole the only team of horses Mr. Stanard pos-
sessed, leaving him afoot. But with the true pioneer
spirit he set about to improve his homestead with the
means at hand. He procured a yoke of steers and
with these he broke the ground which he had cleared
for a little farm. For many years he and his faithful
wife struggled along, and aided in every way in the
development of the community, and the Stanard
home became noted far and wide for its hospitality.

Harvey A. Stanard was born in Virginia, March
26, 1842, and was one of thirteen children. From
Virginia his parents moved to Illinios and lived near
Nauvoo City. Later they came to Texas and settled
at Old Helena, in Karnes county, where Harvey Stan-
ard grew to manhood. He was married to Miss Sarah
Kathrine Lewis, and went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to
locate, but after spending some time there his health
failed, and he decided to come back to Texas. Seven
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stanard, namely:
Mrs. Cleora Browning, lives at Medina; Mrs. Leora
Stiles, lives at Winslow, Arizona, but at present is
sojourning in Medina; AVarren AYilJiam Stanard, died

Pioneer History of Bandera County ^57

at Medina in 1904; Mrs. Maude Newcomer died at
Medina in 1918; Mrs. Ada Mae Nesting, lives at Win-
slow, Arizona; Lillie Lewis Stanard. died at Medina
in 1885; Harvey A. Stanard, Jr., died at Nixon, De-
cember 7, 1914.

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey A. Stanard died at Medina,
January 6, 1901, within just a few hours of each other.
Both father and mother had been sick with pneu-
monia only a few days. In the family burial ground
at the old home on Laxson's Creek they sleep side by
side, and those of their children who have passed on
to the eternal home, rest near them.

It is correctly said that Mrs. Stanard was a true
type of the frontier mother. She was born in Iowa
October 9, 1845, and came to Texas with her father,
Levi Lewis, wiien she was quite small. Her mother
died aiid her father came to the Lone Star State with
his children and located in Atascosa county, and when
Sarah Lewis grew to womanhood she was happily
married to Harvey Stanard, as previously stated.
When Mrs. Stanard came to Bandera county she saw
the need of religious influences on tne sparsely settled
frontier, and accordingly she set about to provide re-
ligious teaching in her little log cabin home, where she
she invited the neighbors to come in and be taught.
A little Sunday school was started there, and in this
work she was ably assisted by Dr. Hudspeth of Ban-
dera, who was there every Lord's Day to help the de-
vout woman plant the cause of Christ in that com-
munity. She had been an orphan herself, and natur-
ally her sympathies went out to the motherless boys
and girls of the land, and on more than one occasion
she took orphaned children under her care and gaVc

S58 • Pioneer History of Bandera County

them that tender love which only a mother bestows.
Among these orphaned children who came to her was
H. E. Rambie, who is today a prominent ranchman
of Bandera county. While a small bo}^ Ed Rambie
became a member of the Stanard household and lived
there as one of the family until he was grown, receiv-
ing the love and admonition which that good mother
gave to her own children, and today when he speaks
of her it is to utter blessings and praise to her dear
name. A little log school house was finally erected
on Laxson's Creek, and here Mrs. Stanard taught
school for many years, instilling into the minds of her
pupils the knowledge which has m^ade some of them
leaders in the affairs of today. After a time the pio-
neer preachers began coming along, and church ser-
vices were held in the little school house. Jack Potter,
tlic ''fighting parson," was among these early preach-
ers, and the first time he stopped overnight at the
Stanard home Mr. Stanard was absent. After supper
family prayers were conducted, and Rev. Potter, as
was his custom, prayed for God's blessing to rest upon
llic lumscliold, .'iiid in liis rcr\'(Mil pciilioii lie ;isked the
Lord lo ''bless lliis poor widow and I he lillle orphan
ehih:lren who had l>eeii deprived of i\ husband's and
father's losing care." The good preacher did not
learn until the next morning at the breakfast table
that Mrs. Stanard was not a widow and her children
were not orphans.

As their children grew up it was the hope of this
pioneer couple to give them all of the educational
advantages their circumstances would allow. They
sent their eldest daughter. Miss Cleora Stanard, and
F(i Rambie \6 Ad Ran College at Thorp Sp'rings, and

Pioneer History of Bandera County ^59

kept the other children in school as long as possible.
Limited means, and living in a remote region proved
quite an obstacle in the carrying out of their plans to
a great extent. Gradually their children grew to
manhood and womanliood. Miss Cleora Stanard
married James E, Browning, has a beautiful home in
Medina; Miss Leora Stanard married Barnett Stiles.
He died September 27, 1914, on a railway train in
New Mexico, and is buried at AVinslow, Arizona.
Miss Maude Stanard married Joe Newcomer, and
died in 1918, leaving four children, Ethel Maude,
Mattie Mae, Joe Harvey and Leora Joyce. Miss Ada
Mae Stanard married Charles O. Nesting, and tliey
have two children, Charles Stanard and Anna Mac.
Harvey A. Stanard. Jr., married Miss Alta Freeman,
and to them were born three children, Warren Web-
ster, Cleora Alice and Floy Harvey; Mrs. Freeman
now lives at Ecla, Texas.

Mrs. Barnett Stiles, like her sainted mother, has
proven herself a friend to orphan children. Some
years ago she gave a home to a lilllc ()ri)han boy,
Cecil Thomas Carr by naiuc\ and today tlie hul is a
student in the Medical Department of tlic Universily
of Texas. He is making good, and all who know him
predict a great future for the ambitious boy, and a
reward of obedience and gratitude for the worthy
foster mother.

260 Pioneer Mistory of Bandera County

IKE STEVENS, SR.

