Vol. 2, No. 2, November 1924

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Contents:

Gerome Shield, the Fearless Sheriff
Gerome W. Shield, Cattleman, resident of Tom Green county since 1883, hide and animal inspector from 1888 to 1892, sheriff for four straight terms ending in 1900 was born in Panohi County, Mississippi, March 22, 1864, came to Texas ill 1869, the family settling in Hunt county, then moving in 1874 to Trickham, Coleman county. It was from there that Mr. Shield came to Tom Green County and settled for the rest of his life. His legacy as a sheriff and achievements while in public office are the subject of this story.

Further Mentions: his brother, Walter F. Shield, who lives, at Mc Alister, Okla., the men who in June 1898 held up the Santa Fe passenger train at Coleman Junction. He worked first on the William Hewit ranch on Live Oak creek, now in Coke which a brother, Lee Shield, later purchased. Lee Shield sold his interest in 1886 and Rome Shield remained on that ranch until 1888 when he was elected hide and animal inspector and moved to San Angelo. J. Willis Johnson, Sr., Ed Dozier, ex-sheriff of Concho county, Perry Mc Connell, Sutton county sheriff at Sonora, Bill Taylor, his brother, Jeff Taylor, Pearce Keeton, and Bud Newman. All lived in the Sonora and Junction country, R. E. Buchanan, of Fort Worth, Engineer Jim Stanton and Fireman Lee Johnson, D. R. Hodges, then a deputy sheriff, deputy Henry Decker., Bud Newman,

Young Man Falls Victim to Indian Cruelty
A. J. Sowell. Account of brutal slaying of young Ranse Brown, by viscous Mescalero Apaches in Frio county, May 6, 1873. Further depicts subsequent atrocities committed shortly thereafter in same area including the murder of Mrs. Graham’s infant and an attack on Frio Town.

Over the Goodnight and Loving Trail
Annie Dyer Nunn In 1866 they surveyed the Goodnight and Loving trail, perhaps the most famous of a11 the old cow trails. It began in Young County, Texas. and extended southwest to the Pecos River; here it turned northwest, following the course of the river four hundred miles to Fort Sumner and beyond. It then crossed the divide between the Platt and the Arkansas rivers seventy-five miles east of Denver. It ended at the mouth of Crow Creek.

The first part of the trail down to the Pecos was through good country with plenty of grass and water, but along the Pecos it was bleak and forbidding. There was little grass and the only semblance of tree life was the wild mesquite. in speaking of this country Colonel Goodnight said. "The Pecos country was the most desolate I had ever explored. The river was full of fish, but besides the fish there was scarcely a living thing, not even birds and coyotes. "The country was again good along the upper Pecos and in Colorado."

Such was the trail over which Loving made his last drive. The events of this drive deserve a prominent place in the history of West Texas. The partnership between Loving and Goodnight was an ideal one, since Loving knew the trail and its ways, and Goodnight knew men and cattle. Both were men of high honor and courage. Loving was fifty-five years, old; Goodnight thirty five. This account depicts the trail drive of June, 1867. The outfit consisted of twenty-five hundred head of steers and eighteen men. From the first the Indians were a constant menace. There were other depravations and troubles including the nearly mortal wound that Loving endured, wolves, etc. This is an excellent story of these great men who fulfilled a great dream and provided a great service.

Some Early Coleman County History
Old Timer in the Coleman Times. This is the story of W. W. (Bill) Hunter, who settled in Coleman county, along with his wife, the former Miss Fiveash, when but few people had ventured that far west. Mr. Hunter was ten years of age when he arrived at Camp Colorado in 1860 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Malcom Hunter.

An excerpt: Among the early settlers in and around the army post on Jim Ned during the early sixties and who later became permanent citizens, Mr. Hunter calls to mind L, D. Saint Claire, Dudley Johnson and family, Mr. Chrismas, John Sheem, Rev. H. M. Childress, Methodist minister; Johnnie Rhoads, the Clayton family, L. D. Greaves, R. C. (Cuffy) Morgan and family F. M. Alexander, Joe Byers, (a bachelor), Pete Callan and J. J. (Baldy) Callan. Cuff Morgan had charge of the wagon trains that freighted material and supplies from San Antonio to the army post on Jim Ned. L. D. Greaves came with the troops as guide and was later sheriff of the county. J. J. (Baldy) Callan was in charge of the commissary at that army post and later captained a company of Rangers.

Joe Byers, a bachelor, lived with Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Johnson and served the army as a guide. He was killed by the Kickapoo Indians in the historic Dove Creek fight. He was scalped and his head severed from his body and placed on a pole.

