San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-01-18
wnlien for the Fskx Pnsss,
"reminiscences OF a Texas Veteran.
BY @. ERHARn.
VIII
VIII.


BY @. ERHARn
VIII
Before proceed further 10 describe in
the near future our sufferings and relate
things so sad and some tragic, painful for
mo to recall to memory after so many years
thought it well enough to give the reader
q short sketch of Texas frontier life and
somc of the Texas Indians, for but few
them have an opportunity to know anything
about these matters.
The Texas pioneer usually settled with his.
family and relations on the land granted to
him by the Republic of Mexico those COM
ing after Texas gained its independence, the
land granted them by the Republic of Tex
as. All were too remota to settle on, with a
chance of safety, for the early pioneers To-
Gated the best lands OH the various rivers.
The early Texan first built himself one or
servan is, boards split of oak, pine or cy-
press, made his roof. The next work was
to clear ground and fence it for farm. Of
ten his dwelling had only dirt floor, or a
aoor of split logs or slabs, roughly hewn
down, but no fence about his house. The
COW pen was the next important improve
ment, next smoke house. The farmer usu-
ally worked oxen, not only for economy,
for they could live on grass. and cost little,
and the Indian would not steal an OK. The
horse had to be stabbed and locked up, so
that the Indian, who took advantage of
moonlight nights, might not steal him.
Settlers improving their own large grants,
of course settlements were then far apart,
often for miles; in travelling each person
was well armed, If I may call flint rifle
and holster pistol good arms--none other
we had then, nor We're invented at that time.
When settler left home to hunt game or
make purchase III settlement, he carried
along on his horse his arms and provisions
to camp out, for il often was more than o
days journey to reach town or settlement.
Going along by himself he was vigilnnt not
to be surprised by an Indian; he watched
the track not on y of the road, but also
through prairie or, woods, to see if there
were Indian signs.
TO explain this more explicitly, have to-
say, that the early Texans, for want of man.
ufactured shoes, oflen wore moccasins like,
the Indians. These latter were either bought
from friendly Indians, or home made OF
I, Itch,
the tracks Of an Indian from white man it.
took no expert, the Indian walks with big
toes rather inward while the white man
turns his out. Now, when white Ihaif,
by these MEANS discovered an Indian track
he was on the alert, and if more such were
found, he knew there was danger Of rob-
berry or past murder committed by them,
and he hastened to the nearest settlement to
give the alarm and to pursue the Indian,
trail either to regain stolen property or to-
avenge the death of n settler.
1t is astonishing with wAnt facility the
Texan could follow m Indian trail. He rode
on horsebacl on IL trot and followed the In
dian; never cou.d learn the art and on iu-
quiry how they could do so, was told they
watched the way the grass is turned by tho
horses hoofS, or twig on bush is bent, or
o pebble or rock is turned; if turned the
ground is moist underneath. BY these OBJ
servations they followed the trail, and if tho
Texans struck an Indian camp, they could
even tell very nearly when the camp had
been vacated. Again, if the Indians were,
several days ahead, and further pursuit. was.
useless. they would say the trail is cold
The Indians, though having noteegrapf,
have signals 10 lee each other know where
their encampnent is, or whether an enemy
is close by. either TO fee from them or make
an attack; this is done by means of damp
and dry grass set fire, the smoke aseen6s,
and shows for miles.
Also. if the Indians at night want to at
tack small party, they initiate by sounds
OF wolves or owls; by these means they
know how far they are apart, and stealthiy
they approach, then their wild sounds get
ting clearer, they know they viii meet soon
and be ready for the attack.
Horses in camps smell the Indian far OF,
and snort. but bear or wolf viii cause
them 20 snort also; nevertheless the watch
ful Toxan is then on the alert looking oct
for danger, or a stampede of horses.