The subject of this sketch was born in Arkansas
August 14, 1847, and came to Texas with his parents
when he was quite a boy. He lived in Bandera
county many years and was well known to all of the
early settlers. For twelve years he served as sheriff
of this count3^ discharging the duties of that office in
a fearless and satisfactory manner, and proving him-
self a man capable of dealing with the lawless element
that sometimes invaded this region. When his health
began to fail he moved to El Paso, in 1910, where he
had two sons, Ike and Robert Stevens, on the police
force in that city, and while he was there he was
killed by a train when he was crossing the Southern
Pacific railroad tracks. His remains were brought to
Bandera for burial.

During the early days Mr. Stevens was a member
of Robert Ballantync's company of rangers, and spent
a great deal of time trailing and fighting Indians who
came down into this county on their raids.

Mr. Stevens was married lo Miss Agnes Brown,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Brown, early settlers
on the frontier. To them were born twelve children,
eight of whom are still living, namely: Allie Stevens,
lives on Mason Creek; Mrs. Laura Tait, lives at Mo-
renci, Arizona; Robert H. Stevens, lives at San An-
tonio; Ike Stevens, Jr., lives in Bandera, Mrs. Velma
Barrett, lives in San Antonio; Mrs. Jessie Barrett,
lives in San Antonio: Mrs. Mary iNIullins, lives in
San Antonio; Mrs. Edna Powell, lives in San Antonio.
Mrs. Stevens, the mother, also lives in San Antonio.
Sh^ frerfirently comes to Bnnrlera and it is a great

Pioneer Historjj of Bandera County 261

pleasure to her many old time friends for lier to visit
them. Mrs. Stevens ran relate manj^ thrilling? inci-
dents that occurred here in the early days, as well as
many things things that happened in Kendall county
where her parents former)}' resided. Her pioneer
mother, Mrs. Brown, saw an Indian prowling about
tlie premises one night trying to steal a horse, and
she fired a bullet into the redskin's body that sent
him off howling with pain. During the gold excite-
ment in California Mr. Brown took his family to the
Golden State, but later returned to Texas.

SAN ANTONIO TRADING POINT.

From the beginning of Bandera's history, San An-
tonio has been the chief trading point for all of this
vast region. The distance from Bandera to that city
is fifty miles, and in the early days a round trip could
be made with an ox-team in seven days. Today the
round trip can be made in a Ford automobile in seven
hours. In those days shingle-making was the chief
industry, and the shingles were hauled to San Antonio
and marketed. Today many of Bandera county's
products are hauled hy truck to the San Antonio
market.

^62 Piniioer History of Band cm County

A POLLY RODRIGUEZ STORY.

The following sketch is taken from a book written
b3r Jose Policarpo Rodriguez, a pioneer of this region:

' V\e wer.t i.iintii.ir oFiCe from San Antonio to Ban-
dera county. We had four horses and six dogs. We
killed se^'eral deer, a number of turkeys, one bear, and
cut several bee trees. We found a bunch of wild
cattle, most of them black or brown. We got after
one and killed her. Lynn had an eight-shooter pistol
he had made himself, a rifle and a pair of holsters; I
had a rifle, a six-shooter, and a pair of holsters. We
fired twenty shots into the body of that black cow
before we killed her. Then we camped in a clump of
small trees, prepared our supper, fed our dogs plenty
of beef, and laid down to rest. Suddenly the dogs
jumped up and ran out as if some one were coming,
and we heard somebody talking low. We thought it
was Indians, and we hissed on the dogs in English and
they ran out farther barking furiously as if they had
something at bay. We hallooed loud and hissed the
dogs. The Indians could not see how many there
were of us, and no doubt thought our crowd was large.
They stayed around us all night, but feared to make
a charge. They made all kinds of animal calls and
cries, sometimes barking like wolves, then hooting
like owls, fighting like cats or quacking like ducks.
They thus tried to decoy us out or get us to expose
ourselves, but we lay low. The Indians were all
afoot, and there must have been twenty or thirty of
tbem, as the trail would indicate. Just before day-
light we heard them leave. After we found that they
were afoot we decided to follow them, and found

Pioneer History of Bandera County 26o

where they had killed a deer. They carried awaj''
every particle of the deer except the heart. We fol-
lowed this trail until we saw their smoke rising from
a little hill, and decided there were too many of them
to attack, although we were well mounted and armed.
They went on, and we thought it best to go home.
We learned later that this same party of Indians had
killed four men, (icrmans, who were campeil on Ihe
Medina making shingles. They cut open lli 'ir breasts
and took out their hearts. They seemed to have
some superstition about the heart, for they left the
deer's heart but cut out and carried away the hearts
of the men.

"Jacob Lynn and I, with a number c^f others,
went hunting on the Medina Christmas, 1847. I took
an ox cart to haul our game. Game was plentiful, and
we had wonderful success.

While my father lived on the Medina I was once
going to San Antonio with a load of wood. My aunt
accompanied me. "My dog scented the trail of some
animal and, following it, began to bark. I took my
gun and found that he had treed a large panther in
a willow tree which overhung the Leon Creek. I
took aim at his head and fired. It was not a dead
shot and the animal dropped into the water, which
was deep at that place. My dog jumped in after it,
and they clinched and both sank. To save my dog I
jumped in tlie water. When they came up the dog
swam one way and the panther the other. I caught
the panther by the tail and lifted it up so as to sink
his head, and we swam around and around, he trying
to get at me. I got to where I could stand on the
bottom, and holding up his tail, I soon drowned him
and took his hide."

264 Pioneer History of Bandera Comity

THE KILLING OF NICHOLSON.

WKrrTEN BY CAPTAIN Si:CO SMITH, MKDINA, TEXAS

I will here give you an account of the killing of an
old man by the name of Nicholson, which occurred
about four miles above Kerrville some time in 1859.
The year 1857 was very dry, and in many parts of
the country the streams dried up and people had to
move their stock on account of the drouth. At that
time stock raising was the principal business. In the
following years, 1858 and 1859, a great many of the
stockmen had to move their stock to where there was
permanent water, and Nicholson, who was living on
the Cibolo during the drouth, gathered his stock and
moved up on the Guadalupe about four miles above
where Kerrville now stands. He had four grown
daughters, all good riders and experienced in working
with stock and inured to outdoor life. They wore
six-shooters, and were not afraid to use them.