Jeff Morgan, as Mr. Hunter remembers, was the first white child born in Coleman county. James Callan, now living at Menard, was perhaps the second white child born in the county,

Luke Williamson, later county clerk of Coleman county, married Annie Johnson. Peter Callan, first postmaster at the town of Coleman, married Jennie Johnson. Captain J. M. Elkins, yet living on the Jim Ned, not far from the old army post, married Emma Johnson.

The Story of Egg-Nog Branch
Henry C. Fuller. Story of the Fredoinian Rebellion in 1924 when Hayden Edwards and his brother, Benjamin Edwards, declared their area around Nacogdoches a free and independent nation: the Fredonian Republic. The Fredonian Declaration of Independence was written and duly signed. The plan almost worked except for two things: support suddenly caved in on the part of Indians and others who were in favor of the rebellion, and word of a mass of Mexican troops coming to squelch the rebellion. When the Mexicans had withdrawn the refugees returned from the east side of the Sabine, and legend says they reached the little branch on Christmas Day, 1825, where in honor of the return of peace and safety and glad they were getting back home, they 'made a great eggnog, and gave to the little stream the name Eggnog Branch, a name that it has held 100 years, The name promises to remain a monument to the memory of the historic days of a historic period.

Recollections of the Frontier
"James William Taylor, called "Tie" Taylor was born in Dallas county, Texas, in June, 1834. In 1872 he joined the Texas Rangers at Belknap, on the Brazos river, and served continuously until the Indians were driven out. His first captain was Willis Hunter, his next was Rufus Perry, and his third was Captain Nichols. One of the first battles he was in with the Indians was at Salt Creek in Young county. The next one was when the Russell family was massacred by Indians. At that time the Rangers were stationed at the old log school house in the edge of the Cross Timbers, and I, on my mare, "Fleetfoot," carried the news of this massacre to Dripping Springs to the Rangers. I also carried a dispatch to old Uncle Billie Hayes in Springtown, Parker county, where the Rangers were, stationed, a distance of ten miles, and I was pursued by five 1ndians, but Fleetfoot and I beat them to Springtown, and there the Rangers took up the chase and killed three of the Indians.

Fleetfoot could detect the presence of Indians immediately, and would prick up her ears and become very restless. One day, in company with Mrs. Blake and her two little children, we set out to go from Dripping Springs to Uncle Billy West's in Cooke county. Mrs. Blake was riding a little pony. At a certain point on the road Fleetfoat suddenly became excited and showed by her actions that Indians were close, and I had to whip Mrs. Blake's pony to make him keep up. After a race of some distance we reached our destination and Mrs. Blake fainted.

Another time my father, Uncle Billy West, and I were out after some horses for a round-up, and seeing smoke arising from a thicket, we went up and peered in and found an old Indian roasting a skunk. Father captured the Indian and took him home where he kept him until the next day and then rode with him out ten miles and turned him loose with his face set toward the frontier.

Mr. Taylor was in the battle at Rock Creek, Young county, in which Charlie Rivers was killed by an Indian arrow.

The Indians captured the Davis boys near their home in Parker county. That same afternoon, they killed Wes Higgins' boy on his way home from school, scalped him and cut him in two and left him in the road. The Indians took the Davis boys to a reservation in Kansas and kept them three years, and finally traded them to Mr. Davis for some ponies…"

An Early Day Hanging on the Frontier
T. U. Taylor. Eye-witness account of the hanging of Negro man, Joe Williams, and subsequent events that occurred in Parker county during wild days of 1868.

Thrilling Tales by Taylor Thompson
Texas Ranger Thompson accounts Comanche Indian raids in the Neuces Canyon about 30 miles from Uvalde, and the efforts to squelch their frequent uprisings.

Killing of John Vaden at Ft. Mc Kavett
John Warren Hunter. This is a fascinating account of the son of a good man, who turned rotten. Possessing a hot temper and a furious desire for violence, Vaden wreaked terror and murder wherever he went. Finally at Fort Mc Kavett he got his comeuppance. Here is an excerpt of this great story as told by a first-hand eye witness of the events, and a man who knew Vaden. Here is some great Menard County history as well.

In 1868 Texas was under military rule and Federal troops were stationed in nearly every town of any consequence in the State. The presence of these soldiers at a time when the animosities engendered by the Civil War were yet at white heat and the tyranny, coupled with the cupidity of Federal soldiers in command, embittered the people and many of the younger men, those whose youth prevented their going into the army, and who cherished an inherited hatred towards the Yankees, were led to enter upon a career of crime that usually resulted in an untimely end at the hand of violence .

