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A TEXAS

PIONEER

AUGUST SANTLEBEN

A TEXAS PIONEER

EARLY STAGING AND OVERLAND

FREIGHTING DAYS ON THE FRON-

TIERS OF TEXAS AND MEXICO

BY

AUGUST SANTLEBEN

Edited by

I. D. AFFLECK

NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON

THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY

1910

COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY

THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY

A TEXAS PIONEER

CHAPTER I

I WAS born in the city of Hanover, Germany, on the 28th day of February, 1845, and I was three and a half months old when my parents emigrated from that country and brought me with a sister and brother to America. We made the voyage in a sailing vessel, the Charles Williams, which left Bremen with a full crew and one hundred and thirty passengers on board. The city of Galveston, Texas, was sighted about the middle of July, 1845, after making a safe voyage of seven weeks' duration, but many of those who greeted the land of their adoption with joyful expectations were destined to a watery grave when entering the harbor.

I do not know what brought about the catastrophe, but my parents, who gave me this information, said that the ship was stranded when passing through the channel leading into Galveston Bay, about half a mile from shore, where it was broken to pieces, and the wreck could be seen as late as 1885. Only thirty-five of the passengers were saved, and they were rescued by a life-boat that was sent from the shore. Among them was an infant boy, about two years of age, who was thrown to my parents after they entered the boat, by some one on the vessel, under the impression that the child belonged to our family. Fortunately the boat conveyed its living freight safely to land, but none of the desolate people could comprehend their losses until they congregated on

shore, and one of those who realized them least was the

author of these memoirs, who at the age of five months was thus transferred from the wreck of a ship and placed on the soil of Texas. Another was the child who had been saved through a mistake, whose parents and his en-

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tire family were drowned; but friends took the orphan in charge and conveyed him to Castroville, where he was raised to manhood by a man named Bader, who was perhaps a friend of his family. Christian Schuhart was his name, and he is now a well-to-do farmer and ranchman on the San Geronimo, where I became intimate with him and we often discussed the early misfortunes of our families.

The ship's cargo, including all the belongings of the passengers, was a total loss. The disaster fell heavily on the emigrants who had supplied themselves with wagons, farm implements and other necessaries in Germany, with the expectation of using them in the New World, where their lot had been cast. All were alike destitute of everything except the clothing they wore, but, perhaps, a few had saved small amounts of money that was carried on their persons, and they were thrown on the charity of strangers. Although their pressing wants were supplied by subscriptions, there was no extravagant display of generosity, and a long time passed away before the effects of the calamity ceased to be felt.

My father secured passage, with others of the unfortunate emigrants, for his family on a schooner and sailed for Port Lavaca, where after his arrival he arranged with Plasedo Olivarri, a Mexican, to transport his wife and children, and the few things he possessed, to the Medina River, eight miles above Castroville. There land was assigned for my father's use in the " Castro Corner," but it was unimproved, and as the country was unsettled, we were compelled to live under the canopy of heaven, exposed to all kinds of weather, until a suitable shelter could be erected.

On the opposite side of the river from where we settled was a camp of Lipan Indians, who were then friendly with the whites, and when they visited us, my parents would sometimes allow the two elder children to return with them to their settlement. They were very generous,

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and they supplied our family with game all the time they lived in our vicinity. Later on the Indians moved elsewhere and immediately, I believe it was in 184*7, they went on the war-path. Thereafter they and all the Texas Indians depredated on the white settlements continuously until 1878, during which time many of my acquaintances and some of my dear friends were killed by them. I have endeavored to recall all the names of those who were killed by the hostiles during that period, in connection with the time and place of the murders, which will be presented elsewhere.

The first work my father did, after he became settled, was for Mr. Castro, who employed him and Mr. Huehner, the grandfather of Albert Huth, Bexar County's present Tax Assessor, to dig a ditch on the east side of " Castro's Corner," for which he agreed to pay each of them fifty cents per day. The ditch was eight feet wide and eight feet deep and it took them four months to complete the job. After the ditch was finished Castro leased a piece of land in the Corner to my father for three years, free of charge, except that he was to put it in cultivation.

After that he engaged in farming, but he also made a pit for the purpose of sawing lumber with a whip-saw and at odd times he cut cypress trees along the banks of the Medina River and turned them into lumber and shingles. Such work was very laborious, and as two men were required to run the saw he was only occasionally employed at it because he could not always hire help. By hard toil he managed to support his family with the necessaries of life without any of the luxuries. My parents were affectionate and considerate in the treatment of their children and tried to raise them properly. They were also strictly religious, and they often tried to impress upon the minds of their offspring the importance of thinking and acting in accordance with the Ten Commandments so that they would not come in conflict with the laws of their country.

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They were well known throughout west Texas and had many friends on account of their conscientiousness and kind-heartedness. My father was strongly impressed by the obligations and duties of his citizenship, and as he had come to the United States on account of its free institutions, he did not delay, after the expiration of five years, in taking out his naturalization papers which were secured in July, 1850.

He resided on the land he first settled until 1854, and then removed to a tract which he purchased from Samuel Etter, the father of Jacob and Samuel Etter, Jr., both of whom are now substantial farmers and live on Sous Creek, four miles east of Castro ville, adjoining the farm bought by my father, which was then situated in Bexar County on the Eagle Pass and El Paso road. In a few years the farm was nicely improved by hard work, and as the land was productive he made good crops, at the same time gathering around him a small number of horses and cattle, so that he was able to live more comfortably.

Free pasturage was abundant, and as there was no ex- pense attached to stock raising every farmer had a few animals, but many owned a thousand or more cattle, be- sides small herds of horses. The latter were not numerous, because of the risk of having them stolen by Indians. Big-foot Wallace owned the largest number in that region which were principally on Mustang Prairie, four miles below La Coste station, but the Indians succeeded in stealing them all eventually notwithstanding the fact that he kept a constant watch over them and often punished them severely for their thefts.

My childhood years were passed happily and I had a good and easy time, although I helped my father all I could on the farm in light work or in making myself useful in many ways, but I never fancied farming very much. When I was not more than eight years old I would occasionally help him saw lumber when he could get no one else to assist him, because, as I have stated,

A TEXAS PIONEER 9

it required two persons to perform such work with a whip-saw one above and another in the pit below.

My first visit to San Antonio was made with my father in 1854, and it was on this occasion that I was made happy by the wonderful things I saw in the city which filled my childish mind with astonishment. The business portion of the town was then confined to the two plazas, and most of the improvements were in that vicinity. I suppose the population at that time was not more than 3000 of all classes.

My next trip away from home was when I accompanied my father to Fort Inge on his wagon that was loaded with corn which he sold to the government. It was a part of a certain quantity he had contracted to deliver, at 40c. and 50c. per bushel, as forage for a company of dragoons that was then stationed at said fort, four miles below the present town of Uvalde, and another detachment at Fort Ewell on the Laredo road, both of which have been abandoned many years. All the men in these companies were splendidly mounted on the best horses that Missouri could furnish. Their saddles were the old government pattern, with solid brass stirrups weighing two pounds, and all the mountings were of the same metal. Every soldier was armed with two holster pistols, each with a single barrel, and a Mississippi yager, both of the same caliber, therefore they used the same fixed cartridges loaded with a ball and three buckshot. I was only nine years of age, but I took notice of everything as they were the first soldiers I had ever seen ; there I ate my first hard-tack, and there I saw the first playing cards. While my father was unloading the corn, I busied myself gathering the cards that were scattered around the camp. Until then I had never seen painted pictures of any kind, and I thought the cards were the prettiest things my eyes had ever gazed upon.

About that date my father hired Paul Offinger to help him on the farm and he worked for him three years, in

10 A TEXAS PIONEER

which time he saved up enough money to buy fifty acres of land near Quihi, eleven miles west of Castroville. When he moved on his place he had no one to assist him and my father hired me to him to drive his oxen when plowing or hauling for $5.00 per month and my board. I remained with him four months, and though only twelve years of age, my duties were performed to the satisfaction of my employer.

In those days oxen were the only animals that were used on farms on the western frontier for draft purposes, partly because the original outlay and cost of keeping them was less than for horses, and another reason was the risk of losing them on account of Indians who were always stealing horses. The oxen were always necked together, and after a day's work the yoke was removed, a bell was suspended to one of their necks, and they were turned out on the range until wanted, when the tinkling bell indicated their whereabouts.

Generally I found it prosy business wandering through the mesquite bushes in search of my oxen, but one foggy morning I had an exciting experience when I saw a panther in my path feasting on a calf he had killed. He was only a few feet in front of me, but he was so intent on satisfying his hunger that he only looked at me without rising. I, on the contrary, was very much startled, but a spell of fascination crept over me which kept my eyes fixed on him as I slowly backed from his presence a few steps before turning, and then I ran towards home at the top of my speed. I was bare-footed, as was usual with country boys in those days, who only wore shoes on Sundays, and my toes clawed the ground and helped me along. I was making pretty good time when I stepped on a large rattlesnake that was coiled in my path, which filled me with horror, but before he could strike I made a frantic leap in the air and landed beyond his reach. The accident caused my fear of the panther to subside and reduced my gait to a walk. But these adventures

A TEXAS PIONEER 11

did not make me abandon my search, which I continued, though with greater caution, until the musical ox-bell in the distance guided me to the animals I was seeking and I drove them home.

On another occasion Mr. Offinger went out hunting one Sabbath morning, and he allowed me to accompany him. He carried an old-fashioned army musket, which was loaded with the only charge of buckshot that he had, and I was unarmed. On the east side of Quihi prairie we suddenly found ourselves in the midst of a herd of about twenty-five javelinas, or Mexican hogs, that were feeding in a thicket of scrubby live-oak. When they saw us all of them bunched together with their heads towards us while their teeth clashed in a threatening and vicious manner until Mr. Offinger fired into the bunch. As the gun fired they rushed towards him and they moved so quickly that he only had time to climb a small tree beyond their reach. I was standing about twenty steps behind him and knowing the danger I followed his example, but as Mr. Offinger was the aggressor he received all of their attention. He wanted me to descend from my sheltered position and gather rocks with which to drive them away, but I was afraid, consequently we remained in our place of refuge until they disappeared an hour later.

The Mexican or musk hog, which is common in many sections of west Texas, has a sack on its back that contains a secretion which has a strong odor. They are aggressive, often attacking persons without provocation, and when wounded they are dangerous. Their long, sharp tusks cut like a knife and it is difficult to avoid them when on foot because of their quick movements and manner of fighting.

During the time I served Mr. Offinger I had many hours of recreation and my tasks were never heavy. My personal expenditures amounted to only twenty-five cents a month, that went for candy which I bought at Mr.

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Bailey's store in Quihi, and frequently my friend and play- mate, Frank Rieden, now living in San Antonio, helped me to eat it. My wages were well earned, and when I received the nineteen dollars that was due me I returned home with the money and placed it in my father's hand with a great deal of pleasure.

Mr. Bowles was another old friend of my father's who lived at Sabinal, in 1856, and I remember the old double-barrel shot-gun he showed my father soon after killing three Indians with it by discharging both barrels at the same instant. The gun was then out of order, and he was taking it to San Antonio to have it repaired.

The particulars of the killing, as Mr. Bowles related them to my father, are about as follows : The Indians had made a raid into the settlements, and after the fact became generally known, every one was on the watch for them. Mr. Bowles loaded his gun very heavily with buck-shot and took a position after dark on an elevation near his house, where he stood guard. He had only waited a short time when he saw three Indians approach on foot, following each other in single file along a foot trail. After bringing his weapon to his shoulder he waited until they were in close range and then fired both loads simultaneously. The recoil of the gun threw him on his back and it flew out of his hands behind him. After recovering from the shock the Indians had disap- peared, and he made an investigation with the result that one Indian was found dead in his tracks and another where he fell a short distance beyond. The search was continued next morning along a bloody trail, and after following it about three hundrd yards, the corpse of the third Indian was found.

This remarkably successful shot has never been recorded, or if it has I am unaware of the fact, but the tragic act is well known to others now living who will vouch for the truth of my story. Perhaps they know more of the circumstances than I can recall, because Mr.

A TEXAS PIONEER 13

Bowles has many relatives living in Uvalde County. He was killed by Indians in the Sabinal Canon about two years after his adventure, probably by the same tribe, who murdered him to avenge the slaughter of their warriors.

There is no comparison between the number of Indians that were killed by white men that I know of, and the number of white men that were killed by Indians.

Mr. John Bowles killed three Indians in Uvalde County. Xavier Wans killed one Indian and mortally wounded another in Medina County. Jack Hoffmann killed two Indians in Medina County. An Indian was killed by the first settlers at Quihi in Medina .County. Nic H'abe killed an Indian in Medina County. Ed. Tschirheart killed an Indian in San Saba County, near Fort McKavitt. Big- foot Wallace killed two Indians in Medina County. All these Indians were killed by men with whom I was well acquainted.

