[The following is an exact copy of a pamphlet published at Corpus Christi shortly after the depredations of the Mexicans and Indians with which it deals occurred. It was kindly furnished by Mr. Leopold Morris, of Corpus Christi. The pamphlet was prepared with the purpose of representing to the State and United States authorities and to the country at large the existing condition of affairs on the Texas frontier, and with the hope that better protection might be secured for the future. It contains reports of the citizens' meetings held at the time, affidavits of eye witnesses of the atrocities incident to the raid, a graphic account of it based upon these depositions, and an impassioned, though dignified, appeal for protection. Copies of the pamphlet were ordered sent to the government officials and to the leading journals of the country. It is now exceedingly rare.—Editor Quarterly.]
Hon. William M. Evarts, Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C.
Sir:We, the citizens of a district of country between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande, in the State of Texas, one of the United States of America, through a committee duly selected and appointed by us, as hereinafter set forth by the proceedings of our meetings, consisting of the Hon. Joseph Fitzsimmons, county judge of Nueces county, chairman; Hon. John C. Russell, judge of the district court of the 25th Judicial District of the State of Texas; Hon. John M. Moore, mayor of the city of Corpus Christi; Capt. John J. Dix, and Capt. H. W. Berry, members, together with Wm. H. Maltby, secretary, and Edward Buckley, Esq.; Col. Nelson Plato and Wm. Headen as corresponding secretaries—selected with a view to the commendatory character of their official stations—beg to address you as the Chief of State of this great nation—a Statesman in whom we have confidence—and through you to speak to His Excellency the President, to Congress, and through all to appeal to the warm and sympathetic hearts of our countrymen.
We are a peaceful, law-abiding and industrious people. We have come hither from the West, East, North and South to occupy this wilderness of verdure. We peacefully follow our flocks and herds which roam over the wide-spreading savannas, through the lovely valleys, across the hills, or scatter far over the great expanses of our grander prairies.
Our homes are far apart. Ten and twenty and fifty miles often intervene between our houses. Again, where streams flow or where permanent water is abundant, the ranchos or dwellings are nearer, but seldom, indeed, in sight.
We have been greatly exposed. We have overcome many difficulties. We have prospered. We hoped to give advantages to our children that have been denied to ourselves. We had in view that they should become more useful in society, more honorable and distinguished in our country, and prove our support and crown of rejoicing in our old age.
The acmes of our expectations often have almost been reached, and then the labors of years have been swept from us as with a fury of a hurricane, and many precious lives ruthlessly sacrificed to sate the hate of the remorseless Mexican bandit, as well as to gratify his hellish greed and that of his allies, the Indian brutes whom he gives a shelter and a home in the mountain fastnesses near Santa Rosa, in the State of Cohahuila, Republic of Mexico, from whence, jointly—the Indian and Mexican murderers—make rapid, and owing to intervals determined by malicious and malignant judiciousness, often unexpected raids upon our widely separated homes. They scatter our sheep far and wide, leaving them for weeks a prey to wild beasts because their shepherds have been driven off or killed. They destroy our sheep camps. They plunder our houses. They drive off our horses; yet these all might be endured until eventually overcome, were it not for the more fearful horrors which attend them. They kill and then horribly mutilate all whom they encounter, old and young, men and women and prattling children and smiling babes. Our houses are filled with sorrow, and our hearts with gloom; our hopes, so fondly cherished are blasted forever, and life's anticipations are shrouded in the darkest night.
Without adequate proofs it would be deemed incredible that such incursions—without provocation—could occur; that such incarnate fiends could be nursed and fondled and protected by a neighboring Republic at peace with us; that such raids have been made and none of the human blood-hounds brought to justice, nor the country to which they fled for shelter made to give them up.
Yet, sir, these are facts. Such incursions have and do occur, and without provocation. These fiends, to say: Kickapoo, Lipan and Seminole Indians joined with Mexican thieves and cutthroats—doubtless at times instigated by the prospective petty chiefs, who require horses for another revolution that it is expected will elevate them to authority—aided, too, by some white outlaws, are to-day to be found in the vicinity of Santa Rosa, Republic of Mexico, protected, fondled and nursed by the Mexican government. The lower strata of the Mexican commonality who never have been satisfied since the revolt of Texas and its annexation to the United States, gloat over the fact and roll it as a sweet morsel under tongues, that these vandals compose the besom of destruction which sweeps ever and anon, the Texas frontier and desolates the homes of the hated “Americanos.” It has never occurred that by due process of law any of these marauding villains have been brought to justice. Mexico has never had any of them arrested; has never taken steps to give them up.
We make these statements, sir, of facts to you, to the President, to Congress and to the country. We ask: “Shall such fearful outrages be tolerated?” Nay, more, we herewith present to you the history of a recent raid made during the full moon of April last. It is succinctly compiled from affidavits of eye-witnesses, and the raid from the beginning to the ending is portrayed—seriatim—by these sworn statements duly authenticated before lawful officers of the Government under their seals. Of necessity the testimony is ex parte, yet we feel, under the circumstances, on this account it will lose none of its weight with you, with the President, with Congress or with the country.
We call upon you, therefore, as a statesman of a great and just nation, to avenge our dead, to punish the criminals and insure our protection in the future. We know there are malcontents who seek to stir up strife. We are not of these. Were we such, our bitter burning wrongs are sufficient to drive us to desperation now. We know, too, that florid language and intense expression are used for political purposes and partisan ends, but we can not emphasize our language or intensify our expressions with the force they require. Horresco Referens may be joined to every sentence and spread as a pall upon the whole. Our cry is for justice. Mexico should make atonement and her savages should be expelled.
Actuated, sir, by the grievousness of our sufferings, we have gone deliberately to work at this matter. We have gathered sufficient evidence to establish our statements and to support and commend our appeal. We submit all herewith, inclusive of the original documents, which we deem best to lodge with the Department of State for use and reference. The simple tale of each affidavit rivets the truth of the fearful narrative and forces a just conviction. These are furthermore corroborated and confirmed by the official reports of the Commanders of the Military Posts, doubtless, of this district of country. These, we know are at your command through the proper channel of the War Department or through the esteemed Military Chief Commander of Texas, Gen. Ord.
To the history of the raid we have deemed it advisable to add a list of the killed and wounded and a map 100 of the country traversed. The whole is anxiously, and with great confidence, entrusted to your care. We rely upon your integrity, position and ability. We have faith that our appeal to the President and to Congress will be heard. We confide in the warm hearts of our countrymen, believing that our cry shall not come before them in vain, and that you, as their honored Chief of State, will redress our grievous wrongs.
We are, sir, with expressions and feelings of high esteem and regard, most respectfully your obedient servants,
(Signed:) JOSEPH FITZSIMMONS, County Judge Nueces Co., Tex., Chairman. JOHN C. RUSSELL, Judge 25th Judicial District. JOHN M. MOORE, Mayor City of Corpus Christi, Texas. H. W. BERRY, Ex-Sheriff Nueces County, Texas. JOHN J. DIX, County Surveyor Duval County, Texas. Wm. H. Maltby, Secretary. Corresponding Secretaries. Edward Buckley, Nelson Plato, William Headen,
On Sunday, the 14th day of April, 1878, three days ere the moon had reached the full, a band of Mexicans, Indians and—from the testimony—a white man or two, crossed the Rio Grande from the State of Coahuila, in Mexico, and invaded Webb County, in the State of Texas—according to the testimony of Mr. Peter Steffian—at a crossing of the Rio Grande, near the foot of “Apache Hill,” about forty-five miles north of the City of Laredo and the Government Post, Fort McIntosh.
These invaders, according to the affidavit of Capt. E. N. Gray, of Concepcion, Duval County, Texas, are declared to be Kickapoo, Lipan and Seminole Indians, Mexicans and a white man. Their objects were murder and plunder. This declaration is supported by others in the accompanying sworn statements hereto appended.
Their first acts were the killing of two “vacqueros” (cow herders), in the employment of two well-known residents of Webb County, to say: Prospero Guerra, and Justo Guerra. This killing was done in the vicinity of “Apache Hill,” on the day of their entrance, to say: April 14th, 1878.
From this point they took the main road which meanders down the Rio Grande, following its curves and bends, in the direction of Laredo—southeast—and about dusk on the same day they killed Jorge Garcia, within hearing of his wife and friends, at his own rancho, about forty-five miles northwest of Laredo. His wounds were two rifle-ball shots and stabs of a lance. An arrow was found near by him. His “chivarras,” i. e., goat-skin leggins, his horse, saddle, etc., were stolen, and also his drove of gentle saddle-horses, fastened near, were seized and driven off. His cry: “No mi matan!” i. e., “Don't kill me!” was wasted on the air. None, if the savages could prevent, should live to tell of their presence in the country. They resumed their course down the Rio Grande until within fourteen miles of Laredo. Deeming this too dangerously near to the Government Post, Fort McIntosh, they changed their route, making an acute angle, and moved north-eastward towards the Nueces River, passing by the ranchos, i. e., dwellings and circumjacent lands, in the vicinity of Dr. Henry Spohn's where they stole a sufficiency of horses to mount all their party.