The meanest negro, whose insolence had provoked the wrath of a white man, could hasten to a Federal commandant with his plaint, a squad of soldiers was sent out, the citizen arrested and confined in the stockade, and it soon became known that however well-to-do a man might be, if he ever entered one of these Federal stockades as a prisoner, he came out a poor man.

Besides the negro element there was a class of men who, under the cloak of loyalty to the Union during the war, neglected no opportunity to involve honest men in difficulties with the military authorities, and but for these men the civil officers could have enforced the law, preserved order, and there would have been no need for the intervention of the military arm of public service. It was one of this class-one Peacock-who succeeded in arraying the military authorities against Bob Lee of Collin county, a good citizen, a man who had served with merit and distinction in the Confederate army, and when General Lee surrendered, Bob accepted the situation, came home and entered upon the peaceful pursuits of civil life with the resolve to live blameless before all men. The same can be said of Cullen Baker of Bowie county, and hosts of others whose resentment against the wrongs heaped upon them by these so-called loyal Unionists and the petty officers and troops composing these garrisons over the country, that drove them to deeds of bloody retaliation. There are many living today who remember seeing at every crossroad in North Texas large posters announcing the offer of $1,000 reward for the apprehension, dead or alive, of Bob Lee, Cullen Baker and Ben Biggerstaff. All three of these men were killed and I suppose their slayers got the reward.

Billy Vaden, a righteous, God-fearing man, lived some twelve or fifteen miles north of Sulphur Springs, in Hopkins county. He had three or four sons, among whom was John Vaden. When John Vaden should have been in school he fell in with Ben Biggerstaff and became a member of the Biggerstaff gang. I do not reveal the antecedents of this outlaw, nor do I know what provocation led him to declare uncompromising war against the Federal authorities in 1868, but at all events, he became a. terror to the Federals and all peaceable citizens alike, but negroes and Yankees were the principal objects of his vengeance and many of these went down under his unerring aim.

A man living out in the country a few miles from Sulphur Springs had just cause to chastise an insolent negro; the latter hastened to town and reported the man to the commandant. Captain Tellman of the Sixth Cavalry with a troop of about twenty men held the post, and a detail of five men under a sergeant was sent to arrest the man who had whipped the n____r. Biggefstaff and Vaden got wind of the arrest, ambushed the party within half a mile of town, killing three or four of the soldiers and the negro and released the prisoner.

Two days after this, as an act of mere bravado, John Vaden, mounted on a little sorrel race mare, dashed through Sulphur Springs, passing within forty feet of the soldiers' barracks. Captain Tollman and his young wife were sitting on the front gallery of the Cotton hotel and as Vaden dashed by he fired at Tollman, missing his head by about one inch. Further down the street, and while, under full speed, he fired the fatal shot that settled old Grimes, a noted negro about town, and before the Federals could collect their wits and give pursuit, John Vaden had vanished…

Anniversary of Fight at Buffalo Wallow
Account of the Buffalo Wallow Indian fight in Hemphill county, between the Washita River and the Gageby Creek twenty-two miles South of Canadian (River) and about the same distance east of Miami, Texas. At this place September 12, 1874 two Government Scouts and four soldiers carrying dispatches from General Nelson A. Miles' Camp on Mc Clellan Creek to Fort Supply, were surrounded and held for forty-eight hours by a band of One Hundred Twenty~Five Kiowa and Comanche Indians, fully armed and on the war path. In the beginning of the fight all the men were wounded, and all.except two were disabled.. One of the soldiers received a mortal wound from which he died the night after the attack.

The Taylor-Sutton Feud in Early Days
Mentions notorious Jim Taylor who, although only 18 years of age, was conceded to be the quickest man with a gun that ever ranged the prairies between the Panhandle and the Gulf who engaged in rounding up unbranded steers. Depicts the events of the Taylor-Sutton feud, which for more than fifteen years tore DeWitt, Victoria and Calhoun counties with bloody single combats and pitched battles, shootings, hangings and sudden, mysterious deaths. Also depicts certain dramatic escapes of the principal figures which moved through the stirring scenes of the feud. This terrible feud tore at Cuero, Victoria and Port Lavaca. The older inhabitants of Cuero will tell you that in the days just prior to 1875 not a week passed without its killing.

The feud started just after the close of the civil war, how, nobody remembers exactly. But then the cattle country was not fenced, the herds bad increased during the four, years of strife, and when their owners returned from the frontiers of war nearly one-half the cattle upon the ranges were unbranded. Naturally their division afforded any number of chances for disagreement, and disagreement in those days was a dangerous thing. This is a great story and great history of the area.