The following are some stories about Big-foot Wallace :

One time he brought a fifteen-year-old Indian who was probably on his first raid and got lost from his companions and had wandered towards Big-foot's ranch and came in contact with his dogs and to save himself, climbed a tree. Big-foot, hearing the bark of his dogs, went at once to see what kind of an animal they had treed, and to his surprise found a half frightened to death young warrior with his bow and arrows strapped to his back, captured him and put him on his horse in the saddle in front of him, and tied his feet under the horse's stomach and carried him that way to Castroville. Some one in the crowd said, " Say, Big-foot, give me that Indian." Whereupon he said, " No, this is my Indian ; if you want an Indian go an' get you one, there are plenty of them left."

Another story that I recollect well happened just before the war, where Big-foot was out horse-hunting and riding a mule when he came upon a fresh trail that was

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leading in a northerly direction over a divide. He followed the trail to find out if the Indians took the same direction on the other side of the divide, in which case it was his intention to hurry on to Castroville, where he expected to get enough men to cut them off if possible, but as he reached the top of the divide and looking on down the slope he saw to his surprise about twenty-five Indians busy catching the choicest horses out of the herd for their saddle horses. Big-foot saw at once that he was out-numbered and unable to escape, as they had already seen him, whereupon he snatched off his hat and waving it back towards the rear, called at the top of his voice saying, " Come on, boys ! Come on, boys ! We have got them ! " This was too much for Mr. Indian, as they were unable to see Big-foot's imaginary brigade, so they all jumped upon their horses and took to the woods, leaving their stolen animals, which Big-foot afterwards gathered with ease and drove back into the range.

Another story relates that, on one occasion, Big-foot invited several cow-boys, who were hunting cattle, to drink coffee with him and when they accepted his invitation he offered it to them in an Indian skull.

Another anecdote of Big-foot's early days was when he and other men had followed the Indians and overtook them near Bandera, where a battle took place and several Indians were killed. When returning home they all stopped at one of the first settlers' houses and they were invited to dinner. While they were eating they all boasted about their good marksmanship and how many Indians each claimed he had killed. The lady of the house noticed that Big-foot had nothing to say, and she questioned him, saying, " Mr. Wallace, how many Indians did you kill?" And he answered, "None." She then asked, "How is that?" "Just because there were not enough Indians for all of us, and according to the stories that you have heard, there were none left for me."

CHAPTER II

MY father always showed a strong affection for me and I was warmly attached to him. I often accompanied him on his journeys away from home, and I am inclined to think that my mischief-making propensities influenced him to remove me from familiar associations when he took me with him. He made frequent trips to Port Lavaca with his ox-wagon, when his team was not needed on the farm, and he received a fair compensation for hauling freight both ways between that point and San Antonio. I was not only his traveling companion on such occasions, but I made myself useful by driving the oxen and was able to do many things that were appreciated.

My father once contracted with a party in San Antonio to haul a load of pine lumber from a mill near Bastrop, on the Colorado River, and I went with him. Bastrop was then a small village with a few scattering houses, and the night we camped in the town a public meeting was held in the open air which I attended. I have no recollection of what it was about, although it was the first political speech I had ever heard, but I do remember that the place was lit up by torches made of pineknots and that they furnished the most beautiful light I had ever seen. I was only about eight years old then, and when I learned that I could get pine-knots for the trouble of gathering them, I lost no time the next day in collecting all I wanted, although the task was not as easy as I expected. On the way home I illuminated our camp every night and had some left with which I lit up the premises to please a few of my young friends. They were delighted, because they had never seen anything so

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brilliant before, but the exhibition closed when I barely missed setting fire to the corn-crib.

The light they had been accustomed to see was made by wrapping a rag around a stick and saturating it with lard ; the lower end was then stuck in a coffee-cup half full of sand, and the cup was filled with rendered lard or melted tallow. It made a very dim light, but it was the best we could do before candle molds were introduced, which were used by everybody who made tallow candles, until sperm candles of northern manufacture were placed on the market. The first I ever saw was in Castroville, in 1855, when three of them sold for twenty-five cents ; but they were too high-priced for common use and more than the poorer people of that region could afford to pay.

My father was an indulgent parent and he allowed his children many privileges, but he could be severe in his punishments when their misconduct made it necessary, and our mother was equally kind and affectionate. Under such influences the hardships that circumstances imposed upon us were not felt and we retained pleasant memories of our childhood. Our opportunities for an education were limited, and in my case frequent interruptions occurred so that my school days if added together would represent a very short period.

I remember a donkey which was identified with my school experiences that, incidentally, was the cause of many fights and any amount of trouble, but it is not worth while to discuss them. He had a disposition that was rather eccentric and he indulged his whims whenever it suited him. He was always in request on week days, and on Sundays some one of the children rode him to church. I will never forget the sensation he created one Sabbath morning when the services were being conducted. The minister was reading from the Bible and the congregation was devoutly listening to the lesson in which the word Hallelujah appears. As he raised his voice to an un-

A TEXAS PIONEER 17

usually loud pitch when repeating the word, the donkey, that was grazing near the window, thought, perhaps, that the exclamation invited a response. A moment later his head appeared in the opening and he uttered a refrain in prolonged strains such as only a donkey can express, until the solemnities were disturbed and the preacher even, although somewhat disconcerted, could not suppress a smile.

My father owned a small bunch of horses that were not easily controlled and the donkey was our stand-by until we got rid of a wild gray mare that could rarely be penned and she always led the herd. One Sunday, when my parents were at church, we managed to get her in the pen, and after roping and throwing her, with the assistance of several visiting boys, I tied a dry cow's hide securely to her tail. When I turned her loose she dashed out of the enclosure and as the rattling raw-hide drove her frantic with fright her headlong flight was continued until she was lost to view. She was never seen afterwards and we came to the conclusion that she was drowned in the Medina River or else she had run herself to death. My father was kept in ignorance of our performance for some time until he missed her, and he did not appear to regret her disappearance because he knew her to be worthless.

Another escapade of mine was more serious in its consequences, and it caused my father and several of his neighbors considerable trouble and expense. Three neighborhood boys assisted me and were equally respon- sible for the mischief which consisted in changing the corner-stones of a number of adjoining farms, including those on my father's land. The alterations were not dis- covered until some time after and several years passed before the trouble was remedied by repeated surveys of the tracts involved. They each had the same area of land because we had measured off a certain width and added it to the next adjacent, consequently it was necessary to

start at an established corner and re-survey all the sub-

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divisions of the 640-acre tract which, when located ac- cording to the field notes, identified the corners correctly.

The land in controversy was then in Bexar County, and I think the differences in their claims were settled without litigation. I am sure that my father arbitrated his claim in a friendly manner because he never had a suit in court, although he frequently served as a grand juror and on petty juries in the district court.

My parents had become more prosperous as a recom- pense for their hard labor and strict economy, and their children were old enough to assist in performing the rou- tine duties of the farm. The settlement in the meantime had been extended and the population in the country was greatly augmented, therefore, the opportunities for securing a living had increased. A stage route had also been established between San Antonio and Eagle Pass, which passed by my father's door. It was under the management of Alex David, who had secured a contract to carry the United States mail between those points, and at the same time he was granted a similar contract to transport the mail between San Antonio and Bandera. As the latter was tributary to the main line it was open to a sub-contractor and my father applied for and secured the route. It extended from his house, four miles east of Castroville, to Bandera and back, a distance of thirty-two miles, each way, and it was stipulated that it should be ridden every Monday, and back the next day, for which my father was to receive $300 per annum.

I was then about fourteen years old and the duty of carrying the mail was assigned to me, whereby I became the youngest mail-carrier in the United States. The Bandera mail sack that was brought by stage to my father's house every Monday, about noon, was conveyed by me to Bandera, on horse-back, and I returned the next day in time to meet the Eagle Pass mail-hack which took it on to San Antonio.

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The country along my route was sparsely settled then, as the following facts will show. After leaving my father's house it was eight miles to the ranch owned jointly by Dr. Bohm and Richard Tuerpe. The last served fifteen years as commissioner in Medina County, and now resides in San Antonio. Twelve miles further on was Mitchell's ranch, that was in charge of John Green, the father of Will Green, who is now a mounted policeman in San Antonio. Six miles beyond, the ranch of August and Celeste Begno was located, who now own a large ranch on Turkey Creek, and Ed. Montel, an attorney in Hondo City, is their nephew. The next settlement was the beautifully located town of Bandera which is widely known as a health resort on account of the salubrious climate.

These were frontier settlements and about that period the wild Indians made frequent incursions through the country, but I was lucky enough to avoid coming in contact with them, nor did I see any signs of them on any of my journeys. On one occasion, though, I was badly frightened by a party of Mexicans, who were mistaken for Indians, and I made a record run when making my escape. As I am giving my experiences I may as well relate the circumstances.

The trip under consideration was made in company with a boy then on a visit to Castroville, whose home was in Bandera, and as he wished to return I allowed him to ride behind me on my horse. He was about my age, and though his name is forgotten, I remember that John Adamadez, now a horse-dealer in San Antonio, was his cousin. Nothing happened until we got into the Medina mountains, where I took a wrong trail that led us into the Medina valley, about six miles below Mitchell's ranch. About the time I realized my mistake a scattered body of men suddenly appeared in sight among the trees, who we supposed were Indians. We were very much alarmed and I quickly turned my horse without waiting to make

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a close investigation, but the movement was not fast enough to satisfy my companion, who, in a panic, jumped to the ground and ran in the brush. It was done so quickly I thought he was killed, and under that impression my horse was urged to his best speed until I arrived at Mitchell's ranch and excitedly related all that had hap-pened. Mr. Green tried to quiet my fears, and promised that when his men came in he would send one with me to Bandera for assistance. While we were waiting a party of Mexicans came up to the ranch and with them was the boy who I supposed was dead. They proved to be those we had assumed were Indians, and I knew I had given a false alarm when they explained that they had been engaged in thrashing pecan trees and gathering the nuts. They were near enough to witness our fright and hastily quit their work to overtake the boy, who, when found, was undeceived. Knowing that an alarm of Indians being in the vicinity would create excitement, they hurried to the ranch with a view to relieve the anxiety of his friends. Of course I was glad that no serious results were attached to the adventure, but my Indian scare became a standing joke among my acquaintances and it was a sore subject until I lived it down.

Nothing else happened to me while I carried the mail that was of any consequence, except once, when I was thrown from a wild mule I was riding, which, -incidentally, caused considerable excitement. He was a skittish beast, and so easily frightened he would frequently snort and jump suddenly to one side when nothing was in sight but his shadow. Generally I was on my guard, but that evening I was careless, and when he made a quick bound sideways I was thrown out of the saddle to the ground. Before I could recover my feet he darted away at the top of his speed with my mail-bag and I had to walk to Bandera, a mile or two distant. When I related what had happened, my story enlisted the services of all the men in the town, but their search was unsuccessful until

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late the following evening, when the brute was brought in and I was glad to know that the mail-bag was safe. The next morning I started for home, feeling badly at the thought that I was a day behind because it was the first time such a thing had happened. When within twelve miles from home I was surprised to meet my father with a party of neighbors on their way to look for me. Among them was Dan Adams, Sam Etter, John Bippert, Tab Woodward, Jim Brown and others. They were all very much relieved when they saw me, because they thought I had either been killed or captured by Indians.

The mail route was in existence one year and ten months, and in that time I made about one hundred round trips, each averaging sixty-four miles, without failing to be on time except on the occasion to which I have referred, and that was not my fault. When my youth is considered, in connection with the fact that the country was infested by roving bands of Indians who were continually depredating upon the people and committing many murders, I have a right to flatter myself on the record I made. It is evident that I escaped numerous dangers and I feel grateful for my good fortune. Although I carried a six-shooter as long and heavy as that worn by Big-foot Wallace, or any other Indian fighter, it is an open question whether I would have used it, in case of an encounter with Indians, or would have trusted, instead, to the speed of my good horse, Sam, who carried me on nearly all of my journeys.

All mail contracts granted by the United States government in Texas were cancelled in 1861, at the com- mencement of the Civil War, and of course Alex David discontinued his services. When my father's sub-contract was annulled a sum amounting to about five hundred dollars was due him for carrying the mail ; but neither he nor his heirs have been able to recover a cent from the government on the account ; consequently all my services in that connection were performed for nothing unless the

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claim still pending in Washington City should be favorably considered in the future.

The great Civil War was initiated and Texas became involved in that lamentable struggle, but I do not intend to discuss the subject. I will only say that my father, like many other good citizens, voted against secession, but, after the measure was carried, he submitted to the laws of the land and directed his attention to his legitimate business. Partly with a view to giving me employment, he engaged in freighting cotton from Columbus to Eagle Pass, and I drove an ox-team between those points until September, 1862, but the occupation was not such as I fancied. I was then nearly seventeen years of age, and in December of that year I visited Eagle Pass on my personal account, with the intention of making my own way in the world. I entertained no political prejudices, nor was there any necessity for me to take sides in the war, on account of my age, consequently it had nothing to do with my visit to the Mexican border. Afterwards I passed over the Rio Grande, and did not again return to Texas for several years, but my experiences until then will be related in the following chapter.

