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North Texas Star

August 2014
WE HAVE COMPANY
Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid lay low one night near Authon
Outdoors Along The Brazos
HUNTING
HODGEPODGE
Chasing Our Tales The Legacy of Lawrence Sullivan (Sul) Ross H.H. McConnell
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 2
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North Texas Star
4
OUTDOORS ALONG THE BRAZOS
Hunting Hodgepodge
By Don Price
20
8
CHASING OUR TALES
Dr. Jack Leigh Eidson
By Sue Seibert
16
H.H. MCCONNELL
12
By Jim Dillard
By Wynnell Catlin
By Jimmy Walker
THE LEGACY OF LAWRENCE
SULLIVAN (SUL) ROSS
WE HAVE COMPANY
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 4
Outdoors Along the Brazos
By DON PRICE
Hunting Hodgepodge
D
ove season is right around the corner;
it'll be here before you know it.
It's hot, man, it's hot. Not a breath of
air. Worms wiggle on the horizon; rivulets of
sweat run down your lenses, distorting what's left
of your vision.
Where in the heck is one lonesome dove?
You'll sit and wait on one darn dove when they
aren't flying nor does it look from here like they
intend to fly. Even while trying out that new pair
of 7x35 binoculars, you'll find that doves seem to
be an endangered species.
You're just sitting cross-legged under this mes-
quite tree on the edge of a freshly cut maize field
with a 20-gauge over-and-under skattergun resting
in your lap, and you're not taking the time to do
the "honey-do" stuff back home like you prom-
ised, you know, the garden, the flower bed, etc.
You're gonna catch heck and you know it. Maybe
tomorrow you'll crank the garden tiller.
The classified ad in the newspaper in the
"Hunting Leases" section really caught your eye.
The grinning landowner who took your hunting
lease greenbacks told you this was a red-hot fly-
way, lots of doves (multitudes, he said), and right
here in this exact spot right here under this mes-
quite, a red-hot flyway, he said, and then he took
your greenbacks. Was that a snicker?
The afternoon drags by, five minutes seems an
hour; you'll check your wristwatch, knowing it's
stopped; and here comes something making you
jump out of your pants almost and it's nothing
but a dragonfly. No kidding, it's this slow.
Noticing this dragonfly suddenly out of the cor-
ner of your eye makes you jumpy, tensing your
reflexes. You've been here so long this afternoon
you feel embarrassed.
You know dadgum good-and-well the landowner
is watching you, hoping you won't fill up your
game bag with too many of his money crop birds.
You know he's going to ask "How many?" when
you later drive past his hog pen on the way out.
Maybe he'll give you a refund because his dragon-
flies made you so nervous you had to leave early.
That won't work and you know it.
Finally after an impossibly long afternoon, noth-
ing but dragonflies, damn 'em, you'll get up slow-
ly, all stiff-legged to hobble slowly around the
freshly cut maize to jerk open the cab door. Ah,
the ole thermos jug.
But all things must end, no matter how disap-
pointing, the orange wafer in the sky but a slice
anyway. Off with the game bag heavy with unfired
shotgun shells, the 20-gauge now in its case in the
old Ford cab, slamming the door, cranking the
engine, you'll naturally look the other way, maybe
whistle a little tune as you stomp on the gas pedal
while he's feeding the hogs, hoping you will be
out of hearing distance, hoping he won't scream
about his damn birds, "How many?"
Out the front gate now, you'll swing by the field
for one last look from the gravel road. Ten, 20, 30
in a flock, flock after flock, here they come over
the hot flyway mesquite, just like he said they'd do
while he was taking your greenbacks.
I knew he would ... I can hear him laughing
clear out here, listen, louder than the squealing
pigs.
You can keep your old doves, you tight wad.
They'll all leave, every blasted one, when the next
blue norther roars in anyhow.
Continued on page 6
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 5
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 6
Continued from page 4
Northwest of town, then west of town, again
southwest of our city coils a serpent; but not a poi-
sonous one as most would think.
It's just one more connotation of that phrase leg-
endary Philip "Snaky" Harter would always use
meaning "a friendly reptile." Of course we're refer-
ring to Los Brazos De Dios.
Sweet to one's ear is the rhythm of purling water,
sometimes frothy but forever salty; you'll likely find
a song etched in limestone or sandstone by cocking
an ear hardly more than a stone's throw from here,
serpentine coils undulating to tempos Beethoven
would envy.
A river offers solace to anyone who will immerse
himself in its cool; but a difficult thing to do is to
slow down to see it, to feel it, to drink it. It is com-
plete within itself.
The slowing down to feel this pulse develops a
rare quality today, a culture made of steel; this cul-
ture seems to be lacking in many of our contempo-
raries simply because they never take the time to
hone it.
They desire both happiness and success without
earning it; they want to master fly fishing in one
afternoon with a 95-foot cast, but it takes ages to
reach that goal; their persiflage is heavily stereo-
typed at parties. You can spot these guys a mile
away.
Just give me this upper middle Brazos landscape
so that I can stumble on to outlaw Sam Bass's
Canyon, a rugged place in which to rusticate. I used
to go there, and imagination ran wild; that old wood-
en box of stolen gold double eagles ought to be
behind one of these limestone boulders...
To trundle the second bank of this river, to find the
shards of legendary hermit George Harrison, his
dugout in 1906 in Fortune Bend, these things I've
already done, and I yearn to do them just one more
time but with a deeper reverence.
