970,3 i X* \c ds 3 V- LLMAR.Y, ' • lW THE' U N I VLR.S ITY OF ILLINOIS 970.3 BIU 19713 Return this book on or before the Latest Date stamped below. University of Illinois Library JflN27l9:>4 16619 1 b Ll 2 a HIM -S i 10;,' o ; J. x i J 0 y* r r - Y* ^ V V W BUG 20 1985 lo-y-w 3 MAY 261912 l3 % 25 i! Vc In the; Bosom oe' the; Comanches 87 human habitation. We partook of the peaches and were convinced and a rarer and greater treat was never enjoyed. We explored a little more and found an abandoned log hut overlooking Red river, which hut no doubt still stands intact. We afterwards learned that a venturesome man by the name of Gilbert undertook to establish a home at that place. After living there two or three years undisturbed he was discovered by the Indians and with his family, barely escaped to the white settlements in the vicinity of Gaines¬ ville. In the Spring of 1874 Clay County was organized, as the farthest western organized county, and Henrietta was estab¬ lished as the county seat, where a short time before the pioneer Cusier family was broken up by the Indians. Some of the members were massacred, while the others were carried into captivity. At Henrietta a small log house was erected for the sessions of the court, presided over by Judge Lindsay, as the first judge, and with L. C. Barrett, now of AmarillOj as one of the first practicing attorneys at Henrietta bar. It happened that I was one of the first jury to serve, and then also had my first jury service. There was no felony docket the first session, the term of the court being engaged in misdemeanor cases solely. We members of the jury gave verdicts of guilty for all with minimum fines in each case. For jury service in the first session of the court, now more than thirty-eight years ago, I have not drawn my scrip, which, with interest compounded, would to-day make a comfortable sum, if collected. A great deal has been said and written with reference to the methods employed by the old-time or original cow¬ men in accumulating and increasing their herds. I am in position to speak with authority on this subject, and would say they were naturally as honest as the average of men. They were creatures of environment and proceeded along 88 In thf Bosom of thf Comanchfs customary lines, as men have always done before and since. It was the custom to take dry cows and strays, also mave¬ ricks, which were cattle that may have been marked but unbranded. The idea or plan was to take in and properly Mrs. T. A. (Dot) Babb was born December 31st, 1858, and is descended from that sturdy pioneer stock from whom Texas and all other states of this union derived the elements of strength and greatness. Reference is made in another place in this narrative to Aunt Ibbie Gordon, Mrs. Babb’s paternal grandmother, a very In the; Bosom of the; Comanchfs 89 MRS. T. A. (Dot) BABB notable and illustrious woman of the trying and strenuous early days of Texas. Another conspicuous ancestor is John Hanks, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Babb. An heirloom very highly treasured by Mrs. Babb is herein reproduced in the form of a Commission of Justice of the Peace of the township of Sevier, Miller County, Arkansas, issued by Governor Crittenden, Territorial Governor of Arkansas, at Little Rock, Oct. 21st, 1824. Thus it can be seen 88 years ago Mrs. Babb’s forebears were serving their country with credit and fortitude on the border line of an ever broadening West. Mrs. Babb at 54 is remarkably well preserved and true to the inherent spirit of heredity is ever on the alert for the best channels for the exercise and direction of her energies, looking to the betterment of mankind and a higher and stabler civilization generally. 90 In the Bosom oe the Comanches mark and brand and appropriate such cattle before the real cattle thief could do the same thing. At that time there was no law against stealing cattle, but there was an unwritten law that was severe enough when the thief was actually caught in the very act of stealing the cattle. Es¬ pecially rigorous was this law when invoked or applied in case of the professional or weaker thief, who paid the penalty dangling at the end of a rope over a limb of a tree, or was doubled up by the ball of a Winchester or revolver. As best I can recall, in August of 1874 was the last Indian raid with fatal results. This raid was through Montague and Wise Counties, and being taken unaware, the entire Huff family was killed by the Indians. At that time I was still on the ranch in Wichita County. In the Fall of 1874 I discontinued the work on the ranch * ( . : \.. . r Vi and returned to Wise County. There was then but three families residing between Wichita and Wise Counties, a distance of eighty or ninety miles. At first I did not seem to fit in just right in a community of civilized people, but gradually I learned to adapt myself to the prevailing con¬ ditions, and being susceptible to the charms of the girls I met became more than reconciled. To be sure, there were not many girls, as there were not many families, but there were enough to interest and engage me, and above all, one in particular, to whom I addressed unwavering and ever increasing attention. On October 7, 1875, I was mar¬ ried to Miss Pattie Graham, the seventeen year old daughter of Mrs. M. A. Graham, at old Bridgeport, Wise County, Texas. My wife’s mother was a