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Indian Raids

It has been estimated that more than 400 people were killed, scalped or carried away by Indians between 1853 and 1874.  This is an attempt to list those individuals. If two dates or different facts are listed, it is because accounts differ. If you know of others not listed here, please let me know.

Name.   When Notes
2 children July 26, 1863 captured at Mount Nebo Community, south of Weatherford
Servant of Mrs. John Brown Summer 1861 Killed and scalped but twin child of Mrs. Brown that she was caring for was spared
Akers, Hannah Summer 1863 captured in South Parker Co. with her cousin, Bill Wilson but  both were rescued in Palo Pinto Co. 4 days later
Barton, Margaret Maybury

winter 1865 Margaret Maybury Barton was the wife of Lemuel C. Barton and the mother of 2 small children at the time of her death at age 26. Margaret was inside the cabin fixing a meal for the children. Eyewitness accounts say that she burst out of the door carrying the two children, just about the time that her niece on the next property realized that the riders coming were Indians. Some of the Indians chased after Margaret and one caught her by her hair, holding her while another Indian loosed the arrow. She took an arrow through her left breast, near the heart, but did not drop her children when she fell to the ground. The rest of the group of Indians were busy ransacking the cabin and driving off the stock.
The niece who was about 15, ran back inside her family's cabin and dressed herself and mother in men's clothing, came out carrying 3 guns. Her younger brother was given one and the two ladies had the others. Vashti Barton and Carrie Reid Barton ran out to where Margaret lay, grabbed the two children and ran back to the cabin. Then, they went back out and dragged Margaret into their cabin. The oldest boy was whipped with a rope around the face and head and the skin was off of his nose. Margaret died about 2 hours later.
This is documented by the Indian Depredation case files from Washington, DC; by testimony of Vashti, Carrie and son Thomas, along with that of her husband, Lemuel who testified about her death and the damage/losses to his property during the raid. The family lived near Littlefield Bend along the Brazos River at the time of this raid and the death of Margaret. Information provided by Virginia Oakley.
Baxter, M.J. May 18, 1871 One of 7 teamsters killed by Kiowas led by Santanta; emloyed by Captain Henry Warren of Weatherford
Berry, Robert Wilson Sept 1864 killed in Smith Valley while loading pumpkins.

The following informaiton was provided by Emma Cronin.
 He was born abt 1826 in Alabama and married on 2 Sept. 1848 in Hopkins Co., Texas to Meda Odom. Meda Odom was born abt 1833 in Tennessee. This family is in the 1850 census of Hopkins Co., Texas.

Robert Wilson Berry served in the Civil War - Co. F, 19th Texas Calvary. His death was talked about in "Historical Sketches of Parker County And Weatherford, Texas" by H. Smythe. on pgs. 187-188.

Meda Odom was the daughter of Ollen & Mary Odom who moved to Hopkins Co., Texas around 1850 from Tennessee. Then then moved to Parker Co., and are there in the 1860 census.