Such a simple things as hacking the heart from a
cedar with a cutter's favorite 3-pound Kelly is grati-
fying enough to hear the crisp "CHOCK" of the
axe ricocheting off a box canyon's wall smothered
with virgin Ashe juniper at first light is more.
We think about our predecessors and wish they
were here, so we could chew tobacco and carry a
coal-oil lamp, following a cow trail on the second
bank. "Just caught a big yeller under yonder rock,
enough to feed the kinfolk for a week!"
Folks back then were free. They had never heard
of "Information Overload," and multi-tasking. They
had time to sit on the front porch every evening to
talk with their neighbors across the hedge. This
contrast of lifestyles makes one yearn for the things
that really matter in a lifetime, clearing the mind of
trivia.
Countless numbers of urban folk have floated this
upper middle Brazos; the majority wear watches or
cellphones now, glancing at these prisons of the
mind constantly, always aware of obligations back
in the city, anything but where they are on a river.
Few really get into a bucolic groove while on a
float.
This morning Charlie Goodnight and Oliver
Loving left Black Springs at first light to gather
range cattle for another long dusty drive.
Sticking a sunburned hand into the coolness of
the Brazos riffle, touching the minerals in white
water surging over chert as a Philip Harter's Water
Snake (nerodia harteri harteri) wiggles free an inch
from your grasp this one solitary motion is
enough of the good life this very weekend to pull
one through the coming week of town life.
Drop your old cellphone in the deepest pool
loosen your motor mount to let the 3-horse out-
board "kerplunk!"
Row and sweat, sweat and row. Paddle to the
lower end of the pool, shout to high heaven! so
that the gale from the south will blow you back and
forth upriver, back and forth, in the same pool till
you drop the paddle you're spent not enough
strength to hold it any longer.
This is your river's soul you've earned it!
If you've worked diligently, long enough, a quiet
sense will mantle you, for you and you alone will
have felt will have discovered the bosom of Los
Brazos de Dios. There is no shortcut.
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 7
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August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 8
Chasing Our Tales
Dr. Jack Leigh Eidson
By SUE SEIBERT
J
ack Leigh Eidson Jr. and his wife, Judy, are
good friends of ours. With Jack's assistance, I
would like to tell you the story of a Parker
County legend and 20th Century pioneer. You may
think pioneer is an incorrect term, but as our story
will tell, Dr. Jack Leigh Eidson Sr. was a pioneer
doctor in Weatherford and Parker County. He led the
way for all the doctors who are there today. He first
practiced medicine when it was normal for a doctor
to make house calls. Although he was a family doc-
tor, dealing with the old, the young and the in-
between, he still had time over his career to
deliver over 5,000 babies
in Parker County.
"Dr. Jack" as he was
lovingly known, died at
the age of 91 on June 15,
2014. He died on Father's
Day with his sons at his
bedside.
Dr. Jack was born in
Greenville, S.C., the son of
Charles George Eidson and
Margaret Edna Leigh. He
was married to Wera Wanda
Carroll, and to them were
born daughter Wanda Carroll
Eidson Hobbs, Jack Leigh
Eidson Jr., Mark Carroll
Eidson, Jon Keeling Eidson
and Scott Lee Eidson.
"Dr. Jack attended schools
in New York City, Dallas and
Jacksonville, Florida, before
moving with his family to
Houston, where he graduated
from Lamar High School in
1939, his son, Jack Jr., told us.
After his departure for college,
his family moved to Waco. Dr.
Jack graduated from the
University of Texas at Austin in
1943 on a Plan II program and was a member of Phi
Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Sigma fraternities. During
the war, the Army sent Dr. Jack through Baylor
Medical School on its three-year fast-track pro-
gram, from which he graduated in 1946. For the next
four years, he served out his obligation in the U.S.
Army Air Corps with duty in Houston, San Antonio,
Indianapolis and Denver. In late 1949, Dr. Jack mus-
tered out of the Army in Denver. While traveling to
Waco to see his family, he toured several small towns
to inquire about practice opportunities. One of his last
stops was in Weatherford, that beautiful town with
the highway running right through the middle of its
courthouse.
"He parked on the square, went inside the City
Pharmacy and met the owner, Gerald Davis, to
inquire about the city's medical needs. Gerald told Dr.
Jack that if he would settle here, he would give him
the spare office in the rear of the City
Pharmacy for six months,
rent free, to help him get
started. The deal was done
and it sealed a lifelong
friendship.
"When Dr. Jack moved to
Weatherford in January
1950, he became one of
just eight physicians in the
city of about 8,000. This
generation of doctors
engaged in general prac-
tice that included surgery,
ER, psychiatry, OB-Gyn,
pediatrics, geriatrics and,
yes, house calls. This
was also the generation
of doctors that were
often paid with chick-
ens, hogs, peanuts,
melons and peaches.
Dr. Jack practiced for
over 50 years and
delivered over 5,000
Parker County citi-
zens. He was espe-
cially known for a
good tonsillectomy
and his gracious and
gentle bedside manner. He had often said, I
was fortunate that I got to practice during the Golden
Age of Medicine - that period after penicillin and
before Medicare!
"Dr. Jack was an active citizen and involved with
many professional, political, religious, social, civic
and government organizations. He was an active
member and an ordained Elder of the Grace First
Presbyterian Church of Weatherford. In addition, he
was a 32nd degree Mason in both Scottish Rite and
York Rite Orders and a member of the Knights of
Pythias. Professionally, Dr. Jack was a member of
American Medical Association, Texas Medical
Association, Southern Medical Association, The
American Academy of Family Physicians and The
Royal Society of Medicine in London, England. He
also served as the Medical Director for American
Bankers Insurance Company and as a past president
of the Medical Directors Association of Texas. He
served nine years on the TMA State Committee of
Insurance and six years on the Insurance Council for
TMA He was past president of the local Tri-County
Medical Society and was a delegate to TMA for more
than 20 years. He served as a doctor for the Missouri
Pacific Railroad and as Chief of Staff at
Weatherford's Campbell Memorial Hospital for a
time.