CHAPTER III

I FELT no misgivings regarding my future prospects when I left home in September, 1862, with the determination to seek my fortune in the world that I believed was waiting for me somewhere. I was young, healthy, and vigorous, with a mind strengthened by independent thoughts that had sustained me in many responsible positions and I felt that I could earn a competency by my own exertions. With such confidence in myself, a good horse, and a few dollars in my pocket, I parted from the loved ones at home with no definite idea with reference to the date of my return.

My route on horse-back to Eagle Pass took me through the town of D'Hanis, where I was joined by Joe Carle, the father of Carle Bros., who now conduct a mercantile establishment on West Commerce Street, in San Antonio. He was a merchant in D'Hanis and we had previously arranged to go to Mexico together, where he had business to attend to, but as he was engaged to his present wife he returned home after an absence of a few weeks. In the meantime I became acquainted with Billy Egg, a young man who had fled from east Texas to avoid serving in the army. He was stopping with his brother, Thomas Egg, a married man, who lived in Piedras Negras, and I secured board with the family.

A few days afterwards I, and two other men, accompanied Thomas Egg thirty miles up the Rio Grande to a bottom where there was a growth of willow trees, which he proposed to cut into lengths suitable for rafters, called vieges in Spanish. They were used by the Mexicans as a sub-structure for the flat roofs of their houses, which were built of adobies or sun-dried brick, 4 x 10 x 18 inches,

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24 A TEXAS PIONEER

made of mud. The rafters most in demand were twenty-five feet long, with a diameter of twelve inches at the butt and six inches at the small end. These could be readily sold in Piedras Negras at one dollar and a half each, on account of their scarcity because of the difficulty in hauling them.

When constructing a roof for a house the Mexicans placed these rafters on top of the adobe walls, about two feet apart, and the entire space was then closely covered over with split boards, about two feet long, that reached from one rafter to the next. A mortar of mud, made from a particular kind of dirt, was thoroughly mixed with dry grass until it could be handled. This was spread in a continuous layer about four inches thick near the eaves and much thicker in the middle, so as to give a slope to the roof. After becoming thoroughly dry a second layer of about the same thickness was put on, and it was followed by a third when ready to receive it. The finishing course was a layer of cement about four inches thick, composed of earth and lime, which only the Mexicans know how to mix, and the roof with its slope from the center was made smooth by dragging over it the edge of a board. Such roofs last a long time, and I remember one that was shown me in Paras, Mexico, which had received no repairs in thirty years, that was then in perfect condition.

Our party cut about one hundred and eighty of such rafters, and as we had planned to secure them in a raft and float them down the river, we carried them to the nearest point on our shoulders, a distance of three hundred yards. When we were about ready to start our raft the Mexican authorities interfered, under the impression that it could be used for smuggling purposes, and they prohibited its completion. We then changed our plans, and were compelled to employ Mexican carts to haul our rafters to Piedras Negras, which was expensive, consequently we realized only a small sum above our outlay.

A TEXAS PIONEER 25

I was next employed under a contract to make two dozen American ox-yokes at one dollar and a half apiece, for Semon de la Penia, who had a wagon-shop in Piedras Negras. He had removed recently from San Antonio, to which place his family afterwards returned. I worked in his shop and used his tools until I finished the yokes, and perhaps they were the first that had ever been made in that town.

Soon after completing my job, in November, 1862, I visited Matamoras on horse-back, in company with Thomas B. McManus, John Heinemann and Billy Egg. We traveled down the Mexican side of the Rio Grande a distance of four hundred and fifty miles. My only object in going was to see the country, but my trip was not satisfactory, because after spending all my money I was compelled to work in a cotton-yard, and after a short stay I was ready to return to Piedras Negras. I was without means, but fortunately I fell in with a theatrical troop, and secured employment with them as door-keeper. We left Matamoras in December, 1862, and on the way up the river the company gave performances at Camargo, Renosa, Renosa San Antonio, Roma, Mier, Laredo, and finally at Piedras Negras, where I left them.

With a part of my earnings I purchased a mule and cart, paying seventy-five dollars for the outfit, and engaged in hauling water from the Rio Grande, which I sold at 25 cents a barrel. Considering the amount of capital invested it was the best paying business in which I ever engaged, and it was my constant occupation until I was offered employment that gave me an opportunity to see the country, then I hired a man to drive the cart during my absence.

Messrs. Herman and Gilbeau, cotton-brokers in Piedras Negras, wanted to visit San Luis Potosi on business. As the distance was five hundred and fifty miles over an unsafe road an escort was necessary, and they hired me and a Mexican to serve in that capacity. They traveled in

26 A TEXAS PIONEER

an ambulance with four mules driven by a Mexican and the escort accompanied them on horse-back all the way. A brief sketch of our route and the prominent places of interest is worthy of notice in a section of country where the greater part was a desolate wilderness, but as it is described elsewhere as far as Monterey in another connection, the reader's attention will be directed to a few places of importance beyond that city :

The city of Saltillo is situated in the State of Coahuila, seventy-five miles southwest of Monterey, on the north slope of a ridge that crosses the whole valley, and it is in sight after passing the hacienda of San Gregario. It was then a well-built town of substantial houses, with good paved streets, and a beautiful Alameda. A number of factories were established there, and they contributed greatly to the prosperity of the place by giving employment to the inhabitants. Several of them manufactured unbleached cotton goods exclusively, and others turned out woolen goods. They also had the reputation of turning out the finest of the well-known hand-made Mexican blankets that were admired for their excellent quality and workmanship, not only in the republic but in Europe and the United States, where they were sold for from thirty to fifty dollars apiece.

The road from Saltillo to San Luis Potosi passed through San Cristobal, and the Hacienda de Guadalupe, to the right of the Catorce mountain, which rises two thousand feet above the surrounding plain. When within twenty-five miles of San Luis Potosi the beautiful city appears and distance adds enchantment to the view which becomes more attractive the nearer it is approached. Stately domes and numerous lofty towers give prominence to the substantial buildings that crowd upon its narrow streets. These, when entered, are found to be interesting on account of the way they are laid out and because of their superior construction and cleanliness. Among its public buildings is a splendid city hall and

A TEXAS PIONEER 27

five or six magnificent churches adorned with carvings and sculpture that rival any in Mexico, the most superb of which is the cathedral.

In 1862 San Luis Potosi was one of the most enterprising cities in the republic, independent of its mining interests, that at one time attracted great attenion. The San Pedro mine was once the most prominent in Mexico, on account of the single piece of pure gold taken out of it, that is said to have been the largest solid lump of gold ever found in Mexico or any part of the world. It was sent to Spain as a present to the King, and in return for that act of generosity, the King contributed a beautiful and costly clock to the city as a gift for its cathedral, which I suppose strikes the hours now as it did in 1862 when I was there. The noted San Pedro mine, which was near the city, was abandoned many years before my visit on account of water that flooded the interior and caused it to cave. So far the evil has not been remedied, but perhaps scientific skill will overcome the difficulties eventually and make its wealth accessible.

After reaching our destination my employers ascertained that a lot of silver bullion that was due them had not been delivered. The treasure was expected from the mines of Real de Catorce, distant about one hundred and forty miles, and it was essential that it should be secured with as little delay as possible. For that purpose I and the two Mexicans of our party were sent with four pack-mules, under the orders of Angel Hernandez, a resident of San Luis Potosi. We arrived at the smelting works of the Catorce mines about eight o'clock in the evening.

The city of Real de Catorce is situated on top of a high range of mountains, and the only approach was up a narrow winding path cut in the side of the ragged acclivity that could only be ascended on foot or the back of mules. This and another similar trail were dug out of the perpendicular face of the precipice, and each with its windings was about two miles in length. Its name

28 A TEXAS PIONEER

Catorce, " fourteen," was given it because this canon was first inhabited by a band of fourteen robbers.

The population of the town then numbered in the neighborhood of six thousand people. The public buildings and houses were substantially built of stone, and the streets, though narrow, were paved, and cleanliness was enforced. No vehicles of any kind could be seen in the place, and it was said that none had ever been introduced, but the deficiency was supplied by pack animals. The inhabitants derived their support from the rich mines situated in a canon of the mountains which rise above the plateau on which the city is built. The ore was very rich and the mines were ow r ned by Santos de la Masa, who worked them according to very primitive methods.

The ore was conveyed from the mines to the foot of the mountain in hampers on the backs of burros. Each bur- den weighed one hundred and fifty pounds, and they trav- eled in a slow pace, as they wound down the trail leading from the mine, in a continuous line, and returned un- loaded, in a snail-like pace, along an equally narrow trail up another route.

The reducing works of the Catorce mines were situated near a stream that ran along the base of the mountain where the ore was worked both by smelting and by patio, or cold amalgamation process. The first method was used for the hard, and the last for the soft ores that were taken from the mine. There were several circular depressions, each about two feet in depth and seventy-five feet in circumference, with its bottom sloping from the center to the outer rim. These were cut in the solid rock and cemented, and each was enclosed around the edges by a strong fence about eight feet in height.

The soft ore was first ground on steel mills to the fineness of sand; and the powder was then placed in one of the circular excavations to the thickness of eighteen inches. It was then saturated with water, and a quantity of quick-silver was added. A number of wild mules

A TEXAS PIONEER 29

was then turned into the enclosure until there was not enough room for them to turn round and the gate was closed. The mules were then driven around the circle as rapidly as possible by men with whips who were stationed at intervals on the fence. When the animals were completely fagged out others equally wild relieved them and each time more water was added. When the pulverized ore was reduced to the consistency of mud, it was washed clean, and nothing but the silver amalgam remained that was deposited in grooves, made for that purpose in the cement floor. This was gathered and smelted in a furnace from which the silver was run into bars.

The process was similar to the common practice in olden times, when grain was tramped out by horses on a barn floor, and it was equally successful. The owner of the mine raised large numbers of mules on his ranch expressly for the purpose, and when sufficiently tamed they were placed on the market. This description is given with the belief that the methods then in use have been discarded since the introduction of stamp mills and other improved machinery.

A much harder ore was taken from the same mine, called milling ore, which was carried direct to a furnace. The furnace was built in the side of a hill and resembled a lime-kiln, with an opening in the top to receive the ore. A peculiar kind of wood was used for smelting the ore that produced an intense heat which was kept up until a sluggish stream of silver flowed out below into molds that turned out bars of uniform size.

We remained at the smelting works three days, during which time I made several visits to the town of Catorce. I rode up the mountain on a donkey and the round trip cost me twenty-five cents. I had a good time frolicing, dancing, and seeing everything that was worth the trouble. Felix Barrera, of San Antonio, who was known to me, was working in the mine, but I did not see him,

30 A TEXAS PIONEER

although I became acquainted with his brother who lived in the town.

We loaded our pack-mules with eight bars of silver bul-lion, valued at eight thousand dollars, and returned safely to San Luis Potosi with our valuable cargo, but I do not know what disposition was made of it, although I am confident that it was left there. Before our departure the Mexican ambulance driver was discharged on account of drunkenness, and his duties were assigned to me. I knew all about driving oxen and a pair of horses, and I assumed the task without hesitation. Though it was my first attempt at driving four-in-hand, I succeeded admirably and my employers complimented my skill when we arrived at Piedras Negras, about the latter part of February, 1863, after an absence of twenty-five days.

I next offered my services to Messrs. Rinehold Becker and George Enderle, merchants of Piedras Negras, who were preparing to visit Monterey for the purpose of replenishing their stock of goods. My recent experience was a sufficient recommendation and they employed me to drive their ambulance.

My expertness in handling horses was not put to a test on the journey until we passed over a stretch of road that was full of stumps. Although I exerted all my skill I gave my passengers frequent jolts and they were rather free with their criticism when commenting 'on my carelessness. Finally they concluded to take a more conservative view of the situation by turning their mishaps to some account, and decided that every time a wheel struck a stump they would console themselves by taking a drink. As we had a long jaunt ahead of us the encounters with stumps and the bottle were frequent, consequently my employers were well loaded when we reached an open country. We returned from Monterey in March and I was again out of a job. Mr. Enderle has been dead a number of years; he was a brother-in-law of Mr. John Fries, who for many years was a merchant in San An-

A TEXAS PIONEER 31

tonio, where his son, Fred Fries, is now City Clerk. Mr. Becker is now living in said city, where, until a few years ago, he was in active business.

I was not disposed to remain idle and I undertook to dig a well for John Heinemann, in April, for a stipulated price. I had never had any experience in that line of work, and my ignorance was perceptible when I struck water because of its crookedness the mouth of the well was hid from view when at the bottom. After it was finished it answered every purpose on account of its abundant supply of water. It was the first well that was ever dug in Piedras Negras, and the owner made it pay by selling water at the well for twelve and a half cents per barrel. It did not interfere with my water business, which had been prosecuted during my absence, and it was continued by hired help for some time afterwards.

