The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1853-08-06
"reminiscences Of Western Texas.

ScALriSG OF JOSIAH WILnARGER, Iy 1888
Small and individual incidents transpirinv
in the infancy of frontier settlements are often
clothed with vivid interest, and long remem-
bered by the cotemporary settlers as part and
parcel Of their own or ncigssborhood histcr,..
To pcrpctuate the record Of such events In tho
picnccr days of Western Texas, has long been
tho desire of him who pens this sketch, the
truth of history being rishtcously observed in
their relation.
Josiah Wilbarger, man Of plain practical
sense, and strong nerve, was native of Bour
bon county, KY, and in 1929, when just ar.
rived at manhood, removed, with his parents,
g 10 Pike county, Mo- Having married, he re.
moved to Texas in 1867, and about 1870
settled at or near Bastrop, on the Colorado,
then tho extreme outpost of our settlements
Gin that direction. The event we are about 10
.siclate occurred IN the autumn of 1898.
81 Wilbargor, in company with two other men,
whose names We cannot recall, had gone ON
1An exploring or hunting excursion in the
mountains near and above the present city oi
Austin. Aitcr trip Of several days out, thcy
pcamped for tho night, on their homcwar,l
MArch, an little stream, perhaps Walnut
Alcek, nj the foot of ono of the numerous
inountain spurs IN that vicinity. feeling quite
secure, IN they had seen no indication of the
presence of Indians in their routc. Hut they
I we're doomed to sad disappointment.
While quietly dispatching their morning rc.
past, nilcr pleasant nights rcpase, under the
stsr.lit canopy Of heaven they were surprised
BY the sudden ruar Of horses fec, ON the
mouu,ain side above them. aud, on looking up,
hehcld large body of mounted warriors dash.
irx ut full speed, with wild aud savage shouts.
down upon thcm Ere seeoud though, could
snter their excited minds the barbarian horde
wvrc throwing their balls and arrows among
thcn One cf the then Instantly fell with a
death shriek AMI wilbargvr. rvcviving q ball
thloagh the neck and several arrows else.
Whese en his person sauk Nttess to the
erpana Sewing this. and terrified IL w;hiaeSs,
tAe survivor mcante,i his fine stessl, wi,hop,
pAllls or hss,ile. aud na,hiag bat rope
sroind his neck, Snd hastily thrown over ,Ae
Acse. gsse the Noble animal lall oplsostan,,y Ia
A. ~ ---~----. lst IA rsiss ~ The hos~s,
whether trvm fstght or sassinetisv affection 6s
hh ns.sief, se knew not, .tttcnasst What his
ytfsr csseSiders<ia nsifv part, and ssoa sefs this
QAsssysss pafsaets hs hslknd lie was sees,
~ 10 puS~ss ais ceusss IN sAfsss, Ia, ~ sx.
etoe>i sal tcrThsl wAx the paos tello~, wha
wee 90 sis fis~t ttosssss ssg<.iisses. that u was
mkd be srvisea IN isaxssSss, tlissy .sl,w nilss
,tesss,, ~ish shs p4eee q bsssssss sssea, he was
yaHsssasane Shea the ssSssth sss sasls. fsfss.
Vtkss'eAs~i - his ssvts It's. - coarse, NJ.
p4ts~i l~e4h Wasssgss sod ,lae sssssr t.ssssl
~ cfssa Tsae tss,sxsnsss ssx stTu xes~ tsx
IN aHa i yxsfafcsi pnsas kfsie time tas tAt
u<<eseassy uasasxt q resa - lsssars Ns ~
~ ssss - hpts iir ,saad
nTy did pcs rseh the sy@s sHl ai.sus sssn
selxA sis ssAs~sng ass. ws,sss h. thess sus,
pst1a they ssy<ed t&ssiy. hk,ee,ss- ssssAirs
snnnt Ia tsss sAsfS q IVAN. rsxlsnser ~ ~
snes ~ : ssvc nesr ssad p~A "a sAeckcs
vws ~. hat iAsy lsvcsasssrsy AssssAsr'
wtssk<s 10 sssAnce ss rrsir~ But eessx
~, k<~sel- 'ns I, wtssaxrs. c>sse ~,
sssen1ass ssnslr ss-eks s,se cssoss q sssss,
-. ~ ~ Il ess rss1 wgssrref hss
~ csR4 (nRN shos thsss ,isse., hss ssss tssiss
~ ~ ~ kssa issa t~tn sssifsss, whsse ~