"In 1978, he organized the Three Rivers Chapter of
the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. In August
1993, Dr. Jack was honored as Family Physician of
the Year for the State of Texas by the Texas Academy
of Family Physicians. In 1996, he was certified as a
Medical Director for Nursing Homes and continued
practicing medicine until his retirement in 2000.
"When asked about his profession, he often related,
You're a doctor when you wake up in the morning
and you're a doctor when you go to bed that night.' It
may be added, You're still a doctor when you have
to wake up at night and go to bed again before morn-
ing.'
"If a patient were able to call him today, he would
most likely give his same age-old advice: Take two
aspirin, a hot bath and go to bed.'
"Dr. Jack received a 30-year pin for service to the
Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver
Beaver in 1962. He served as a National
Representative and as a member of the Executive
Board of the Longhorn Council. In addition, he
served as a voluntary physician at two National
Jamborees. All four of his sons earned the Eagle
Scout Award.
"He supported Girl Scouts, too. In 1996, he was
elected financial director of the Heart of Texas Girl
Scout Council and his daughter earned the Curved
Bar Award.
"Dr. Jack was also active in civic affairs, having
served as president of the Weatherford Lions Club,
The Cancer Society, director of the Chamber of
Commerce, drive director for the United Way and
three terms as a Weatherford city commissioner and
Jack & Wanda Eidson
Continued on page 10
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 9
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 10
mayor pro-tem. He also served
on the Executive Committee of
Region 5 of the Health Service
Agency and, in 1997, was still
serving as the Weatherford City
health officer and medical direc-
tor. In 1979, he received the
Chamber of Commerce Award for
Outstanding Citizen.
"Locally known as Mr.
Republican, Dr. Jack became active
in politics in 1952, working for the
campaign of Dwight Eisenhower
who carried Parker County that
year. He was Parker County
Republican Chairman, State
Republican Committeeman for the
22nd Senatorial District and an alter-
nate delegate to the Republican
National Convention in 1972 as a
Texas elector.
"Dr. Jack did have a hobby - he
loved wine! He and Wanda, his wife,
were members of the Confrerie Saint-
Etienne of the Alsace Region of France,
an ancient society or brotherhood for
the integrity, appreciation and promotion of Alsatian
wines. In 1971, he was one of the founding members
of the Fort Worth chapter of this confrrie, the first
such chapter outside of France. This chapter is still the
most viable and active chapter in the United States
with over 100 members. He also was a member of the
Jurade de Saint Emilion, the International Wine and
Food Society, the Chaine de Rotisseurs and the
Knights of the Vine. He founded the Oenological
Society of the Texas Medical Association and was one
of the charter members of the wine committee at the
Fort Worth club. The International Wine and Food
Society served as the basis of, or excuse for, Dr. Jack's
and Wanda's many excursions around the world where
they met many like-minded wine aficionados in such
places as England, France, Germany, South Africa,
India and Australia. When asked what his favorite
wine was, Dr. Jack's usual reply was, The one I am
drinking now."
Dr. Jack participated in his Father's Day lunch this
year, surrounded by his family. The lunch included a
bit of roasted lamb and
a fine old 1982 Pinot
Noir. He then laid
down to take his eter-
nal nap, going to sleep
peacefully to wake,
we are sure, with
Wanda, his wife, who
had died 10 years
earlier on Father's
Day.
I found it remark-
able that at Dr.
Jack's funeral, his
8-year-old grand-
son, Jack Leigh
Eidson IV, read
the New
Testament les-
son. What a
family!
As well, Dr.
Jack's genea-
logical legacy is
quite interesting. His wife,
Wanda, wrote five volumes on the Eidson and related
families. These books are still in print and may be pur-
chase from family members. The title is It's Spelled
Eidson: the history and genealogy of the surname
Eidson.
Dr. Jack descended from Joseph
Eidson, son of Edward, down to
Samuel Eidson of Hawkins County,
Tenn. who was the son of William
Eidson and Martha Wilson. Samuel
was born September 25, 1827,
near Little War Creek in the com-
munity that had once been called
Stringtown, but was later
changed to Eidson after Samuel.
Samuel was a farmer and trader
of mules and other livestock.
Eidson, Tenn., remains an
unincorporated community on
the north side of Clinch
Mountain in the Tri-Cities
area near Bristol, Tenn.
Samuel Houston Eidson was the youngest child of
Samuel Eidson and Nancy Brown. He was born May
31, 1863, in Eidson, Tenn. He was a successful stock
farmer who owned a square-mile farm outside Eidson.
Charles George Eidson, born June 15, 1887, was the
child of Samuel Houston and Eva Lena Musgraves
Eidson. He received a Bachelor of Engineering degree
from the University of Tennessee and a master's at St.
John's and the University of Maryland. He taught at
St. John's and at Porter Military Academy in South
Carolina. Called "Rube" or "Charley" he served in
the United States Air Service from 1916 to 1921,
which included World War I. In 1930, his occupation
as director and secretary of the Guaranty National Life
Insurance Company took him to Houston, and in 1942
he moved to Waco with the American Bankers
Insurance Company. He married Margaret Leigh, and
to them were born three children, Margaret Ethel,
Charles George Jr. and Jack Leigh.