I was again free, but in May I found employment with the firm of Messrs. F. Groos & Co., in Piedras Negras, who placed me in charge of their cotton yard under Gustave Groos, a brother of Mr. F. Groos, now a banker in San Antonio. I commenced working for them at a salary of seventy-five dollars per month, and held the position until the following October. Strong influences were then brought to bear which made me give up my situation and dispose of my water business, but when doing so I acted contrary to my inclinations. I was led away from all my former occupations, and was influenced to engage in the trade of war, which was repulsive to me.

CHAPTER IV

I WAS not much concerned on account of the Civil War that was raging in the United States, and I was content so long as Texas was free from its ravages. I did not know much about it, but before that time many men from the Southern States had entered Mexico on account of the troubles there. Some were refugees who fled from the country because of their opposition to secession and sympathy for the Union cause, but many were skulkers seeking to avoid military service, and a large number were deserters from the Confederate army. Among the former was Joe Christ, who was devoted to the Union cause. He was a good old friend of my father's, and he, more than any one else, persuaded me to close up my business and go with him to Brownsville.

The country along the west side of the Rio Grande was then infested by outlaws, and one of the most notorious was Abram Garcia, who first appeared there in I860. He was personally known to Louis Hastings, now living in San Antonio, who is acquainted with his career, but through other sources I became familiar with the many depredations he committed between Laredo and Matamoras.

He was commonly known as Caballero Blanco, or the White-horseman, on account of the white horse he always rode, and the people in that region feared him very much, particularly in the towns of Mier, Roma, Renosa Vico, Renosa San Antonio and Camargo. He had the reputation of being a very brave man, but the cruelties he perpetrated on those who fell into his hands indicated that he was influenced by a brutal nature. He took special delight in humiliating the victims that were overpowered

32

A TEXAS PIONEER 33

by his gang and robbed, by forcing them to dance at the muzzle of a six-shooter and then maltreated them by whipping them cruelly with a quirt before they were finally dismissed.

When passing through the territory in which he operated, Mr. Christ and myself observed a continual watchfulness, but nothing was seen that excited suspicion, though we came in contact with a party of unfortunate Mexicans who had been subjected to his unmerciful treatment. They had come from Saltillo or Monterey with a lot of superior horses, some fine Mexican blankets, saddles, and other things that were intended for the Texas market, when they encountered Caballero Blanco near the river, at Roma. The property, which was valuable, was all taken from them, and the entire party of six men, after being forced to dance, were horribly beaten, but one more severely than the others. Their condition was such that it was necessary to convey them to Renosa San Antonio for medical treatment, and Mr. Sanders, a merchant of Roma, a particular friend of theirs, was summoned to their bed-side.

After seeing the evidence of his deviltry, our party, like every one else, was fearful of meeting Caballero Blanco, and we kept constantly on the watch until our destination was reached. As I left Mexico a few months later and did not return for several years, I heard no mention of him, nor do I know what became of him.

Persons who violate the law in Mexico are quickly arrested, and generally the penalties are impartially en-forced ; but some people think otherwise, and many stories have been published which convey a different impression.

I recall an unusual incident which came to my knowledge that happened at Mier, near the Rio Grande, when I and my three companions, Tom Egg, John Heinemann, and Bill McFarland, were stopping there. The third day after our arrival four other Texans put up at the little meson where we were quartered. The next morning the

34 A TEXAS PIONEER

new-comers led their horses to water and when returning from the river they observed a Mexican woman moving slowly in the trail before them. A large jar that held about four gallons was gracefully poised on her head, without any support from her hands, which contained water that she had procured at the river and she was carrying it to her home half a mile distant.

One of the young men in the party was an excellent marksman with a pistol, and he wanted to show his skill by breaking the jar with a bullet. His aim was accurate, the vessel was broken, and the poor woman received an unexpected shower-bath. It was a mean thing for him to do, and perhaps he feared the consequences or else his offer to compensate the woman for her loss by paying her a dollar, showed that he regretted his thoughtless act.

She communicated the circumstances to her friends, who complained to the Alcalde of the place, and in a short time eight armed men appeared before the meson and conveyed the young gentleman to jail. Until then no one in my party knew what had happened, and then Messrs. Heinemann, Egg, and McFarland, accompanied by the prisoner's three friends, followed him and the guard, but I remained in camp.

Heinemann, who had married in a prominent Mexican family in Laredo, could speak Spanish fluently and he undertook to defend the young Texan. He proved by the testimony of his friends that the prisoner was an expert with a pistol, who could shoot an egg off a man's head at any reasonable distance, and that the woman's life was in no danger when he fired at the jar.

But for Heineman's influence it is probable that some sort of punishment would have been meted out to the young man, and he was fortunate in escaping so easily, because then Americans were looked upon with less favor than now. Possibly when he returned to Texas he made himself a hero by telling incredible stories about Mexico, like others have done, but they only deceive the ignorant.

A TEXAS PIONEER 35

After arriving in Brownsville, Mr. Christ exerted his influence over me and in compliance with his earnest solici- tations I enlisted in the United States army, in December, 1863, as a private in Captain Braubach's company of scouts. The company was an independent organization, raised for service on the Rio Grande, and it was composed of white Americans exclusively. I was then in my seventeenth year and when the officers were elected I was made second corporal. The First Texas Cavalry was then in camp at Brownsville, under the command of Colonel Davis, who was afterwards governor of Texas, and my company was embodied with it and was known as Company H. During the six months that the command remained in that region it was constantly engaged in scouting along the Texas border.

On one occasion a detachment of the regiment, consisting of twenty men, was sent to Padre Island with orders to collect a lot of beeves under the protection of a vessel that was to sail a mile or so from shore and warn us of the enemy's presence should any appear. After proceeding some distance we came in sight of a herd of cattle and soon headed them toward our lines. We did not make much progress before the enemy appeared with a larger force that compelled us to retreat and the beeves were recaptured. The vessel off shore promptly came to our rescue and shelled our opponents, but they could not be prevented from driving off the cattle to a place of safety.

A large Federal force, represented by all branches of the service, was then concentrated in the vicinity of Brownsville, and the commodious buildings at Fort Brown, on the banks of the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoras, were occupied by them. An invasion of Texas was in contemplation that was to be conducted on a large scale by two armies, one on Red River and the other on the Rio Grande, both acting in concert, but the battles of Mans- field and Pleasant H'ill changed these plans and Texas

36 A TEXAS PIONEER

was spared from witnessing the havoc incident to the ravages of war.

After Banks' army was defeated on Red River and driven back to Morganza, on the Mississippi River, the western division, that was to have participated in the invasion of Texas from the west, was ordered to rendezvous at that point in Louisiana. Only five companies of the First Texas Cavalry were included in the order, and Companies A, B and C remained in Brownsville under the command of Captain Zoeller until the close of the war, when they were reunited with the regiment.

When we arrived at Morganza the encampment of General Banks' army of 80,000 men extended along the river a distance of about ten miles and the line of outposts was, necessarily, about twenty miles long. A reorganization of the army was in progress and it was understood that preparations were being made for another advance into Texas. During that period the picket line was constantly harassed by the enemy's scouts and they sustained many losses, although they had a strong support and were always on the alert. Every day a dozen or more of the poor fellows were either killed, wounded, or captured, and it seemed as if it was impossible to restrain the Rebs, who seemed to be always ready to attack our front. These fatalities do not figure in history, but it is an actual fact that the Confederates caused more losses to the Union army in that encampment than was sustained by the American forces in the recent Spanish war.

The Confederates occupied a fortification on Bayou Atchafalaya, about twenty-five miles distant and west of our position, which gave them a strong support. When the attacks became insufferable it was determined to drive them from that location, and, if possible, force them to abandon the country east of that stream. For that purpose a force numbering about three thousand infantry, with four or five batteries and one thousand cavalry, was

A TEXAS PIONEER 37

sent against them with orders to treat all Confederate scouts as guerrillas and show no mercy to those who should fall in their hands.

The excuse for vigorous action and the adoption of harsh penalties was justified by the report that the Confederates had hung several Federal soldiers; but the reason for doing so was unknown, and if it was a fact the circumstances did not warrant such extremely harsh measures, though many acts are perpetrated in time of war which are unjustifiable. Possibly they were executed as spies or deserters, but it is more probable that they were foragers who were depredating on the citizens, and hanging was too good for them.

A detachment of sixty men from the First Texas Cavalry was placed under the command of Lieutenant Lilly of Company A, and eight of them were selected from Company H. My disappointment because I was not one of them led me to offer my services as a volunteer and they were accepted. I was anxious to go because we all thought that it was the first movement towards the invasion of Texas and my confidence led me to believe that we would march direct to San Antonio. Fearing that there would be no more fighting, I was anxious to participate in one engagement so that I could tell my friends in Texas that I took part in a battle. When I was chosen in another man's place I was delighted and I considered it a very great favor.

We left our encampment about three o'clock in the morning and our detachment led the advance with a part of a New York regiment of cavalry in our rear. We were chosen for the post of honor because the First Texas Cavalry had the reputation of being very good horsemen. We rode about twenty miles before we came in contact with the enemy's pickets. They gave us a warm reception, and held us in check for half an hour, in which time about thirty of our men were killed and many wounded. After the first attack reinforcements of in

38 A TEXAS PIONEER

fantry rapidly advanced and a charge was made which routed the enemy. We pursued them about five miles, or until we were under the fire of the fort, and we then skirmished until our entire force was concentrated.

Our troops were sheltered behind a levee and the enemy was strongly fortified on the opposite side of the Atchafalaya with their cannon commanding the bridge. The fight lasted about four hours, during which time a heavy infantry and artillery fire was maintained on both sides. The Federal loss in killed and wounded was considerable, and I saw enough fighting to satisfy me, but I did my part without making myself conspicuous. My first shock was received when I saw Major Black, a gallant officer, who commanded a battalion of Illinois infantry, shot from the top of the levee and roll down the embankment. The retreat was ordered none too soon for me, and I never afterwards was foolish enough to volunteer when a detail was needed, on which occasions I was always glad when my name did not appear.

After the invasion of Texas was abandoned, the encampment at Morganza was broken up and the five com- panies of the First Texas Cavalry were stationed successively at Natchez, Brookhaven and Baton Rouge. Subsequently, when the war was brought to a close, they were ordered to New Orleans, where they, were joined by Companies A, B, and C> that had been left in Brownsville. They had performed efficient service on the western borders of Texas under the command of Captain Zoeller, and they participated in the last battle that was fought for the Union. The engagement took place the 13th day of May, 1865, below Brownsville, at Palo Alto, which is now known as the " White Ranch." It was not much of a fight, but it is worthy of notice because it happened seven days after the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy was surrendered by General Kirby Smith, consequently it was the last battle of the war.

After the companies of the regiment were reunited,

A TEXAS PIONEER 39

Company H, which until then was known as an inde- pendent organization, was disbanded and the men en- rolled in the companies of their choice, otherwise they would not have been entitled to pensions and other emolu- ments of the service. I became a member of Company C, commanded by Captain Zoeller, who now is a prosperous farmer and ranchman and resides at Waring, Texas. The regiment marched over-land to San Antonio, Texas, where on the 28th of October, 1865, the men were honorably discharged from the army.

Before dismissing the subject, I wish to pay a just tribute to the character and services of my commander, and it will be appropriate to do so in this connection.

Captain Zoeller claims a long list of ancestors who were prominently connected with military life in Germany, therefore, he was instinctively a soldier and the profession of arms was not repulsive to him. He was conscientious in his views with reference to the political troubles that arose in 1861, and he not only opposed secession at the ballot box, but he entered the army and was active in defense of the Union during the great Civil War.

His talents and qualifications recommended him for pro- motion, and as a captain of cavalry his superior horsemanship and gallantry made him conspicuous on all occasions where his services could be made effective. As an officer he recognized the fact that obedience was the first duty of a soldier, and he exerted himself to instill his principles into the minds of his men. As a disciplinarian he was strict but kind and considerate to those who served under him, consequently he won their respect and confidence. The estimation in which his abilities and services were held by those in authority was expressed when he was offered a position in the regular army of the United States. When he returned to the peaceful pursuits of private life he not only retained the affections of his comrades in arms, but he won the good will of all

40 A TEXAS PIONEER

men and he commanded an influence that was felt wher- ever he was known. No man is perfect, but my friendship for Captain Zoeller has placed a high estimate on his character, and I believe that when his life's record is closed few blemishes will appear to mar the purity of his existence.

I returned immediately to my father's farm, where I received an affectionate welcome from my people and neighbors. I had been absent from home nearly three years, and many changes had occurred during that period, but none had taken place in my father's family. After spending two pleasant months among my old associations, I became restless and anxious for some active employment. As mail contracts were then being let in Texas, I filed an application for the route from San Antonio to Eagle Pass and from there to Fort Clark. My bid was accepted by the Post Office Department and in January, 1866, a contract was awarded me.

