Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-07-13
HOT BORDER FIGHTING.
How Texas Was Rid Of Cattle
Thieves and DesperadOes.

How Texas Was Rid of Cattle
Thieves and Desperadoes.
The endurance and bravery displayed
by Manuel Tom, ranchman Of Atas-
cosa county, in following the trail OF
Gregorio Cortez, the Mexican murder
er, who was captured on the Rio
Grande border few days ago, is the
subject of considerable comment among
the people of this section, says an Aus
tin, Texas, dispatch Of July 4. Tom
struck Cortez's trail within a few hours
after the murder Of Sheriff Morris and
he followed the trail through the brush
of southwest Texas more than 400
miles. He was only 20 minutes behind
the fugitive when the latter was cap
tured by state rangers on the Texas
! bank of the Rio Grande just above La
+ redo. Tom is SO years old and he was
| born and raised in the district where
he now resides and is familiar with al
most every foot Of the country between
there and the Rio Grande. He knows
| the traits of the Mexicans so thorough
| ly that the efforts Of Cortez to oblit-
! crate his trail were Intellectual.
Many wonderful feats have been per-
! formed by Texas Rangers in trailing
! Indians and border desperadoes. One
. Of the most noted scouts and trailers In
, the state Is Captain L. P. SEEKER. who
now occupies the post of quartermaster
of the Texas Rangers. Captain SEEKER
spent many years in active service as
| a member and officer Of ranger COM
pany on the frontier. During the 1Os
/ and early sos he and his men had many
encounters with depredating bands OF
Indians and Mexicans. In order to af-
ford protection to the settlers and keep
the country clear Of the outlaw ele-
ment, it was necessary for the rangers
to be constantly on the move. They
would no sooner return to their head
quarters camp from one long chase
than a report would reach them of an
other raid and off they would go again
! on a scout that would probably keep
them in the saddle almost day and
night for many days.
"One of the hardest rides that ever
made was after two Lipan Indians who
came up from their camp in Mexico
and stole a bunch Of horses from a
ranchman near the head Of the Llano
river" Captain SEEKER said to The Sun
correspondent in relating his expert
ences Of the early days. "As soon as I
learned of this raid I started with Il
few members of my company in pur-
suit of the Indians. We soon struck
! their trail, and in three days we had
travelled more than 200 miles, and re-
covered the stolen animals near the
Rio Grande. We made no change of
horses while on the trail and 1t is re-
markable that the animals stood IT..
We only stopped long enough during
the day to give our horses and our
selves one meal. We travelled until far
into the night and were on the road
again before daybreak.
THE Comanche and Lipan Indians
were adopts in covering UP their trails,
and we lost considerably time on this
particular chase in getting the direc-
tion taken by the Indians. Soon after
they left the spot where the horses
were stolen they divided into two
squads, and went in opposite direc-
tions. My experience on the plains told
me that this was simply ruse to
throw us off the track, and with my
men I pushed onward toward high
hill where I felt certain the divided
parties would come together again.
Sure enough I was right In my sur
mise, for the tracks plainly showed
that the two squads Of Indians with
their stolen horses had met on the hill,
and resumed their trip southwark In
body. At several other points on the
journey similar attempts to throw US