Blackwell, Hugh O. abt Sept 1864 killed while returning home from Jacksboro near his home on Rock Creek:  sometimes called Upton O. Blackwell
Blackwell, Children abt 1860 one child captured from home of Hugh Blackwell, recovered at Fort Cobb, Indian Territory; 2nd child was killed several miles west of Weatherford
Blackwell, Fremont Oct 1866 7 yrs old; captured by Indians with his cousin, 6 yr old Tommy Sullivan who was killed; Fremont was later rescued. (Per information suppplied by BKB = "According to Benjamin Blackwell (WPA's Indian-Pioneer Oral History-vol.8, pp.307-328 &/or vol.72, pp. 296-314) Tom Sullivan and cousin Fremont Blackwell were returned to Granny Perry in Collin county, TX. Ben, wife, mother, Tom Sullivan, George Sistrunk and Mr. L. Perry left on March 16,1886 for "NO MAN'S LAND" (Okla.) following the "Old Dodge City Trail"and crossed the Red River at Doan's store by Timber Creek following the Tuttle Trail to Beaver City, Greer County. Ben's older brother, Joel, my GGF-5, was a Texas Ranger in Jack County, TX")
Blackwell, Joe Oct 1866 10 yrs old; wounded when his brother and cousin were captured by Indians
Bowman, Jessie May 18, 1871 One of 7 teamsters killed by Kiowas led by Santanta; emloyed by Captain Henry Warren of Weatherford
Brown, Mrs. F.C. early in 1863 killed in her yard same day not far from the Hamiltons. - 16 year old daughter, Sarah died and 14 year old daughter wounded
Brown, John Dec. 1859 near present Bethesda Community; eleven miles from Weatherford
Brown, Sarah early in 1863 killed at same time as mother, Mrs. F.C. Brown
Browning, Frank June 1860 seriously wounded
Browning, Josephus June 1860 killed by Comanches while brother, Frank was seriously wounded
Briscoe, Isaac
and wife
1862 or 1863 or late spring of 1866 killed at home near Goshen church on Walnut Creek; Eliza (10 yrs old), Isaac (3 yrs old), and a younger sister were taken captive.  Isaac and his wife were buried together in a single grave in Goshen Cemetery. Eliza and Isaac were traded to the sutler at Fort Dodge, Kansas 2 years later.
Cathey, Martin July 4, 1872 killed with Jackson Hale while going to one of the mills at Weatherford
Cranfill, Linn Boyd April 23, 1871 15 yrs old; son of Isom Cranill, shot and killed by indians while looking after the horses early one morning. His sister was able to raise the alarm quickly enough to prevent him from being scalped
Culwell, Jack March 1886 Wounded at same time was John McMahan and Sam Leonard; buried in Goshen Cemetery
Dalton, Marcus L. Dec 16, 1870 Northwestern portion of Parker Co. killed with him were James Redfield and James McAster -Account of Attack
Earnest, Fine July 1869 received an arrow wound in the wrist while  fighting Indians that killed John Lopp
Elliott, James S. May 18, 1871 One of 7 teamsters killed by Kiowas led by Santanta; emloyed by Captain Henry Warren of Weatherford
Elliott, Samuel May 18, 1871 One of 7 teamsters killed by Kiowas led by Santanta; emloyed by Captain Henry Warren of Weatherford
Fulton, Diana Aug 1866 age 10, captured with Wilson boy; rescued in starving condition abt 4 days later by Capt. Marthell's company.
Gorman, A.J. July 1867 killed on Rock Creek, only home for one month from the Confederate Army
Hale, Jackson July 4, 1872 killed with Martin Cathey while going to one of the mills at Weatherford
Hamilton, Stewart early in 1863 pierced with Indian arrows with brother, William near home on Patrick's Creek
Harmilton, William early in 1863 pierced with Indian arrows with brother, Stewart, near home on Patrick's Creek
Hemphill, Joe July 1874 killed and scalped while patrolling Parker and Wise Counties lines; buried in Veal Station Cemetery
Landrum, Thomas March 14, 1872 Killed in front of Fuller Millsap's residence; the Indians were run off by Mr. Millsap and Joseph B. Loving
Lassiter, Green early in 1871 killed by Indians near Keechi, Keechi Valley is in Jack and Palo Pinto county as it makes its way down south. But the Lasaters lived in Lasater Valley not far from Barton's Chapel and close to Palo Pinto county. Location clarification submitted by Dorman Holub. 
Leeper, John Fall 1867 An old man killed while gathering corn near the home of his brother-in-law
Leonard, Sam March 1866 Wounded in the raid Jack Culwell was killed
Light, William Mrs. July 1868 killed with husband and baby son, two sons and daughter survived; Mrs. Mary Light was the daughter of Judge R.E. Porter, who helped organize the city of Weatherford.
killed 7/4/1868 buried Porter Cemetery
Light, William G. July 1868 killed with wife, Mary, and baby son, two sons and daughter survived
10/10/1847- 7/4/1868 buried Porter Cemetery
Long, Nathaniel S. May 18, 1871 One of 7 teamsters killed by Kiowas led by Santanta; emloyed by Captain Henry Warren of Weatherford; wagon master of the train attacked
Long 1865 a neighbor of Vernons, killed in same raid as Andrew Vernon
Lopp, John July 1869 shot 62 times by Indians - another account of the attack
Lyttleton, daughter Fall 1865 Shot by Indians in the leg breaking it while she was forcing the door closed at her home
Maxwell, Henry abt Sept. 1864 killed on Onion Branch near the Brazos
McAster, James Dec 16, 1870 Northwestern portion of Parker Co. killed with him were James Redfield and Marcus Dalton - Account of Attack
McMahan, John March 1886 Wounded in raid Jack Culwell was killed
McClesky, George W. August 1873 killed while talking to his father-in-law, John Baumgarner in his yard
McKinney, James
wife, Cynthia Brisco
6 yr old daughter  & infant
Spring 1865 Killed by indians about 2 miles east of the present site of Agnes, near a spring known as "Jenkins Water".  Their 3 year old son, Joe  survived.  All 4 are buried in a single grave in the Goshen Cemetery.
Montgomery, John 1863