Here, it appears from the testimony of Dr. Henry Spohn, began the rapid subdivision and the quick concentrations of this corps, trained from youth to skillful manoeuvering as the sine qua non of a predatory party. Simultaneously, and as if endued with ubiquity, they appeared at almost all the ranchos in this vicinity. They selected the best horses and were then prepared for the raid. Their organization was perfect. They divided into minor parties and devastated in a wide sweep and again reunited at a signal, or by agreement, for consultation or defense. Hence, the accounts of those who saw the raiders at different localities conflict as to the number of the marauders. At this time they were near the Rancho de los Machos, in Webb County, and were estimated to be from thirty to forty strong. At this locality they wounded Tomas Solis with two pistol balls and an arrow. Dr. Spohn attended him and sent a small party to watch the raiders. This party followed them to Ft. Ewell, in La Salle County, formerly a Government Post, on the Nueces River.
Since leaving the Rio Grande, this predatory corps of cut-throats had traveled sixty miles in an air line. The verdure of the Spring had clothed the earth with grass; shrubs, bushes, and trees were dressed in foliage; the water ponds were filled; the people, in the main, were busy shearing their flocks. The time was demoniacally selected as propitious for such fell work. Few were abroad to note the progress of these raiders. The grass gave them abundant provender, and water, lately fallen, refreshed them everywhere. During the day the fruitful umbrage of the newly leaved trees screened them from observation, and the growing moon lighted their way by night. The party sent out by Dr. Spohn feared to make an attack and only gave the news of their departure to Ft. Ewell. The marauders then roamed over the country at will.
From Ft. Ewell they followed the sharp bend which the Nueces River makes towards the east, in La Salle County, and then turns to the northward in McMullen County, and on the 17th of April at nine A. M., reached Wm. H. Steele's rancho—Palo Alto, i. e., High Tree—having traveled a distance of fifteen miles from Fort Ewell. From the testimony of Steele, Hart, Moore and Mrs. W. H. Steele—at that time Mrs. Taylor—we gather the facts of their operations. It is noted that they had a large drove of horses. These they gathered on the 15th and 16th, in Webb and La Salle counties, since leaving the Rio Grande. In addition to bows and arrows it was found that they were well armed with rifles and pistols—doubtless, in the main, stolen from men whom they murdered en route, though it is clear they brought some arms into the country with them.
The entire band seems to have converged at this place. It has long been one of the chief objective points for the concentration of Indians when on frontier raids. Their exits are made, generally, from this vicinity, whether they take an upper or a lower line of departure. There should be—and this is the voice of all all our people—a Post here and a company of cavalry ready for instant service.
Here, again, they were counted, and numbered about forty men. They were fiendishly exultant, and unrepressed in their demonstrations of hellish joy. At Steele's rancho they held high carnival. They killed John Steele, a devoutly pious man, who deemed it wrong to carry arms. Mrs. Steele's two children, named Richard and George Taylor, and aged, respectively, eight and twelve years, were at first supposed to have been captured and carried off, but ere long were found murdered and their forms horribly mangled and mutilated with knives. Here, too, they killed Martin Martinez and Florentine Leo, and dangerously wounded Venturo Rodriguez with a rifle ball and eight arrows. In the midst of this, for their savage delectation, they stripped two Mexicans naked and compelled them to run foot races before them. Meantime Mrs. Taylor, with wonderful coolness and motherly affection, waded across the river and escaped with her children.
They were determined, by those who saw them here, to be Mexicans and Indians on a plundering expedition, murdering and stealing horses, arms, money, clothes, camp equipage, blankets, etc., from all the ranchos contiguous to this point.
The intensely interesting statement of Mr. E. C. Moore gives an unvarnished account of the cruel hatred of the savages, the fiendishness of a white leader, the gallant defence and heroic death of Mr. Moore's companion and his own miraculous escape. The boys, cousins, having quietly resumed their journey, saw in the distance a cloud of dust which they judged to be raised by a whirlwind, but it was, in reality, a cloud of dust raised by a vast drove of horses which they had no suspicion was driven by Indians and their Mexican confreres. They met the vanguard of the party and, though not without apprehension as to who they were, yet, deemed them cow drivers. They fought retreating and one fell. He was the hope of a fond father. The affections of loving sisters centered in him. Alas! he left them in the wilds of San Ygnacio, on the edge of the Nueces Valley, only a grave, and the rude inscription of his untimely death.
From Ft. Ewell the main course of the raiders was about southeast, and continued in that direction to the Toribio Rancho, about four miles beyond Brown's rancho, thirty-six miles from Ft. Ewell, in Duval County, not far from the line of McMullen, and about twelve miles from the Nueces River. In this vicinity they killed Vicente Robeldo, the chief shepherd of T. W. Gillette, and they stole or destroyed everything. One witness says that he lost four hundred dollars' worth from his camp alone. They wounded, and supposed they had killed, Tomas Tunega. Here they changed their course, and came to the Rancho Solidad, in Duval County, about noon on the 18th. At this point they were but thirty miles from San Diego, in Nueces County, at which town a company of U. S. cavalry had arrived.
At the Rancho Solidad they killed Guadalupe Basan, and gathered all the horse stock in the neighborhood. Soon afterwards they killed a shepherd and his wife. Their deaths are clearly reported by a little child. Their bodies were tied together, dead, and swung upon a horse, and which was turned loose. Their bodies have not yet been found. Subsequently they attacked Capt. Richard Jordan's rancho, called Charco Escondido, i. e., hidden pond, and at five o'clock in the evening they killed his son, John Jordan, an excellent and exceedingly promising young man, just coming of age. But a short time previously he had written to his fond mother and sister that “if God spared his life he would visit them soon.” He, however, lived not to return, but, with his friend, Antonio Valdez, fell and died on his father's place. He is not, for life's cord was rudely snapped; but he sleeps the sleep of the good and the just.
Mr. Frank Gravis resides in this vicinity. He was notified by his neighbors, and with great promptitude, busily moved here and there to assist to spread the alarm and to gather a party to follow the raiders. From the Muñoz Rancho, at the request of Capt. Jordan, about sunset, he sent a courier to the commanding officer of the U. S. troops at San Diego, through Judge James O. Luby, the County Judge. With his small party, on the night of the 18th, he slept upon the trail, near Charco Escondido. The Mexicans and Indians lay close to him. From this point, early in the morning, he sent a second dispatch to the commanding officer at San Diego, stating which way the trail had gone. He took it at daylight, following with the jaded horses of the evening previous, which had served to bring his party together. The raiders met Margarito Rodriguez about ten miles west of Charco Escondido, and mortally wounded him. From him Gravis learned that a white man lead the party, but whether an American or a Mexican he could not tell. This was early on the morning of the 19th, and in Encinal County. The Indians drove a large herd of horses before them.
From Fort Ewell it was noted that they had their advance, center and rear guard. Many were identified as Kickapoo Indians. Again they divided into minor parties. One of these stopped a cart, destroyed its contents and stripped its drivers—two boys—naked. This party, immediately after, attacked a wagon train, and, though reinforced by another, were driven off after killing a mule. Near here they shot and killed a shepherd and cast his body upon the live coals of his camp fire. Mr. Gravis hotly continued the pursuit, and from about that point sent a courier to the commanding officer of the U. S. troops at Fort McIntosh, Laredo. The raiders, in small parties, now swept across the country and carried off all the desirable horses in their way.
On the evening of the 19th, Mr. Gravis overtook the main body—again concentrated—as they converged together upon entering Webb County to cross the Rio Grande, distant then, about eighteen miles. They had been in the country six days. Once had they been within fourteen miles of Fort McIntosh; again they approached within twenty miles of it. They had passed with thirty miles of the U. S. cavalry at San Diego, and at no time during these six days had they been over sixty miles from a U. S. Government Post. Yet such is the extended character and sparsely settled condition of this district that such occurrences do take place and escape the notice of the military.
Gravis charged gallantly. The prompt and daring reception which the Indians gave him frightened his Mexican allies and they retired. He continued the skirmish, but a reinforcement to the raiders compelled him to withdraw to the timber to prevent being surrounded and cut off. The raiders did not continue to follow, but pressed in hot haste to the Rio Grande, and strewed their trail with the clothing previously plundered on the route.
Gravis had a wonderful race. More than a hundred miles had he ridden since he began to summon his party, twenty-four hours before. Such races are run and many heroic deeds performed by little parties such as his, and not much notice is taken of them.
He waited patiently next day for assistance from Laredo. Some of his men reviewed the locality of the skirmish, and found several of the Indians' horses dead. Mr. Gravis saw the “cavallada,” i. e., drove of horses, and judged it to number from one hundred and fifty to two hundred head. These were the choice horses of the country, for the weak and worthless fell by the way. During his return, on the 20th, he heard from parties from the neighboring ranchos, who joined him on the trail, of many whom the raiders killed, but he has not mentioned their names.
The whole party, in tact, it seems, crossed the Rio Grande on the night of the 19th of April, twenty-five miles south of Laredo, in Webb County, at the Rancho Dolores, not far from the Zapata County line. They improvised rafts of a dry wood called “tarrai,” on which to float over their plunder, yet left provisions, clothing and moccasins on the river's bank. Here it appears from Mr. Blücher's affidavit, they were again counted and numbered forty men. They were well armed with Spencer and Remington rifles, and their drove of extra horses certainly numbered one hundred head.