This family is a wonderful example of American
history. Arriving from the British Isles to Virginia in
the 1700s, the family has served the country through
wars and peace, and we are honored that Dr. Jack
chose our part of Texas to make his home and to serve
the 91 years of his life.
Thanks, Dr. Jack!
Jack Eidson &
Jim
W
right
1980-Late E
idson Fam
ily
Continued from page 8
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 11
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August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 12
The Legacy of Lawrence
Sullivan (Sul) Ross
By JIM DILLARD
[Part 1 of a series of articles on the life of
Lawrence Sullivan (Sul) Ross who served as a fron-
tier ranger, soldier, statesman and educator devoting
his life to the growth and expansion of Texas to
become the great state we know today.]
One of my most memorable experiences as a stu-
dent at Texas A&M University took place during my
junior year when I attended Silver Taps. Having trans-
ferred from Temple Junior College for the fall semes-
ter of 1965 to pursue a degree in wildlife manage-
ment, I wasn't in the Corps of Cadets and knew little
about the long standing traditions of the school. While
cramming one night for a major quiz the following
day in Ichthyology (the study of fish,) my roommate
suddenly turned off the lights in our dorm room and
said, "Let's go!" "Go where? I've got studying to do,"
I replied. "It can wait - just come on!"
We made our way across campus in the dark as
other students poured out of their dorms walking
silently toward the Academic Building. As the throng
of students gathered there in the plaza around the
flagpole and statue of Sul Ross, not a sound could be
heard. A contingent of the Ross Volunteer Company,
which serves as the official Honor Guard of the
Governor of Texas, marched into the plaza and fired
off a three-volley, 21-gun salute to honor the untimely
death of any student that was currently enrolled at the
university. Three trumpeters then began playing the
most melodious and stirring rendition of taps I had
ever heard. It sent a chill over me that I have never
forgotten. With the tolling of bells from the Albritton
Tower, the ceremony was over and students silently
returned to their dorms.
The Silver Taps ceremony originated in 1898 to
honor Lawrence Sullivan (Sul) Ross who had served
as the first president of Texas Agricultural and
Mechanical College from 1890 to 1898. His death in
1898 culminated his lifelong journey serving Texas
that began as an Indian fighter on the Texas frontier
and ended as leader and president of his beloved
Texas A&M College. He was also a Texas Ranger,
Confederate soldier, sheriff, constitutional framer,
state senator and governor.
Sul was born in Bentonport, Iowa Territory, on Sept.
27, 1838, to Catherine (Fulkerson) and Shapley Prince
Ross. He was named for a paternal grandfather and
brother, both named Lawrence Ross, and a paternal
uncle, Giles O. Sullivan. As a child he was called
"Little Sul" by his family and later Sul, a name he
would use throughout his life. His father operated a
hotel in Bentonport, but soon after Sul's birth, and that
of his brother Peter, the family moved to Missouri,
where Shapley operated a farm. With the lure of glow-
ing reports of opportunities in Texas, he moved his
family there during 1839. While traveling to the lower
settlement on the Brazos River in Milam County, they
stopped at Waco Springs (present Waco) a location that
would become pivotal in
Sul's later life. They traveled
on to Nashville, Texas, where
Shapley took the oath of alle-
giance to the Republic of
Texas and was granted 640
acres of land, where the town
of Cameron is now located.
As the family settled on
the land and struggled to
exist on the frontier of
Texas, depredations by
Indians were a constant
threat. Sul's father was fre-
quently involved in leading
pursuits of Indians who had
stolen horses and other live-
stock and threatened the
lives of settlers. On one
occasion, 30 Comanche raid-
ers surrounded their cabin
and caught young Sul, who
was away from the house
playing. The Indians took
him to the cabin where,
using sign language, the
chief asked Sul's father for a
treaty and food for his war-
riors. Sul was directed by his father
to take them to their fields and give them everything
they wanted, which he did without showing fear. The
Indians later returned with Sul, who had been pinched
and whipped with their arrow shafts and released him
to his family.
In 1845, Shapley Ross decided to move his family
to Austin, where he hoped to provide his four older
children a better opportunity for a good education. He
sold 290 acres of his land and bought a wagon and
yoke of oxen for the long journey to Austin. Upon
arrival, they found the town consisted of a cluster of
log cabins and businesses situated along the Colorado
River. It was also the seat of Texas government dur-
ing its final year as a republic. Sul and three of his
other siblings were enrolled in school and began mak-
ing good progress with their education. Shapley, on
the other hand, soon left with a ranger company he
had raised to fight in the Mexican War, leaving his
wife and family in Austin. When he returned from the
war in 1849, he became aware of an enticing opportu-
nity to better his family by acquiring some rich farm-
land just west of the
Brazos River near Waco
Springs. Jacob de
Cordova, who was part
owner in a large tract of
land there, offered
Shapley four free city
blocks in the fledgling
town, the sole right to
operate a ferry across the
Brazos River and privi-
lege of buying 80 acres of
farm land at $1 per acre.
The Ross family made
their move to Waco
Springs where Shapley
bought an additional 200
acres in the area that
would become the south
side of Waco and began
construction of a double
log house for his family.
