276
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
expiration of Capt. Stouts service - Emberson continued in servise. 5 or 6 months ranging on the upper frontier of Fannin, He killed 3 Cherokees in July - This company and Capt. Stouts were the only forces operating in that section, from the time Rusks army was dis- banded at Clarksville until september 1839 - From this date up to may '40 - there was no force operating in this quarter. During this interrgnum, the indians committed various depradations. They com- menced by killing Geo. Dugan, Fanning Co. and a Mr. Cox also of Fanning, and took off two boys 12, 14 years of age, the sons of Cox brother. They were recovered in the fall of 1840, bought in the Choc- taw nation. Ripleys family, Red River Co. was killed 10th April 1841- his wife & eight children, the oldest a boy 18 years old two girls 16 & 13 years and the balance younger, the youngest an infant. Two of the family only escaped a girl about 15, and one 10 years - they were pursued by the Indians, but outrunning them they reached a neigh- bor's house, when their pursuer stopped - he had fired at them at the commcemt of the Chase which was about 2 miles - Capt Stout states that youngest girl was so stiffened up by the great effort she made in runing that she was not able to walk for several days. June or July Shortly after t~is the Indians made an attack on Capt. Earry whilst he was in his field at his work - There were several women at Earry's house that day, some 5 or 6 on a visit - they were in the yard at the time the Indians broke upon them. They attempted to gain the house but the Indians intercepted them at the door.- and a general engage- ment ensued; the women, fighting with Bticks, rocks & such missels as they could gather up, and some going it with their nails and teeth. SPr,eral of them severely wounded by the arrows of the enemy, but th<1 indians were not able to use their bows with much effect inconsequence of the close quarters of the engagemt, the women seizin!? hold of them throwing them down. 1md otherwise engaging them - Thus continued the fight until Capt. Farry came to their assistance. Hearing the scuf- fle he fled to fled to r s-ic l the house ann was recd. bv several shots fr'lm the enemy none of which however disabled him. He seized a weeding hoe lying in the yard and began to operate with that knock the indians down as fast as he could g-et to them, until his wife was able to get into the house. she brought out his gun & the assailants fled. Earry fired upon them & wounde one. The women were not 8eriously ininred & none killed - The combatants were about equal in number on both sides - This took place in June or July 1841 - In June 1841 - Tarrant raised 50 or 60 men and went up to the Cross timbers, and on his return fell in with a village on the Trinity west prong, where. Bird's fort now stands; killed 5 or 6 Indians ; broke up their Village. After runing the Indians out of the village, parties started out after stock & horse8, and in a mile or two, in crossing a small stream the Indiians fired upon them nnd killed Jno. B Denton and wounded Henr~' Stout - Took an Indian prisoner, a woman and a little girl - On reaching the Bettlemts, the old woman made her escape, the child was delivered to her Uncle at Bird's fort last fall at the treaty (1843)- Tarrant after returng raised another force 300 menf made another ex-
Powered by FlippingBook