214 Horses of Mr. Turnbolt Barbee and others, they also shot some 7 or 8 arrows into the body of Barbee's negro, and left him for dead, but it is supposed that the negro will recover. A citizen of the name of Isaac Bean living on the waters of Besley's creek and his negro man was barborously murdered by them on the same day and the next day a Mr. Johnson a well known citizen who was driving his wagon on the public roads from Meridian, accompa• nied by his son a lad of about ten years old, was also murdered by them, his little boy missing and supposed to be taken prisoner, and it is said that an American female has been taken a prisoner and carried off by them. A third party ranged in the neighbor- hood of Meridian. The Indians after collecting some 150 head of the best Horses in these several settlements reunited again and headed about 8 miles west of Stephenville on the waters of South Bosque, from thence they took up the Divide between the wate1·s of Bartons Creek and the North Leon crossing the head waters of the Palo Pinto and Joni and from thence their broad trail con- tinued in the direction of the Indian Reserve on the clear fork of the Brazos River. The citisens of Stephenville and its vicinity went immedi- ately in pursuit of the Indians and followed on their trail over 100 miles but could not overtake them and finally had to abandon their unsuccessful pursuit. The undersigned who was travelling through the before men- tioned Districts at the times these occurrences took place, has been requested by their inhabitants to place before your Excel- lency the great losses they have sustained, and the injuries in- flicted upon them by this band of lawless savages and of their great apprehension of a repetition of the same or greater calami- ties. They therefore pray your Excellency to adopt the most prompt and vigorous measures to prevent the recurrence of In- dians incursions by an efficient defence of the frontier and for the protection of the lives and property of your fellow citisens. The undersigned has the honor of handing to you the official reports Lieut. Thos. C. Frost (an active and intelligent officer) of Comanche County, and of Lieut. Thos. R. Carmack of Erath County relating to the above matters. All of which is respectfully submitted
By your obt. Servt. JOHN FORBES
[Enoorsed] John Forbes
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