Though Mr. Gravis' courier was sent to Laredo on the 19th, no movement took place from that point until four P. M., on the 20th. Such is the want of preparation, of instant readiness, which is absolutely necessary in this country for the defense of the people.
This is but a brief résumé of the evidence, coupled with some other known facts, and reduced to a crude narrative. The force and pith of the matter are found in, and touchingly stated by, the respective affidavits, and to these, in conclusion, we now refer.
THE KILLED.
2.Two vacqueros in the employ of Justo Guerra and Prospero Guerra, at “Apache Hill,” Webb County, on April 14th, 1878.
3.Jorge Garcia, near his rancho, Webb County, at dusk, April 14th 1878.
4.A Shepherd of Don Jesus Ramirez, at the Rancho Cerrito Prieto, Webb County, April 15th, 1878.
5.John Steele, at the Rancho Palo Alto, La Salle County, nine A. M., April 17th, 1878.
6.Richard Taylor, aged twelve years, at the Rancho Palo Alto, La Salle County, nine A. M., April 17th, 1878.
7.George Taylor, aged eight years, at the Rancho Palo Alto, La Salle County, nine A. M., April 17th, 1878.
8.Martin Martinez, at the Rancho Palo Alto, La Salle County, nine A. M., April 17th, 1878.
9.Florenzo Leo, at the Rancho Palo Alto, La Salle County, nine A. M., April 17th, 1878.
10.Frederick B. Moore, San Ygnacio, McMullen County, near the line of Duval, three P. M., April 17th, 1878.
11.Vicente Robeldo, Gillette's head shepherd, near Brown's rancho, Duval County, four P. M., April 17th, 1878.
12.Guadalupe Basan, Rancho Solidad, Duval County, twelve M., April 18th, 1878.
14.A Mexican shepherd and his wife, shot, tied together and thrown across a horse, near the Solidad Rancho, Duval County, afternoon, April 18th, 1878.
15.John Jordan, Charco Escondido, Duval County, five P. M., April 18th, 1878.
16.Antonio Valdez, Charco Escondido, Duval County, five P. M., April 18th, 1878.
17.Margarito Rodriguez, ten miles west of Charco Escondido, Encinal County, six A. M., April 19th, 1878.
18.José Ma. Canales, at Quijotes Gordos, twelve M., April 19th, 1878. They threw his body upon his camp fire and his lower extremities were consumed.
Others killed in the “range,” reported by W. H. Steele.
Others killed, of whom J. W. Hart “had heard.”
Others killed, of whom F. Gravis makes mention on his return.
THE WOUNDED.
Tomas Solis, who was attended by Dr. Henry Spohn.
Venturo Rodriguez, at the Rancho Palo Alto.
Tomas Zunega, at Brown's rancho, Duval and McMullen Counties.
Two wounded men met by F. Gravis, April 21st.
BY PETER STEFFIAN.
The State of Texas, County of Nueces.
Before me, Joseph Fitzsimmons, Judge of the County Court in and for said Nueces County, personally appeared Peter Steffian, a resident of the town of Laredo, in Webb County, but now in Corpus Christi, temporarily, on business—who, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says as follows:
My name in Peter Steffian, forty years of age, was a resident of Nueces County from the year 1853 up to the year 1866, when I removed to the town of Laredo, Webb County, where I am engaged in business as dry goods and general merchant up to the present time. Am now in Corpus Christi on business for my mercantile house in Laredo, where I reside. Am also engaged in the business as a sheep raiser, and have a sheep rancho in the vicinity.
On the 14th day of last April, 1878, I was returning from my sheep camp, situated about sixty miles above or north of Laredo, on the Rio Grande, (where, for several days previously had been engaged superintending my sheep shearers), and when arrived at the rancho of Jorge Garcia, about fifteen miles below or south of my camp, about dusk, called at his house to employ his ox-carts to haul my wool to Laredo. After speaking to said Garcia, he mounted his horse and proceeded to a hill in the vicinity, not over three hundred yards distant, to look for his oxen. While waiting at his house for him to return, a few minutes later, I heard a rifleshot in the direction where Garcia was, and immediately after heard him exclaim, in Spanish: “No mi matan!” i. e., “Don't kill me!” Another rifle-shot was then fired in the same place, and no more exclamation from said Garcia, who was, as I supposed, killed. Called to his family and friends, in and about his house, and informed them of my fears, when a small party of men armed, and we proceeded to search for said Garcia. It was now after sundown—starlight—and with the party of four or five men, proceeded to the hill where he went to look for his oxen, found his body lying on the ground quite dead, his pistol and belt taken off and pockets of his pants turned inside out; his “chevarros” also taken, and horse, saddle, and bridle. On examining the body there were two rifle-balls shot through it, one from behind and the other from the side; also three stabs of a lance or other sharp weapon, in the breasts. I then returned to his house with the party and informed his wife of the murder. We remained there all night, expecting the rancho would be attacked; but at daylight the next morning, the 15th inst., again proceeded to the place where the body lay, and closely examined the ground all around the body, where we found an Indian arrow close beside it. After burying the body of said Jorge Garcia our party rode round in a circle about five miles to ascertain, if possible, who the party were who murdered Garcia, and what other depredations they had committed. We discovered the trail of the party crossing the road I had traveled the day previous with my buggy, when it appeared they had followed down the road after me, about ten or twelve miles, to where I turned off to the house of Jorge Garcia, whom they killed as stated. There appeared, from the signs, to be about fifteen men, afoot, by their moccasin tracks, and five mounted men, and concluded they were a party of Kickapoos on a raid. On counting the horse stock of Garcia, deceased, we discovered that ten of the best saddle-horses had been taken off. Some of these had been staked with ropes, and others hobbled near the house the evening before. About a league further down the river we examined the “cavallados” of horses belonging to the ranchos in the vicinity, and found several mares and colts and young horses killed by arrows. We drew out several, and after examination, concluded the arrows were those used by the Kickapoo Indians.
Jesus Garcia, a brother of the murdered man, now came with two men from my rancho, fifteen miles above, on the Rio Grande, and stated to us that the same party who had killed his brother the day previous had crossed from Mexico to this side about five miles below my sheep rancho at a place on the river in front of a hill known as the “Apache”—a well known and regular crossing place, used by the Indians coming from Mexico into Texas—where they killed two men, (“vacqueros”), in the employ of Justo Guerra and Prospero Guerra, brothers, who own ranchos in the vicinity, and proceeded down the river along the road, on my buggy trail, to where they found and murdered Jorge Garcia, and continued their raid along down the river, stealing and killing horses or any persons they met on their route. When they arrived at a point about fourteen miles above or north of Laredo, they changed their course and moved eastwards towards the Nueces River, where, as I am informed and believe, they committed several other murders and robberies of horses in that vicinity.
Peter Steffian. Sworn to and subscribed before me, at Office, in Corpus Christi, this 24th day of May, A. D., 1878. Joseph Fitzsimmons, County Judge, Nueces County. (Attest:) Reuben Holbin, County Clerk, Nueces County, By Patrick McDonough, Deputy.
BY DR. HENRY SPOHN.
United States of America, State of Texas, County of Nueces.
Before me, Joseph Fitzsimmons, a Commissioner appointed by the United States Circuit Court for the Eastern District of Texas, resident in the City of Corpus Christi, in said District, personally appeared Henry Spohn, a witness of lawful age, who being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
My name is Henry Spohn, and I reside in the town of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, by profession a Physician, also owner of a sheep rancho situated about forty-five miles north-east of Laredo. On the 16th day of April last, 1878, I was engaged superintending the sheep-shearers at my rancho. About three o'clock P. M., a man named Felipe Villereal, living in the vicinity, came to my rancho, asked for a man and horse to go out with his man, or “vacquero,” to see if it was Indians or Mexican raiders who were running his horses in the vicinity. I informed him my horses were at the other end of the rancho, about twelve miles distant. I sent two men, employes, mounted to drive up my horses, (“cavallada.) I also dispatched a party of six armed men, mounted, to see and ascertain who these parties were that were reported to be gathering or driving the horses. In about two hours the party returned and reported to me that the raiders were composed of Indians and Mexicans. A man came from an adjoining rancho and stated that a man was lying at his house who was badly wounded by these Indians or raiders. I proceeded forthwith, to the house and found a man lying in his house, wounded with two pistol-balls through his body and an arrow wound through his abdomen. I dressed his wounds and extracted a pistol-ball from his breast. I then questioned him as to whom they were that wounded him thus. He replied that they were Mexicans who spoke good Spanish, and he thought, also, some Indians. The man who shot him demanded the socks he wore, and he refused to give them, they ordered him to run to his rancho, and immediately fired their pistols at him wounding him as stated. After falling on the ground he heard them say, in Spanish, “That will finish him.” He having fainted, when he awoke from his faint he found an arrow sticking his abdomen, which he broke off and extracted. He saw but six in that party, between twelve and one o'clock in the day.
I then returned to my rancho, about six o'clock, P. M. The six men I had sent out in the forenoon returned and reported to me that the party was composed of Indians and Mexicans, and had stolen all the horses of the adjoining ranchos. I then raised a party of twelve or fifteen men, and started them on the trail, to ascertain where the Indians had gone. They followed the trail until late at night and lost it in the dark. I sent out another party of my men in the morning, who found where the raiders had encamped and killed a beef the evening before. This party of men followed the trail to Fort Ewell, on the Nueces River, and found the Indians or raiders had gone down the country from there, and not finding any assistance, this party then gave up the pursuit and returned to my rancho. From all the reliable information I could glean from parties who met them and had escaped, there were about thirty or forty in the party of raiders or Indians who committed these depredations who came from Mexico, crossing the Rio Grande about thirty or forty miles above Laredo, and recrossing below Laredo about fifteen or twenty miles.