I met Nicholson after he had moved up there, and
he gave me such a fine description of that country I
concluded to visit him, and shortly afterw^ard I went
up there. As there were no roads in that region, I
missed Nicholson's ranch and went some three or four
miles beyond and came to a camp where three men
were making shingles. It being late in the afternoon
I spent the night with these men, and next morning I
went to Nicholson's camp. The old man and his
family seemed very glad to see me, and I had a most
enjoyable visit. During the time I was there, Mr.
Nicholson showed me the country. It was a wild,
beautiful region, abounding with game of all kinds,
and frequently visited by Indians. I noticed that the

Pioneer History of Bandera County 2Go

old man seemed careless and did not use caution in
going about. I called his attention to his apparent
carelessness, and told him that in that country
it was very necessary to keep his eyes and ears open,
see and hear everything, observe all signs, and be
ready at all times for a fight; that in going about he
would have to double back, cross his own trail, and
frequently look back to see if Indians were following
him. The old man did not seem to think so much
caution was necessary, and was inclined to laugh at
my fears for his safety. I left his camp on Tuesday
for my home, and on Thursday followiiig I heard he
had been killed bj^ the Indians. So far as I know he
was the first man killed in Kerr countv.

Bandera Methodist Church.

SGG Pioneer History of Baiulera County

WOLF AND HOFFMAN KILLED.

WKJT'l'KNMiY CAi'TAlN SECO SMITH, MKDINA, TKXAS

We had captured a bunch of horses from a part}^
of Indians and returned to D'Hanis with them, and
put them in a corral adjoining Joseph Ney's store and
saloon. I then went to my ranch to look after things
there and did not get back until ten o'clock the next
morning. When I got back I found the stock gone.
The Indians had torn down a part of the corral and
taken the horses while the parties tliat were left to
guard them were in the saloon playing cards. I got
the men together and took the trail and we followed
it until night, then camped. As we were not far be-
hind the Indians we did not build a campfire for fear
it would reveal our presence. At dajdight next morn-
ing we pushed on and after going six or seven miles
we found where they had killed a Mexican who was
in the employ of Ross Kenedy. We followed on the
trail to the Sabinal and from there it led across to the
Blanco Canyon. About a mile beyond the Sabinal
we came to a large live oak tree and in that tree w^e
found a dead Indian hanging by the neck, in his war
paint, with his bow and quiver and a large shield on
him. The tree had lots of arrow spikes in it, and
broken arrows were hwing around, showing a hard
fight had taken place there. About 200 yards from
the tree, and down in the Sabinal valley, we saw two
objects and wlien we approached nearer we discovered
these objects were the bodies of a man named Wolf
and a man named Hoffman. They had not been
scalped, but AVolf's throat had been cut. Indications
showed that the two men had made a heroic stand at

Pioneer History of Bandvra Coiivfy f?07

the big tree, but had left there to get to a point of
timber which offered better protection, but when they
reached open ground the Indians closed in on them
;iiid kill('(l I hem. TToO'mnn likely fell first, and Wolf
killed the Indian we found in the tree. We sent a
man back to D'llanis to notify our people to come
and get the bodies, and again took the trail. When
we had gone about ten miles we met a party of scouts
from Uvalde who informed us that they had surprised
the Indians at the edge of a big cedar brake in the
Blanco Canj^on where they had killed a beef and were
making preparations for a feast. The Indians fled
into the cedar brake, and the rangers got the horses,
saddles and pistols belonging to Wolf and Hoffman.
We returned to where we had left the bodies, and soon
others came and the dead men were taken to D'Hanis
for burial.

Joseph Wolf, a brother to one of the murdered
men, was my neighbor, and while he was out on a
cow hunt shortly after his brother was killed, the In-
dians got after him and ran him all day. I had gone
to San Antonio and when I returned he told me about
the race the Indians gave nim, and said, "Smith, I
thought of you many times that day, and wished you
were with me." On another occasion he joined a
party that was trailing a bunch of Indians, and when
they overtook them a fight ensued. An Indian squaw
made signs to the white men tluit she was a sc|uaw.
Wolf shot her down, and when one of his comrades
told him he ought not shoot the s(|uaw. Wolf said:
"Why she would have raised more little Indians to
bother us."

36S Pioneer History of Bandera County

MRS. T. M. WELDON.

One of the dear old mothers of Bandera today is
Mrs. T. M. Weldon, who has dwelt here for nearly
half a century, witnessing the many changes that have
taken place. Her recollection of early events and
her remembrance of the friends of those days are
vividly recalled, and she talks of them in a manner
most pleasing. When she came to this county with
her husband in 1876, Bandera was only a small vil-
lage, and the county's population amounted to only a
few hundred souls. She was born at Denmark, near
Jackson, Tennessee, June 7, 1837, and grew to woman-
hood the^'c. In March, 1860, she was happily married
to J. F. Weldon, in Ballard countj^ Kentucky, and
in 1864 they came to Texas and located in Goliad
count}', where Mr. Weldon engaged in the sheep busi-
ness. After remaining there a few years he moved
his flocks to Bandera county and leased range on the
James ranch, now owned by J. A. Miller, amounting
to 3,000 or 4,000 acres for which lease he paid $100
per annum. When the family moved to Bandera
they occupied a house — later destroyed by fire — near
the Chas. Montague home. Later Mr. Weldon built
the pretty farm home which is now owned by Alex
Adamietz, northeast of the city, and the family lived
there for many years.

Mr. Weldon's father was one of the Kentucky pio-
neers, and helped to blaze the way for civilization in
the Blue Grass state, and when the son emigrated to
Texas he likewise became a pioneer. He followed
sheepraising on an extensive scale, and portions of
the ranch he owned now belong to J. W. Short and

Tioneer" Bistory of Bandera County 2G9

A. Habenicht. E. E. Sawyer, now a prominent sheep-
man and financier of West Texas, at one time herded
sheep for Mr. Weldon.