native Texan, and was married in Red River County, Texas, before the Mexican War. Her mother was Mrs. Isabella Gordon, better known as 1823, being then eighteen years of age. So distinguished Aunt Ibbie Gordon, and came to Texas with her father in In the Bosom of the Comanches 91 was Aunt Ibbie Gordon, my wife’s maternal grandmother, in the early annals of Texas, that I deem it entirely appro¬ priate to reproduce a part of the biographical sketch appear¬ ing in a book now extant, entitled “Prominent Women of Texas,” written by Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks, as follows: MRS. GRAHAM, Mother of Mrs. Dot Babb 92 In thf Bosom of thf Comanchks The Hopkins family came to Texas from Kentucky when that was made a free state, they being slave holders. Hop¬ kins County, Texas, was named for L. and Dick Hopkins, uncles of my mother. They settled on a small creek in what is now Bowie County, the extreme northeastern por¬ tion of the state, and in the following year the daughter married John Hanks, and the couple moved to Jonesboro, then an important trading post on the southern bank of « Red river, and on the main line of travel on the western frontier. There the husband died three years later, leaving one daughter as the issue of the marriage, this daughter being the mother of my wife, Mrs. Babb, and the young widow went back to her father’s house. Two years after¬ wards she married Captain Jim Clark, a native of Tennessee, with whom she returned to the former domicile in Jones¬ boro, where they continued to abide pending the preparation of a new home further west. It was while living here that the war for Texas independence began to be waged, and it was there on the highway of travel that recruits from the northeast tarried in their passage to the scenes of conflict. Their zeal added fuel to Mrs. Clark’s patriotism, and her patriotism gave aid to their cause. It was there that in 1832 one of the illustrious men of Texas history first set foot on Texas soil. This was Sam Houston, American by birth and instinct, once a congressman and governor of Tennessee, and already famous as warrior, statesman and politician. He was commissioned by Andrew Jackson to negotiate trades with the Indian tribes of the southwest, and was on his way to hold conferences with their chiefs. To reach the scene of his conference he followed the trail that led to the Indian Territory, and came to the northern bank of the Red river, opposite which stood the trading post of Jonesboro. He there fell in with Ben Milam, the future hero of Goliad and San Antonio, of whom he inquired the In the; Bosom of the; Comanches 93 probabilities of finding something to eat. Milam told him that he himself was the guest of the family living on the other bank, and that accommodations could no doubt be had there. They accordingly crossed the river together, and, entering the only house on the southern bank, were welcomed by Milam’s hostess, Aunt Ibbie Gordon of our narrative. In relating the sequel of this meeting, she says that with her own hands she cooked the first food that Sam Houston ever ate in Texas, and that her house was the first in Texas to shelter the future president of the great repub¬ lic. Our distinguished guest tarried but a day, and resumed his southward trail to Nacogdoches, in those days the Mecca GRANDMA IBBIE GORDON, Grandmother of Mr?. Dot Babb 94 In the Bosom of the Comanches of all western enterprise. His visit, though brief, was long enough to make an impression on his admiring hostess, who described him as handsome, courteous, intelligent, and most fascinating in manner and conversation. Two years after this episode Mrs. Clark removed with her husband to their new home, in what is now Red River County, and on the site where is situated the present flourishing town of Clarks¬ ville. They then laid its foundation, and began to erect that which culminated in its present importance. It was in 1835, the year following their removal, that Mrs. Clark met another of the heroes that was famous in Texas history. This was David Crockett, who gave up his life in the bloody siege of the Alamo. He was following the usual trail on his way to the headquarters of the Texan army. She heard of his approach and resolved on giving him the welcome she had extended to the many patriots who had passed that way before him, but having removed to Clarksville, somewhat off the main line of travel, she knew she could not see him unless she intercepted him in the course of his route. This she determined to do, and after a horseback ride of a few miles brought up at the home of a settler, where she found the object of her eager pursuit. A few words served to introduce those earnest advocates of a common cause, and a mutual hatred of oppression soon gave to each a knowl¬ edge of the glowing patriotism that burned in the bosom of the other. After a few hours of mutual solace and encouragement they parted, he for the fields of exploits, and she for the home where dwelt the brightest spirit of Texas independence. This home was saddened not many months afterwards by the fate that befell the brave Crockett, and only three years later it was made desolate by the death of Captain Clark. In the year following this second bereave¬ ment Mrs. Clark was married to Dr. George Gordon, who died in 1872, after a happy married life of thirty-three years, In the