Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

249 may be necessary to mention that the hostile demonstration ended in a talk.- These men brought an unsealed letter from Robt Love, a Chickasaw, to Mr Joseph Walker of Belknap. It was read by Capt Ross when he discovered it contained information in regard to depredations committed on this frontier. Mr Walker lost a Mare and followed on the trail. He discovered a peculiar track on the downward trail, evidently made by a man lame in the left foot By enquiry it was ascertained, that two lame men answering the description were among the Kickapoos, the mare had been de- serted and found by the Witchita's from whom Mr Walker ob- tained her, The Kickapoo's stole her- Love writes to Walker concerning the late murders in Jack County. He seems to think the murderers can be identified if the assistance of some one able to identify the clothing of the mur- dered people can be had ; and dwells upon the propriety of send- ing such an one to that country. The continued, and unaccounted absence, of the Kickapoo's and the Keechies, and other circumstances, point to those people as the prime movers in the murders and depredations recently committed in Jack and the contiguous counties. It is poper here to mention that Mr Jas Gurley of Waco while en route from Missouri, held a conversation with Mr Warfield the trader for the Kickapoo's, in which he stated, that they brought in Texas horses, this spring instead of Furs and Peltries as usual. They stated that they had won them from Comanche Indians. There can be no doubt of the existence of an alliance be- tween the renegade Kickapoos and Keechies and the northern Comanches in making war upon Texas- The two messengers also learnt, that the different bands of the Comanches had re- cently held a council, and agreed to consolidate the seven b2.nds into one, under the leadership of the nephew of the late chief Pa.ha.yo co.- They have made treaties with all, or nearly all, the tribes residing east of Red River, and the head-chief has taken the women, children, and old men into the Creek country, which he deems a place of safety for them. The other six bands are to con- tinue the war upon the people of Texas and the Reserve Indians. In the event of being hard pressed they contemplate, beyond doubt, falling back upon their head-chief as a point inaccessible to their enemies.-and thus they will convert the people afford- ing the refuge, and then countenance, their allies to all intents and purposes.

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