Henry Spohn, M. D. The above and foregoing depositions were read over by deponent, who signed and swore to the truth of the same before me, at Corpus Christi, this 25th day of May, 1878. (Attest:) Joseph Fitzsimmons, U. S. Commissioner.
BY E. N. GRAY.
The State of Texas, County of Duval.
Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared E. N. Gray, who is to me well known, who being duly sworn, states that the answers to the following questions are true, to the best of his knowledge:
Who instigated the raid? Mexicans and Indians from Mexico.
What was the object of it? Murder and plunder.
Who were the raiders? Mexicans and Indians.
Where do they come from; that is, where is their home? Mexico.
Were there any Indians, and of what tribe? About thirty—Kickapoos, Lipans and Seminoles.
Were there any Mexicans, and if so, were they citizens of the United States? Yes. I believe they were citizens of the Republic of Mexico, as they came from there.
Were there any Americans of the party? I believe not, but one very white man was reported with the raiders.
Where did they cross the Rio Grande on coming into Texas? About eighteen miles above Laredo.
Whom to your knowledge did they kill; the name, the date, the locality, county and State should be given carefully? Mr. Steele and two sons of Mrs. Taylor, and a Mexican at Steele's rancho, McMullen County, Texas; Mr. Moore and a Mexican, on the road between Steele's and Brown's ranchos, in Duval county, Texas; a Mexican at the Government Wells, Duval County, Texas; Guadalupe Basan, at San Solidad, Duval County, Texas; John Jordan and a Mexican servant, at Charco Largo, in Duval County, Texas; and close to the Laredo road they killed a Mexican and his wife, in Duval County, Tex.
What property was destroyed? A great deal of horse stock driven off by the Indians, and a great many flocks of sheep were abandoned by the killing of the shepherds, or of their being frightened off from fear of the Indians killing them, which caused great losses in the flock of sheep through the raided country.
When, where and of what value? At the time of the raid, and all around the country in the vicinity of the route of the raiders. The value can not be assertained at present, as it will require an investigation to find it out correctly.
On returning to Mexico were they protected, were they molested; what was done, if any thing? They were not molested on their return to Mexico, by the Mexican troops or officials, but went to their homes undisturbed, in the mountains of the State of Coahuila, or Nuevo Leon.
Please add such other information as may be in your possession?
Mexicans from Ballesio, in Mexico told me that the same party of Indians passed, the day before they left Ballessio, about six miles above the town, and that they heard that there was a party in pursuit of them from Guerrero, but did not know if they were troops or citizens in pursuit of them.
E. N. Gray. Sworn to and subscribed before me at my office in Concepcion, Duval County, State of Texas, this 20th day of May, 1878. John Vining, Notary Public, Duval County, Texas.
BY WILLIAM H. STEELE.
United States of America. Eastern District of Texas, State of Texas, County of Nueces.
Before me, the undersigned, a Commissioner of the Circuit Court of the United States for said District, resident in the City of Corpus Christi, personally appeared W. H. Steele, a witness of sound mind and lawful age—thirty-six—who, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
I reside in La Salle County, where my sheep rancho is situated. For the past four years I have resided in the same locality, which is fifteen miles east of Fort Ewell, on the Nueces River. I was assisted in the care of my flocks and management of the rancho by my brother, John Steele. On the 17th of April last, 1878, I returned to my rancho from a visit to a neighboring rancho, and at one o'clock P. M., arrived at the Nueces River, near my residence, where I met a Mexican “vaquero” coming to meet me, crying out in excited manner: “Los Indios—mala suerte!” and informing me that a large party of Indians had passed through the “range” and killed all the people they met in their route, and among the rest, my brother John, who was in charge of my sheep and rancho; also two boys, aged, respectively, twelve and eight years, named George and Richard Taylor, and also two Mexican shepherds, named Martinas and Florenzo Leo, and, arriving at my house, I found a shepherd named Ventura Rodriguez who was apparently wounded mortally, having eight arrow wounds and a rifle-ball wound, all in the body, arm and shoulder. This man informed me that he believed the party to be composed of Mexicans and Indians. Two of the party of raiders rode up to him on the prairie and asked, in good Spanish, if he knew where there was plenty of horses, and also if he had any money. They then took his hat, horse, and saddle, shooting arrows into him the while, and also a Winchester rifle-ball, when he fell to the ground severely wounded, where they left him for dead. This man has since recovered from these wounds. Another shepherd whom this party of raiders captured and stripped, about five miles above my rancho, on the Nueces River, reported that they compelled himself and another man to strip themselves and run foot-races for the amusement of their party, and told them that they were only going to kill “Americanos,” and that they, the Mexicans need not be afraid. This party of raiders were driving a lot of horses, about forty head, which they took from the prairie in our vicinity—all saddle-horses. These shepherds state that the party were Mexicans and Indians, and on the route towards Laredo they killed several Mexican shepherds and several Americans. By general report there was about forty men in the party, well mounted and armed with bows and arrows and also rifles. This is all that I could ascertain about the movements of this party of raiders, as I had to attend to the burial of my brother, John Steele, and the two boys and the Mexican shepherds. The other persons living in the vicinity of my rancho were all absent. My flocks were all scattered and I lost about three hundred head of sheep by the raid.
W. Hutton Steele. Sworn to and subscribed before me, at Office, in Corpus Christi, this 31st day of May, A. D., 1878. Joseph Fitzsimmons, U. S. Commissioner.
BY MRS. W. H. STEELE.
On the morning of April 17th, I was living on a rancho called the Palo Alto, located on the Nueces River, about fifteen miles below Fort Ewell, in La Salle County, and for some reason which I can not explain, I felt very much depressed and troubled in my mind. Mr. Steele had gone to Dogtown, and there was no one left on the rancho but Mr. John Steele and my children.
About nine o'clock I went up on top of the house, and I saw two men running, about two miles off, on the high open country; they were on horse-back and seemed to be running something like a man on foot. A few minutes later two other horsemen appeared, coming in the direction of the house, but stopped and stood still about half a mile from the house. Mr John Steele had left the house a little before I went up on the roof, and at this moment came in sight, out of the brush, very near the last two men who came in sight. Also, at this moment, I saw three men more come in sight, and they got between John and the house, one of the three men after John, driving him before them away from the rancho. Directly I saw the man fire one shot, and John fell from his horse. The two men spoken of as standing still did not move all this time; they had no hats on, and looked larger and blacker, and the two to the right rode off in the direction of my children, (boys—one aged eight and the other twelve years), who were herding sheep at this time, and one of them fired one shot before they went out of sight.
I then came down from the house and took my three remaining children, the youngest about nine months old, put them on the branch of a tree, and wading myself in water up to my arms, pushed them ahead of me across the river. I hid in the tall grass and remained in this condition about three hours; I then returned back to the house, being led to do so on hearing the voice of a man calling for Mr. Steele, which proved to be a Mexican “vacquero” who was working for a neighbor. On reaching the house I found one of our Mexican shepherds lying on the ground, wounded in eight different places, all made with arrows but one, which was a gun-shot wound. There was, also, a white shepherd lying in the house, who had been run by the Indians a long distance and was nearly exhausted. Mr. Steele returned about two o'clock in the afternoon, in company with Mr. Hart, and at once commenced a search for the body of Mr. John Steele, whom they found about a half a mile from the house. He had two gun-shot wounds through the body. All search failed to find my children that day.
I saw eight men in all. Those who were nearest to me looked like Mexicans, and they rode like Mexicans, and I feel sure they were Mexicans. Those who were the greatest distance from me looked more like Indians. Some of them had no hats and seemed to ride differently.
The two who remained quiet all the time, and who were evidently watching the San Diego road, had large horses and were large men. The other men seemed to be riding small horses.
The bodies of my two boys were found late in the afternoon of Friday, the 19th.
Mr. John Steele had strong convictions against carrying arms of any kind, and had none with him when killed.
Jane Steele.
The State of Texas, County of Duval.
Before me, J. A. Mattason, Justice of the Peace, and ex-officio Notary Public, in and for said County and State, duly qualified and commissioned in terms of the law, personally appeared Mrs. Jane Steele, who is well known to me, who acknowledged her signatrue to the foregoing attached affidavit, dated June 8th, 1878, and the said Jane Steele declared to me she had signed the same for all the purposes and considerations therein stated; in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, in San Diego, in Duval County, this, the 8th day of June, 1878.
J. A. Mattason, J. P. and ex-officio Notary Public, Duval County, Tex.
BY JAMES F. MOUNT.
The State of Texas, County of Duval.