Mrs. Weldon, in speaking of the oUI homestead
northeast of town, said it was a most delightful spot,
and she spent manj^ happy years there. She knew
nearly all of the older pioneers of those days, only a
few of whom are left, and among these few she men-
tioned Uncle Frank Langford, Aunt Mary Hudspeth,
J. P. Heinen, Sr., Amasa Clark, and several others.
She says that when she came to Bandera there was
not a cistern in the town, the water being hauled from
the river in barrels, on push carts, by Polish citizens
and sold for fifteen cents per barrel. Three public
school houses have been built in Bandera since she
came here. The first was moved off to make room
for a larger one and now forms a part of Ed Clark's
dwelling. The second was torn down and the lumber
was used in the construction of the present imposing
school building. When she came here there was no
Protestant church building in the village, and the
first preaching she remembers attending here was
in a liltlc building which luid a dirl floor. Rev.
Kingsbury was the first Methodist minister to locate
in Bandera. The Methodists erected their church
building in 1882, and some years afterward the house
was remodeled and enlarged to its present size. Mrs.
Weldon knew Andrew Jackson Potter, ''the Fighting
Parson," and he was often a guest in their home.
In 1900 the family again moved to town. Mr. W el-
don's health failed, and ho died June 14, 190S. Be-
sides the widow, two daughters survive, Mrs. Liz3ie
C<>H'^''t)^ Comstock. and Miss May Weldon of Bandera.

270 Pioneer History of Bandera County

Mrs. Weldon has in her possession several copies
of Bandera's first newspaper, the Bandera Bugle, pub-
lished in 1880 by Stephenson & Ward, one of the
copies being of the very first issue of that paper.

It is indeed a pleasure to sit and talk to this pio-
neer mother and hear her recount events of those
early days. Although she has reached the advanced
age of eighty-five years, her memory is excellent and
she recalls many things that occurred in Bandera in
those days. The Indians made their last raid into
this county only a few weeks before she came here;
the barbed wire fence was then unknown; the ox-
wagon was still in use; it required four or five days to
make a trip to San Antonio and return; there were
no telephones then; the comforts and luxuries of the
citizens were very limited. Great changes have taken
place, and Mrs. Weldon has observed all of these
changes and talks very interestingly of them.

BK; FOOT' WALLACE.

William Wallace was born in Uockbridgc counly,
Virginia, in 1816, and died January 7, 1899. He
came to Texas in 1830, arriving a short time after the
battle of San Jacinto. He had a brother and a cousin
killed at Goliad, and said he came to Texas to take
revenge out of the Mexicans. He was at the battle
of the Sal ado in 1842, when General Woll captured
San Antonio. He was also in the Mier expedition,
but was one of the lucky ones who drew a white bean,
and after returning to Texas he joined Colonel Jack
Hays" rangtrs and was in many t\( iling Indian cam-

Pioneer Histonj of Bandera County

271

paigns. In 1846 he was with Hays at the storming
of Monterey, where he took ''full toll" out of the
Mexicans for killing his brother and cousin at Goliad.
Later he commanded a ranger company which was or-
ganized to protect the frontier, and subseciuently had
charge of the mail line from San Antonio to El Paso,
which was the most dangerous mail route in Texas.
Wallace's frontier life was fraught with many perilous
adventures and narrow escapes. He was once cap-
tured by Indians and condemned to be burned at the
stake, but was rescued by an old squaw, who assisted
him to escape.

The R'ugh Hotel, Now Known as the City Hotel

272 Pioneer History of Bandera County

EARLY DAY BARBECUES IN OLD BANDERA.

The following was published in the Bandera New
Era, March 9, 1922:

A few days ago three old timers got together and
in swapping early day reminiscences the talk reverted
to some of the barbecues that used to take place in
Bandera county. This set your scribe to inquiring,
and in ruminating around I reached the conclusion
that life was really worth living. in those days when
Bandera was a remote frontier village where a certain
primitive simplicity pervaded everything. Coming
from the States to Bandera at the time of which I
write, one would have arrived at Fifty- Years-Ago.
He would have been handling implements, enjoying
the usages, contemplating the cast of characters, eat-
ing the viands, sitting by the cabin fireplaces and
snuffing the candles of 1836. And along with these
the traveler would have noticed that with the man-
ners and customs of a past age had been preserved the
primitive health, vigor, feelings and virtues — a certain
hearty, honest, homely dignity of character, which we
have been told our grandparents possessed. Every-
thing was done slowly, and these people had time to
live, to grow old, and to grow fat. I said that every-
thing was done slowly. I must make two exceptions.
One was when word was brought that Indians were in
the country. Haste, speed, and swift rustling to get
on the trail was the response. Ask George Hay about
it. The next exception was when the cry of affliction
was heartl. This cry was ne\er unheeded, and relief
took the wings of Love and Charity, and the sufl^erer
found himself in the trouse of fiisfrreiitlsi Ask J. P.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 273

Heinen Sr., or Uncle Frank Langford. But the pub-
lic feasts of those days! The 21st of April, San Ja-
cinto Day, and the Fourth of July were the great
days of the year; rain or shine, there was feasting and
revelry on those days; but there were other occasions
for jollification through the spring, fall and summer
months, and the smallest local happening of good
fortune wound up with a barbecue and grand ball;
and at these barbecues, always held in some one of
the great cypress groves on the banks of the Medina
river, the prettiest stream in Texas — there was no
dearth of orators. Every man was called on for a
speech, and even the boys were led forward and in
most instances forced to "make a talk." A good
story is told of Lee Risiuger's first and rather compul-
sorj' efforts along the line of oratory. Lee was a big
barefoot boy, 14 years old, and was one of the fifteen
pupils (they called them scholars in that day) that
comprised the Bandera school. He had completed
his McGuffey's Fourth Reader, stood head in the
Blue Back Speller class, had licked everytliing in the
school except the teacher, whose sex only saved her
bacon, and as the close of school was at hand and the
event was to be celebrated with a great barbecue, the
foremost pupil in school — and that was Lee — must
make a speech. Lee demurred, but his demurrer was
overruled. The teacher would assist him. She would
write out his speech. His theme was to be "Educa-
tion." And this is the first paragraph of the oration
written for Lee by his erudite preceptress:

"Knowledge is power. The school house is the
bulwark of our liberties. The diffusion of knowledge
cxpacdb the bru'dde^l rau^- uf Lbt huuiau ru1"clfci:l.