CHAPTER V

I WAS not quite twenty-one years of age when I secured a contract to carry the United States mail from San Antonio to Eagle Pass and that from Eagle Pass to Fort Clark. The length of the first route was one hundred and sixty-two miles, and I was required to make the round trip once every six days. The post offices were Castroville, New Fountain, D'Hanis, Sabinal, Uvalde and Eagle Pass, from which place the mail was carried to Fort Clark, a distance of fifty miles, by George Swanda, whom I hired for that purpose.

My outfit consisted of a three-seated hack, capable of carrying six persons, that was drawn by a pair of mules, which I drove myself. Stations were established at suitable distances, where I changed teams ; and as I had sublet the route to Fort Clark, Eagle Pass became the terminus of that under my immediate control.

My regular charge per seat, for a through passage, was twenty dollars, but it was seldom that all seats were occupied.

The road was always beset by many dangers, and I considered myself extremely fortunate after passing through them. The frontier was practically unprotected against the Indians who were then plentiful, and they made raids with impunity through Medina, Uvalde and Atascosa Counties, where they killed and plundered the people. The Eagle Pass and El Paso roads were continually infested by them, and those who traveled those routes always tempted Providence unless they were strong enough in numbers to resist an attack.

I often saw the trails of marauding parties of Indians

41

42 A TEXAS PIONEER

where they crossed the road and have found the mutilated bodies of many men lying where they had been murdered. I frequently traveled the route alone, and it is remarkable that on such occasions I was never molested, and the exceptions were when I had one or more passengers in my coach. The risks were so great that business men would rarely travel the route alone, but formed parties of several who were well supplied with arms and ammunition.

On one of my trips in 1866, I was traveling westward entirely alone, and when about eighteen miles from Eagle Pass I drove into a camp, about three o'clock in the after- noon, where nine Mexican carts were standing by the road- side. The bodies of the drivers were scattered around where they had been killed and some of them scalped by Indians. Evidently the murders were committed not more than three hours before and apparently when the men stopped for dinner.

I did not waste much time making investigations after seeing that they were all dead, but hurried onward as fast as possible under a dread of the barbarians who might have lingered in that vicinity. I reported the tragedy to the authorities immediately after my arrival at Eagle Pass. The bodies were brought in that night and buried the following day in the public graveyard. One of the unfortunates was Felipe Calabera, a nephew of Jesus Calabera, who now lives on South Laredo Street in front of Emil Oppermann's store. If the Indians were followed I cannot recall the fact, but as such murders were frequent, and as it was not troublesome to find the perpetrators at any time, it is probable that no action was taken to have them punished.

The Indians sometimes were very bold, and on one of my trips to Eagle Pass, in 1866, they exhibited their adroitness as thieves in the vicinity, and the performance caused the good people of that town considerable inconvenience. It happened in connection with a patriotic

A TEXAS PIONEER 43

occasion, on the 4th of July, when the citizens were en- joying themselves at a ball, that was given in honor of our national anniversary, to which everybody was invited.

The abandoned United States post, situated about half a mile south of town, that is known in history as Fort Duncan, was selected as a suitable place for the celebration, and .the hospital, with a floor space measuring about '30 x 100 feet, was chosen for dancing purposes. The arrangements were all perfected by Thomas B. McManus, the customs-house officer at Eagle Pass, with the assistance of Henry Bruhn, of San Antonio, the father-in-law of Otto Evert and Ed Galm of said city.

The Mexican customs-house officers from Piedras Negras, with their families, all the best people from Eagle Pass, and the settlements along the river were in attendance. Those who rode horseback secured the animals to the buildings or surrounding trees and gave them no further attention after joining in the dancing or other pleasures of the occasion. No apprehension of danger was entertained, and nothing occurred to mar the happiness of the evening that gave life to the old fort which caused it to resound with joyous mirth until the early tints of dawn admonished the participants to close their revels.

Those who first departed returned hastily and caused a scene of excitement by announcing that all the horses had disappeared except a few that were tied to the gallery posts of the building. The evidence was clear that the revelers had been made the victims of an Indian raid, and the impudent enterprise was shrewdly executed. The skulking savages only took advantage of the distracting incidents of the occasion, and without interrupting the festivities quietly left them to return to their homes on foot. They were less merciful to two poor Mexicans who left Eagle Pass that morning on an ox-cart with the intention of hauling wood, who were killed by them below town.

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Such audacity was exasperating, and Henry Bruhn immediately organized a party which started in pursuit of the Indians with a view to their chastisement. They were overtaken at El Canado, near the river, about eight miles above town, and a fight occurred in which two Mexicans were killed before the Indians retreated.

Another time, when returning from Eagle Pass in the early spring of 1867, Mr. Black, of Uvalde, and Angel Torres, of San Antonio, accompanied me as passengers, and Pablo Castro drove the hack. We were all well armed and had plenty of ammunition, but our journey was not interrupted until we reached a point about four miles west of Turkey Creek on the Eagle Pass road. We were in an open prairie, about four o'clock in the afternoon, when we saw a party of eleven Indians, whose movements indicated that we were in for a fight, and we prepared for trouble.

Perhaps they thought it would be an easy thing to take our scalps, and they charged toward us, uttering their terrific war-whoops, but their yells only frightened the mules, and Pablo had all he could do to keep them from running away. Black and myself took a position in front of the animals, but Torres stood alone near a crooked mesquite tree, and we waited until we could shoot with accuracy.

The Indians saw that the mules were frightened, and with the intention of stampeding them, they strung out in a circle, about two hundred and fifty yards distant from us, in which they rode singly about fifty yards apart. The movement was one in which they were well trained, because the distances were kept remarkably well. Their actions reminded me of a circus, but I did not look at them with the same sensations of pleasure. The continual series of war-whoops and yells which accompanied their performances failed to make the mules break away before they were well secured, and our uneasiness was removed on that account.

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In the meantime we were not idle, although we found it was impossible to do any effective work at that distance, because the Indians clung to the opposite side of their horses, out of sight, and the rapidly moving animals were exposed to an uncertain aim. Finally one of the horses dropped in his tracks, and the dismounted Indian hastened to shelter behind a tree in his vicinity. The range was open before him, and he fired several shots at Torres without effect before that gentleman realized that he was being used as a target, and when a bullet threw bark in his face from a limb that served as a rest for his rifle, he abandoned his exposed position and joined Black and myself in front of the mules.

The instant the horse fell one of the Indians uttered a peculiar whoop which made Torres think one of them was wounded, but it was explained when they gathered near the animal and proceeded to rescue the Indian. After he was mounted behind one of them they sped away, uttering a series of war-whoops until they disappeared over a neighboring hill.

The fight only lasted about fifteen minutes, in which time about seventy-five shots were fired, and the only trophy of the battle was a dead horse! The carcass was examined and a hole was found, about two inches below the base of the left ear, where the bullet had entered that caused his death. The investigation decided a question with reference to who fired the fatal shot by awarding the honor to Black and his five-shot Colts rifle, because it was evident that the wound was not made by a Henry rifle, the weapon carried by Torres and myself. The only thing left by the owner that might have served as a memorial of our victory was a piece of rope around the beast's neck, and that we did not remove.

Torres conducted an established business in both Piedras Negras and San Antonio, and it was necessary for him to visit those places frequently, consequently he was often on the road, and generally he traveled with me.

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When Henry rifles, that chambered eighteen cartridges, were first put on the market they cost $95 apiece, and Torres and myself probably owned the first that were brought to Texas. We ordered them through Mr. Hummel, of San Antonio, the father of Charles Hummel, now City Treasurer of said city, who still keeps up the business of Hummel & Son. This was our first opportunity to test them in battle, and perhaps the Indians, who knew nothing about them, were disconcerted by our rapid fire. We were much pleased with them, although we could not brag on our marksmanship on that occasion, but it was no proof that Mr. Black's rifle was superior because it was the only weapon that drew blood, or that Pablo's Spencer carbine, which he did not have an opportunity to use, was not just as good.

The Indians we encountered belonged to the same tribe that killed John Sanders three days before. He resided on the Rio Frio, below the Eagle Pass road, and he was a good friend of mine. They would have made a good haul by capturing my hack, as I had ten thousand dollars in Mexican silver that was consigned to Goldfrank, Frank & Co., wholesale dry-goods merchants in San Antonio.

Mr. Black was afterwards killed by Tom Wall, in Uvalde, and Angel Torres, who was an uncle of Modesto Torres, of San Antonio, is also dead. Pablo Castro afterwards joined a band of cattle thieves and was killed near the Rio Grande.

On another trip, in the spring of 1867, Thomas B. McManus and Sam White, of Eagle Pass, and Herman Schleuning, now in Austin, accompanied me to San Antonio. We proceeded as far as Ranchera Creek, about four miles east of the present site of Sabinal station, without meeting with another adventure of any kind. At that point, where we suspected no danger, we were very much surprised, about nine o'clock at night, when a party of Indians charged out of the darkness in our direction. Their

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frightful war-whoops, which they uttered with the intention of scaring our mules, were startling, and we expected an attack, but, much to our relief, they passed some distance in front of us, after changing their course, and soon disappeared. No shots were fired on either side, partly because they were too far away, but really their movements were so rapid there was no chance for a fight and we were very well satisfied to see them go.

I had another and worse fright when on my way to Eagle Pass, that also occurred in 1867. I was traveling alone on that trip, and after changing mules at Chichon station, twenty-seven miles east of Eagle Pass, had proceeded about six miles, when I saw a dust rising about two mile away, to the left of the road, beyond a hill that obstructed my view. The time was about two o'clock in the afternoon, and I knew that the cloud of dust was raised by something moving in my direction under cover of the hill. My impression was that they were Indians, and I waited until they appeared on the brow of the naked elevation more than a mile distant. I then saw ten men driving a herd of loose horses and mules, and my fears convinced me that my first impressions were correct.

I realized the danger of my situation and could see no chance for me to get out of their way. With the determination to defend myself as best I could, I hurried my team to a lone mesquite tree, that stood about one hundred yards from the road, and tied them to it with a heavy rope that I always carried for emergencies. As the mules were skittish when anyone got in front of them, it was necessary to approach them with a great deal of care, and I could ill afford to spare the time it took to secure them. I then prepared to protect myself against the approaching enemy with my Henry rifle and an abundant, supply of cartridges.

The herd and its drivers were then much nearer and could be seen more distinctly. Much to my gratification

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I perceived that the herd was driven by Mexicans, and as they crossed the road about five hundred yards behind me they passed without noticing me. Perhaps the animals had been stolen and evidently they were smuggled across the Rio Grande somewhere between Laredo and Eagle Pass.

Rattlesnakes were found in great numbers in west Texas and they were enemies that had to be guarded against at all times. Wild turkeys always show a great antipathy to them and never fail to make a deadly and persistent attack until the reptile is destroyed. An opportunity to witness such conflicts is seldom offered, therefore, I will notice one instance of the kind that came under my observation.

I was traveling the road near Uvalde when I saw a large flock of wild turkeys in an open glade near the highway. I stopped when I saw the gobblers had congregated in a circle where they seemed to be fighting, but I soon perceived that they were killing a large rattlesnake. One after the other would spring into the air in rapid succession and come down on the reptile, which they struck a hard blow with one wing that might have been heard quite a distance. Apparently all the gobblers took part in the fracas, and they appeared to be greatly excited, but the hens fed quietly in the vicinity and seemed to be indifferent to what was going on.

I watched them about ten minutes before they observed my presence and became alarmed. After they disappeared in the brush I approached the place and found the snake coiled up and almost dead. Evidently the gobblers had been engaged in killing him for some time before I appeared on the scene, and if they had not been disturbed the victim would have provided a feast for the whole flock, because it was their custom to eat the snakes killed in that way.

Deer are equally prejudiced against rattlesnakes and invariably attack them in favorable localities. Nature

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has made them enemies, and it is said that when an en- counter is unavoidable, with no available means of escape, the snake appreciates the danger; also that it makes no effort to strike, but suffers a collapse under an instinctive fear which prompts it to submit to its fate with its head hid beneath the coils of its body, which are closely drawn together.

The deer springs from a safe distance into the air with its four feet brought together, and it comes down on the snake with its sharp pointed hoofs which cut like a knife. The movements are rapid and often repeated until the rattler is mangled into a shapeless mass. I have seen places where snakes had been killed by deer, but have never witnessed the performance. The marks of their sharp hoofs showed in the hard beaten ground and the bones of their victims were in evidence.

Highwaymen in Mexico are called ladrones, or robbers. They usually frequented the frontier, but other parts of the country were often infested by them before they were finally suppressed by the government. Generally they were a select body of men of good appearance, who wore broad-brimmed felt hats elaborately embroidered with silver and gold thread, and dressed in the regular riding costume that was profusely ornamented with silver buttons in front, on the sleeves, and down the trousers. Their horses were the best that the country afforded, and silver mountings were lavishly displayed on their saddles and bridles.