He selected his four lots
on the bluff overlooking
the spring and began cul-
tivation on his new farm-
ing land. He also expand-
ed his business opportuni-
ties by keeping a hotel, operating
a ferry, running the city waterworks and trailing cattle
to Missouri. Sul and his brother Peter became active
in every aspect of life in the frontier town and on
their farm, learning to work in the fields, ride, shoot,
wrestle, fight, fish and hunt in the bottoms of the
Brazos River and creeks in the area. Sul became such
an accomplished horseman that his father frequently
entered him on the family's entries in match races in
Waco or other area settlements. Indian depredations
continued in this area as well and on one raid they
stole a large number of horses from the settlement,
including one of Sul's favorite race horses.
In 1856, 17-year-old Sul was enrolled in the
Sul Ross Statue
Continued on page 14
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 13
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August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 14
Preparatory Department of Baylor University, at that
time located at Independence, Texas, to pursue a col-
lege degree. College president Rufus C. Burleson,
somewhat reluctantly, accepted his credentials and
written testimonials. Sul excelled in his initial studies
at Baylor and completed the two-year preparatory pro-
gram in one year. But, rather than enroll in Baylor and
compete his education there, he transferred to the
Wesleyan University in Florence, Ala. However, the
examining board determined he was deficient in math-
ematics and refused to admit him. After making a plea
to the board to allow him to enroll in the school rather
than make the long journey back to Texas, Septimus P.
Rice, principal and professor of mathematics, volun-
teered to tutor Sul at night if he would board at his
home. Sul agreed. He sold his mule, saddle and bridle
and began his studies in Alabama.
During his first two years at Wesleyan University,
Sul matured intellectually and developed character
traits and convictions political, social, and religious
that would sustain him the rest of his life. He also
continued to hold dear to his heart the frontier spirit he
had developed from the influence of his father who
was now Indian agent on the Lower Brazos Indian
Reservation in present Young County. After the close
of the semester on July 7, 1858, Sul returned to Waco
where he found his mother busily directing the con-
struction of a new two-story family home on their
farm south of town. With the continued threat of
Indian raids by Comanches from their camps on the
Canadian River, Sul saw an opportunity to participate
in an upcoming campaign against them with his father.
Rather than return to school, he departed Waco and
traveled to the Indian reservation, where his father was
organizing a contingent of reserve Indians to partici-
pate in the raid. The reservation Indians begged his
father not to go on the raid for fear of losing him dur-
ing the campaign and insisted that his 19-year-old son
Sul lead them. Being in poor health, Ross reluctantly
agreed to stay and allowed Sul to take command of the
Indians.
The force for the expedition into Indian Territory
assembled at Fort Belknap, located 15 miles up the
Brazos from the Lower Reservation, and included Sul
and 135 Indian auxiliaries, four companies of the
Second Cavalry, and one company of the Fifth Infantry
under Brev. Major Earl Van Dorn as commanding offi-
cer. Departing Fort Belknap on Sept. 15, 1858, Sul and
his Indians marched ahead across the Red River into
Indian Territory, where they established a base camp
on the south bank of Otter Creek near present Tipton,
Okla. Van Dorn and the remaining troops arrived four
or five days later and began construction of a picket
stockade named Camp Radziminsik. Two Wichita
Indian scouts were sent out to scour the countryside
for any sign of the Comanches. They finally located
them about 100 miles to the north camped along Rush
Creek with a village of Wichita Indians. They were
celebrating a recent treaty signing with United States
representatives and had no fear of the soldiers they
already knew had ventured into the region.
When the scouts reported back to young Sul Ross on
their findings, they estimated the distance to the camp
at 40 miles rather than the 100 miles it actually was.
Unbeknownst to Sul, the Wichita scouts had also told
some of their fellow Wichita Indians at the camp of
plans the soldiers were making to attack the
Comanches at their camp. Sul convinced Major Van
Dorn to make a forced march to the Comanche Camp
and attack them before daylight. Within an hour, 300
soldiers and Indian auxiliaries under Sul Ross began
the march to the camp. However, at sunrise the Indian
scouts advised them they were still a day's march away
from the Indian camp. They traveled on throughout the
day and reached their objective, having traveled for 38
days straight. The village was attacked the following
morning through a dense fog. During the two-hour
raging fight that ensued, Sul received two wounds, one
to his shoulder and another through his chest that exit-
ed his back between the shoulder blades. Major Van
Dorn was also wounded and four soldiers killed.
Seventy Comanches were killed and one white female
child captive recovered during the fight. Three hun-
dred horses were captured and 120 tepees and the
Indian's provisions burned.
Sul and Major Van Dorn arrived back at Fort
Belknap in an ambulance on Oct. 18, 1858, to recover
from their wounds. Not until Oct. 26th was Sul able to
make his return trip home to Waco. Although Sul had
no formal military training, he received recognition for
his heroic actions and courage during this battle that
would become known as the Fight at the Wichita
Village. He was offered a direct commission in the
regular army by Brig. Gen. Winfield Scott, but chose
instead to return to Wesleyan University to complete
his degree, which he did the following summer.
Despite the success of the Fight at the Wichita
Village during 1858, Indians continued to conduct
raids throughout 1859 along the Texas frontier. Due
to public pressure from settlers in North Texas, the
remnant tribes living on the two Texas reservations
on the upper Brazos were removed into Indian
Territory that year. Rather than lessen the Indian
threat, the relocation had the opposite effect by
removing the buffer the reservations had provided
and set the stage for even more Indian raids. Sul con-
tinued to heal from his wounds but became anxious
to remain involved in frontier defenses. Unable to
learn the identity of the young 8-year-old white girl
who had been recovered during the Wichita Village
fight, Sul adopted the girl and named her Lizzie Ross
in honor of his sweetheart, Lizzie Tinsley, to whom
he was engaged.
