The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-09-03

right, with the exception Of one Mexican, who
stopped to adjust his pack, and rs soon as
saw that he had halted, knowing that he was
gone ] pulled out my watch, and in exactly
thirty seconds his sombrero was lying on the
sand and the tips of the mules ears were
Just disappearing from sight" "Whewl"
said Jack, "that 3 --- liei" Certainly
it is, replied the wagon-master; 81 thought
we were telling lies, lieutenant
THE TONKAWAS.
II being the intention of the government
to build q permanent post either at Jacks
boro or north Of the West Fork Of the Trinity,
for the protection of the frontier, the tribe
Of Tonkawa Indians were forwarded from
Austin in the early spring to act as scouts
and guides similar to the manner in which
the Pawnees we're used on the plains. The
whole tribe, men, women and children num-
bered about one hundred and eighty, and were
aptly described by Texas writer as the dis
gushing remnant of n once powerful tribe, ="
with one good quality, however they had
always been true and loyal to the white man.
Sam Houston had always been their friend,
and they looked up to him as the Great
Father" and in view of the fact that their
friendship for the whites had never been
broken nor marked by treachery, it was only
The State of Texas at this time fed them, but
year or two subsequently they were turned
over 10 the Federal government to care for.
Colonel Marchy, in his interesting work, gives
n full and entertaining account Of this tribe,
their habits, traditions and history, his OBJ
servations having been made many years be-
fore mine, when tho tribe retained more
wildly their aboriginal characteristics, and
before they had deteriorated by contact with,
and by living M pensioners on the bounty
of the whites. Like most savages, when
thrown into contact with the white race, they
had contracted all its vices and acquired none
of its virtues loved "fire water" horse rae
ing and gambling and despised work MS be
meath the dignity Of warriors. Captain
Charley" the chief, short, thick set fellow
delighted in soldier coat and military hat,
his shoulders usually adorned with colonel g
straps, and the hat covered with all the old
cross sabres he could attach TO it. Being in
Colonel Starts tent one day, the colonel said
to him. "Why don't you and your tribe take
up a lot of this land, go to work, plant corn,
build you houses and try and live like
white meni" Said Charley: "Why don't You
no plant corn, colonel" The colonel replied
"Oh you see Charley, am a soldier, an Of
fcer; I'm not supposed TO work. " Charley
drew himself up, and slapping his breast,
excaimed "Ugh colonel, me and you all
same; You soldier, you no work; me warrior,
me no work." The old school book story of
the conversation between Alexander the
Great and the robber somehow or other comes
up in n persons mind. The Tonkawas were
sent to Fort Griffin upon its establishment
first il was called Camp Wilson,, and re-
NAMED there as long as it was military
post the remnant is now in the territory.
NJ ,vhilo otuov tba tnonptonv al pomp life
the boys at this time got out a weekly paper
known as the "Bittle Joker all neatly writ
ten, no printing press then being near by, and
the COPY would circulate until il was worn
out and afforded much amusement TO Off
GERS as well ms men.
About this time first became acquainted
with n liquid preparation, or drink, known as
"pine top. " or "white mule" whisky. Corn,
| presume. was its basis. but of its other in.
gradients or its manner Of manufacture
know nothing, except that it was feariully
and wonderfully made II was clear and
white TO look upon, but mixed with water 1t
became milky and gave out an odor sugges-
tive of turpentine emulsion. OF its drunk
producing" properties no doubt can exist,
and the natives found a ready sale for it
To the boys mt prices varying from three to
five dollars a canteen full The worst whisky
of the Old States in ante bellum times was
bad; it only cost from twenty TO twenty-five
cents gallon in those "halcyon days of
yore:" Louisiana rum is a fearful means Of
selfdestruction; Arkansas "chained light
ming and Mexican aqua dente both accom-
plish their purpose with a neatness and dis
match. but have never tasted SO villainous
a compound as "white mule" 1t has pass
ed away. like many another product Of sim
pier and homeler days, and doubt whether
lis effect was any worse than the goods "
now put up in more attractive style and fla