Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-01-24

now began travelling at a rapid gait.
Among the company were several good
trailers, and as they were assisted by sew
erai good blood-hounds (negro dogs they
had no trouble in following the trail, and
by travelling until far iuto the night
they found themselves near Salt Creek
mountain. Being well acquainted with
the locality Of The country and thinking
that the Indians had caniped III the
Immediate vicinity, Capt Dasc Canning
han ordered q halt, at the same time de-
tai ing two VI his men 60 60 forward
anu spy out the enemy, reconnoitre "a ir
position and II possible to ascertain their
number. The two spies soon made their
round and returned 70 their company, re-
porting that they had discovered twenty
five or thirty Indians with q herd OF about
two hundred head Of horses encamped on
toe creek below the gap ID the mountain.
u was now 4 o'clock 8. m. Capt. Dave
Cunningham ordered his men 10 keep per-
fectiy silent and TO DC ready TO mount aud
make a charge at the break Of day They
had not long 10 wait and with the first
faint streams Of light the boys charged
down upon the Indians with a regular
Texan yell. The Indians had lust
NAtHNA AhA ntA6 UuNN IttHAAluE kittiA
breakfast. The surprise was COM
plcte and before the Indians
were aware OF their presence the boys
were among them shooting right and left.
At the first charge i've Indians fell and
their sealps were soon dangling TO the
six-shooter belts Of the rangers as
trophies OF their craftsmanship. Among
others Larkin Stone had secured a scalp.
William Cunningham, one Of old Uncle
Jimmy's boys, had two. The boys had
done good service and continued to fight,
But let US see what damage the Indians
had done We tlud that one of the ln-
dams bullets had laid one of the rangers
Freeman Clark--low, and Just as the In
dams commenced 10 retreat poor Clark
was borne away by his comrades In the
last agonles of death. The poor fellow
was brave and daring youth of seven
teen or eighteen years of age. He was
riding a splendid horse and was armed
with good shotgun. On the first charge
Clark rushed ahead into the midst of the
Indian camp. Singing out warrior the
youth cooked bis gun and took deliberate
aim, but the cap snapped and the
gun failed to fire. Poor Clark had no
chance for his life now. His would-be
victim had his pistol cooked and ready to
fire, and when Clark's gun failed the
warrior placed his pistol within few
feet of the lad and fred There was a
loud report, the aim was fatal, and Free
man Clark reeled in his saddle and fell
from his horse Just at this instant some
of the boys came up, and seeing Clark
shot they rushed upon the Indian, and In
less than minute his body was riddled
with bullets and his spirit had taken its
flight with poor Clark's. The fight lasted
about two hours the Indians retreating
for several miles, followed by the rangers,
who kept up running fight.
The Texans killed and scalped seven
Indians besides wounding several.
The result was complete victory for
the Texans, with the loss Of only one man
killed and one wounded.
During the engagement some OF the
boys had several narrow escapes, which
deserve a passing notice, Lark stones
life was saved by the bullet striking the
handle OF his siX-shooter. The wood was
shattered to pieces but the force of the
ball was spent. Joel Neighbors, Uncle
Jacks oldest boy, had his noble horse,
Old Smoke, shot from under him. Old
Jimmy Cunningham and his party did not
reach the place in time to take any part Ia
the engagement. They cane up just as
the men were returning fropi the pursuit
OF the discounted and fleeing Com
anches.
This engagement was said TO have been
the best managed fight that has ever oc-
Cured on our frontier, and the honor aud
management OF the well-aid plans are
due TO Capt Dave CunninghHm's skill ard
energy.
Capt. d. Cunningham still lives on his
old homestead place, some seven
or eight miles south OF Com
anche town, on the waters Of the
South Leon, in Comanche county. He
Is loved and respected by all who know
him. He has filled several important Of
ilcial positions In his county. He was
sheriff Of his county one term, during
which time he made brave and vigilant
officer, and 1t Is often said of him that
many of the inmates OF the peuitentiary
can look back and curse Dave and his
vigilance.
Poor Roach lay for weeks and months
between life and death, but having a
strong desire to live and have revenge
upon his ASSISTANTS, he finally recovered
and was once more able TO arm and equip
himself and TO help his country-in follow
Ing up and staying the devils who mad
used him up so numerically. The mill
trip was suspended and the provisions
were not obtained till more convenient
season.
Col. William Stone came to Comauchc
county at an early day, and settled on his
ranch in that county in 1865 or SO, where
he died not long since. Larkin Stone
still lives In Comanche county, Frank
Brown is still living IN Conianche county.
He has held several positions of honor
and trust In his county, and Is at this time
a prominent business man of DeLeou,
in Comanche county. Old Uncle Jimmy
Cunningham also still lives in Comanche
cnuntv nm hnnor.ld aid citty.,,,