Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-12-21

ceased to exist as a tangible hu-
man being, and so has his wife
Msude, nee Maude Langfeld; yet
they are both still living as very
familiar characters in the tradi-
tions Of southwestern Texas.
Tom was a native Texan. His
father left the United States and
removed to Texas while that coun-
try was still q dependency of old
Mexico. He took an active part
in the Texan rebellion, and was
with Sam Houston, as a subaltern
in the revolutionary army, at the
memorable battle OF San Jacinto.
Tom was not born until two
years and six months, nearly, af-
ter the date of that sanguinary and
decisive engagement. Few souls
were ever set adrift on the sea of
time with better outfit of mental
and physical endowments than
Tom Voting. He was comely, as
an infant; in youth, attractive
both in mind, mien and manner.
In manhood, he was as handsome
to the last degree. Nature, in
modelling his physical being
seemed to have done her very
best. Exact proportion of limb,
statuesque in form, movement on
foot naturally rythmical and grace
ful; BLACK hair, black eyes, black
beard never touched with razor;
dark complexion; features CLASSICAL
ly symetrical, and always lighted
up with the simmer of the good
nature that glowed in his talkative
eyes; gentle Of speech, courteous
and accommodating: naturally
brave, prudent, and sagacious;
everywhere popular especially
with the opposite sex. As to ed
ucation, he had none; and yet we
could not fairly say he was uned-
ucsted; for his mind was of that
peculiar texture which, like
sponge, drank in knowledge un-
consciously. He was always en-
tertaining in conversation, and
there were but few subjects of
thought, even in science and liter
ature, in which be could not make
himself interesting.
Tom was strictly an outdoor
man. He was always going and
mostly on horseback. He was as
active as a panther, and splendid
horseman. The animal he rode
was a choice specimen of the Ham,
bletonian stock, Tom was proud
of his horse and his horse seemed
20 be proud of him. Mounted on
Ham, Chat was the horses name,
in full ranger costume, buckskins,
belts, fEinges, tasseIs, spurs,
strings, pistols. carbine, and broad
bfimmed hat. plumed with eagle
feathers, Tom made one Of the
most imposing figures in all the
history OF equestrianism.
But there was one circumstance
that specially endesred Tom Wof-
fng to the people of the settle
ment. In those days the Indians
of the southwestern plains we're
numerous; and their hostile atti-
tude toward the white settlers
along the frontier kept the COM
munity in a constant state of fear
and apprehension;and not without
cause, for these savage bands
would make incursions into the
settlements, now and then, and
perpetrate much irreparable mis-
chief-burning houses, destroying
stock, killing men, and carrying
the Eomen off into captivity. 10
veOteet the settlements against
these bloody Visitations, that form-
idable organization, from early
times so famous In Texan frontier
history, was called into existence.
The business of this dashing troop
of armed horsemen was to scOur
perpetually the wilderness in front
of the advanced settlements, to
chastise and drive away the saw
ages. The encounters between
these "rangers" and the Indians
were frequent, and often not a lit
tie desperate and bloody.
II was natural that 3 man of Tom
,Wo6ing's makeup should find
congenial fellowship and employ
mani in the ranks of a band like
this. and so he early enlisted and
became a Texan "rsuger His
courage, sagscity and actual sue