27 Ji- Fioneer History of Bandera County

Education fosters patriotism, and patriotism is the
whip-lash for tyrants."

Lee was out of school a week memorizing his
"speech." It was to be his first effort and everybody
was expecting an oratorical sensation. Other rewards
besides the plaudits of a shouting multitude awaited
him. Mrs. Koenigham had promised him a big red
rooster; Mr. Davenport had promised him a new
straw hat, and Charles Montague was going to buy
him a dozen fish hooks and a nice red cork. Lee
spread himself. As usual all the country attended
the barbecue. Besides oratory, there wasjmusic. Char-
lie Haiduk and his fiddle was the band, and between
orations when the "band" with energetic movement
played "Rye Straw," every foot in the audience was
seized with a nervous restlessness. Finally it came
Lee's turn to take the stand and win fame and fish-
hooks- lie bravely niuujited the little platform and
faced a sea of upturned faces. All at once Lee be-
came rallied, but rallying courage, lie began:

"Knowledge is power. The bull house is \\\c
school — (Here he took .'i liilcli .'il his i);iiils ;in(l sj);il
through his teeth) The the scliool bull lli<' bull
school house is on Mansfield's lioss range, and — and
— and Knowledge is power; the school bull is the —
ah — um, um, the bull in the schoolwark — the bull,
bull, bull — "

"Say, Lee, your shirt tail's out!" shouted a small
boy in the audience, and with becoming grace the
orator left the platform. The boy who interrupff^d
Lee's speech was Andy Mansfield, then a lad about
Lee's age, and it is related that Lee spent the remain-
dejL' of the day chasing Andy up and doVrn the forest-

Pioneer' History of Bajutera County ^75

clad banks of the Medina.

But I must return to my subject — those early day
barbecues. For many years John Pyka was the chef
at all these functions, always aided by a full corps of
able volunteer assistants. The pits were prepared
under John's supervision, ample supplies of seasoned
liveoak wood was placed on the ground, and the fires
were lighted on the evening before the day of the
celebration. John's vigilant eye was on that meat
from the time it was spitted on clean wooden skewers
until the day following when it was removed to the
carving tables, brown, crisp, tender, thorouglily cook-
ed, and retaining all its nourishing juices. All night
long he stood over those furnace-like pits, reducing
the heat here, adding more fuel there, all tiie while
turning and "basting." And that ''basting!" To
the novice it was a liquid compound, profoundly mys-.
terious. Delicious? John Ross once declared that it
would clear a man's conscience, and (liarlie Scliiuicttkc
urged him lo confine IiimseU* to that diet for one year.
It must not be inferred that John Pyka was the only
l)arbecue expert in Banderaland. By no means. To
barbecue meats properly was an important part in a
boy's education in those days, and every native was
schooled in that line. In the cow camp, on the hunt,
at the roundup, nnd on the Indian trail, all these af-
forded opportunities to learn, and all the pupils were
apt.

And in those days when a barbecue was suggested,
no one thought of carrying a paper around, soliciting
subscriptions to defray expenses. Never. There were
no "privileges" for sale. The baneful clutch of com-
mei'cialis'm had not reached these Virtuous, hospitable

376 Pioneer History of Bandera County

people. Ice cream, lemonade, cold drinks, and the
merry-go-round were unheard of. Even ice water was
unknown, save that quaffed from the pure sparkling
fountains that gushed from the everlasting hills. I
repeat, there was no solicitation for donations for the
barbecue. The bare announcement of a function of
that kind was all sufficient, and the only task was to
fix the limit in order that there might not be an over-
abundance. Fat yearlings, goats and sheep were de-
livered at the pits. To offer an old animal, however
well conditioned, would have been regarded as an
insult. The old timers — those of the few who yet
survive — will never forget the early day barbecues at
Bandera. They vividly recall the early morning visit
to the grounds on the banks of the blue, limpid river,
where the air was redolent with the delightful aroma
arising from the steaming pits, and the verdant groves
echoed with the laughter of youth and the happy
greetings of age. The long tables, the bare-armed
matrons, the great array of boxes and baskets — all
these are treasured in Memory's storehouse. And
when the feast was spread the tables were not roped
off to prevent the onrush of the rude and untutored
rowdy. The women were always first in the esteem
of Bandera men, and they taught their sons to admire
and respect womanhood. The ladies dined first, as
they deserved, and then became waiters when the men
were called to the feast. The menu of the modern
barbecue is usually baker's bread, roasted meat and
pickles. It would puzzle the old time Bandera man
to undertake to explain the menu offered at the early
day barbecues in Bandera, He would have to include
every delicacy the country afforded and that the

Pioneer History of Bandera County 277

genius of intelligent housewives could suggest. The
rarest bread, cakes, pies, pastrys, and preserves, be-
sides fish, fowl and fruits, all combined in making a
feast fit for kings and higli prelates. And these peo-
ple feasted ! Indigestion was unheard of in those days;
the germ, baccilus. pellagra, iiookworm, breakfast
food and appendicitis were unknown, and the village
doctor had to swap horses for a living.

