El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-06-07
OLD LETTER TELLS
OF WOMAN 5RESGUE
In Archives at State Capital
Ross sNarrativeOfCy
Ann Parker Is Found.

Austin. Texas, June THE original
report of Capt L. S. Ross, who after
wards became governor Of Texas. con-
tanning the story Of the rescue Of
Cynthia Ann Parker, white woman.
from the COmanche indians IN 1860
has been found among the archives Of
the state ad1utant generals depart
nent The Parker woman had lived
among the COmanches for 80 years.
She was the mother of the late chief
Ouanah Parker Of the COmanChes. She
had been captured at the Parker fort
massacre when a little girl At the
time Capt Ross made his report to
Gen sam Houston, then governor OF
Texas, the identity Of the white woman
had not been established The historic
document reads in part:
Waco City, January "a, 1851.
His eXcellency, Gen sam Houston,
Austin Texas.
'Sir: take great pleasure in com
municating TO your eXcellency the re-
suit of the expedition, which I ius
formed yOu. 7 designed making against
the COmanches, in my report OF Deem
7 left my station on the nth with
40 men of my company, which was all
my available force, and 20 men Of II
company. Second cavalry, from Camp
Cooper under Serst- J. W Spangler
On the morning Of the 18th I met with
Capt Jack Darlington and a gallant
company of 90 citizens, with whom u
was anxious to cooperate With our
.
of march for Pease river
"On the evening Of the 18th we en-
camped on Pease river, having trav-
eled I'D IL for two days, and on the
morning of the 18th I made an early
start. and had proceeded but few
miles when ] came upon fresh trail
which 1 at once recognized as that
of indian spies
Il left my company to proceed on
the trail, while j rode forward vita
Sergt' Spansler to a prominent peak
side OF the river upon reaching the
desired position we were most agree
ably surprised to find that we were
within 200 yards Of the village, eight
or nine grass nuts, which the indians
Is in number, were Just deserving
Il gave the signal for the men TO
advance and by the time they were
fairly prepared for the engagement
the indians. unconscious Of our pres
ence, had got out on level plain,
and were never apprized Of our ap-
DrOach until we were within zoo yards
of them, in fun charge, consequently
many OF them were killed before they
could make any preparation for de-
fence Twelve indians were killed and
: the son Of the chief and a white woman
and child taken pleasure
White Baby Is Found.
During the engagement Lieut. KILL
her saw one indian mounted on fleet
pony and in advance Of the others,
and suppOsing- 1T to be a warrior bold
he started in hot pursuit eager for a
single handed contest, but after a
race Of two miles he came up with
what he had supposed formidable
adversary and was Just In the act OF
firing when a white woman threw
I'D her baby and cried Americana
She had been with them from child
hood.
Lieut. SubIett captured the son OF
Z the chief and took him up behind his
saddle but seeing there were others
endeavOring TO make their escape, he
threw MIN off and he was afterwards
taken up by f. @. DOnahOe-
Lieut. SOmerv1lle came very near
being killed by the chief. who had
dismOunted. evidently determined to
sell his life as dearly as possible
Lieut. SOmerville endeavored to charge
by him and shoot but his horse made
short halt, when the indian too sure
OF his victim, let 1ly his arrow Just as
site side of his horse
Il had made. a proposition to present
the first man who should XIII and scalp
an indian with q Colts revolver, and
after the battle it was awarded to
Riley's Papers Found.
The papers Of Henry Riley, who
believe was killed about two months
ago, were found in the possession OF
the indians Also a great many ar
ticles of clothing and the Bible OF Mrs
Sherman, who was killed by them the
last fOray they made upon the settle
ments- About 40 head OF animals were
taken, two Of which were claimed by
citizens belonging to Capt Carrin gton'S
company. One OF them had been stolen
six months and the other two years.
The white woman informed me that
the warriors had run the horses that
had been stolen by them during their
many visits to the frontier, directly on
10 thelr main village, where there was
az that time some traders from New
Mexico trading for stolen property
taken from the citizens Of Texas. Also
that IS warriors had left the camp OF
village three or four days before I
reached it, for another stealing eECur-
sion in Texas. which proved correct.
for ] was informed as I came down
that SO were counted just above the
Comanche peak"
Respectfully,
'IL s ROSS.