When a band of ladrones decided to hold up a stage, after ascertaining that it was conveying a large sum of money or on other occasions, they selected an uninhabited region at a point where it was necessary for the vehicle to ascend a steep hill, and concealed themselves on both sides of the road until it approached. The first intimation of their presence was given by one of the gang, who ordered the driver to stop, when the others showed themselves and the spokesman made known his

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intentions to the passengers. Pointing to his companions, who silently awaited the result of the conference, he ex- plained that it would be folly to offer resistance, as they were ready to enforce his demands. With the greatest politeness he requested them to pass out their money, and when they complied he placed it all together on the road- side. Force was rarely used in such cases, and I never heard of an instance when the pockets of passengers were searched. The money wanted was in sacks and generally amounted to large sums in silver that could not be concealed.

When Major Porter's brother was robbed by ladrones on the national stage line near Monterey, in 1868, no resistance was offered; the passengers delivered ten thou- sand dollars to one man, who was in a short distance of his companions. After securing his treasure he ordered the driver to proceed on his journey.

I was never molested by ladrones when staging in that country, and only know of one occasion when I believed they intended to hold me up. It happened near Palo Blanco ranch, twenty-five miles northeast of Salinas. Victoria, where ten or twelve men were lined up on both sides of the road. I was riding on the outside with my driver and escort when I saw them. The speed of the team was checked and I called the attention of my passengers inside the stage to the suspicious circumstance. We all recognized them as regular ladrones by their dress, etc., which corresponded with the general description I have given, and no time was lost in getting our weapons ready to meet them. The team was in a walk when we passed between them, but evidently, seeing that we were prepared to offer resistance, they were content to extend to us their friendly greetings. My passengers were Daniel Wueste of Eagle Pass, Carlos Sada of Monterey, Pedro Morales, customs-house officer at Piedras Negras, and two Mexican army officers.

I only know of three stage robberies that occurred in

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Mexico when I was in the business. One took place within five and another in less than ten miles of Monterey, on the road leading from Saltillo; and the other was forty miles from Monterey, on the Matamoras road near Lenares. The money thus obtained, when added together, amounted to a large sum, and it was all secured without a drop of blood being shed.

CHAPTER VI

THE fact is well known that smuggling has always been conducted along the borders between the two republics, but in earlier times it was practiced with greater impunity than at present. There were two classes of smugglers then, as there are now, who operated according to their means and influence. Those who could command both met with no difficulty in advancing their measures with the aid of friendly officials who boldly passed large transactions through the doors of the customs-house at a small expense. On the other hand, persons without means or patronage and with only a bold and enterprising spirit to sustain them were compelled to resort to secret methods when conducting the same kind of business on a small scale. Much trading was done in that way with goods and animals that were acquired in legitimate transactions and the tariff due the governments was the only loss sustained ; but a much more extensive smuggling business was done by unscrupulous persons with property that was feloniously acquired. This class of thieves generally were organized to operate in gangs on both sides of the river and acted in collusion with each other by exchanging stolen property brought from Mexico for other property acquired in a like manner in Texas. In that way a large number of animals of all kinds were transferred from one side of the Rio Grande to the other with little risk of detection.

One of the most notorious characters that was ever engaged in such practices was Manuel Telamantes, a Mexican, whose home was in Eagle Pass. At one time his character was held in the highest estimation and he

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exerted a great influence among Americans. I was well acquainted with him, and at that time, in 1866, he was generally liked by all who knew him. He was also looked upon as a good and honest citizen until it was discovered that he was a leader of an organized gang of thieves and smugglers that had been in existence for years.

He was a young and handsome fellow who dressed well and made a respectable appearance; he was also liberal with his means and conducted himself properly ; although at frequent intervals he absented himself for a short time and always returned with large sums of money, his busi- ness was not suspected, but after his character was ex- posed it became known that his secret expeditions were made to meet his confederates and to receive his share of the spoils.

His career was prolonged until 1879, when it was made unsafe to engage in such enterprises, and his, like many others under similar circumstances, was closed by a vio- lent death. The particulars relating to the case, as they were represented to me, show that he entered Texas with a large herd of horses and mules, which were stolen in Mexico, and they were traded for beeves that had been stolen from ranchmen by associates in Texas. The thieves who received the horses and mules made good their escape, but Telamantes and his men with the cattle were pursued until overtaken between Fort Clark and the Rio Grande. The beeves were recovered, and Telamantes and his men were captured and hung.

I do not doubt but that he had earned his fate, but when I recalled his many good qualities I could not help feeling regret that he had come to such an end. I saw him last in 1877, in San Antonio, when he offered to sell me one hundred and fifty choice mules, which were concealed somewhere in the mountains near Devil's River. He proposed to let me have the entire lot at a bargain, but I declined his offer. He was a bold fellow, and if he was a thief he took desperate chances in enterprises that

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required brains that gave him control over men. He would have scorned the methods practiced by common thieves and highwaymen like that once attempted against me.

The incident occurred in 1867, when I was returning from Eagle Pass and after I had delivered the Castroville mail-sack to Mr. John Vanze, the postmaster. A few minutes later he returned with the mail-pouch for San Antonio, and I paid him a twenty-dollar gold piece that John Kenedy, of Sabinal, had requested me to give him. I had taken it from a sack that contained about fifty dollars in Mexican silver, which I returned to its proper place under the seat during his absence.

I was about to continue my journey when two men advanced and engaged two seats in my hack to San An- tonio, for which they paid me five dollars. I had noticed them at the post office when I exposed my money bag, and, doubtless, they supposed the coin was all in gold, when I took the gold piece from it, which they saw. There was nothing suspicious in their appearance, and I was pleased to have their company.

The distance from Castroville to my father's house, where I changed my team, was only four miles, and we passed an unusual number of people on the way. Soon after starting an unaccountable feeling caused me to form an unfavorable opinion of my passengers and made me suspect that they were not all right, and the sequel will show that my impressions were correct.

While the horses were being changed I greased the axles of my hack as usual, and when through the four-pound monkey-wrench which I used was returned to the tool-box in front. When ready to start I noticed that the cushion of the rear seat, which my passengers were waiting to occupy, did not fit properly, and I reached over to straighten it. As I raised the right-hand end I saw under it the monkey-wrench that I had replaced in its proper receptacle a half-hour before,

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In the meantime no one but the two men had been near the vehicle, and I was convinced that they had placed the wrench in that place with murderous intentions. Evidently they designed using it as a weapon in a plan to kill and rob me, and I did not hesitate to charge them with the cowardly scheme. They denied having had anything to do with it, but I entertained contrary convictions and ordered them to leave the yard. They obeyed me without uttering another word, but my father, who was holding my team, called them back and insisted that I should return them the five dollars they had paid me. He said the poor fellows might need it, and I obeyed him, perhaps reluctantly, because, naturally, I felt no sympathy for them. Later I was told that they re- turned immediately to Castroville, and I afterwards learned that they were deserters from the United States army.

The dangers I confronted in my travels were often compensated by pleasant entertainments at the end of my journey; and I recall one in which I took part that had no Indians or robbers connected with it, like those I have noticed. The occasion was a grand ball that was given about the latter part of June, 1867, in the customs-house at Piedras Negras, to celebrate the termination of the war that closed the reign of the Emperor Maximilian in Mexico. All foreigners in Eagle Pass were invited, and many, including Thomas B. McManus, Charley Groos and myself, were in attendance, together with all the best people in that part of the country. My impression is that the news of Maximilian's executon, which took place on the 19th of June, had not been received, and the ball was an expression of joy on account of the restoration of the republic.

My information with reference to that tragic event was acquired, principally, from individuals who participated in the war, and I will relate a few facts connected with the subject that were communicated by Colonel

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Morales of the Mexican army. He spoke of the great sympathy of the people for Maximilian, after he was condemned to death, and particularly of its manifestation by five hundred of the most respectable ladies in the City of Mexico, who drew up an appeal for clemency. Dressed in black robes, the long procession presented themselves before the military tribunal with the petition for the emperor's pardon ; but it was useless ; his fate was sealed and he was beyond the hope of mercy.

He witnessed the execution of Maximilian, Mejia, and Miramon, and his relation of the facts was very impressive. They were taken to a hill outside of the city of Queretaro by the platoons of soldiers that were detailed to execute them. When drawn up in line Maximilian advanced and presented each of the firing party a gold doubloon, with the request that they would take good aim until he gave them the signal to fire by removing his hand from his breast. After resuming his position he eulogized his generals and resigned to them the honor of dying first. After they fell he calmly con- fronted the death that awaited him and met it with a fearlessness that became him. In after years I saw the spot in the Cathedral of Mexico where the emperor and empress stood in all their pride and glory when crowned, and, as I thought of their sad fate I could see the chapel that marks the place where he and his generals were executed.

Generals Mejia and Miramon were gallant and competent officers in whom the emperor placed implicit confidence and they proved themselves worthy of his trust, but another, in whom he confided to an equal extent, betrayed him. The " foreign legion," to whom was entrusted the duty of sustaining his throne, was composed of criminals taken from the prisons of Europe with the design of getting rid of them and were utterly unreliable as soldiers. I was told by responsible Mexican officers of both armies that the legion was a band of robbers who

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plundered indiscriminately and that the regulars of the French army would have nothing to do with them. All the facts show that Maximilian was the victim of a conspiracy and his fate was regretted all over the civilized world.

I only met with one accident during the eighteen months of travel while conducting my mail route, and that was not serious. It happened at Chichon, where I stopped for dinner with my three passengers, and to change my team. I had agreed to break a pair of wild mules for Domingo, the ranchman, and had been working them for about three months, from one station to the next, but every time they would try to run away, though I always got the best of them by allowing them to run, after getting them in the road, until they tired themselves down. I had them hitched up on this trip, and a man held them until we were all seated in the ambulance. When he turned loose the unmanageable brutes, they headed for a high and strongly built picket fence, and before I could turn them, the hack came in violent collision with the posts. In my efforts to hold them I was badly hurt by being pulled from the seat, and as the vehicle was smashed, it was necessary to procure another conveyance before we could proceed. The nearest place where one could be had was Eagle Pass, but as the Indians were raiding in that part of the country, no one at the station would undertake the chances of making the ride for love or money.

When troubles accumulate to a certain point something generally happens that improves the situation, and in our case the emergency was met by Henry Shane, a friend of mine, who lived in that vicinity. His offer of assistance was accepted, and he started for Eagle Pass about one o'clock on his favorite saddle horse. The distance of twenty-seven miles was ridden and the return trip with an ambulance and two horses, that he got from Albert Tuerpe, was made in about eleven hours. Imme-

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diately after his arrival we hitched up the same wild mules, and without further mishap arrived at Eagle Pass about daylight. I started back the same morning, in the borrowed vehicle, about eight o'clock, as usual, and after driving about fifteen miles I met Mr. Shane with the broken ambulance, driving the horses he had gotten from Albert Tuerpe. He had added to my obligations by following me with it, and it was taken to the government post, at Fort Duncan, which had been established a short time before, where it was repaired in the shop there, in a most suitable manner, without one cent of charges.

The following week when I returned from San Antonio I met Mr. Shane and asked him what I owed him for his services and trouble, but he disposed of the subject by saying, " Nothing ; I was very glad that I was able to help you when you were in need." His generosity had been displayed by traveling fifty-four miles over a dangerous road at the risk of his life when no one else would take the chances. f He had left his horse in Eagle Pass and assumed the responsibility of taking the conveyance through and his return, making a total distance of one hundred and eight miles, together with all the incidental troubles and expenses attached, all on my account and with no expectation of reward.

There is an old and true saying that " a friend in need is a friend indeed," and Mr. Shane's practical illustration of the fact was demonstrated in a manner that was a test which few persons have an opportunity to apply. I have always felt grateful towards him for his act of kindness and will never cease to entertain the warmest friendship for him while I live, because I know he is an honest and worthy man.

I was under other obligations to him afterwards, and at one time especially when he assisted in recovering my stage mules that were driven off by the Indians, with John Kennedy's horses from the ranch. He went with John and Ross Kennedy and their men in pursuit until

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they overtook them on the Rio Frio, eight miles east of Uvalde, near General Knox's ranch.

Henry Shane is now about seventy-three years of age and he resides on his ranch five miles below Sabinal Station, on Sabinal Creek, with pleasant surroundings and in good circumstances. He is highly esteemed by all who are acquainted with his generous nature and have knowledge of his general character. He is well known throughout west Texas, where his life has been spent, and also in San Antonio, where he has many friends, and among them Colonel C. C. Gibbs is one of long standing.

His early life was spent on the frontier of Texas, where he had many experiences, and the stories he could relate about his encounters with wild Indians would be interesting; but he rarely speaks of them, and he had one that he never talks about. It occurred in a fight when in pursuit of Indian raiders, on Sabinal Creek, after his ammunition was exhausted. When the fact was discovered he was close to an Indian who was also without ammunition, but both were equally brave, and they rushed at each other with clubbed guns. Those who witnessed the fight say that Mr. Shane was worsted in the fight by a lick on one side of his head which brought him to the ground, and he rolled down the creek bank. Other particulars are forgotten, but Mr. Shane confesses that it was the hardest fight he ever had in his life. In later years he served during the Civil War as a soldier in the Confederate Army, and in that connection he sustained his reputation for courage and fidelity to duty that distinguished his previous career as a worthy citizen on the borders of civilization, but not more honorably than he has since done in private life.