I can see, in my mind's ej^e, the old-time fiddler,
the most important functionary of the occasion, as he
rides in from the ranch. His fiddle is enclosed in a
flour sack and carried under his arm. Everybody
hails the cheif (musician) and the chief magnifies his
office. All you old grandmothers and granddaddies
around Bandera recall the happj' days of your j^outli
when under the trixy strains of Haiduk's old fiddle
your nimble feet made the gravel fly in the open air
dance or trimmed the splinters from the puncheon
floor ball room.

There were all kinds of goodships around Bandera
in those good old days. There was good fellowships,
comradeship, friendship, social relationship, and oc-
casionally the "Fighting Parson," old Jack Potter
would come around and then they would have worship.
When it was announced that Parson Potter, or any
other preacher was in town and was going to preach
that night or next day, no matter what was on foot —
horse race, dance or ball— everything was called off,
and everybody went to church. Protracted meetings
were often held, always well attended, always earnest
and orderly, but it was hard to get up a great revival.
Parson Potter said it was no use to tell these people
of paradise; they wanted no better place than Ban-

278 Floneer History of Brni(icv(t County

dera. But withal, there were devout men and wo-
men among them in those days, most of wliom have
passed from the busj^ walks of men to join the im-
mortal hosts that sweep with silent tread through
the gates to the tomb, and "their works do follow
them." They laid the foundations deep, solid. They
wrought well; they builded wisely. Witness the Ban-
dera of today — the handiwork of their sons and
daughters who still remain to keep burning the fires
of hospitalty and patriotism on the alters erected by
their pioneer fathers. Bandera was staked off as a
town in 1854. For many years it lay in the path of
the marauding Comanche and Apache, and her soil
was often encrimsoned with the blood of her defend-
ers; but with all of this, legally and morally, she pre-
sents the cleanest record of awy county in Texas.

It is pleasant to dwell on these splendid achieve-
ments, but we would turn back the pages of time, live
over the old, old days among the simple, honest,
virtuous and hospitable pioneers of Banderaland, to
hear their voices once more in song and merrj' jest,
to participate as of old in their homely joys, innocent
pastimes and public festivities, not the least of which
was the old time barbecues on the banks of the
Medina.

GREAT FLOODS IN THE MEDINA.

In 1870 a great flood swept the Medina Vallej^
Heavy rains caused the Medina river and its tribu-
taries to get out of banks, the angry waters carrying
away live stock, crops and small cabins. At Bandera

Pioneer Hli^tory of Baiulera County 279

the houses in the lowlands were washed away, among
these being- the store of J. P. Heinen, Sr. Mr. Heinen
lost his stock of goods, and sustained a total loss.

In 1900 a still greater flood was witnessed, much
damage being done •around Medina City, chief of
which was done to farms along the river. This was
on August 5th, 1900. A big barbecue and picnic
took place at Medina the day before. The heaviest
loser at that time was probably W. C. (Pomp) Free-
man, whose farm was just below the little town of
Medina. Mr. Freeman lost everything, his house,
barns, farm machinery, wagons, etc., being swept
away by the raging stream, and his family barely
escaped by wading deep water to higher ground.

Other floods have occurred in recent years, but
none so disastrious as that of 1900. In 1901 much
damage was done to growing crops by a flood, and in
September, 1920 the river got on a rampage, and at
Bandera the water was several feet in the Ardrey
cottage and in the old Hudspeth homestead.

C. A. FRICK.

C. A. Frick came to Bandera in the 70s and estab-
lished a blacksmith shop. He served one term as
sheriff of Bandera count}'. In 1875 he was married to
Miss Marj^ Kissling of this place, and to them were
born eight children, six of whom are living, Henry
Frick of Eagle Pass, Charles Frick of San Antonio,
Alvin Frirk of Tampico, Mrs. Frankie Rechel of San
Antonio, Mrs. Stella McNeir of Houston, and Mrs.
Ella Riche}' of San Antonio. Mr. Frick moved to
Castroville in 1878, later going to San Antonio where
he was in the employ of the S. A. Traction Co. for 21
years. He. died in 191G. His widow lives in San Antonio.

^80 Pioneer Uifitory of Band em, County

MRS. MATTIE JONES.

Mrs Alartha Southward Jones was born in George
town, Texas, January 24, 1852, and came to Bandera
in 1865. She was married to Sam Jones July 2, 1868,
Chief Justice Henry Stevens performing the ceremony.
For two years they resided with Mr. Jones' parents
on Myrtle Creek, then moved to the Jack Ranch
where they lived several years. Six children were
born to them, five of whom are living: Mrs. Armena
Gibbons, lives in San Antonio; Mrs. Mahala South-
ward, lives in Apache, Oklahoma; Jim I. Jones, lives
near Helotes; William C. Jones, lives near Junction;
Sam Jones, Jr., lives in San Antonio.

Sam Jones, Sr., died December 15, 1876. He was
a member of Jack Phillips' company of minute men,
organized for frontier protection. Tom Stevens, Jack
Sheppard. Jim Brown, Hugh Bandy, and John Clark
were members of this company, which was quite active
in scouting and trailing and chastising the redskins.

Mrs. Mattie Jones — everybody calls her "Grand-
ma" Jones — owns a pretty little home in Bandera,
where I visited her a few days ago and was received
with that broad hospitality characteristic of our noble
Texas mothers. She talked interestingly of the days
that are past and gone, of the days of her girlhood,
of the friends of those days, many of whom have
passed on to the fairer laud. Tn relating incidents of
pioneer days she said :

"This was a sparsely settled region when we came
here in 1865. There were only a few girls of my age
and they lived so far apart we were seldom thrown
together. I remember, in 1866, five of my girl friends,

Pioneer HiMnry of Bandera County 281

Sarah Kelley, Fannie Thompson, Sarah O'Bryant,
Christina Wish and Sarah Binyard, came over from
the Sabinal Canyon to spend the fourth of July with
me. On the night of the Fourtli a grand ball was
given at the Duffy hotel. These girls remained with
me a week, and a dance was given in their honor
every night they were here. Fannie Thompson after-
wards married Prof. Koenigheim.