On March 17, 1860, Capt. Middleton T. Johnson of
Tarrant County was authorized by Gov. Sam Houston
to "raise a sufficient number of mounted rangers to
repel, pursue, and punish" Indians raiding along the
Texas frontier. Five companies of volunteers were
formed from McLennan, Dallas, Fannin, Collin, and
Tarrant counties. Sul joined the Waco company, led by
Capt. J. M. Smith, and was selected as a first lieuten-
ant. The company left Waco on April 23 and traveled
to Fort Belknap (Young County) where they were
joined by six other companies.
Sul was elected as captain of the Waco company of
Rangers after Smith was elevated in rank to lieutenant
colonel to command the regiment. As the regiment
was being organized, Ross suffered a chronic case of
bronchitis which left him bedridden for several days
and unable to take his place as leader of his company.
As he recovered, he became aware of local resentment
against him due to his father's reputation as Indian
agent on the nearby Brazos Reservation. Threats were
made on his life by local citizens and others including
John Baylor who fanned the flames of anti-Indian sen-
timents throughout the region.
It would not be until June 10 that the regiment final-
ly began an operation into Indian Territory in pursuit
of depredating Indians. Despite efforts to find and
attack Indians in their camps that threatened the Texas
frontier, little success was achieved. At one point,
Comanche and Kiowa Indians set fires to the vast prai-
ries between the Red and Arkansas rivers, making it
impossible for the force to pursue them. The whole
region became a charred landscape with little green
vegetation or forage for the horses. Ill once again, Sul
left his command and traveled to the Wichita Agency
near Fort Cobb for convalescence. With political pres-
sure on the home front against Gov. Houston for his
lack of ability to curb the Indian menace, Johnson's
regiment was disbanded on Aug. 26, 1860.
Once again, Gov. Sam Houston looked to Sul
Ross to help in the fight against marauding
Comanches that continued to raid the frontier. On
Sept. 11, 1860, he authorized Sul to raise a company
of 60 "mounted volunteers" to assemble at Fort
Belknap and defend the area from Indian raids. His
orders were to "guard the passes leading into the
country, and should Indians get into the settlements,
attack, and if possible, destroy them." The company
was put together during the first week of October
and arrived at Fort Belknap on the 17th. In Palo
Pinto on Oct. 13, 400 people had gathered for a bar-
becue to honor some local anti-Indian volunteers.
While there, 80 people signed a resolution "request-
ing Captain Sul Ross be relieved of his command
and leave the frontier." Resentment against Sul
stemmed from the fact that he was friendly with
many of the former reserve Indians who they
believed were responsible for the continuing raids in
the region. Nevertheless, Sul went about the busi-
ness of commanding his rangers at Fort Belknap and
establishing their presence by pursuing any Indians
that ventured into the region.
(To be continued. ...)
* * * * * * * *
Sources: Sul Ross: Soldier, Statesman, Educator by
Judith Ann Benner; Handbook of Texas Online and
other Internet sources.
Continued from page 12
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 15
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August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 16
H.H. McConnell
By WYNELLE CATLIN
I
n 1866, H.H. McConnell joined the army for duty
on the Texas frontier. According to his memoirs
in his book, Five Years a Cavalryman, when he
arrived in Jacksboro, in Jack County, it was a public
square surrounded by a few rickety cabins.
The soldiers were promptly put to work erecting bar-
racks on the square, which they did by standing logs
upright in trenches to make walls and roofing them
over.
Just as they were getting settled into their new bar-
racks, orders were received to abandon Jacksboro, with
part of the troops going to Fort Belknap in Young
County and part going to Buffalo Springs in Clay
County.
McConnell spent a short time at Belknap, then was
ordered to Buffalo Springs. He had to come back
through Jacksboro and when he got there the newly
erected barracks had been torn down and the logs used
by the Jacksboro residents.
The West Fork of the Trinity was between Jacksboro
and Buffalo Springs. Heavy rains had flooded it, mak-
ing it three miles wide and impassable. For several
days, he waited at Jacksboro with the only soldiers
there -- the mail detail, which was responsible for get-
ting mail back and forth to Weatherford. Though no
Indians had been seen in the vicinity for months, sol-
diers were not encouraged to travel through the coun-
tryside alone.
When the waters went down enough to cross the
Trinity, McConnell and the mail detail slogged through
dense, wet bottomland, fighting mosquitoes. To keep
them away from their faces, they made fans from low-
lying shrubbery.
At Buffalo Springs, which the War Department had
selected for a new four-company cavalry post, two
companies of troops were camped out in a grove near
the springs. Some 100 civilian employees, consisting
of quarrymen and stone masons, were preparing rock
for the buildings of a fort.
An hour or so after McConnell arrived, he was pro-
moted to sergeant. When the soldiers put together their
temporary quarters of six-man houses for themselves,
they made an extra nice one for him. It was the best
house on the post. It had a wooden floor, with con-
demned blankets for carpet. It had two windows and
canvas on the walls and was quite comfy. The fireplace
even possessed the quality of drawing, which very few
army chimneys exhibited.
The only thing missing was civilization. There were
the soldiers on the post and civilian workers in a camp
half-a-mile away, but not a single settler or family in
Clay County. Jacksboro, 26 miles to the south, had a
few residents. A small community was 23 miles to the
northeast on the road to Sherman, but nothing but pri-
mevial forest to the north and west.
Though there were no people, wildlife abounded.
