WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860
405
who lived on Willow Creek in Mason County. He was stolen from his home six miles from Mason, on July 15, 1859, probably by the Comanches, or Northern Indians of a related tribe. The boy was herding horses a half mile from his home when the Indians swooped down upon him, shot him through the neck, tied his hands, put him on a horse, and hurried away taking four of-his father's horses along with them. A posse of eighteen or more men was soon formed and set out in search of the boy. These men went more than 150 miles before they gave up the search. On November 22, 1859, Christopher Carson (Kit Carson), United States Indian Agent, wrote from Taos, New Mexico, that a Mexican had brought in an American boy, some nine or ten years old, active, intelligent, light complexion, blue eyes, light hair, understood everything said to him, but could speak little English; said that his name was William Houston. The boy apparently could give no information as to the 1>lace from which he was stolen. The Mexican said that he had bought the boy from the Kiowas and had paid $100 in trade for him. The Mexican also demanded that he be reimbursed for that amount. Upon receiving this information, the Texas Legislature passed a joint resolution appropriating $500 to procure the restoration of the boy to his parents. This resolution was passed on January 7, 1860. See Gammel, Laws of Texas, V. 314. Then E. W. Cave, Secretary of State, under orders from the Governor, wrote to Carson, asking that the boy be returned and placed in the care of Messrs. Vance and Brothers, of San Antonio, to be restored to his father. Carson replied that the weather was too bitterly cold to risk sending the boy before April, but at that time he would forward him to San Antonio. The Texas Republica.,i, June 2, 1860, stated that "Mr. Hoerster's son, that was stolen by the Indians about a year ago, has reached home in fine health. He tells bad tales on Uncle Sam's Reserve Indians.'' We are indebted to Mr. C. L. Greenwood, of Austin, Texas, for much of this information concerning this boy William Hoerster. Mr. Greenwood has for many years made deep research concerning Indian affairs of Texas, and he is an authority on the subject. See also Texas State Gazette, August 6, 1859; Texas Christian Advocate, August 4, 1859; San Antonio Daily Heral.d, August 13, 1859; San Antonio Daily Herald, December 17, 1859, March 16, 1860; Texas Rep!lblican, June 2, 1860; Pape1·s on fodian A/fairs (C. H. Nimitz's statements concerning the stealing of the Hoerster boy by Indians), Texas State Library. E. W. CA VE TO MESSRS. VANCE & BROTHER, BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR 1 State Department, Austin, Texas, Jan. 11th, 1860. Messrs Vance & Brother, San Antonio Gentlemen By request of Hon. F. Wrede/ a member from Gillespie County, I have ordered shipped to your care, a boy named William Horster [sic], rescued from the Indians in New Mexico by Kit Carson. He will be sent to Fredericksburg, Care of Mr. Frank Stricklin.
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