23 as an humble citizin of the County
TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916
of Jack I write you this as a token of Friendship, etc. Two years since I purchased land adjoining the Town of Jacksboro but owing to the continual depredations committed by the in- dians upon the person and property of the people of this County I did not bring my family here until I had learned that a Com- pany had arived on the :?rontier of this County on receiving this information I was Sattisfied that all would be safe. but on yesterday I was passing from Decatur in Wise County to this place at the crossing of the West Fork I was haild by four men a Mr. Bean, Mount, Jones and a son of Mr. Beans who informed me that the Indians had stolen four horses from his house the night before and had near the same killed two beeves and that they were on there trail and wished me carry the intelligence to town as soon as possible and forward them all the aid that could be got on my arival at town we could only rais six horses that was fit fer a chase which was soon fitted out withe a rider well armed and about the time they were redy to be off the painful inteligence was brought to Town that Indians had shot and killed a Jess Clemen on the West Fork the man killed was in company with two others at work and fired on by an Indian withe a rifle from ambush the two left having there guns near rushed on to the ambush routing nine Indians and putting them to flight about this time Mr. Bean and his company came up on the Indian trail, and concluded to await for reinforcement and bury the murderd man we supose the six that left town joined him about 9 Ock last night. I fear they will be unable to overtake the Indians, and now Geril as I think you ought to know I am one old Texi2n having come to Texas in 1834 and have seen many ups and down but you know some~hing of what was called the runaway scrape of 1836 and I will assure you as a friend that this section has been a similar seen [scene] for the last two year and if there is not some defense this lovely country must be left to the Caddo and other Indians that are less civilized than they were twenty years past this I know for I knew them then and I know them on the Brazos Reserve let others say what they ma~• I write what I know to be so. and it is thise Indians that are fed and clothed by the united that are committing the deprt'dations thro this country. Owing to Mountains that are dispersed thro this cuntry and passes usually used by the Indians some fifteen or twenty minute men will do more good than a full company of Rangers that know nothing
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