Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. IV

TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1860-1916

410

when I saw several U. S. Soldiers, who informed me that "Ser- geant Jackson and 9 men of the 10th U. S. Cavalry, stationed at Fort Sill, with 40 days rations, were ordered to bring "Heap of Bear's" bands of Kiowa Indians to Pease River, Texas, to hunt." I went into their camp and found about 18 warriors, and about 20 squaws and children. The Indian Killed, belonged to this party, and had in his possession, a U. S. Springfield Car- bine, loaned to him by Crpl Cox of the U. S. Soldiers, and to whom I returned the Carbine, it being shot in the stock. The Sergeant said, they allowed the Indians to go 25 and 30 miles away. This camp is about 10 miles below the fork of N & S Pease Rivers. Did not further molest the Indians and returned 7 miles to camp in divide. 16th Marched across divide S. 30 miles to Wichita. Saw several fresh trails going N.E. but could not follow them on account of our horses being so weak, and no grass; had to cut down Cot- ton wood trees for them to eat the bark. 17th, March S.E. 25 miles to Brazos. Saw Several trails and do not think, soldiers were with any of the trails, as none but pony tracks could be seen. T was told by a ranchman on Brazos that he saw 6 Indians the day before on Brazos 60 miles from Fort Griffin. 18th Marched 20 milec,, camping on Lake Creek. 19th Marched 30 miles S.E. to Camp Loma Vista; our horses being badly jaded, but men in good health, considering the ex- treme cold weather. Mr. Henry Homburg who is a merchant at Ft. Griffin, and has a store on Teepee Creek a tributary of Pease River, says he was in camp with about 150 Indians, about the 10th Dec'b, on Indian Creek above his store, and that they said they intended to stay in Texas, and hunt, if they had to fight to do it; that a few soldiers were sent after them, but that they sent them back. Homburg was present, when a Captain from Ft. Elliott had a talk with the chief, and that the chief asked him for a pass, which was refused. Mr. Mike O'Brien, who has a ranch on North prong of Wichita, informed me that 5 Comanche Indians came to his ranch on 25th of December and were very impudent ;-one of them or- dered him to tie his poney- they camped several days near the ranch Mr. Wm. Clark who lives at O'Briens, returned from

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