The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-03-10
A BORDER TALE.
How Jennie Moor Prevented q Co.
manche Massacre.

OF che "Blg wichita" IN western
Texas, had been excited to pitch
bordering on frenzy. For long time
the Comanche Indians had been COM
hitting depredations Of fearful char
acter, and it was evident that an open
warfare must ensue. The savages must
be exterminated, or nearly so. else the
white settlers would be driven away
from their homes or butchered upon
their thresholds. A settlement of some
thirty cabins had been formed upon
the banks of the beautiful "Big
Wichita" and for its protection and
the safety Of It's inhabitants in the case
of an attack, block-house had been
erected on the banks of the stream. It
was strong building, surrounded by .
high stockade fence, and from within .
handful of brave, determined men
could defend themselves against . large
number Of their savage foes. 1t was
well supplied with provisions and am
munition. The settlers had been con-
stantly expecting an attack. and were
busily engaged in removing the women
and children and light articles of house.
hold goods. Scarcely had the settlers,
with their families, secured themselves
within the stockaded fort when the
scouts came, in bearing the remains Of
one Of their neighbors, who had lived
some three miles to the westward. The
body had been horribly mutilated, but
was recognized to be that of Albert
Fenton, q gentleman esteemed by all
who knew him. He had left home a
few hours before to look after his
horses, and this was all that remained
to tell the story of his murder. Re-
venge was pictured upon every face,
and each hand clasped tighter the rifle
it held. Then the shout burst forth
Death to the Red Devils! Death ia
the Comanches!"
"And so say l." repeated Colonel
WILDER Manning. "But we must ACT
with caution, boys; they are strong;
we are weak at present, but think the
Rangers who are coming to Join ut
will be here tomorrow. They are in
camp ten miles down the valley now
We must all remain In the stockade to-
night. When-the Rangers get here w
will march into the very heart of the
enemy's country, and with rifles and
knife teach the red fiends lesson they
willnever forget"
A wild cheer followed this brief ad
dress, and scarcely had the echoes dice
swayinthe grand old forest when the
wild shrieks Of women and children were
heard, as they came running out of thu
block house in the widest confusion
and fright, running in all directions Il
escape fury that the settlers had no
seen; but they understood at once tina
the savsges were at their fiendish work
The flying women were met and Ques
toned. They stated that the savagei
had got within the stockade unob
served, while the settlers were viewinf
the remains of Fenton, and were ever
then setting fire to the block-house
That this was true now became appar
ent to all, for the flames were seen t,
leap up, inclosing the main building
within the stOckade.
Forward, men; look well TO you
arms" commanded Colonel Manning
In few moments they had reaches
the main building, which was now
burning mass. 1t was found impossi
BILE to save it, so completely was tn
building encircled in the devouring ele
ment, having evidently been ignited a
many places at the same time. Blu
the Indians who had succeeded in en-
tering had departed as quickly as the,
came, knowing that certain dealt
would follow their capture within tn
stockade. All their provisions and al
most all Of their ammunition was de
stroyed by the flames. The savage
for once had completely outwittc,
them. Something must be done o
they were lost. They knew that the
were surrounded by hundreds of Co
manches, who only waited for nightfal
to make an attack, knowing that tn
settlers could not hold out long agains
such superior numbers without assist
ance. If Captain Ford's Rangers onl
knew of their danger they could reac
them in time. et
There is but one plan of relief,
said Colonel Manning. "To-nigh
some one must 60 through that stretc
of woods" pointing to the forest
land down the valley to Ford
Rangers"
"But it is five miles through the fol
est." said one, land it's swarming wit
Indians. We are completely surround
ed, and 'twould be certain death"
II think not" growled the oil
Colonel 1--WE been in forests twent