"I went to school here, and one of my teachers
was Prof. Tom Buckner. In those days the Indians
made frequent raids and kept us in a state of dread
all of the time. I never saw a wild Indian, but I
have heard them yell, and have seen their trail. One
morning I found a pair of mocassins near our back
door where a savage had dropped them.

"I remember many of the early weddings. When
Tom I^axson and Miss Rufana Chipman were married
I helped to cook their infair dinner. One day while
I was a school in Bandera, in 1866, Hugh Bandy, then
a good sized boy, came to the school house and asked
the teacher if he could speak to me. I went to him
and he said, '^Nlattie, Pap sent me over here to tell
you all that my brother, Jim Bandy, and ^Nlandy
Roland are going to get married over at Utopia, and
the whole school, including the teacher, is invited to
come to the infair at our place. If you all ain't got
a way to come, Pap will send a wagon for you.' And
sure enough, ^Vv. Bandy sent a big ox wagon to haul
us out there, and about twenty of us, including the
teacher, went to the infair, where a big supper await-
ed us, and we danced until sun-rise the next morning.

"Mr. Jones was cattle inspector for awhile and his
duties often called him away from home for days at a

282 Pioneer Higtorii of Bander n Count if

time, and I would have to stay at the ranch alone.
iMany nights I spent in fear and trembling, thinking
of my helpless condition if the Indians should come.
We owned an old gray mare that we always kept a
bell on. One day I heard this old belled mare run-
ning, and when I went out of the house to investigate
I saw a man, bareheaded, and with longhair, running
after the horses. I hastened into the house, loaded a
rifle and sat down by the door. Soon the horses
dashed into the pen, and when I peeped out I was re-
lieved to discover that my supi)osed Indian was Ike
Stevens, who was after the horses."

J. A. MILLER.

One of the solid men of the county is John Albert
Miller, who lives four miles east of Bandera. Mr.
Miller was born in San Antonio September 10, 1851,
and grew to manhood there. His parents, Mr. and
Mrs. John G. Miller located in that city sometime
during the year 1848, and passed through the cholera
epidemic that raged there in 1849. On Februarj^ 26,
1878, the subject of this sketch was happilj^ married
to Miss Jennie C. Davenport, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. William Davenport, who lived on the Cibolo, 16
miles northeast of San Antonio. Mr. Miller moved
his family to Bandera in 1883 to occupy the John
James ranch of 3500 acres, which he had purchased
about two years before, and he engaged in raising
cattle. At that time, he says, themescjuite grass was
very scarce, but the whole range was covered with a
dense growth of sage grass. At first they lived in

Pioneer Illsiovy of Bandera Connh/ f?So

the house where Rev H. L. Atkins now lives, but
later moved to town and })uilt a nice liome, which
they afterwards sold to B. F. Langford, Jr., and
whicli was remodeled. Mr. ^Miller then built the
elegant home on the ranch which he, with his wife
and only daughter. Miss Minnie Miller, now occupy.
This home is beautifully situated, commands a grand
view of the whole surrounding country, and is one of
the most conveniently' arranged homes in the county.

Mr. Miller has always followed the stock business
He is a true type of the old West Texas cowman,
big-hearted, generous, and a lover of nature. He knew
all of the early day characters here. Major Valerius
P. Sanders who served as sheriff, as county treasurer,
and as postmaster here for many years, was an in-
mate of this hospitable home for a long time. Major
Sanders was a Tennesseean b}' birth, but came to
Texas when he was a very small boy. He served in
the Civil AVar, was a Texas ranger, and at the time of
his death, which occurred in Uvalde December 31,
1908, he was seventy five years old. Mr. Miller
speaks in terms of highest praise of Major Sanders
and the great esteem in which he was held by all who
knew him.

Mrs. Miller's father. Captain William Davenport,
was well known throughout this region in the early
daj^s. He was a brother to Judge Booker Davenport,
who settled on the West Verde during Indian times,
and became one of the prominent citizens of the
county. Captain Davenport organized a minute
company on the Cibolo, and frequently followed In-
dian trails through this county. At one time he was
engaged in a battle with Indians on Paint Creek
when the chief and two of the warriors were killed.

284 Pioneer History of Bandera County

He died several years ago, but his widow is still living
on the Cibolo, is now 84 years oM, and carries her
years lightly. John Davenport, who lives near Center
Point, is a brother to Mrs. Miller. He was a trail
driver and pioneer stockman, and has had his share
of frontier experience.

John A. Miller, as previously stated, has always
followed the stock business, and has been very suc-
cessful. In 1873 he made a trip uj:) the trail to Kansas,
as he says, "to give away a little bunch of cattle."
He sold them on credit, and never got his pay. After
coming to Bandera he served as county commissioner
and rendered excellent service. He is a man of keen
vision, sound judgment, and does things in a practical
business waj^ No half-way methods satisfy him.

Mr. Miller has two brothers living, W. F. Miller
is one of the largest cotton planters of Bexar county.
George C, Miller, the other brother, is a retired stock-
man and lives at Hamand, Texas. He also has a sis-
ter, Mrs. Julia Meyer, who lives at Belton.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 285

IN CONCLUSION.

I do not want the reader to form the conclusion
that this book contains all of the pioneer history of
Bandera county, for there is much yet untold. I have
attempted in my feeble way to compile the history of
this county, from about 1852 down to 1892, covering
a period of fifty years. There are many events that
occurred during that half century which you will not
find mentioned in these pages, for the reason that
facts concerning them were not available. There are
quite a number of the older citizens who failed to fur-
nish data or give their experience for publication in
this history, although I have solicited and urged them
to give in their narratives. However, most of the
pioneers have nobly responded, and this book con-
tains a record of their achievements that will be pre-
served so that their children and their children's
children will know of the things that occurred when
Bandera county was young.

