The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-09-16

really ENJOY more comforts land these in addition
to the opportunity of possessing handsome prop.
erty,) than any other peasanlTy with which am
acquainted. One act Of libefaity and hos pitality
which IS constantly practiced by all bis neighbors
towards a new conner, whose character is found
unexceptionable, would do honor TO the most high
ly civilized people. They all assemble at the spot
Which he has fixed upon for his residence, with
'heif axes and the draught-oxcn, fell the timber,
ana build Tor him his log-hut. This generally
CONSISTS OF three apartments, for sleeping, a.
mother tor eating, both closed in all around while
IN the centre, which is left open on both sides he
keeps his saddles and TOOLS and takes his meals
during the hot weather. The kitchen (also log.
hut) is usually separated from the house, as is also
the smoke house, where his meat is smoked and
kept The log-hut is by no means an inconvenent
residence; indeed, some Of them are roomy, neat
ana durable, very strong, aud well calculated to
afford protection from lnclemcncy of the weather
The Wild animals 10 be met with IN Texas, are
the Buffalo, or bison, known in this country as the
bonassus, which enters Texas, from the North, in
vast herds during the inter the panther leopard
bear, otter, beaver, antelope, deer, racoon black
fox, SC. Turkies abound there are two species
Of cartridges swans often arrive in great numbers,
together Nth immense focks Of wild ducks and
geese. The flesh of the buffalo, especially its
hump, Is excellent, and generally priced far above
beef, the bears ham is also considered great deli.
cacy. Bot by far the most interesting animal is
the wild horse From Barbary, The Arab, trans.
planted iato Spain, passed from thence TO the New
World, and turned looee by The first European set
tiers, ii has peoplcd therct plains of Texas with
drovss innumcrable. The nesting or lid horse,
IS not often large or heavy, but shews blood il is
well made, hardy, active, and, if caught Young,
Ver 10 aIt Iap ~
tcrs apt TO rejoin It's wild brethren The pebald,
light brown, chesnui and dun colours prevail
Their defect IL the tenderness of the hoof which
IS too .feguchtly TO be met with amongst them, as
breCson soft ground; whereas, Throughout Mexico,
those which are reared on hard rocky soil,
have solIdliy Of hoof which renders shoes I'M
necessary, even to the fore feet; the hind feet
seldom shod. The mode ofcatctting them is similar
10 that by which wild elephants are caught in In.
dla. space sufficiently large TO contain drove
is Enclosed with stakes, trunks, and branches OF
trees the entrance is narrow, but gradually winds
outNards, and herd is driven or decoyed into it
bg horse taught for the purpose. | have seen
Instances Of attachment on tie part Of a young
colt thus caught 10 careful master, far stronger
than any ! ever before witnessed in horse.
Ofthe many tribes Of Indians, who either occu-
pv fixed hahilatIons, or wander over certain dis
tticls OF this vast country, tie Csmanches are by
tar tie most numerous. Their occupation is tie
chase OF the Buffalo, which they follow to the north
during the summer, over the vast plains which
lie between the head waters OF the Red River, the
Arkansas, the Bravo del NurIe, and the Missouri
In the winter, when Tie snow compes the lnnu-
merabe herds Of these animals to seek mider
climate, the Indians dcposite the skins which they
have obtained amongs, the mountains OF san Sa-
l. a II 4. IL -
hahuiia. Al this period they have not unfrcquent-
y stolen across the river Bravo del Nor,e, KILLED
the herdsmln, and carried off the cattle from dlf.
ieren, PARTS OF the adjacent district They have
also occasionally yertnrcd 10 attack the Haciendas
and hamc,s, carrying off he inhabitants, some of
whom have been sold, is currently reported
throughout Cohahuia, q slaves, on the borders of
the United States
fla wandering tribe Gun be said 10 have a resi-.
dencc, that Of the Camanches is the mountainous
district Of San Slba Which they cross both in the
spring and autumn, v here they depoSte their
families occasionally during their long expeditions
These Indians generally hid the Bufialo with their
bow and arrow, thCii horses being trained TO car
~ them close TO 1t, and on lis right side. Some.
times they pursue, and with sharp iron Crescent
shaped, passing lis LETT flank, sever The ham-sring
Of the right leg, when the animal lals away from
the horse; they sometimes also shoot it with the
rifle. The scent of the buffalo is, however so
acute that il can be only approached from The lee
ward side; it is tiuld until wounded, bot then its
impeluosity is Irresistible, and is attacks are re-
pcated until II falls Being both active, and, from
lis vast bulk, very powerful, the charge of an ole
bull is described as tremendous. The long shaggy
hair which covers It's head and breast, gives ii
terrific appearance, as ii rnshes headlong at what
ever il perceiycs, totten the smoke of the rifc,)
blowing and snortlug with astonishing loudness
Should II discover and throw down It's antagonist
il cores and tramp,s upon him until Of desperate
ly vonnd,d) II fails dead by his side. The horns
Of the buffalo arc short, but very sharp pointed al.
though thick at the base. Being very hard and
black, they are highly priced for cups and other
purposes Its flesh, when fat is excellent espe.
chilly the hump; the SKINS covered with an exces.
sively thick hair, nearly approaching TO WOOL are
much used in the Northern parts OF the United
States, more especially as wrapper when travel
ling in the scdgeS or slcighs, the ice or snow.
The Indians gave softness and pliabiiity TO these
skins greater than that of the buck, or even doe
skin of Europe. The following is, believe, the
process adopted After tanning with sumac bark
the skin is stretched over a hole IN the earth, and
smoked; the brains of the animal and alum are
also rubbed into it. 1t is subsequently painted in
cheques, diamonds and similar figures, the colors
being very durable
Until tho year 1923, excepting the wild Indian
tribes there were no inhabitants except az the
town Of San Antonio &c Bexar, and its immediate
neishborhood at the fort of the Bahia del Esprit
to Santo, and in the Environs OF Nacogdoches. The
whole number hardly amounted TO 5000 souls.
Many small grants have been made to individuals
of lands near the rivers Sabina, Nechas and An.
gulino, but nearly all of them remained untenan.
ied The first persons who ever took efficacious
measures TO carry into effect extensive schemes of
colonization in Texas, their own private account,
were Mr.. Austin, an inhabitant OF Louisiana, and
Colonel Milan The former after traversipr Oh a