The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-06-12
"TnE PAHKER CArTIyEs"- GENE
HALI, \, hOss,

u letter written several years ago, by
General l., \, Ross, of Waco, but now
for the first time published, stating the
facts In relation 10 his recaplure Of
Cynthia Ann Parker, from tho Com
anohe Indians, on the 18th Of Decom'
ber 1860,
From tho year 1910 up TO this time,
have written and published u large
number fploneer aud Observation-Disclosures
Of TeXaa history and had before the
war collected u vast maHs Of Interest
Ing notes In addition 10 those before
aud since published, with theulIlmale
view of preparing u volume Of true
history for our descendants. a
large amount Of that material,
the fruit Of twenty years
labor, ut spare intervals, was lost
go - port ~ othor mIslorlunoa attend
Ing tie late war, II haa been with
me cardinal desire 10 reject idle llc'
lions and pny homage 10 the TRUTH
In history, In GnAcA inntmefnhle |
have seen prolessod historical sketches
going the rounds Of the press, known
of my own personal knowledge TO be
In whole or la part untrue, one such
publication appeared In the Houston
Telegraph last fall, IN which grave or
rora were committed IN regard to the
career Of the lnmOnlod Colonel lienJa'
min Il. Milan, In his early days on
Rod river, ~ well Hs In regard 10 tho
fall Of John II, Denton, ten years later
yet the contributor prOl0bsed to mar
rate his personal observations, IN this
connection 1t mny DO added that |
have In my possession valuable ma
tcrlal, much of II from unpublished
sources, for biography OF that in-
mortal hero aud patriot
History h valuable TO mankind only
In 40 lar ny II X faithfully chroniclod,
whereby subsequent generations may
profit by the experience of those who
have zone before. Yet, II h lament
able fact, known TO the most lntelll-
gent ~ well ~ the most learned, that
fiction and downright mlsropresenta-
ton or pcryers0n often thrust aside
Truth, ~ IN unwelcome factor, and
eXnlt themselves with the
bra2cn ellrontcry characteristic OF the
plethoric and vulgar sh0ddyite Of to-
day, ny often exhibited In New York's
Central Park, bedaubed with the tin
ses of external gaudiness, In the face
of the virtue, refinement, modosty aud
purity of those who have Inherited
from II noble but transformations ances-
try of patriots the principles of virtue,
of liberty and of patriotism.
II appears, from General Ross letter,
that the Texas Almanac, Mt the time
referred TO, awarded to officers of the
United States army the credit Of re-
capturing Cynthia Ann Parker The
Hon. a. j, Fowler, of Palestine, living
among numerous survivors Of the
Parker family, In his sketches of the
history of Anderson county, published
some two years ago In the Palestine
Advocate, awards the credit to Captain
baylor, who was in no manner con-
neUted with it, Without vanity or
egotism, but rs matter of simple JUS
tice, one object of this note IL TO say
that my account of that affair in my
narrative of the Parker family, written
some years ago, and published in the
Houston Telegraph in January last, is
fully corr0borated by General Ross the
man of all Others who knows the
truth, because he was the man who
acted the truth. In single incident
he falls into an error of memory
which he will recall ON this sugges-
ton. Speaking of the capture of
Cynthia Ana Parker he says:
"lwo of her sons, by an Indian hus-
band, were killed IN the battle"
General Ross, ON reflection, will re-
member that her Indian husband was
killed in the battle, while her sons
We're Off in their village elsewhere.
But this Is mere slip of memory on
an incident resting upon revelations
made through tardy Interpreters after
the engagement.
My recent card in THE HERALD, re-
sponsive to the letter of the brave Gen
eral Mckenzie, United States army,
announcing the appearance ut Fort
Sill OF Citra, the only surviving Indian
son OF Cynthia Ann Parker, with re-
quest for Information about herself
and kindred, is, therefore, fully vindi-
Gated.
Here | might stop, but, Mr.. Editor,
the honor of Texas bids u few words
more. trust the reader of this will
refer to the letter of General Ross and
examine the two in connection, The
name of Ross is precious to Il million
OF hearts In this state. Speak the
name of Stu or Peter Ross in mixed
crowds all over Texas, and Won
will see flush of manly pride and af-
lection sutluse the cheeks of scores
of battle scared and crippled ex-con-
federates. The name is iuseparable
with Texans from lofty courage, gen
tie bearing, honorable manhood, un-
selfish charity and exalted private
worth. The mother of two such sons
beloved by all who have have known
her for thirty odd years in Texas--de-
serves to rank with the mother of the
Gracchi OF the ancients. Though vet
young man, General Ross has had
the experience of eighteen years active
me III civil and military affairs, be-
sides the life before of n pioneer boy on
the Indian frontier, and a fine educa-
ton in the schools. His infancy passed |
among the Black Hawk and Keokuck
Indians, In southern Iowa, his whole |
subsequent life has received the friction
OF stern experience, from the Indian
sklrmish, far removed from human
habitation, to the laundering artillery,
blood and carnage ofChicamaugua and
Murfreesboro. In every relation, from
early boyhood to the present time,
his bearing has been model
oil morality, modesty, courtesy
ana Spa, tan heroism In danger. Asa
citizen | claim share in the legacy
he has bestowed upon Texas by ca
reer worthy of imitation by the youth
to come, and jealous regard to the
proper allotment of "honor to whom
is due," Is the apology for this refer
ence to him as man. Having proyed
worthy I'm small thinoa n a. ,pali a . ,..oot |