Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1867-09-21
ffas ~ A. fnfnaa u 80
sketch of me lac OF Join y,
llplllOn,


Tor many yours phsti iiilu has always
been ascribcd 10 Paul Denton. "A
few brief explanatory ruioarks up
on this matter may not prove unin-
tercstlng to some ofyour readers.
No real parsonage Of the name Of
Paul Denton has over existed in
Texas, TO NY knowledge Paul
Denton, alias John d Dvu,on. was
tho hero OF u novel, or story, writ
ten by ono A, w Arlington, In the
year 1910 or 1871. Capt Denton
was q native Of Louisiana, and Of
French descent. He cnigulcd to
Texas in the year 1898, aud settled
IN Clarksvillc, Red River county,
During the succeeding years Of his
brief career, to tho period of his un,
timely and unfortunate death, he
was closely identified with most of
the historical events of Northern
Texas.
In the wear 1888 ard 1890, he
commanded two expeditions against
hostile Indians in tho interiors of
Texas; in 1910, he was n canidatc
for the Senate Of the Republic, but
through corruption and chicancry,
was beaten by Robert Patten, by
tho small majority ofsix votes.
In the latter part ofthe year 1910,
the Indians committed many Iava-
ges upon tho defensclcss frontier
settlements early in the following
year, u rcgcmcnt of Texas troops
was raised, and Gen. Tarrant placed
in command Of it. Capt. Denton
commanded company in this ex-
petition. In April, 1871, Gen. Tar
rant reached the encmy's country,
and enaampcd near Village Creek
on the waters Of the west fork Of
the Trinity. Having carefully Sc
lected his ground, Gen. Tarrant en-
camped his command, and mediate
ly dispatched Captain Denton with
a small force to rcconnoiter. The
Indians, it seems, were on the abort
and were aware Of the presence. Of
their enemy. Capt. Denton pro
J ceeded to what is now Known as thu
Old Ford, on. Village Creek, between
the present site: of Fort Worth
and Johnson's Station. While rid
ing down the bank Of the creek, at
the head Of his command, a heavy
volley was fred from an ambuscadc
and Denton was shot through ~tht
+ heart, and Lieut.. VIM. Stont wat
badly wounded in tho arm Den
toms horse wheeled and startedin
the direction of the main encamp-
ment, his gallant rider still sitting
in the saddle untilthe had reach the
: level bottom, some hundred yard'
from where no was shot, and ther
fell from his seat among some greer
brambles by the path side. Th'
first intimation' Gen. Tarrant recoiv
ed fthc fate Of the gallant Denton
was the appearance of his terrified
horse in camps, with widespread
nostrils and blood trickllng dow
his sides.
Gen. Tarrant, after defeating thu
Indians and destroying their stool,
and implements of husba u 4 n y
moved northward, slSirting the wrst
-: ..>>cfthe Gross Tmbers, carrying
with him the bodyFof the snfortn
nate Denton, dashed upon his owr
horse, After about days trave
in this manner, a grave was dug
with tomahawks BY Colonies VIM
G. Young and james Bourland, and
silently, the last sad rites were pait
to one of Texas gbraycst sons.
He was, perhaps, buried upon thu
waters of what is now known as
Denton's Greek, in the Southern
part ofthe county Of the same name
from Which circumstance this stream
and county derive their name. Ht
now sleeps in an unknown grave
i although search has repeatedly beer
made for. his remains
NonIonumcntal marble marks
The spot where Denton fell. -.af,t
But perhaps it is all for the best.
= "Bctter in. tho nntimcly grave 10 rot,
,Thon.l;yo-to.sea his native country
3, for wb;ch S;s Hood WAS noured ont
= t c,i,an nndar M rrIo IF ignorant
va ~ IA en,.r,,nt yb;te men
ny NY T -, d;cross;n NJ Tf :
rs, Early in the year 1S41, i think
!, Arrington's book made its appear
..ance. AS before remarked, Captain
I nnn.on sas mado tho bero Of iii
.,on, 'n,ans ,eyents of ;ntcrcs
on Iara told of him that cannot b
Sannd elsewberc bnt the cirenm.
sta,,oa 81 The wr;tar's hav;ng snb.
st;t,,ted ! nortIv; Fictitious name in
sstaad of ,,a.net ating has thrown
.ys;I ova, and bt,Je5 from tie nub
1oi;c eve, tho character and history Q
tb;s noble Tcxan. irtr D. :
Ne'' M ~ 80, ,,,,,,,;.,,
no 49,. poa1 Maua, dA'na os ii oI;porod
~ ~ .ao n',t,,; VIZ M, oul'N - D.
IA.