El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-12-22
A Plain Tale of the Many Battles of one
Luz Buennueya, L0wly C0wpuncher,
and his Flint-l0ck Messenger
of Peace.
By Col. George Wythe Baylor.

This thrilling narrative the writer
mas from the brave Mexican named
above who has probably killed more
Indians in personal combat than any
one on the frontier.
Liz was born in the state OF Goa
hula republic of Mexico, and Will De
82 years old next February, 1901. Hav-
ing lived where Indian raids were ire
ouently made, he was well versed In
the use of fire arms and knowledge or
woodcraft that gives the frontier men
Of Mexico as well as of the United
States confidence in themselves and
keeps them ready for any emergency,
ready to face any kind of danger at
short notice and enabled them to win
the battle after a desperate struggle of
half a century.
Luz came to Uvalde fifty-three years
ago, having crossed the Rio Grande at
Brownsville and gradually drifted up
towards this place. He first worked
rs vaquero for Joseph r. Black. There
we're very few people in this part of
the state at that time. only few hardy
and bold olu frontiersmen having the
courage to settle when all the country
north of Inem for over a thousand
miles was field with warlike, blood
thirsty Indians, and only a few posts
the woods were full Of deer, bear, tur-
keys, buffalo and other game and trees
and cliffs were filled with bees and
their sweet stores. 1t was literally
4 land flowing with milk and honey.
Luz had had his baptism of fire" be-
fore he came here. His first fight was
at the little pueblo of Candida in the
state of Coahuila, on the Saltillo Ca
mino Real, highway At that time
ne was pastor in charge of the herd
Of sheep and cattle of Don Flugenio
uaoblero, a short distance from lie
pueblo.
The Comanches and Lipans acting in
concert attempted to take the heru.
Luz was only armed with a flint lock
musket-obsolete now, put it gained
American independence and many a
great battle in Europe, and with the
right kinu OF man behind it it was not
to be despised. The Indians had only
iances and bows and few arrows and
ascopetaS.
Felipe Roblero, a son of Don Fluge-
MO. happened to be with the herd also.
But for that, the Indians would not
only have taken the herd, but LUIS
scalp also, to grace their shields after
a return to Texas.
Don Felipe being well armed and
brave, with Luz sept the Indians at
bay. and saved The herd, but Felipe
was struch in the breast by a "corta
ianca,'' a short handled lance, some
thing like the assagai of the Zulus,
and killed. The Indians had attacked
the puebla at the same time, but were
beaten off and the citizens rallied to
the rescue of Luz and Don Felipe. and
prevented the robbing of the herd.
The Indians would charge by close
To Felipe and his brave pastor" send
a fight of arrows, and scamper away
On their fleet ponies. Luz was wound
ed eight times slightly with arrows,
and a bullet grazed his skull.
LUIS first fight on Texas soil was at
the "Charco ocho miles" near the
town of Uvalde, known as Eight Mile
water Hole" and now on the ranch OF
Mr.. Vanham. 1t is pond on the
I.eona northeast of the town of Uval-
de, that always has water, is full Of
fish, and was favorite camping
ground of the Comanches and Lipans,
IN their raids on the frontiersmen. Luz
at the time QS6D was employed as
a vaquero by Capt. Bill Adams, and
was out cow-hunlIng. He had camp
ed for the night at the ''charco" keep
ing his horse saduled near him. At
daybreak, being aroused by the tramp
ling of horses feet, he saw thirty-two
Comanches ride down opposite to him
to water their horses and themselves.
He mad taken the precaution to camp
Oh the west side near some large rocks
and as soon as he discovered them he
mounted his horse and rode off, know
my they were after his scalp. For one
man well armed on horse back is safer
than ten men with a herd of horses.
The Indians did not care to risk losing
a warrior for one horse but would risk
4 good deal for a bunch.
The Indians raised a yell and ran af
ter him but after he fired three shots
at them from one of the old time brass
mounted pistols tthat caused the death
OF "Jeemes Hambrick'' according to
Derbys account), the Comanches quit
following him
He had also a good Sharpe's rifle,
and was in better fix to fight than in
Old Mexico. The Idians had bows and
iances and one or two had old muskets,
but Luz escaped without a wound.
The next time Luz had a scrap with
the Comanches was on Sycamore creek
In the Nueces canon. The creek emp
ties into the Nueces river, and at the
time Chappey Moore had a ranch at
its mouth. At present VIM. F. Harde-
man has charge of the ranch for the
Francis Smith Co., of San Antonio.
Luz with Mark Binnion was cow
hunting, and quite a large herd had
been gathered and were being held by
Mart Adams and twelve Mexican va
queros, at Walnut Springs, about four
miles east of the ranch. Luz, seeing
4 bunch of cattle nea rthe Spring, on
= hill, went to drive them to the herd.
Five Comanches. were hid in the
rocks near the spring. and evidently
had arrived in the night and were