Resided north west of Springtown near the Wise county line.
Biography

A detailed account of the Indian attack is found in "Pioneer History of Wise County: From Red Men to Railroads, Twenty years of Intrepid History", by Cliff Donahue Cates, Decatur, Texas 1907:
     "No single exciting act culled from the scenes of the most realistic drama could be more thrilling than the following true occurrence, which the writer attempts to describe in language befitting the occasion. Pioneer citizen J.B. Thomas' farm lay over the line of Parker and Wise Counties in the community of which the present village of Opal is the center. On November 3, 1866, threshing was in progress on this farm, the merry hum of the machine and the occasional shouts of the workers, being the only noises to break the stillness.  J.B. Thomas and his son, Soney Thomas, were on the stack pitching bundles to the feeder when they happened to glance across the field to  see six Indians stealthily lay down the fence, come inside and approach the horses which the men had turned loose to graze in the field. Thomas and his son immediately gave the alarm and the elder Thomas slid off the stack, grasped the pistol of Jack Gore, one of the helpers, and started toward the Indians afoot.  The other men quickly mounted horses about the thresher and set off after the Indians, who had by this time driven the horses through the gap in the fence.  Those in pursuit were Jack and Andy Gore, Brice Mann, John and Bill Mathews, Soney Thomas and the latter's father.  After passing through the gap the horses set out for J.B. Thomas' home, a distance of three-quarters of a mile, the Indians pursuing and the men dashimg after the Indians.  In order to reach the house the horses traversed a circuitous route, and the Indians, in maneuvering to head off their course, worked around so far in the rear as to come up some distance behind the men.  The latter were still going in the direction of the house when they came upon Uncle Johnnie Montgomery, an aged citizen of Parker County, to whom they quickly explained the object of their haste, imploring him to join them and ride to the house for safety.  Uncle Johnnie was seventy-five years of age and was mounted on a very fine horse which he had just taken off the grass.  Apparently he was more conscious of the danger of running his horse than he was of danger to himself from Indian attack.  Anyhow, he refused to accelerate his speed and jogged on toward the house alone.  In a twinkling the Indians were upon him, shooting and yelling and brandishing arms.  Uncle Johnnie now set off rapidly toward the house, but he had made the start too late.  He was shot through the back, the ball penetrating the heart.  His horse dashed up to the yard gate and the rider reeled and fell dead at the fence.  The horses had reached the lot, but when the men and Indians ran up, which was about the same time, they took fright and ran away again. The Indians, seeing them leave, followed and succeeded after all in capturing them.  The men were occupied with the dead man who had fallan at their feet.  This all hapened in less time than it takes to tell it. The men could have doubtless done more effective work if the successive movements had not been so quick and electrical.  As it was, they were flushed out of a quiet scene and on to a swift and tragic climax before their senses could be roused to proper action."
Information provided by: George M. Montgomery

 

