TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916
110
No. 80 LETI'ER FROM J. W. THROCKMORTON TO U. S. INDIAN COMMISSIONER State of Texas
Executive Department Austin, Sept 20th 1866
To the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Washington D. C. Sir:
I beg leave to call your attention to the fact that the remnant of the Tonkawa Tribe of Indians for- merly settled on the U.S. Indian reservation, near old Fort Cobb, on Washita River I. T. are now in Texas, in a deplorable and destitute condition. These Indians have always been friendly to the whites, ·and no complaint has ever been made against them. Shortly after the late civil war began and all troops were withdrawn from Fort Cobb, a portion of several of the Tribes living on the reservations, determined to make war upon the white peo- ple, and the Chickasaw, and other friendly Indian nations. The Tonkawa refused to engage in it, and in consequence, the dis- affected ones attacked, and after a day and nights fight, nearly exterminated them. They made their escape to Texas, and have been supported by the State Government, and people, until the present time, except in the way of rations of beef and bread, furnished them recently by order of General Heintzleman. They now number about 170 souls. I rave recommended the Legislature, now in session to do- nate them a league of land, as a home, with a view a to settle them permanently, somewhere on the frontier, as near a U. S. Military Post, as the land suitable can be found. On account of the enmity of the Indians (Comanche Caddo and other remnants of tribes) located near the old Fort Ar- buckle I. T. These Tonkawa are unwilling, and indeed should not be required to go back there. I most earnestly request of you if in your power, to do something for these poor people. In the first place they need rations of Beef and Bread. This
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