I, Andrew R. Valls, Clerk of the County Court, in and for Duval County, Texas, duly commissioned and qualified in term of law, do hereby certify that personally came, and appeared before me, James F. Mount, a citizen of this county, to me well known, who, being duly sworn, according to law, deposes and says:
On the 19th day of April, in company with other persons, I left San Diego for the scene of the Indian raid, to assist any wounded persons we could find, and to bury, also, the dead. On the first day I went to Brown's rancho, and found there a wounded Mexican, properly cared for. We then went on to Steele's rancho, and found, about one and a half miles from the rancho, the bodies of two children, one about seven and the other about twelve years old, and recognized them as the children of Mrs. Taylor, residing on Steele's rancho. The bodies were horribly mutilated. I helped to bury these two bodies. Others of our party were around in other places, burying the bodies of Mr. John Steele and two shepherds, and, also, a shepherd of Mr. Gillette. I only know from hearsay the amount of property destroyed. I saw the bodies of Mr. Gillette's head shepherd and also of the two Taylor children. They were killed by arrows, as well as gun-shot wounds, and afterwards mangled with knives.
James F. Mount. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 11th day of May, A. D., 1878. Andrew R. Valls, Clerk of County Court, Duval County, Texas.
BY J. W. HART.
The State of Texas, County of Duval.
J. W. Hart, residing in Duval County, Texas, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says:
On the — day of April I went in search of the body of John Steele. We found the body of John Steele and of one shepherd of Mr. Steele's, both killed by Indians: one shot with arrows and the other with arrows and rifle. I helped bury the bodies. From there, proceeding to my camp, found all my property carried away or destroyed, to the value of some four hundred dollars. I heard of several other persons being killed, but did not personally see the bodies. My partner, Mr. William Seaton, saw several persons enter my camp and swears positively they were Indians.
J. W. Hart.
County Clerk's Office, Duval County, Texas.
Personally came, and appeared before me, J. W. Hart, to me well known, who, in my presence, signed the above affidavit, and did so under oath; to certify which, witness my signature and seal at San Diego, this 11th day of May, 1878.
Andrew R. Valls, Clerk County Court, Duval County, Texas.
101LETTER OF E. CHAPMAN MOORE.
Corpus Christi, Texas, April 22d, 1878. Col. Nicholas J. Moore, Galveston, Texas.
My Dear Uncle Nick: This sad letter follows the telegrams which have borne the heart-rending news of your brave and noble son's death.
We left this place together by the railway, for Banquete, to which point we had sent our horses previously, on Tuesday morning, the 9th of April, and spent the night at Mr. Curtis', near Banquete. He was to be a neighbor with us in the sheep country, as he was going to move there too. Next day we reached San Diego, sixty miles from here, and remained there, or in that vicinity, visiting sheep ranchos and inspecting flocks of sheep, until Tuesday morning the 16th, at nine o'clock.
Having heard, before we left home, that there was a choice lot of ewes for sale at Steele's rancho, which a friend recommended us to see and purchase, we determined to go to that rancho and see those ewes.
On Tuesday night we reached Mr. A. Labbe's rancho, twenty-five miles from San Diego. He entertained us with true and kind-hearted French hospitality. His two sons, about the age of Fred and I, engaged us in gymnastic sports, which both of us entered into with great zest. The old people looked on with delight, and we did not retire until after ten o'clock. Devoutly we knelt together. We slept in the same room and on the same bed. Fred and myself, in the morning, again knelt in prayer to our common Heavenly Father.
Next day we bade the good people a kind farewell, and at eight o'clock A. M., we took the road once more. We were very happy. We sang nearly all the morning. They were all hymns, and among them: “Jesus Paid it All,” “Rock of Ages,” and Fred's favorite, “In the Cross.” “Rock of Ages” I think was the last one we sang. By noon we reached a place where there is a creek, a pond and hill. The locality is known as San Ygnacio. Here we spent about three hours, for it was very warm; and we had only about ten miles more to ride to reach Steele's rancho.
We left our noon camp together at, say, three o'clock on the evening of Wednesday, April 17th. We had roasted pecans in camp—a new thing for Fred, and he liked them—and he was eating them as we both rode along together, he on my left side and I on his right, our road at this time being duly west. We had ridden about three quarters of a mile when Fred, looking ahead, said: “Look! what a whirlwind!” As I raised my eyes I saw a party of eight men. (The whirlwind was the dust raised by Indians driving stock. We did not see the stock nor the Indians. This I learned only, afterwards, from others.) They were within a hundred yards of us—doubtless they had seen us in our camp, at noon, and waited for us. They, when we first saw them, were beyond and sheltered partly by bushes growing on the border of a small ravine that crossed our road.
I told Fred to put up his quirt (whip) which he did. I changed mine from my right hand to my left. Fred I noticed, strangely continued to pick at the pecans. I exclaimed: “For God's sake throw down the pecans.” However, he had put up his quirt and had adjusted his six-shooter belt, and both our pistols were before us, and ready for use upon the turn of a hair. We were both cool, collected and ready. We were now hardly fifty yards from the eight men.
Our precautions were only the ordinary precautions taken on the road in a wild country. We did not in any extraordinary way, suspect the men before us, across the little ravine, and partly hidden by the bushes, which they seemed at that moment to have approached. Fred said nothing, nor I. I thought them cow-drivers. One was a white man, bull-necked, sunburnt, but fair, not florid, light hair, little beard, tall, would weigh one hundred and eighty to two hundred pounds, and he was in the front. Next to him was a small, very dark-featured, bushy beard and long haired, wiry little Mexican. The white man rode a large gray horse. The Mexican rode an ordinary, but good brown pony. The white man advanced, and nearly flanked me, as if appearing to give us way. We bore to the left, expecting his party to follow his movement, and allow us to pass them. The Mexican on the brown pony, however, confronting us, moved to the side we were on, and opposite from the white man. Thus, we were almost flanked on both sides, and the remaining six men faced us. We were now, perhaps, forty feet apart. There were four white men, I think in party. Also, it may be that the other four were Mexicans, but remembering now the peculiar ride of two of them, doubtless two were Indians and two were Mexicans. All were dressed.
Fred first noticed the flanking movement, or a motion which convinced him, and he said: “Here they come!” They were his last words to me. On the instant he spoke, the white man fired at me; then, simultaneously, Fred, I and the Mexican fired, Fred at the Mexican, I at the white man—we all missed each other. We wheeled to run, and, singular to tell, Fred and I changed sides, crossing, and ran back upon the road we had traveled, but thus, inadvertantly, with the same sides to each other. The white man charged, too, and followed me and the Mexican charged also, and followed Fred, but each of these two pursuers a little outside of the road, while the others—the six—kept the center of the road in the race, and all fired at us as we ran. We kept them, by an occasional shot, in check. They, held in to keep from closing upon us. I got three shots with my pistol. Fred, I think, got five with his. None of our shots were effective as far as I know. Perhaps we ran half a mile, may be a little more, when we reached a point where the bushes thickened, sufficiently to give us at least some protection. Shots followed us thickly all the way. I had all I could do to watch my man. Fred and I were side and side. He was too near for me to see him without turning. I had to look on the side away from him. As we were turning, or, perhaps, about to turn into the bushes, I did look, I don't know how, or why, on Fred's side. He threw up his right arm, he clasped his right thigh with the same hand, and in a moment fell. He was shot through the body, the ball passing through his chest. Those who saw him afterwards say he was killed outright.
I got hold of my Spencer rifle at this moment, and got a shot at the white man. That shot killed his horse—wounded him badly—I found it afterwards. I had lost sight of the Mexican and had outrun the others. I gained the bushes, and shortly reached a dense thicket on the hill. Thence I saw four men hunting for me. I left my horse, and with gun and pistol reached the denser thicket and so escaped. From dark till two o'clock I took a course and traveled. Then I dozed an hour and a half, and at half-past three started again. At four the fog shut out the moon and all sign and then I followed a trail I had found. This trail, about eight in the morning, Thursday, led me to a sheep camp, where I got a Mexican shepherd to go with me to the Cautes Rancho, eight miles off. There I got a horse and rode sixteen miles more to Mr. Labbe's. There I got a fresh horse, and in company with Mr. Labbe's son, Eugene, we returned to look for Fred. Later in the night, on the road, we fell in with Mr. Gillette, of San Diego. He went with us that night, but we could not find Fred's body until about six on Friday morning. We covered him and went ten miles, to Steele's, for a spade and pick, and returned and buried his seventy-five yards from the road. I took the land-marks down, noted the locality, and marked with an ebony post on which was cut his initials and the date, the grave in which we laid him. Before we had finished, it was a little past noon. Mr. Gillette and I returned to Steele's. He had been away. The brother was killed. Two children, aged seven and eleven, were missing—boys. We went to hunt them. We found them dead, cut open—two miles from Steele's house, and shot with arrows which were sticking in their bodies. Saturday night I came to the camp of a cow-man named Abner Owen, who had before joined our party and had helped to bury poor Fred. Thence I came to Mr. Labbe's, where father met me on Sunday afternoon. Thence home. I got here this evening at six o'clock.
All are in deep affliction. We do most profoundly sympathize with you. There is not one young man in ten thousand, such as was your noble son Fred Moore. Laura is greatly afflicted. I have Fred's saddle bag—it was left at San Diego—also, his memoranda book and a letter from Willie. I have, too, but bathed in his blood, his pocket edition of Moody's and Sankey's Hymns.
This brings the sad, sad narrative to a close. I have spoken as much in detail as I could. I know not what question you would wish to ask, and I have attempted to anticipate as many as possible.