CHAPTER VII

CAPTAIN ADOLPH MUENZENBERGER and myself estab- lished the first stage line between the United States and Mexico, in August, 1867, under the firm name of A. Santleben & Company. The corporation was organized on August 1, as a private enterprise, for the purpose of transporting passengers, and, incidentally, to convey letters, money, and other packages suitable for the capacity of the stage. The institution was licensed under the gen- eral laws of the State of Texas and those of Mexico, but no subsidies were granted, and the business was conducted at the risk and expense of the company. The facts to be given will show that, throughout its continuance, the line was liberally patronized and was highly appreciated by the public because of its great convenience.

The success of the enterprise was assured beforehand through special privileges granted by the Mexican government, which would not, or could not, be allowed under existing laws. The most important of these concessions was an exemption from tariff charges on everything except money, on which a municipal duty of two per cent, was collected in Monterey and an export duty of ten per cent, was exacted by the customs officials at Piedras Negras. During the two years that the line was operated the contents of the coach was never investigated nor was it ever delayed on any occasion by government officials on either side of the Rio Grande. Thomas B. McManus, who was in charge of the United States customs-house in Eagle Pass, and the Mexican customs officials in Piedras Negras, Nicholas Gresanta, and his assistant, Pedro Morales, were all my intimate friends whose personal influ-

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ence and official powers were exercised in the interest of the line whenever an opportunity offered.

Our stage as a mail carrier was guaranteed the same privileges and protection as those granted the general mail lines in Mexico; but otherwise it had no connection with the postal department, as the right to levy our own postage and collect it in advance, for the company's benefit, was conceded to us. Our company used a metal stamp that was furnished by the Mexican government, on which were the numerals " &5," with the words " Republica Mexicana " in a circle around them, which the postal department used until stamps were introduced in 1870; but no account of our mail transactions was required. The only agreement we had with the government stipulated that all letters handled by us might be weighed, and after a payment of twenty-five cents an ounce was exacted, the stamp should be applied once for each ounce. No other government stamp was placed on letters brought by us from Mexico, but it was necessary for all letters sent to the United States to carry stamps of that government, at the rate of five cents for each ounce after crossing the border. Frequently two dollars for postage was paid on one letter, and these carried eight impressions of our stamp, in addition to the United States postage. Messrs. Weber and Ulrich were one of several firms in Monterey, who paid as much or more on letters sent through us to the United States. On many of our trips as much as fifty dollars was realized on mail matter alone, that was collected at points along the route.

Besides passengers and their baggage, we carried all kinds of paying freight, but mostly money, and occa- sionally we transported live-stock, such as game chickens and blooded sheep. The games were known as Guieo de Seguin, and they had a great reputation on account of their fighting qualities, in which respect they resembled the people in that region. They were raised mostly in

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Seguin, and some of them were billed over our route to the City of Mexico, where they were highly prized by chicken fighters. Two were placed in a coop divided into two apartments, and our freight charge was twenty-five dollars. One pair of Merino lambs was conveyed on the stage to Monterey, that Charles Griesenbeck consigned to Governor Maduro, ex-governor of Coahuila. They were crated, and the charges amounted to fifty dollars.

When not too heavily loaded, we imported as many as two thousand choice oranges, which brought us one hundred dollars per thousand in San Antonio at wholesale; also, chili pepper, that we sold at one dollar per pound wholesale, and other things of equal value. Our return freight to Mexico consisted mostly of eatables, which we also sold at wholesale prices. We often took as much as two hundred and fifty pounds of hams, and sold them at one dollar a pound; and twice a month we bought from Joe Ney, at D'Hanis, two hundred pounds of butter, in four cans, that was placed under the driver's seat, for which our customers paid us one dollar a pound; they retailed it at one dollar and fifty cents. One of our customers was Mrs. Russel, now Mrs. Cloudon, the mother-in-law of Mr. Socia, the cotton-buyer, who conducted a bakery and confectionery store in Monterey. Our stage fare from San Antonio to Monterey was $75.00.

We often carried large sums of Mexican- money out of the country, and charged three per cent, for freighting it to San Antonio, which, when added to the twelve per cent, export duties, increased the expense to fifteen per cent. Our charge was less than those formerly prevailing and they were reduced by the premium allowed on Mexican silver on account of its purity. New York drafts then commanded a premium, ranging as high as twenty per cent., and there was always a demand for them in Monterey. The Texas firms that transacted the largest business with merchants in Mexico, at that period, were Messrs. Halff & Bro., Goldfrank, Frank & Co., and F.

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Groos & Co., all of San Antonio, and our stage often brought for them as much as twenty thousand dollars from that country. Not one cent was ever lost that was entrusted to our care, and we established a confidence that was upheld by our company throughout its career.

After the close of the French war, we contracted with Philipe Naranjo, a brother of General Naranjo of the Mexican army, to deliver two thousand Minea rifles to the national government. We found a lot of secondhand guns in New Orleans that had been used in the Civil War, and we bought the required number at auction, for eighteen hundred dollars, or less than a dollar apiece. They were brought to San Antonio and placed in Captain Muenzenberger's store, on West Commerce Street, where the Washington Theater now stands. Only five hundred were delivered before the building, including the other rifles, was destroyed by fire, and we suffered a total loss because we carried no insurance, but the profit on those that were sold more than covered our entire outlay.

We drove six animals to the coach in Texas, and in Mexico eight, on account of the heavy traffic. The coach weighed about three thousand pounds, and was substantially built, with a capacity for carrying about four thousand pounds. The wood used in its construction was the choicest hickory, and all the iron work was the best quality of steel. The spindles of the steel axles were two and a half inches thick and about fourteen inches long. The cushions were upholstered on coiled steel springs, with horse-hair filling, and covered with the best quality of brown calf-skin leather, consequently they were very expensive. The body was swung on leather braces and it was capable of seating eighteen average sized persons very comfortably, as it had three seats inside, each large enough for three people, and three others on the roof, capable of accommodating a like number. One of the outside seats was close behind that occupied by the

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driver, similar to those used on transfer buses in large cities. The third seat was on the hind end of the coach, above the boot where trunks and other bulky baggage was usually carried, which faced toward the rear, and it had a top attached to it like those used on buggies, that could be raised or lowered. The flat top of the coach was covered with heavy ducking that was impervious to water, and it had an iron railing two feet in height around its outer edge. The two seats on top, in the rear of that occupied by the driver and guard, were rarely used except in Mexico, where there was more traveling, when they, and the floor of the roof, were often crowded. Once the coach entered Lampazos with twenty-three passengers, but that was an exceptional occasion, though generally we received a liberal patronage.

The coach was manufactured by Abbott, Downing & Co., in Concord, New Hampshire, and it was imported by Mr. A. Staacke, their agent for such vehicles and Concord buggies in west Texas. He was also agent for Wilson & Childs, of Philadelphia, and introduced the first wagons, called " prairie schooners," that were used for over-land freighting, and the first Studebaker farm wagons, which have since become so popular. He suggested to this firm the manufacture of large cart wheels with heavy iron axles for freighting purposes, that were first introduced through him into Mexico, where they came into general use. In addition to his large stock of vehicles, in his establishment on West Commerce Street he kept an extensive assortment of supplies necessary for teamsters and train owners, and nearly all of them purchased their outfits from him.

I note these facts, with reference to Mr. Staacke's extensive business in early times, with pleasure, and it is necesary for me to do so because I will be compelled to notice him frequently in connection with my affairs. Mr. Staacke is still alive, but he retired from business about fifteen years ago, and his establishment has since been

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successfully conducted by his sons in San Antonio under the firm name of Staacke Bros.

We paid Mr. Staacke nine hundred dollars for the first coach we bought from him in 1867, when we started our line, and we purchased later the coach which has been described, for which we paid $1250, without the harness. The set of harness that was made for it was intended for six horses, to weigh twelve hundred pounds, but it was useless to us because our animals were much smaller.

Our stage line extended from San Antonio along my old mail route to Eagle Pass, on the east bank of the Rio Grande. The distance to that point was one hundred and sixty-two miles, and the road was good in dry weather. I crossed the river there to Piedras Negras, now known as Ciudad Porfirio Diaz, situated on the high banks of the west side, in the State of Coahuila, Mexico. From there it continued southward three hundred and sixty-two miles to Monterey.

We had, at first, very few stations, and lost entirely too much time on account of wet weather that often prolonged the trip to seven or eight days because of insufficient teams. To remedy the defect, suitable stations were selected, where the animals could be protected in the wild country through which it was necessary for us to pass, and we stocked the route with seventy-two good mules. We were satisfied, before these changes were made, that the line would pay if run to advantage, and afterwards an experimental drive was made over the route in five days, but the average time thereafter never exceeded six days.

The road between Santa Monica and Paso de la Laza was an unoccupied desert except by the stage-stand on the banks of the Rio Sabinas, which was abandoned later, on account of the Indians, and thereafter we were obliged to make a ninety-mile drive between Santa Monica and Lampazos with one team and without water, after crossing the Rio Sabinas.

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The town of Lampazos had about three thousand in- habitants who were sustained by some irrigated land, and it was also a great sheep, goat and cattle country. The people of the town manufactured by hand good Mexican blankets, and they seemed to be industrious, as they were always at work. Northeast of the town is the Mesa de los Cartuhanas, that was then known as the Mesa de Vedura.

From Lampazos to Villaldama, by the way of Sierra Colorado Pass and Golondrinas, is fifty miles. The town had about four thousand inhabitants in 1868, and the silver, copper, and lead mines in that vicinity gave constant employment to the people. The leading men in the place at that time were Mariano and Machor Sanchez, who were mostly engaged in the mining business.

From Villaldama to Palo Blanco it is thirty-two miles and the road is good; and from there to Morales the distance is eighteen miles. This stretch of fifty miles was considered the most dangerous for travelers on the frontier of Mexico. From Villaldama the road passed through a valley near the base of the Sierra Madre and another range of mountains enclosed it on the east side. The valley was from ten to fifteen miles in width, and thirty miles of the distance was through a palm-tree forest with a thick undergrowth of brush that in some places grew so close to the road it was impossible for two vehicles to pass each other.

The heights of the Sierra Madre were constantly infested by Indians, and the road that lay below them could be observed for miles. When travelers were seen approaching from either direction, they would descend to some suitable place in the valley and waylay them in ambush. The most dangerous place was about six miles from the Palo Blanco Ranch, where the road was confined to a narrow pass, between hills that rose from twenty to thirty feet high for a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards. Here and at other places they would make

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a sudden attack, with the result that the travelers were murdered generally before they could offer the slightest resistance. I was told by the people at the ranch that more than seventy-five people had been killed in the pass in about twenty years, and I had personal knowledge of a family with their children, and several other persons that were killed there at different times. After perpetrating their murderous work, the Indians would flee to the mountains, where they were safe from pursuit, and it is doubtful if large bodies of soldiers could have dislodged them from their place of refuge.

One of our stations, where we changed horses, was Palo Blanco Ranch until it was removed elsewhere. On one of my trips westward, in 1867, when I reached that point the people informed me that the Indians had come out of the mountains and were depredating in the country along my route. They begged me to stay with them, as they thought it probable that the Indians would attack the ranch; but as I was not looking for Indians, and did not wish to have trouble with them, I only delayed long enough to change my team.

When I returned I learned that, after my departure, about five o'clock in the evening, the Indians appeared and took three children into captivity, after killing two men and one woman who were traveling the road I had passed over, on their way to the ranch for protection, but those at the ranch were not molested. My good friend Jose Sanches was in charge of it at the time, and I believe he is still alive.

The custom of showing respect for the last resting-place of the dead prevails in Mexico, where it has been observed for ages. Wherever a murdered person has been interred near the roadside, a cross is erected, and many travelers stop there to pray, but before leaving they always deposit some token, even if it is a stone, at the foot of the cross, though many cast a stone on the accumulated pile as they pass. In the valley referred to, at one

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of the places I passed, I counted as many as twenty crosses, some of them showing the marking of age, but many, and sometimes ten near together, were secured to palm trees and others to bushes. An appropriate name for it would be, the Valley of Death, and I always felt relieved after passing through it. On such occasions I usually adopted every precaution to guard against surprises, and when passing the most dangerous places I and my armed passengers rode on top of the coach.

CHAPTER VIII

FROM Morales to the beautiful town of Selinas Victoria, on the Victoria River, is seven miles over a less dangerous road. The town has a neat appearance, the streets are well paved, and it has a fine church. There are rich mines in the vicinity that give the people employment, and in the country many horses are raised on ranches that are devoted to that business. From Selinas to Monterey it is twenty-five miles. The capital city of Nuevo Leon is situated on the Rio de Santa Catarina, and it is about six hundred and twenty-five miles from the City of Mexico. Many beautiful buildings of cut stone adorned the city, and the streets and squares were well paved. The principal plaza was the most general place of resort, and it was provided with stone benches for the accommodation of the public, who congregated there for social purposes and to listen to the music. The cathedral is one of the attractions of the city, and the theater and Plaza de Toro are the most popular places of resort. About that time the city had about forty thousand inhabitants, and its citizens were esteemed for their enterprising spirit which kept them abreast with the times.