Bosom of the Comanches 95 MAXINE BABB, Granddaughter of Dot Babb 96 In thf Bosom of thf Comanchks during which he and his wife lived in her old Clarksville domicile. There in the house she entered sixty years before, Aunt Ibbie Gordon lived to reach the patriarchal age of ninety, not seared but only mellowed by time, bright in mind, cheerful in spirits, and, prior to her last illness in 1895, sound in body and rejoicing in the reverence and af¬ fection of all who lived around her. Her life had moreover been blessed by several sons, whose honorable lives reflected the virtues of their venerable mother, and brought to her declining years the peace that only a mother’s heart can feel. My wife’s mother, Mrs. Graham, died some five years ago at the home of her sons, W. H. and G. G. Graham, in Artesia, New Mexico. Mrs. Babb and I lived in Wise County on Dry creek until the summer of 1879, when we moved to Wichita Falls, Texas. On our arrival there we found only three families making their home at that point. These families were those of Judge Barwise, Judge Sealy, and Mort Wattenburger. In the Fall of 1879 Mr. J. H. Harris settled with his family in Wichita Falls. At that time the total number of families living in Wichita County per¬ haps did not exceed fifteen. Our union was blessed with six children, three of whom being born in Wise County and three in Wichita Falls. We had the misfortune to lose four children, all of them being buried at Wichita Falls. Only two of our children survived, Tom and Annie, both of whom are now grown, married, and making substantial headway in life. I engaged to D. Waggoner & Son for work on their ranches, and could only be at home sometimes once a week and other times once a month, as my duties kept me out on the ranges, looking after the cattle, and far removed from home. This worked an especial hardship on my wife, who had to live alone during my prolonged absence. By this time there were ranches established here and Quanah Parker’s Stage Coach 98 In the: Bosom oe* the: Comanche:s there all over the country, and dividing lines between the different ranches were agreed upon and respected by mutual understanding. It was necessary that cowboys travel these dividing lines daily to keep .the cattle thrown back to their respective zones and prevent, as far as possible, the indis¬ criminate mixing thereof. However, despite all such pre¬ cautions the cattle would cross these' lines at night, and especially in winter when they would drift before driving storms. With the coming of Spring, the cattle by the thou¬ sands would be found many miles from the ranches on which they belonged. It therefore required many men and big work to get the cattle back to their allotted ranges. It must be borne in mind that in those days there were no barb¬ wire fences, and it was owing to this fact that each big ranch had to have a small army of cowboys looking after their employer’s interest. It was the custom, and a necessary one in those days, to have, during the Spring and early Summer, what was known as the annual “round-up,” and on the occasion of these round-ups it was not unusual to see twenty-five to thirty chuck wagons, with from thirty to sixty men to the wagon. Seeing these large forces concen¬ trated preparatory to entering upon the several months of round-up work reminded one of the vanguard of an invading army, and this impression was largely accentuated by the supply of arms and ammunition carried by the cowboy fraternity in those days and times. The arms consisted of such miscellaneous armament as large revolvers and Win¬ chester rifles of all styles and calibres. The revolvers were worn strapped around the waist and the Winchesters were carried in holsters pendant from the saddles. In this way they were always prepared for battle, and whenever there was combat there was fatal results to one or both of the combatants. The round-up work would go from one ranch to another until the whole country had been worked over In the Bosom of the Comanches 99 QUANAH PARKER, Chief of the Comanches. Quanah Parker, a once powerful Comanche chief, and the son of the white woman, Cynthia Parker, who was captured when a girl by the Indians and taken as a wife of the distinguished Chief Peta Nocona, and subsequently recovered by General Sul Ross at the end of a battle in which General Ross slew Chief Nocona and most of his followers. Cache, Okla., Feb. 10, 1910. This is to certify that I know Nadinewmipe or Dot Babb. He was captured by the Comanche Indians a long time ago when he wah a boy about 13 or 14 years old. He was with the Indians about two years. QUANAH PARKER, Chief of the Comanche Tribe. 