Poor as my attempts are, I did not bury Fred without a prayer. We knelt around his grave and I spoke to the little party of his piety and worth, and exhorted them to live as he had lived that they might reach the Heaven to which he had surely gone.
And now, what shall I say more? Your boy lives forever and you may see him again. God grant that we all may. And now, with kindest and best wishes, and still with feelings of the deepest sorrow, good-bye.
Your affectionate nephew, E. C. Moore.
BY TOMAS ZUNEGA.
The State of Texas, County of Duval.
I, Andrew R. Valls, Clerk for the County Court in and for Duval County, Texas, duly commissioned and qualified in term of law, do hereby certify that on the 11th day of May, A. D., 1878, I visited the person of Tomas Zunega, now lying wounded in his house in the village of San Diego, Duval, County, and having duly sworn him according to law, took down from the following testimony:
My name is Tomas Zunega. On the — day of April, 1878, I was herding sheep for Mr. Rider, about the edge of Duval and McMullen Counties, at the Brown Rancho, some twelve miles from the Nueces River. I was in camp making a fire when I saw, about thirty yards from me, a body of Indians. I got behind a mesquit tree in camp, when the Indians immediately spread out and charged on me. I fired a shot on the leading Indian and then ran from them; they surrounded me and kept firing on me until I fell, wounded. The Indians then went to camp and took what gentle horses were there, and also carried away all clothing, saddles and camp equipage lying around, blankets, etc. The Indians remained about one hour in camp, and after destroying all they could not carry away, departed. The other shepherds escaped by being out with their flocks. I saw the Indians closely and am positive that some of them were Kickapoos. I can not state whether there were any Americans or Mexicans with them. Their movements were so hurried that I could not make them all out, but am certain some I saw were Kickapoos.
His Tomas X Zunega. mark Witness to mark, Charles Hoffman. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of May, A. D., 1878. Andrew R. Valls, Clerk County Court, Duval County, Texas.
BY R. JORDAN.
United States of America. Eastern District of Texas, State of Texas, County of Nueces.
Before the undersigned, Commissioner of the Circuit Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Texas, resident in the City of Corpus Christi, in said District, personally appeared Richard Jordan, a witness of sound mind and lawful age, to-wit: fifty years, and to me, said Commissioner, well and favorably known, and who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth depose and say as follows, to-wit:
I have resided in the City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, since the year 1864. Am a sheep raiser by occupation, and have a rancho situated in Duval County, about thirty miles west of the town of San Diego, where my flocks were kept under the charge and supervision of my three sons, respectively named Richard, Samuel and John, (a minor aged nineteen years). I left Corpus Christi, accompanied by my youngest son, Frederick, in a spring wagon, for the purpose of attending to the shearing of the sheep at rancho, on the 15th day of April, last, 1878, and on the 18th (three days after), arrived in the vicinity of the rancho of the Gravis brothers, six miles east of mine, and encamped for the night. A short time after dark my son Samuel came on horseback into my camp, and informed me that his brother John and a friend of his, named Antonio, had been killed at the rancho that afternoon by a party of raiders, whom he supposed to be made up of Indians and Mexicans; that himself and brothers, and, others, were building a shearing pen at the rancho that evening, about five o'clock P. M., and hearing several shots in quick succession, looked up the road, and at a distance of about three hundred yards, discovered a large party of mounted men charging down upon them at their shearing pen. They then fled to the thicket close by for protection from the raiders, who entered their pen and took everything they found there, being saddles, bridles, blankets and clothing; also a mule and two horses that were staked near the pen; a set of mule harness and an iron skillet being the only article which they failed to take with them. They, the raiders, then moved off to a pond of water near by and watered their animals and proceeded towards the Laredo road. After their noise and bustle had subsided my sons came out of their hiding places in the thicket and went to the place where they had heard the shots fired, and there found the body of their brother John lying dead, with three bullet holes through his body and an Indian arrow also in him; also, near by, the body of his friend, Antonio—an old man—dead, with five bullet-holes through his body and one through his right hand. An arrow that had been in his body, was pulled out and layed by his side. They had cut the boots open on my son John, and took off his socks and hat, but did not mutilate him. His neck was broken as supposed by the fall of his horse. They pulled off the boots from the old man Antonio, but left them beside him. After seeing these things, my son Samuel then ran on foot nearly four miles to a place where he had a horse hobbled, which he mounted and started for the Gravis brothers' rancho for help, and found myself and son Frederick encamped, when he informed us of the above facts. I then waited until daylight the next morning and harnessed up my team and started for the rancho, when I met on the road, my two sons and some other persons with them, bringing in the dead bodies of my son John and Antonio to the rancho of the Gravis brothers, where we interred them.
I then proceeded to the rancho, and ascertained that two of the five shepherds employed on my flocks had been captured by the raiders, and that after they were robbed of all their effects the robbers released them, and told them to get out of the way, as another party was coming on behind them, who might kill them—the shepherds. One of the raiders then asked the shepherd if he was a friend to the Kickapoos, (in the Mexican language). He replied that he was, when they released him as stated. Some of the raiders had guns and pistols, and also bows and arrows.
When I reached my sheep camp I found the shepherds had all fled to the thickets and their flocks had, in consequence, got mixed and scattered. My losses in consequence of this raid have been very heavy. The shepherds that were prisoners stated to me that they believed the party of raiders to number between thirty and forty men, who were Mexicans and Indians, and were then driving a large herd of horses before them. They appeared to move in three divisions, the advance killing and clearing the way, the next party driving the stolen horses, and a rear guard, all of whom were well mounted and armed.
I further depose and say that on the night of the 18th of April, when my son Samuel came to my camp and informed me of the killing of his brother John, that I employed an expressman to proceed to the town of San Diego, about thirteen miles distant, to notify the military Commandant of the Post, and requesting the assistance of the U. S. troops. The expressman returned to my camp next day and stated that he delivered the letter to the County Judge of Duval county, Jas. O. Luby, who informed the commanding officer of the contents, and was informed in reply that he had already dispatched a detachment of ten men, which “was a sufficient force,” he thought, “to whip the fifty Indians.”
On the 20th of April, Mr. Frank Gravis returned with his party of citizens from the vicinity, who had pursued the raiders from the lake near the shearing pen at my rancho, and came up with them near sundown, same day, and attacked them at a point below Laredo about fifteen miles, and same distance from the Rio Grande. Mr. Frank Gravis, seeing they were in much superior numbers and were equally armed, was obliged to retire back with his party. After awaiting that night in the vicinity, they discovered the next morning that the raiders had gone towards the Rio Grande river. They proceeded to examine the ground occupied by them and found several dead horses that were shot by the attacking party in the skirmish.
I remained at the sheep ranch about twenty-five days after these occurrences, endeavoring to recover the scattered and lost sheep from my flocks, and also completing the shearing, and during all this time no troops had come to examine the trail or investigate the matter, up to the time I left for Corpus Christi, on the 18th of May, inst., and I am now compelled at heavy expense, to abandon my rancho and move my sheep away for want of protection.
R. Jordan. Sworn to and subscribed before me, at Office in Corpus Christi, this 25th day of May, A. D., 1878. Joseph Fitzsimmons, U. S. Commissioner.
BY CALIXTO RODRIGUEZ.
The United States of America, State of Texas, County of Duval.
Before the undersigned, a Commissioner of the Circuit Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Texas, resident of the City of Corpus Christi, in said District personally appeared Calixto Rodriguez, a witness of lawful age and sound mind, who on oath deposes and says that he is a resident of the State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and is by occupation a freighter of merchandise. On the 19th, day of April last, 1878, witness was employed in hauling hides from Laredo to Corpus Christi, with his mule wagons, and while on the road, near a lake or pond of water, named Laguna del Muerto, about ten leagues east of Laredo, he was attacked by a party of mounted raiders, who approached in a hostile manner, when witness, being satisfied they were a party of five Indians, coralled his wagons and mules and fired on the Indians, who then rode round his teams firing on him rapidly for the space of three-quarters of an hour, which fire was returned by deponent and his assistant teamsters, numbering six men. Another party of seven raiders came up during the progress of the fight, making twelve in all, who after some time left without being able to do any damage to the witness or his party, except wounding a mule. After their failure to capture the mules of the train they (the raiders) went off towards the Rio Grande. Witness then moved on towards Corpus Christi with his wagons, and found two carts loaded with wool and hides, standing in the road, which had been attacked and the teamsters captured, (two Mexican boys), who were taken prisoners and stripped naked and then turned loose by the Indians, who destroyed the freight by cutting the wool bags and hides, and scattering the contents. Witness is a native of Mexico, but was formerly a resident of McMullen County for about seven years. These two boys stated to witness that the Indians inquired of them where they could get good fat horses, when they informed their captors that a train of witness, with good mules, was a few miles behind, on the road, which he believes induced him to release the boys, and come to attack his teams.
Calixto Rodriguez. Sworn to and subscribed before me at Corpus Christi, this 31st day of May, 1878. Joseph Fitzsimmons, U. S. Commissioner.
BY FRANK C. GRAVIS.
United States of America, Eastern District of Texas, State of Texas, County of Nueces.