Everywhere cattle ran as wild as the bountiful deer and
antelope. One old bull hung around near the post, and
ran a soldier up a tree, keeping him there for an after-
noon.
Buffalo roamed the prairies. Cottontail rabbits sprang
up before you at every step, as did jackrabbits, with
their long ears. One day, a burro was grazing
in a coulee with only his ears showing.
The soldiers told a new recruit that it
was a jackrabbit the recruit was
astounded at the size of rabbits
in Texas.
Wild turkeys were plentiful.
Every variety of game was
plentiful, except the grizzly,
and soldiers kept the kitch-
en supplied with fresh
meats.
Monotony was a con-
stant complaint of army
life at the time. There
were no chaplains, no reli-
gious services, no church-
going bell, not even a reli-
gious service for those who
drowned or otherwise passed
on.
Gambling was prohibited,
but overlooked by superiors.
Reading matter was scarce as very
little made it to camp. The few books
and papers that did were loaned about
until worn out.
Then, excitement was provided by
Indians the first encounter since
McConnell had been in Texas.
A 12-man detail with four mule teams driven by
civilians went to West Fork to cut timber. A party of
some 250 Indians charged the camp, killed the teamster
guarding the mules and drove them away.
The Major in command of the camp ordered all sol-
diers who had sufficient equipment to get ready to pur-
sue the Indians. It was 350 miles to the nearest supply
depot and there were never enough horses, saddle
equipment, arms or ammunition to properly outfit sol-
diers. But they managed to get together 60 serviceable
horses, three officers and 70 men.
That left 60 soldiers in camp, with enough arms and
ammo for 27. Preparations at the camp were made as
the Indians had probably gone on east on their raids
and would come back by.
Officers' families and laundresses were quartered in
the log forage house inside the corral where stray and
extra animals were placed.
All the wagons were placed end to end around the
fenced corral. Guards were doubled and lookouts
placed.
Two days later, the Indians returned, accompanied by
a large herd of stolen animals. The civilian workers
had come to the camp and the Indians probably think-
ing the large number of men present were
armed, were afraid to attack.
The Indians set up their camp nearby,
waiting two days for the horses and
mules to be turned out for water.
But they weren't.
On the third day, the major and
his detail returned. They hadn't
found the trail of the Indians,
so they had gone on to Fort
Belknap where the major
played poker with the offi-
cers there before marching
back to Buffalo Springs.
The Indians packed up and
left without adding to their
stolen herd.
The garrison was increased
to four companies and a stock-
ade of pickets with sharpened
tops was placed around the cor-
ral, should the Indians decide to
return.
After the heavy flooding in June, a
drought set in and there was no rain until
December.
With no rain, it became evident
the springs could not produce
enough water for four cavalry com-
panies. It was apparent there wasn't even enough water
for one company.
Sentinels were placed to prevent water being wasted
and a guard kept at the springs to insure no one
sneaked in and got more then their allotted one quart.
Animals were sent under strong guard to West Fork to
drink.
On Dec. 1, a board of officers came to camp and
verified the lack of water. Orders were given to aban-
don Buffalo Springs $100,000 had been spent there
and go to Jacksboro to erect Fort Richardson.
Most of the soldiers were moved there, but
McConnell and part of the troops stayed at Buffalo
Springs to close it down.
Next month, McConnell went to Fort Richardson,
where he finished his tour of duty and stayed to
become a citizen of Jacksboro.
g g
showing.
it that it
was
ts
l.
s very
w books
ned about
g g
armed, were afr
The Indian
waiting tw
mules to
But th
On
his
fou
so
B
p
c
b
le
st
to f
ade
tops
ral, sh
return.
After th
drought set i
December.
With n
H.H. McConnell
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 17
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August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 18
STORIES & SNIPPETS
Objectives Of Rotary Good
For Success In Business
Sunday, July 17, 1966 Mineral Wells Index
This series of pieces from the past is meant to remind us of this areas
unique history. The material comes from old issues maintained at the
Index office and is presented pretty much as it appeared in print. These
papers are quite yellowed and brittle, deteriorating from age. By publish-
ing these pieces perhaps we can keep them in play in the digital world
for years to come. For clarity, some punctuation issues have been
addressed. Hopefully you will enjoy these tiny windows to the past.
Feedback is appreciated and will be shared. E-mail [editor@mineral-
wellsindex.com] or send your letter to Mineral Wells Index, P.O. Box
370, Mineral Wells, Texas 76068, attention publisher. You may also drop
it by our office at 300 S.E. 1st. St. in Mineral Wells. Thanks for reading!
If we never do anything more than what we get paid for, never will
we get paid very much, Al Jarrell, District Manager of the Texas
Power & Light Co. told the Rotary Club Friday noon at the Baker
Hotel luncheon. He recently transferred his Rotary membership to
Mineral Wells from Mesquite, Texas.
The guest speaker took for his subject the Objectives of Rotary, to
encourage and foster the ideal of community service as a basis of
worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage high ethical stan-
dards in business... the advance of international understanding, and
peace through a world fellow ship of business and professional men
all united in the ideal of service.
He suggested that business and professional men use the Rotary
4-way Test as an example for their daily dealings with fellow business
men, employees and friends -- 1 is it the truth; 2--is it fair to all con-
cerned; 3-- will it build good will and better friendships; 4-- will it be
beneficial to all concerned?