The Sublime Faith of a Frontier Preacher
Elder John S. Dust, pioneer preacher and son of the Texas patriot, Col. John Durst of Nacogdoches, wrote this beautiful declaration of his earnest faith prior to his death in 1924. It is a moving declaration of the reality of a sincere and tried faith that works deep in a man’s heart. Much of what this dear man bore in life, paved the way for his comfort in the hour of death. This is a very moving declaration.

If I have been of any service to my fellow citizens, and to the cause of my Master, it has been no more than my duty, and in my humble way have fulfilled my mission. My fleshly nature has caused me to make mistakes, but I rejoice to know that while it "is human to err, it is divine, to forgive." I was a student at old Baylor University at Independence, Texas, from 1856 to 1860, and at the conclusion of my senior year, I entered the war between the states and served as a captain till we went down am an overpowered South. I now leave you with no ill will to any one. I have been blessed beyond my deserts. I have tried to take care of the body in which I live, and have lived to a ripe old age. I have tried to enjoy the association of the meek and lowly, as well as those who enjoyed better opportunities, and to be one with all classes of the fortunate as well as the unfortunate I therefore leave you with the very best of feelings for every one. If I have been in any way helpful in pointing you to the Savior, and to the service we should render Him, my life's work has not been In vain and my prayer is that we may jointly enjoy his presence and blessings in the everlasting home of the redeemed. My faith in the Christ has grown stronger with the passing Years, and I pass from you with the conscientiousness of having tried to advance what I conceived to be best for all. Amidst the frailties of the flesh I have not been faultless by any means. May the Good Lord blot them out! Throughout the long years of service in your midst I have labored to be a factor for good. If you have discovered faults in my life, I beg of You to bury them with this old body. If any one has had impressions of ill will toward me I beg of you to forget them and to took forward to the things we shall individually face at the bar of divine justice. I now bid you adieu till the meetnig that will determine our eternal destiny…

thanks to our Father in Heaven for a prospective place in His sweet home that will defy the wreck of time's wasting hand aeross the river of death that has brought me to its, crossing, and as I cross it, I send back to you, dear one, a loving farewell."

The Old Frontier; Events of Long Ago
By W. K. Baylor. This is the account of the brave and noble Captain Man Darius Tackitt who was born in Missouri in 1812. He married Miss Emiline Wright. In 1837 he moved to Arwhich was then a frontier country. There six of his seven children were born. One was born in Texas later on. In 1854 Captain Tackitt moved to Parker county, Texas, and settled about 12 miles north from Weatherford, in a howling wilderness. Here the Tackitt's lived for four years. In 1858 they moved to Brown's Creek in the southeast corner of Jack county, in the neighborhood where the counties of Jack, Wise, Palo Pinto and Parker corner. At this last place they lived until October 26, 1863, and during the intervening years had raised a nice herd of stock horses and cattle. In 1854, Tackitt’s brother, the Rev. Pleasant Tackitt moved to Parker county and settled near Veal's Station. In 1857, he moved to Young county, where in January, 1860, he had a big fight with the Comanches. The Tackitts were indeed pioneers in Texas, and in the counties of Parker, Jack and Young. Here is great history of these areas.

Further Mentions: Colonel Henry E. Mc Culloch, Captain Tackitt, with a company of 40 men, faithfully patrolled the frontier, giving assurance and protection to the frontier people and their property., The first officers were James N. Norris of Coryell county, colonel; A. T. Obenchain. of Parker county, lieutenant-colonel. Obenchain was killed by two of his men, Reek Stockton and Tude Whatley. Mc Cord was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and J. B. Barry of Bosque county, (known as Buck Barry), was appointed major. Barry was quite distinguished as an experienced frontiersman and Indian fighter., Lieutenant-Colonel, J. B. Barry; Major, W. J. Alexander., Col. James N. Norris, , J. H. Tackitt, a younger brother, Caleb, Veal's station, Captain Joshua Caldwell, Major George B. Erath of Mc Lennan county, Major John Henry Brown., Brigadier General James W. Throckmorton, Major Quails, Fort Cobb, The Tonkaway Indians, their chief, Placido., Wm. Mosley was captain,

Birthday Reunion of a Texas Pioneer
C. V. Allen. Brief account of Mrs. Issac Gann, and of early history of Hamilton County of which she was a resident for 60 years. Mentions: the old Isaac Gann home near Gann's Bridge, Miss Annie Whitney, Mrs. Gann is the mother of seven children, namely: George M. Gann, Mrs. Mary Arnold, Mrs. Mrs. J. H. Grogan and Mrs. H. H. Hoover, She has fifty grandchildren, seven greatgrandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

The Adventures of Jack Dobell
By J. C. Duval. FIRST INSTALLMENT. Early history of Texas focusing on events prior to and including Mexican War. This is great reading.

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