Before the undersigned, Commissioner of the Circuit Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Texas, resident in the City of Corpus Christi, in said District, personally appeared Frank C. Gravis, a resident of the town of San Diego, in Duval County, who, being duly sworn, deposes and says as follows:
I am a sheep raiser by occupation, and have a rancho twenty-five miles west of San Diego, where my flocks range, under the control of seven or eight Mexican shepherds. On the 18th day of April last, 1878, I was engaged at my rancho in superintending my sheep. An express was sent me from Jorge Alanes, a neighbor living about four miles off, that a party of Indians had killed a man by the name of Basan, at the Solidad Rancho, about twelve miles north of my place, and were gathering all the horse stock in the vicinity, requesting to get a party of men and meet him that night, for the purpose of recovering the horses if possible. I then sent an express to Mr. Edward Caldwell, at the Borjas Rancho, asking to send word among his neighbors, and request them to meet us and join in pursuit. About half an hour after this Mr. Samuel Jordan came to my rancho and told me that the Indians had killed his brother John and a man named Antonio Valdez, close to his rancho, that evening shortly after sundown. I immediately went with Mr. Samuel Jordan up to the Munoz Rancho, about two miles distant, where I found Capt. Richard Jordan, the father of Sam, who requested me to write to the commanding officer of the U. S. troops stationed at San Diego, which I did, addressing my letter through the hands of the County Judge, James O. Luby, which I am informed was so delivered to the commanding officer.
While at my rancho I was joined by three Americans and four Mexican residents of the vicinity. I went with my party to Mr. Jordan's rancho, and arrived about eleven or twelve o'clock at night, and there met Richard Jordan, Jr., and a man named Porter, who had just brought the bodies of John Jordan and Antonio Valdez. We left two of our American friends to assist in conveying the bodies to my rancho for burial, and with the remainder of the party six in number, encamped for the night on the trail, for the purpose of discovering which way the trail led, and who they were, with a view to send an express to the troops. I sent an express back that night, informing the commanding officer which way the trail had gone, and next morning at day, with my party of six men, started on the trail in pursuit, and found the Indians had encamped within four or five miles of where they had killed John Jordan and Valdez the evening previous. About seven or eight miles from that place we found, on the trail a man named Margareto Rodriguez, a shepherd, who was shot through the body, and was then alive, but has since died, who informed me that there was about forty men in the party, who were driving a herd of horses, about fifty or sixty head, before them. He also said that the party was composed of, principally, Indians, and one who appeared like a Mexican or American. After continuing the pursuit, I called at the rancho of Ylario Leal, for more men to assist in the pursuit, but obtaining none. I there found two men coming into the rancho, who were stripped naked by the party, who told me they knew them to be Kickapoo Indians who lived in Mexico, and that they had seen them often, trading in towns in Mexico. These two men were cart drivers engaged in hauling wool to Corpus Christi. They stated to me they were stopped on the road and stripped of their clothes, and also the provisions they had in their carts. I was here joined by eight more men, and we started on the trail again. About six miles from there we met a mule train, which with freight of wool and hides, on the main road from Laredo to Corpus Christi, and learned that they had been attacked by twelve Indians about two hours before we met them, but repulsed them—the Indians.
We then pursued them on the trail, and found hats and various articles of clothing, which they had taken from different sheep camps which they had robbed on their route.
I was here joined by another small party of men, making seventeen in all, and we struck out in a faster gait, and soon came up to where they had left horses broke down, and some they killed with arrows and guns. When within about twenty miles of Laredo, I dispatched an express to the authorities at Laredo, to send us some men to assist in the pursuit. The Indians had that evening robbed several ranchos of all the saddle horses they had, and about half an hour by sun we came up with them, in sight, and made a charge, and were met by a party of twenty-five or thirty, who came over a hill in our front, and we commenced skirmishing with the Indians, which we kept up until we saw we were outnumbered, and also a part of our Mexican allies left the field and abandoned the fight, when I was compelled to fall back into the timber with a few Americans of my party. The Indians then withdrew, as it was getting dark. I then went to a rancho called Tule, about twenty miles from Laredo, and about eighteen miles from the Rio Grande, and encamped with my little party for the night, to see if any assistance would come from Laredo. I waited at this place until nine o'clock next morning, and no word or assistance came. Some of our men went over the ground the next day and found several horses that had been killed in the skirmish, and the trail striking towards the Rio Grande river at about eighteen miles distant. I saw the “cavallado,” and it appeared to have about one hundred and fifty or two hundred head of horses which they had stolen on their raid. On my return coming home, we met two men who had been wounded by the Indians the day before, one with arrows and the other with ball. I was also informed of several men who had been killed and wounded by them on their raid. This is all I know, personally, and I verily believe that they were Kickapoo Indians from Mexico, as I observed them closely. They carried bows and arrows, and also guns—Spencer rifles, I believe.
Frank C. Gravis. Sworn to and subscribed before me at office, in Corpus Christi, this 26th day of May, A. D., 1878. Joseph Fitzsimmons, U. S. Commissioner.
BY E. H. CALDWELL.
The State of Texas, County of Duval.
Before me, A. R. Valls, Clerk of the County Court of Duval County, Texas, personally came and appeared E. H. Caldwell, to me well known, who, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says:
On the 18th day of April, 1878, we received notice Indians were in the country, and had killed a man at the Solidad, and were driving a bunch of horses ahead of them. On the way to the Solidad we met a courier who informed us John Jordan was killed by Indians. I went on, and at Munoz's met Mr. Gravis and others, and went on to the Jordan rancho, and there found the dead bodies of John Jordan and a Mexican. From there we proceeded to Charco Escondido, and there camped for the night; at day-light we took the trail, and after following it some ten miles found a man wounded, shot through the right side, (who has since died); this man informed us there were thirty or more in the party; this man was shot on the morning of the 19th. Thence we went to Hilario Leals' rancho and were joined by seven Americans and two or three Mexicans. At Leal's rancho we found two Mexicans naked, who had been stripped and robbed by the Indians, about two miles west from the rancho on the Corpus Christi and the Laredo road. Pushing on thence west some three miles we struck the trail, which we followed until about fifteen minutes before sundown and came in the sight of the Indians. We charged the Indians, they coming on to meet us. The Mexicans in our party gave way and abandoned the field. We had a sharp skirmish with them but being outnumbered drew off.
E. H. Caldwell. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 13th day of May, A. D., 1878. Andrew R. Valls, Clerk County Court, Duval County, Texas.
BY CHAS. F. H. VON BLÜCHER.
United States of America, Eastern District of Texas, State of Texas, County of Nueces.
Before the undersigned, Commissioner of the Circuit Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Texas, resident in the City of Corpus Christi, in the said District, personally appeared Chas. F. H. Von Blücher, a witness of lawful age, to-wit: over the age of twenty-one years, a native citizen of Nueces County, in said State of Texas, who, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says:
I am at present a resident of the town of Laredo, in Webb County, Texas, where I am engaged in business. On Saturday the 20th of April, 1878, about four o'clock P. M., I was called upon by the commanding officer, Major Sellers, of the U. S. troops stationed at Fort McIntosh, Laredo, to act as guide and interpreter for a detachment of U. S. troops dispatched by Major Sellers in pursuit of a party of raiders or Indians reported to have been engaged in ravaging the ranchos or settlements in the vicinity for some days previously. I traveled as guide with these troops down the Rio Grande in the direction the Indians were reported to have taken their plunder. We discovered their trail about twenty-five miles below Laredo and followed it to the water's edge of the Rio Grande, about three-quarters of a mile below the Rancho Dolores. The appearance of the trail indicated a large number of men and horses. After searching around where they crossed the river to Mexico, we found several articles which they had abandoned, apparently in their haste to recross into Mexico, such as bags of flour, sugar, coffee, matches, some old clothing and several pairs of buckskin moccasins, which were picked up by the ranchmen living in the vicinity.
They left (3) three rafts made of a light species of wood, on the river bank, called Tarrai, on which they crossed effects, etc., and left them lying on the Mexican bank of the river.
A Mexican citizen of the vicinity, well known as a credible person stated to the officer in command, that he was concealed in the vicinity when the Indians came to the crossing, and counted fortythree men, apparently Indians, although several of them had heavy beards and looked like Mexicans, and all were armed with Remington and Spencer rifles. They also had a drove of about one hundred head of extra horses, which they captured in their raid into Texas. This man remained concealed in the thicket until after all the Indians had crossed, being afraid they would kill him if discovered. A Mexican negro, who had been captured by them, and who was shot through the shoulder in making his escape, reports that he heard them converse in what appeared to him to be Kickapoo dialect.
We returned to Laredo next day and reported the commanding officer, Major Sellers, what we had discovered, and I was discharged as a guide and interpreter, no further service being required of me.
Chas. F. H. Von Blücher. Sworn to and subscribed before me at Corpus Christi, this 31st day of May, 1878. Joseph Fitzsimmons, U. S. Commissioner.
BY E. CHAPMAN MOORE.
The State of Texas, County of Nueces.
Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared E. Chapman Moore, a resident of the City of Corpus Christi, and a citizen of the County and State aforesaid, who, after being duly sworn, says that the statements made in his letter, dated Corpus Christi, Texas, April 22nd, 1878, and addressed to Col. Nicholas J. Moore, Galveston, Texas, as printed in a pamphlet emanating from the people of the district of country between the Nueces river and the Rio Grande, as per folios 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of said pamphlet, entitled: “An Appeal,” etc., are the truth regarding the occurrences therein mentioned. In testimony to which, witness his signature this, 28th day of June, A. D., 1878, in the City of Corpus Christi, County and State aforesaid.