To illustrated his effort to encourage good will among employees
and a fellow man, he recited the well known remarks of Daniel
Webster in an address many years ago: If we work upon marble it
will perish. If we work upon brass, time will efface it. If we rear tem-
ples, they will crumble into dust. But if we work upon mens immor-
tal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with the just fear of
God and love of their fellowmen, we engrave on those tablets some-
thing which no time can efface, and which will brighten and brighten
to all eternity.
He stated that the principals Rotary should tie in with any business
and suggested that Rotarians read these objectives over again and
practice them in their own business or profession, for they are the
basic idea of life, they will make one feel more important-- they will
encourage a better job today than was done in the past-- and better job
tomorrow than was done today. Go that extra mile and put forth 150
percent effort in the things you do for a better business and a better
Community, he suggested.
Speaker Jarrell emphasized out great American heritage, America
the greatest for life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the great free
enterprise system that has made this nation -- a place to live where a
man may go as high as his own potential will allow.
Reach for a star and if you fail to grab it, there is one thing sure,
you will not come up with a hand full of mud he stated in conclusion
of a very excellent talk on a better way of life, personal or community
wise. It was a most useful program, one that was received by the
Rotarians with much enthusiasms.
Don Mitchell, president, presided and the program chairman was
Grady Elder. Guests were Rev. C.H. Cole, of Weatherford, a former
pastor of the First Methodist Church in Mineral Wells and Bill
Bennett, local business man.
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 19
2103 E. Hubbard Mineral Wells, Texas 76067
940-327-0985
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A
Place
in Time
AUGUST 29, 1860
Palo Pinto County trail driver Oliver Loving and John Dawson start a 1,500-
head herd for Denver, Colo., to feed gold miners.
AUGUST 27,1856
Palo Pinto County is established from land formerly part of Bosque and Na-
varro counties.
AUGUST 18, 1857
Palo Pinto County Commissioners order a notice for bids to build the county's
rst courthouse in Golconda.
AUGUST 4, 1904
W.C. Poston and George C. Poston established Poston Dry Goods in downtown
Mineral Wells.
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 20
T
he land south of Authon was quiet and
peaceful in 1900. Thomas Taylor had
raised a family, built up a farm and
buried a wife.
His son, Byron, had married Effie Cox earlier
in the year and still lived with Thomas and his
two youngest children. Garner was west-south-
west. Franco Switch was southeast. Neighbors
helped each other. Strangers received hospitali-
ty. People saw most of their friends at church.
If you had not been to Fort Worth in a few
years it was not unusual. If you couldnt get it
in Weatherford or Mineral Wells, you could
order it and pick it up at the depot.
On one of those quiet and peaceful evenings
some men rode to the house and asked for a
place to spend the night. The house is full, but
you are welcome to sleep in the barn. Let Effie
cook a few more pans of cornbread and we will
feed you supper.
The next morning the leader of the group told
the Taylors that they were on their way to Fort
Worth to buy cattle and were carrying quite a
bit of cash for that purpose. He asked the
Taylors not to mention to any-
one that they were passing
through. They were afraid of
being robbed. They gave the
Taylors a $20 gold piece for the
food and lodging.
The men made their way to
Fort Worth, bought new clothes and, as a good
joke, had their portrait made at John Swartz
studio near Hells Half Acre. They bought the
photograph and mailed it to the bank they had
robbed in Winnemucca, Nev. They included a
note of thanks.
Another copy of the picture was placed in the
photographers front window as advertising. A
Pinkerton agent recognized the subjects of the
photograph a few days later and identified them
as Butch Cassidys Wild Bunch. The picture
was then broadly distributed to newspapers to
help catch Robert Leroy Parker and Harry
Longbaugh, aka Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid.
The Wild Bunch got their name from drink-
ing and dancing trips to The Strip south of
Fort Duchesne, Wyo. Apparently, they were
formidable and not to be opposed. They stole
cattle and horses, robbed trains and banks and
stayed ahead of the law by moving between
Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Nevada.
They hid in Texas, but did not rob here.
Longbaugh got his nickname from a stay in
the Sundance, Wyo., jail as a teenage horse
thief. He was plagued with excessive drinking
and venereal disease, but was quite good with a
rifle or pistol.
Cassidy was raised in a Mormon family, did
not drink alcohol and disliked gunplay. As a
young man, he worked in a butcher shop in
Rock Springs, Wyo., and picked up the nick-
name Butch.
The Wild Bunch established a signature pat-
tern for their train robberies. Passengers were
not robbed or molested. They used dynamite to
open express cars and safes. Fresh horses were
stationed in advance on their escape route,
enabling them to outrun any posse.
Butch and Sundance went to South America
to continue their criminal careers. With Cassidy
gone, the members of the Wild Bunch did not
fare well. Butch and Sundance probably met
their end in Bolivia. Will Carver was shot while
resisting arrest in Sonora in 1901. Harvey
Logan was killed in 1904 trying to rob a train
in Colorado. Ben Kilpatrick was killed in 1912
trying to rob a train in Texas. The express mes-
senger hit him on the head with an ice mallet.
It is a fun story that can be recounted by
many local descendants of Thomas Taylor
including Norma Jean Walker, who heard this
favorite tale told by her grandfather, Byron.
We have company
Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid lay low one night near Authon
By JIMMY WALKER
This photo, published in Time Life Books The Gunfighters, is
of The Wild Bunch, with Butch Cassidy seated at right. The
photograph was reportedly take in 1901 as a good joke. They
sent the photo to a bank in Nevada they had previously
robbed, with a note of thanks.
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 21
August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 22
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August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 23
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August 2014 NORTH TEXAS STAR Page 24

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