The climate of that region is justly extolled on account of its temperature, which is rarely cold enough in winter for frost, and as fire is seldom needed for warmth, the majority of houses have no fire-places, but in summer it is sometimes quite warm, though the nights are cooled by the refreshing breeze that passes through the valley from between the Sierra de la Sileria or Saddle Mountains and the Sierra Madre. Vegetation grows to perfection under irrigation, and the products of the soil are

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raised in abundance. Tropical fruit, especially orange trees, need no protection and give large returns for the little attention they receive, and I realized many dollars from the sale of oranges brought from there to San Antonio.

There are many places of historic interest near the city and the most prominent is the Bishop's Palace, which is situated on one of the foot-hills of the mountain, beyond its southern limits, that was the residence of the Catholic bishops of Monterey a long time after it became a diocese, but it has been abandoned for years. When the American army invested the city in 1847, the place was occupied by a detachment of Mexican troops until they were forced to surrender by a battery on Independent Hill that commanded the position from the opposite side of the valley. The battery is said to have been in charge of Lieutenant W. T. Sherman, who was afterwards a general in the United States army.

The mother of Peter Bass, my station-keeper at Villaldama, gave me some information relative to the siege and capture of Monterey by General Taylor, and I will relate a few facts in this connection. She had resided in the city from early childhood and was about twenty years old when the operations of the American army occurred in that section of the country. She pointed out the place, on the east side of the city, where the Americans gained their first success in the fight of Casa Blanca, and the site is now occupied by the Monterey brewery, one of the largest establishments of the kind in Mexico. She related what her father had told her about Mexican horsemen lassoing straggling soldiers from the American army and dragging them to death. She showed me the place where Captain Gillespie was killed, on the street called Mar Prieto, or Black Sea, when the Americans were entering Monterey; also the place where he was buried after the battle ; but his remains had been removed some time before and were carried to San Antonio, Texas,

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where they repose in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery. She was present when the body was disinterred and heard a Mexi- can remark to one of the party of Americans who were performing the duty assigned them, that very few men were killed in the capture of Monterey, compared to the number engaged on both sides; and also the American's reply that, " If those who were killed could be estimated at their actual worth all of their virtues combined would not equal those once possessed by the man who lies before us." A monument was erected over his last resting-place ; and, unless I am mistaken, Texas has perpetuated his memory by naming a county in his honor.

A national prejudice against Americans was entertained in Mexico long after the termination of that war, and the feeling was not only justified by its results but it was aggravated by the threatening schemes of filibusters in the United States for the conquest of that country prior to the Civil War. The friendly attitude of the northern republic through that period, and its more recent position with reference to the empire under Maximilian, quieted all apprehensions in official circles, although, perhaps, it lingered to some extent among the people ; but it was never manifested in my case, because I was always treated with uniform courtesy in all my travels among them, and every facility was extended to me, both by the government and the people, to insure the success of my business.

The interest manifested by the Mexican government in our stage line through its employees was never as great as that displayed by the citizens along the route, who neglected no opportunity to express their appreciation of our services. The most conspicuous among them was Joe Maria Perez, of Piedras Negras ; Santiago Tomas, of Santa Monica, who is the father-in-law of Dr. Serna, of San Buenaventura; Philipe Naranjo of Lampazos, and Mariano and Machor Sanchez of Villaldama. Wherever the stage appeared a greater sensation was created

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than is usually expressed in a new railroad town when visited by the road's officials in their private car. Fre- quently the natives, with their primitive flutes, made of burnt clay and of cane, would serenade the passengers at the stations where we stopped, and very often a dance was arranged for them at night, to which the respectable class of people were invited. As I was fond of dancing, these events afforded me pleasant recreation and I never failed to attend them.

On one occasion General Wardwell, the general in- spector of United States custom-houses along the Rio Grande from its mouth to El Paso, participated in one of such entertainments. He was on his way to Brownsville, and as there was no public means of conveyance to that place, other than on my stage to Monterey, where con- nection was made with the Mexican stage line to Mata- moras, he accompanied me to the end of my route. At Lampazos the general and other passengers, including myself, were invited to attend a select dance gotten up for our benefit by the best people of the town, and as many of them were present it proved to be a swell affair.

The general was a close observer, and he noticed particularly, that several ladies present wore a silver ornament of beautiful workmanship attached to their belts by two chains, that had the handle and sheath of a dagger. He took advantage of the first opportunity that offered to express his interest in the subject by remarking to his companion that he had always discredited the statement made about Mexican women carrying daggers about their persons, but with the evidence then before his eyes he was forced to believe it was true.

His criticism was circulated among the ladies and it gave rise to many pleasantries at his expense. One of them approached him in a spirit of raillery, and suddenly but gracefully drawing from its sheath one of the deceptive daggers it spread into a beautiful fan which she fluttered before his face in an elegant manner while merrily

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laughing at his confusion. The outer folds of the fan were two flexible springs that were secured with the folds at the lower end to a delicate rod which, when drawn outward to the mouth of the sheath, unfolded in the shape of a half circle. The novelty was imported from France and they became very popular. Some of them were expensively ornamented with precious stones and displayed the highest grade of workmanship, but those most commonly in use were supplied at a reasonable price.

The Republican government of Mexico had been fully reinstated, and before this time a law was passed to forbid the circulation of money bearing the stamp of the empire, with a view to eliminate every evidence of Maximilian's reign. The law also authorized its being sent out of the country free of export or other duties with the intention of ridding the country of it as soon as possible. As it was not a legal tender in the republic the money became greatly depreciated, but it commanded a premium in the United States and we bought all we could afford with the means at our command through Messrs. Weber & Ulrich, our agents in Monterey, who secured all that was offered. We never cleared less than thirty-five per cent, by the speculation, consequently so long as any could be had, we made it a profitable business.

We transported many thousands of dollars from Mon- terey and other points along my route that was consigned to merchants in San Antonio, compared to which our own, in the above noted speculation, was insignificant. As it was known that we carried money, and sometimes large amounts, it is remarkable that we were never molested except on one occasion in Texas, and that time the attempt was a failure. It happened about thirty-seven miles east of Eagle Pass on my way to San Antonio, but I had been forewarned and the designs of the highwaymen were frustrated.

When I arrived at Eagle Pass I found a letter awaiting

me from my partner, Captain Muenzenberger, written at

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San Antonio, and dated February 10, 1868. He stated that he had received information of a scheme to rob me, and that a party of men had left that city with the intention to waylay me. He advised me to be on my guard and not travel at night, as it was probable that they would make their attack under the cover of darkness. I also received a letter from John Kenedy, of Sabinal, at the same time, in which he communicated the fact that a party of eight men of questionable appearance had spent the night at his ranch, and the next morning, as it was necessary for him to go to Fort Clark, he accompanied them to Uvalde, a distance of twenty miles, where they took the Eagle Pass road. When on the way they asked him if he was acquainted with my schedule time between Chichon and Turkey Creek; also if I carried much money over the route, and many other questions which excited his suspicions. He also warned me to be on my guard because he was convinced that the men intended to attack me somewhere between the points designated.

These warnings of my friends made me cautious and I took their advice by changing my usual programme. It was my custom to drive the twenty-seven miles between Eagle Pass and Chichon before dark, stopped there until two o'clock the following morning, and generally, I arrived at Turkey Creek about five o'clock A. M.; but on that trip I did not start from Chichon until seven o'clock, and we resumed our journey with the expectation of having an exciting time. I took my seat on the outside of the stage with my extra man and driver, where I could look out for the robbers and be prepared for anything that might happen. On the inside of the coach were my four passengers, Mr. Gilbeau, the father of Mrs. Bryan Callaghan, who is the wife of the present Mayor of San Antonio ; Mr. Fernando Garza, also of San Antonio, and Messrs. Nicholas Burke and Jim Riddle, of Eagle Pass. We were all well armed with Winchester rifles, which were

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placed where they would be ready for use at a moment's notice.

We were all determined to give the highwaymen a warm reception in the event of an encounter, and a strict watch was kept ahead, but nothing occurred to excite suspicion until we started down a long grade when we saw a party of men in the distance on the north side of the road. Evidently they were the expected robbers, but we agreed to let them start the fight, after deciding to " run the gauntlet " as the best means of avoiding the attack.

I ordered the driver to lash the mules and at the crack of the whip the half-wild animals dashed forward at full speed. We approached the men under full headway, and nothing but a volley of bullets could have stopped the team on that incline. When passing the party we noticed that only six men were in sight, but when they saw our strength and that we were prepared, they abstained from making any threatening movement. Those inside the stage greeted them, saying, " We are behind time. We are in a hurry. We can't stop." But the baffled outlaws made no response and we dashed onward until they were lost to view.

The faces of the six men were fully exposed, but we passed so quickly none of them could be recognized. Later they were all identified, but it is wrong to circulate harmful reports about the dead by naming them and equally cruel to their families. It is sufficient that I eluded them through the aid of friends and I shall never cease to be grateful for their interest in my welfare on that occasion. If they had not forewarned me of the danger I would not have been on my guard when the would-be thieves waylaid me, and as all my passengers were brave men they would not have submitted quietly to being robbed, consequently the incident might have had a tragic ending instead of terminating as it did in a farce.

Mr. Gilbeau once had an experience with highwaymen

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in the Paso de la Laza, near the Sabinas River, in Mexico, and his cool, determined action on that occasion brought about decisive results. The ambulance he was on was stopped by ladrones and they surrounded it, but before they could commence their depredations Mr. Gilbeau dropped two of them in rapid succession, with a double- barrel shot-gun, and the others ran away.

Mr. Garza was credited with an equally resolute char- acter and his bravery was never questioned. He was the youngest of three brothers that were members of a prom- inent family in San Antonio. They possessed equally fearless natures and all, at one time, held commissions in the Mexican army, but when Major Adolph Garza was killed in a duel by Colonel Henrico Mejia in 1867, Captain Juan Garza and Lieutenant Fernando Garza resigned.

It fell to my lot to bear the sad news of Major Garza's death to his family, and I became acquainted with the following pathetic incident that preceded the tragedy. Under the influence of a presentiment that the encounter would result fatally to himself he was impressed to write letters to his mother and relatives containing his last messages. These he enclosed in a mourning envelope, which he addressed and placed in his desk with a note expressing an earnest entreaty that the package should be delivered to his people in San Antonio, Texas. The package was given to me in Monterey, with the request that I would deliver it to the grief-stricken mother, and I performed the duty with a sorrowful heart.

Mr. Fernando Garza married after he resigned from the army, and died a few years later, but his widow survives and she still conducts a respectable restaurant in San Antonio which she opened twenty-five years ago. Captain Juan Garza also returned to Texas after resigning from the army, and was appointed assistant city marshal of San Antonio in 1868, which position he has since filled, almost continuously, to the satisfaction of the public up to the present time.

CHAPTER IX

THE only time that I came in actual contact with robbers in Mexico was in 1868, on one of my trips when returning from Monterey. It was brought about by a favor I extended to a man I found on foot in an uninhabited country, by inviting him to take a seat in the stage. The only passengers with me in the coach were Dr. Felix, of Monterey, and Antonio Rivas, of San Antonio, the father-in-law of Dr. Chapa, the druggist, and I was accompanied by my usual guard and the driver. As day was breaking we were at the foot of the table mountain known as Mesa de Vidaurri, about twenty miles northeast of Lampazos, that is also called Mesa de los Cartuhanes.

The country in that vicinity was a sterile region, and I was surprised when Alex Gross, my driver from Lampazos to Santa Monica, called my attention to the form of a solitary man on foot a short distance ahead of us. The presence of a lonely human being in that locality was unusual, and it was very remarkable to find one there at any time, in his condition. Thinking that the man was in distress I stopped the stage and got out to speak to him. He was a well-dressed Mexican, his form was manly, and I was favorably impressed by his appearance. I inquired if any misfortune had happened to him and offered my services.

He seemed to be pleased at the interest I manifested, and very politely informed me that he was there because his horse had broken loose and run away, also that his men were in pursuit of him on the road leading to the Rio Grande. I inquired if the men would return to that

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place the way they had gone. He answered, " Yes, because there is no other road they could travel." As our route lay in that direction and we would be sure to meet the men, I invited him to take a seat in the coach and ride with us. He accepted my invitation with seeming pleasure, and after he, with his belongings, together with those of his six men, were stored on the stage, we resumed our journey.

We entered into sociable conversation with our passenger and he was equally friendly and polite, but he never gave me a chance to question him about himself. We all talked freely to him, but he had very little to say, and evidently he did not know much about the country or what was going on in Lampazos and other small towns near the frontier. His reticence with reference to himself was noticed, but our conversation was agreeable and we traveled very pleasantly about eighteen miles before we saw the horse-hunters approaching in the distance.