E. Chapman Moore. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of June, A. D., 1878. J. W. Ward, Notary Public, Nueces County, Texas.
The savages coming from Santa Rosa, in the State of Cohahuila, Mexico, doubtless traveled in a direct line eastward to the Rio Grande, for they crossed that river on the 14th day of April, 1878, and entered Texas at “Apache Hill,” in Webb, near the line of Maverick County.
From “Apache Hill their course was southeast, following the road down the bends of the Rio Grande, for a distance of forty miles to a point within fourteen miles of Laredo and Ft. McIntosh.
Thence northeast, to Ft. Ewell, in La Salle County, on the Nueces River, seventy miles from their point of departure from the Rio Grande.
Thence they skirted the Nueces River to Steele's rancho, on the border of McMullen County, and continued a southeast course to the Toribio Rancho, in Duval County, thirty-five miles from Ft. Ewell.
Thence they turned sharply to the west for a distance of ten miles, to the Solidad Rancho, and then to the south for ten miles more, to Charco Escondido, distant only thirty miles from the Government troops at San Diego.
They there took their departure in a direct line southwest and passed diagonally through the southern half of Encinal County, and thence parallel with the Zapata County line they crossed Webb County, within eighteen miles of Ft. McIntosh and the town of Laredo, and passed over the Rio Grande into Mexico at the Dolores Rancho, twenty-five miles below the above named Government post, having traveled ninety miles since leaving the Charco Escondido.
These distances are estimated in air lines and make a total of two hundred and seventy miles in Texas, to which may be added one-third more for the departures made by the savages from the track to visit other points off the route. These give a total of three hundred and sixty miles, and as the marauders were in the country six days, they averaged sixty miles of predatory incursion daily.
Having crossed the Rio Grande they took a direct line northwest to their homes near Santa Rosa. These lines traced on any reliable may will clearly indicate the territory traced by the raiders.
Last Monday night, April 29th, 1878, pursuant to call, a well attended meeting of the citizens was held at Market Hall, to consider the recent murderous raid from Mexico, and to make a proper representation of the condition of affairs on this frontier to the State and National authorities.
Mayor John M. Moore called the meeting to order, and stated its objects, whereupon Judge Joseph Fitzsimmons was elected President; Mayor John M. Moore, Judge J. C. Russell, Capt. W. H. Berry, Vice-Presidents; W. H. Maltby, Secretary.
Judge Russell was absent.
At the request of the President, Capt. John J. Dix addressed the meeting, reciting briefly the condition of the frontier since 1834. He was not favorably impressed with the efficiency of U. S. troops, under existing orders governing their movements; had more faith in one company of Texans, like Hall's men, than a regiment of regulars. He believed that in Indian warfare, a commanding officer should be clothed with discretionery powers. He depicted atrocities—the murder and mutilation of children and men indiscriminately—with much earnestness and feeling. Throughout, Capt. Dix's remarks were comprehensive, to the point, and elicited applause.
The meeting was also briefly and appropriately addressed by Messrs. John Kellett, of Sta. Margarita, and Wm. DeRyee, of Corpus Christi.
A motion was mads by Capt. Berry that a committee of five be appointed to draft suitable resolutions, expressive of the sense of the meeting, to be forwarded to the Governor of the State and our Representatives in Congress.
Pending its adoption, Mr. Wm. Headen addressed the Chair upon the importance of selecting a committee which would collate nothing but in controvertible facts, that would have weight with the Secretary of the State. He held Mexico responsible for these raids, from the fact that she harbored and protected the cut-throats engaged in them. He thought it important that the grand juries and courts of the State should commence the work. The fact that the Adjutant General of the State had reported over four thousand refugees from justice, with many counties not heard from, suggested the belief that many of those outlaws were among the remaining bands. It was for good citizens to inaugurate a more vigorous policy and cease to tamely submit to the presence of lawless men. Though the method would be slow, he thought it would be sure.
The following committee were then elected: Judge Joseph Fitzsimmons, Judge J. C. Russell, Hon. John M. Moore, Capt. H. W. Berry, Capt. John J. Dix.
Nelson Plato, Esq., Messrs. Ed. Buckley and Wm. Headen were elected Corresponding Secretaries.
The Committee on motion was then given a carte blanche with instructions to report at a future meeting, on call. The meeting then adjourned.
Joseph Fitzsimmons. Chairman. Wm. H. Maltby. Secretary.
A call meeting of the Citizens' Committee was held in the Council Room on Wednesday evening, May 22nd, 1878. Present: Judge Joseph Fitzsimmons, Chairman; Judge John C. Russell, Mayor, John M. Moore, Nelson Plato, Esq., Messrs. John J. Dix, H. W. Berry and Wm. Headen; W. H. Maltby, Secretary. Absent: Mr. Ed. Buckley.
Several letters that had been received by Corresponding Secretary Headen were read.
An effort was made, without success, to obtain the presence of Mr. Peter Steffian, who was supposed to be in possession of valuable information in regard to the recent raid. The messenger failed to find him.
A motion by Judge Russell was adopted, “that competent persons be appointed in the counties of Duval and Webb, to obtain authentic statements of events of the recent raid, and report same to Committee.”
Capt. John Dix was authorized to employ a competent person in Duval County for such service. He was of opinion that he could employ a reliable citizen, who would demand nothing more than actual expenses. Mayor Moore and Judge Russell were appointed a committee to confer with Mr. Macdonnell and others, to ascertain what could be accomplished in Webb County towards procuring evidence, etc.
Capt. H. W. Berry was authorized to solicit subscriptions in Nueces County. Mr. E. C. Moore was requested and consented to assist him. Mr. Wm. Headen was elected Treasurer of Nueces County fund.
The papers of the City were requested to publish the proceedings of the meeting.
Adjourned subject to the call of the Chairman.
Joseph Fitzsimmons, Chairman. W. H. Maltby, Secretary.
The Committee of the People, appointed to collect evidence relative to the late Indian raid, having been convened by call of its Chairman, met in Mayor's Office in the City of Corpus Christi on June 4th, at eight o'clock, P. M.
Members present: Hon. Joseph Fitzsimmons, County Judge, Chairman; Hon. John M. Moore, Mayor, and Capt. H. W. Berry, together with the Corresponding Secretary, Wm. Headen.
Wm. Headen, on motion, was appointed Secretary of the Committee, pro tem.
Visitors present: Ex-Gov. E. J. Davis, of Austin; Hon. Lucien Birdseye, of New York; Walter A. Gresham, Esq., of Galveston; Capt. R. Jordan and Messrs. S. W. Rankin, Jos. Almond and Donald McIntyre, of Nueces County.
The reading of the minutes of the last meeting was deferred.
The affidavits of Jas. F. Mount, E. N. Gray, E. H. Caldwell, Tomas Zunega, J. W. Hart, Frank C. Gravis and Wm. H. Steele, of Duval County; Mr. Peter Steffian, of Webb County; Capt. R. Jordan, of Nueces County; and Calixto Rodriguez, of the State of Nueva Leon, Mexico, were presented, duly signed, sealed and authenticated, and on motion were read before the Committee and the visitors named.
Gov. Davis, Judge Birdseye and Mr. Gresham addressed the meeting by request and expressed deep interest.
Capt. R. Jordan made a heart-moving statement regarding the killing o fhis son, and the exposure of the families of our frontiersmen to sudden incursions of the Indians.
On motion, Messrs. Moore, Berry and Headen were appointed to prepare a history of the raid from the data before the Committee, in the form of a memorial address to the President and Congress of the United States, and supported by the affidavits as taken, have the same published in pamphlet form, to be laid before each department of the General Government, upon the desk of each member of Congress, and upon the tables of the “press” of the United States.
Upon motion Committee adjourned to meet on call of the Chairman.
Joseph Fitzsimmons, Chairman. Attest: Wm. Headen, Secretary pro tem.
Pursuant to call another meeting of the Citizens Committee, appointed to investigate the recent Indian raid, was held at Market Hall, Thursday evening, June the 13th, 1878.
Present: Judge Joseph Fitzsimmons, Mayor John M. Moore, Capt. H. W. Berry, Mr. Wm. Headen, and W. H. Maltby, Secretary.
Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Corresponding Secretary Wm. Headen presented the address of the Committee to the Hon. Secretary of State of the United States, together with a report or narrative of the raid, and affidavits of parties corroborating the report.
The address was read and unanimously adopted.
It was ordered that the address, report and affidavits be printed in pamphlet form, copies to be sent to the Secretary of the State, members of Congress and to the leading journals of the country.
No further business for consideration coming up, the meeting adjourned sine die.
Joseph Fitzsimmons, Chairman. Wm. H. Maltby, Secretary.
101. Note:-This letter is taken from a press copy of the original, which Mr. Moore retained. It has been placed in the hands of the Committee by his family, and owing to the absence of Mr. Moore at the time of publication, the Committee have substituted it for his affidavit. This will in time be obtained, confirming the letter, and will be forwarded to the Department of State.
How to cite:
"THE MEXICAN AND INDIAN RAID OF '78 ", Volume 005, Number 3, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 212 - 251. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v005/n3/article_3.html
[Accessed Tue Dec 2 20:38:04 CST 2008]