This book was printed in a small country printing
house; the type was set by hand, the printing was
done with a small cylinder press, and the sewing and
binding was done by hand . Therefore, we do not ex-
pect this volume to compare with the books that are
turned out by large publishing houses. It is the con-
tents that make the book, anyway, so I have no
apologies to offer for its typographical appearance. I
ara really proud of what the "Pioneer History of Ban-
dera County" contains. The labor incident to its
publication pales into insignificance when compared
to the pleasure I have found in compiling and editing
the work. It has indeed been a pleasing task to meet

286

Pioneer History of Bandera County

many of these old timers and, in my feeble way, to
write of the deeds of the pioneer men and women of
this county. My only regret is that I have not been
able to meet all of them and hear from their own lips
the story of their joys and sorrows, their hardships
and struggles, of the privations the}^ endured, and of
the rare pleasures they enjoyed in the daj's of long
ago. Mj^ book is incomplete. Many of the pioneer
families have no sketches herein, because I was unable
to obtain the data— the Bauerleins, Bandy, Daven-
ports, Wilson Clark, Banta, Taylors, Thompsons,
Freemans, Bentons, Hudspeths, Browns, Sheppards,
Caseys, Klappenbach, D. A. T. Walton, Obrieski,
Minear, McGill, Curtis, and a host of others — but
sometime in the future I hope to compile a second

Bandera Baptist Church.

Pioneer History of Bandera County 287

volume of this history, and, with this in view, I would
kindly ask eveiy old pioneer to at once furnish me
with an account of his experience on the frontier.

In placing the record of pioneer achievement be-
fore the rising generation it is my hope that our boys
and girls will be guided by the examples shown and
become as good citizens as their forefathers and
mothers have been.

IJ^DEX TO COJ^TEJ^TS

Page

Our Pioneer Women 7

Times Have Changed 12

Bandera Has a Beginning 15

Bandera Pass 20

Camp Verde 21

Bladen Mitchell 22

Indians Kill Assessor McMurray 24

Amanda Davis Killed by Indians 25

Captured an Indian „ 26

Richard M. Ware 27

Life Story of Mrs. Annie E. Brown 28

Killing of Theodore Kindia 42

Came to Texas in 1850 43

The Killing of Berry Buckelew 44

Dr. Edwin M. Downs 46

Early Days in Old Bandera 49

Thomas A. Laxson 53

Charles de Montel, Sr 54

Charles F. Schmidtke 56

Charles de Montel, Jr. 58

Mrs. Amelia Schmidtke 60

The Buck Family 60

John Kindia Came With Colonists 62

Tom Click Has a Narrow Escape 63

Pipe Creek Pioneers 64

Mrs. Mary Jane Walker 68

F. M. Hodges 70

J. A. V. Pue 71

Murder of Mr. and Mrs. Moore 72

Lived in a Pole Pen 74

James Washington Walker 76

P. H. Mazurek 80

Experiences of J. P. Heinen, Sr 84

H. C Wright 89

Furnished Telegraph Posts 90

"Seco'' Smith 'Ji

mDE.Y TO COJ\'TLWTS'

Page

Judge Hugh C. Duffy 101

Daniel Rugh 102

The Mansfield Family _ 106

The Maass Family 108

Sixty-five Years in Bandera 108

Attacked by a Panther 110

Judge George Hay HI

Emil Huffmeyer 116

H. H. Carmichael 117

Judge Edward M. Ross 119

F. L. Hicks 120

Drowning of Riggs 122

Lost a Wagonload of Iron 123

Old Time Charivaris 123

The Montague Family 124

James Franklin Hodges 126

Early Day Mail Carrying 127

An Indian Captive 128

W. S. Hinds. Sf. 132

David Cryer Killed by Indians 134

"Fighting Jack" Potter 135

Mrs. Constantina Adamietz 136

Leopold Haby 145

Unclp Jack Stevens 1 !'.>

Thp Bandpra Buglp , 152

The Killing of Jack Phillips 154

Buck Hamilton „ 15G

Mry. Mary E. iludsueth loS

Lrrew Up in Bandera County 160

John Fyka 166

ijenry Stevens, Sr „ _ K>9

Vv'ae in Packsaddle Molintaia Fights- _ ». - IT 3

I. YD EX TO COA'TKVT^

Page

Settlers in Sabinal Canyon 172

Jose Poliearpo Rodriguez 173

Drowning of Joseph Winfield _ 174

Thomas Click Killed bv Indians 175

Reminiscences of B. F. Langford, Sr _ 176

Lee Risinger 181

Bandera's First Baseball Club 183

A Tragedy of the Civil War 184

The Bandera Enterprise 187

Sketch by W. F. Surber 188

Was Born in Slavery 189

John H, Ross , 190

Congressman Claud B. Hudspeth 191

Ben Batto 192

Judge R. H. Burney 199

Tribute to Colonel Duffy ^ 200

Christopher Fagan „ 202

Death of J. T. Stevens 203

The Thalmann Family 204

Henry Rackow 207

Andrew Gatluf Jones 208

Jof Shoppanl Wounded 214

The Mayfield Family 21G

The Buckner Family 218

Amasa Clark, the Oldest Settler 220

Gabriel Anderwald 232

Fulmore's Version of Our County's Name 236

J. A. Teggert ., ...., 239

Scouted in Bandera County 240

First Commissfoners' Court i:4tJ

TXDEX TO COXTEXTS

Page
Rescued Three Captive Children 248

Judge W. F. Dorow 253

A. L. Scott : 254

J. F. Tait 255

The Stanard Family 256

Ike Stevens, Sr 260

The Killing of Nicholson 264

Wolff and Hoffman Killed by Indians 266

Mrs. M. T. Weldon 268

"Big Foot" Wallace 270

Early Day Barbecues in Old Bandera 272

Great Floods in the Medina Valley 278

C. H. Frick 279

Mrs. Mattie Jones 280

J. A. Miller ;.- 282

In Conclusion \ 285

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