100 In the: Bosom ot the; Comanchi;s thoroughly, after which all would meet at the starting point. Before entering upon the work the first step would be to elect a general round-up boss, who had supreme command of all divisions and sub-divisions of the army of cowboys engaged in rounding up the cattle from the ranges far and near. After all the cattle had been brought together each ranch owner, or ranch boss, had charge of his given bunch until the cattle were all concentrated in one general herd. The general boss would then take charge and let each outfit take its turn cutting out the cattle belonging to it as desig¬ nated by marks and brands. The cattle would then be held night and day in the separate herds until ownership had been established, even to the last hoof. I have been engaged on these general round-ups for six weeks to two months at a time, and have gathered cattle from the Colo¬ rado river to the North Canadian, north and south, and from Childress County, Texas, half way across the Chicka¬ saw Nation east and west. We continued our residence in Wichita Falls from 1879 until 1898, with the exception of one year spent on Nine- Mile creek, ten miles from Fort Sill (now in the State of Oklahoma). The Indians with whom I lived during cap¬ tivity at length identified me at Wichita Falls, and from that time they urged me to remove to the Indian Territory. They contended that I was by captivity and adoption a Comanche Indian, and had as much right in the Territory as the rest of the tribe. At this time Captain Lee Hall of Texas was Indian agent at Anadarko, Indian Territory. Acting on the suggestion of my Indian friends, I went over to Anadarko and called on Captain Hall and said to him that he should issue me a permit to make my home with them. Captain Hall inquired into the history of my case, and found that the Indians claimed tribal kinship with me and were not only willing but extremely desirous of having me settle with my family in their midst. After explaining to Captain Hall my captivity and residence with them as a boy and their adoption of me into their tribe. Captain Hall gave his con¬ sent; whereupon I moved my family from Wichita Falls, Texas, to the Indian country, and everything moved along smoothly until Captain Hall’s removal as Indian agent. Following Captain Hall’s retiremnt from his position as O qj P B O t/1 ^ H > «— o C M o o «— w -l -4—1 a ^ o O * therein. The Cheyennes In thf Bosom of the: Comanchfs 143 Fourth of July Celebration, Snyder, Okla. 144 In the Bosom of the Comanches buried in trees or on scaffolds. When a warrior was buried his bows, arrows,, clothes, gun, and all war trappings were buried with him. The men and women were permitted to mate or marry as their mutual affections and sentiment directed, and it was a general practice of the old men to select the youngest girls whenever moved by desire to recruit their harems. Generally the Indians were very con¬ siderate of their captives, and I have known not a few to return to the Indians and others that would have returned if they had been given the opportunity. Such captives had found the Indians hospitable and generous, dividing liberally and freely any and everything they had or could get that would minister to the pleasure and comfort of the captured. Strange as it may seen, the savage tribes had many of the instincts and finer impulses and emotions inherent in the best races of people and civilization the world over. During my captivity with the Comanche Indians I learned their speech and lingo pretty thoroughly. Some four or five hundred words comprise their vocabulary, con¬ sisting almost wholly of nouns and adjectives. Their speech embodies mainly the names of objects. The deficiency in language as to their emotions, shades of feeling and descriptive utterances found an amplified expression in the art of gesticulation, in which they were both masterful and graceful. They had no patronymics or surnames, and derived their individual names from some closely connected circumstance, event, or happening, trivial or otherwise, and these names, even with chiefs, passed out forever with the bearer thereof. In closing this autobiography I refrain from reciting many incidents, in the hope that I may avoid the prolixity of too voluminous a narrative. Within the scope embraced herein I have endeavored to throw some light on all the In the Bosom of the Comanches 145 Present Day Comanche Mother and Son. 146 In the: Bosom oe 1 the: Comanche;s phases of life, tribal characteristics, and viewpoints of one of the great subdivisions of the aboriginal inhabitants of North America, and in doing so I feel that I have performed no mean service. There is now left only the shadow of the multitudinous Indian tribes who until so recently overspread this continent. Before this fact can be realized the shadow will have vanished entirely and forever, and any record that will faithfully illuminate the exploits, the part played and even the very existence of the Indian races, so numer¬ ous and powerful in the past, must enrich history and prove a valued heritage to generations now living and to follow. Being myself one of the pathfinders, I have striven to convey something of the sufferings and sacrifices of the fearless, hardy and noble men and women who pushed ever back the borders of the frontiers and broadened the zone and limits of civilization. These were, the pioneers of Texas, most of them having been called to their last reward, but not until they realized that they had bequeathed to mankind one of the greatest commonwealths known to the nations of all the world. As I now enter the lengthening shadows of life, and looking back reckon the march of the wheels of progress I feel amply compensated for the privations, sorrows, and struggles experienced and borne by me in the modest part I have performed in that thrilling drama enacted upon the Texas frontier which in tragedy, endurance, daring, pathos, variety, and intensity of action is comparable with the imperishable roles of the world’s best heroes in all the ages of an unmeasured past. Ill