Mullins, John May 18, 1871 One of 7 teamsters killed by Kiowas led by Santanta; employed by Captain Henry Warren of Weatherford
Redfield, James Dec 16, 1870 Northwestern portion of Parker Co. killed with him were Marcus Dalton and James McAster - Account of Attack
Reynolds, Buck 1865 shot a few miles from Mr. Long in same raid; carried a steel-spiked arrow in his body from which he died later. Per Joel Neil, the attack occurred in Wise County, near Paradise and Sylvestes "Buck" Reynolds actually lived some twenty years after the attack. Buck was also a cousin to B.F. Reynolds, the first white child born in Parker Co.
Rippley, Edward & wife, April 1869 killed near home (Rock Creek) by Comanches
Saunders   a young man killed northeast of Springtown; Polk & John Matthews were wounded at the same time but recovered 
Savage, Bolin
& Children
July 1863 or Nov 1866 killed on his farm, 4 miles southwest of Weatherford
one son killed and 2 children captured; 8 year old was ransomed for a pony in 1868 at Fort Sill
Savage, James
 & Children
July 1863 or Nov 1866 killed on his farm, 5 miles southwest of Weatherford
2 children captured
Sherman, Martha Dec. 1859 tortured near the Parker-Palo Pinto county line; died 4 days later
Sullivan, Robert Harvey Oct 1866 13 yrs old; wounded when his brother and cousin were captured by Indians
Sullivan, Thomas Oct 1866 6 yrs old; captured by Indians with his cousin, 7 yr old Fremont Blackwell (See note on Fremont Blackwell)
Tinnell, William July 4, 1869 a wagoner shot and scalped; died a week later at home of  John Kaufman-account of attack
Vernon, Andrew Aug 1865 age 7, killed, shot with several arrows
Vernon, Frances Aug 1865 age 14, shot in the back and arm
Vernon, Thomas Aug 1865 age  9, shot in side and shoulder and speared
Walsh, George & Robert 1864 Robert, the oldest brother, was killed and George wounded by hostile Indians near Weatherford in 1864. Not many details are known however the family still owns the arrow heads that were taken from George Washington Walsh's body. George survived but carried the scars until his death as an old man. Information submitted by Beth Covey.
Welch, daughter Fall 1864 One daughter was killed, another wounded while going to the Alexanders, a mile away for a jug of vinegar , Mr. Alexander's daughter was nearly captured but the Indians were scared away by her mother. - On Clear Fork - 14 miles north of town.
Williams, James W. May 18, 1871 One of 7 teamsters killed by Kiowas led by Santanta; emloyed by Captain Henry Warren of Weatherford
Wilson, boy Jan. 1861 age 12, captured with Diana Fulton; rescued in starving condition abt 4 days later by Capt. Marthell's company.
Wilson, Bill Summer 1863 Captured in South Parker Co. but rescued after 4 days with his cousin, Hannah Akers in Palo Pinto Co.
Woods, Mrs. Jan. 1861 killed and scalped; two sisters, the Misses Lemley were seriously injured at the same time.
Youngblood, William Spring 1861 killed and scalped while in woods near home to cut and split rails; scalp was recovered by Rangers and placed back on his head before burial

The Ghost of Cross Timbers website offers a unique way to learn about the Indian Troubles in Texas. Many of the stories are directly related to Parker County. I have provided links above to some of the specific individuals mentioned, but the whole web site is fascinating reading.

This list of individuals was compiled from researchers and several books about Parker County including:

Grace, Jno. S. And R.B. Jones. A New History of Paker County, Weatherford Democrat, 1906; reprint ed, Taylor Publishing Company, 1987.

Marshall, Doyle. A Cry Unheard, The Story of Indian Attacks In And Around Parker County, Texas, Annetta Valley Farm Press, 1990.

Smythe, H. Historical Sketch of Parker County and Weatherford, Texas, St. Louis: C. Lavat Book and Job Printers, 1877; reprint ed., Waco, TX.: W.M.Morrison, 1973.

If a name does not have a source listed, it came from one of the above books. Many that are attributed to a researcher were also mentioned in one or more of the above books, however the researcher was able to fill in more details.

This page was added on February 24, 2003

 
County of Month Award January 2001 

10 year County Coordinator Award

© 1997 -2011 Lela Evans
Last Updated on February 4, 2011
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