Letters Received by the Adjutant General 1822-1860
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1462)
[p. 1]
3
(199.T. (Also) Nov: 16. 1858)
F/W 200 - T-58
[p. 2]
Gainesville Oct. 4th 1858.
To His Excellency
H. R. Runnels Governor of the State of Texas
Dear Sir
We the undersigned citizens of Cook, Montague and Wise counties, do hereby present to your honor the facts concerning the state of Indian depredations in Montague and Wise counties, hoping that you will order forthwith a company of rangers to chastise these Indians, and secure safety to our frontier settlers who are now in great danger, not only of their lives but of their stock, and the depredations are as follows.
4 weeks ago on Sunday there were 7 men, and about 20 women and children, while on the road near the head of Denton Creek, when a part of Indians broke out of the bushes upon them, killing two men and wounding two more, the names of those killed were Daniel Wainscott and Cashus McDonald. The Indians rode over several of the women and children, throwing their Lariets over them, and otherwise abusing Mrs. Wainscot them, Mrs. Wainscot was out in the woods with a child three weeks old from Sunday until Wednesday, when found was nearly exhausted, the distressed families have remained near this place.
Horses and cattle have been stolen and found dead, all the settlers of the northern part of Montague
About ten days ago a man and his horse were found dead, on the overland mail road 40 miles west of this place.
Horses and cattle have been stolen and found dead, all the settlers of the northern part of Montague Wise and Jack counties have removed leaving their crops, and some of their stock to the mercy of these Indians Savages [p. 3] We now petition that you order 100 men to range in these upper frontier counties, this side of Fort Belknap, for six months believing that this will secure to the settlers a safety to life and property, until the emigration will be strong enough to protect themselves.
[column 1]
Names
M. W. Estes
Saml. M. Baird
Wm. Lanning
David Avis
Frederick Hamilton
Willey B. Savage
E. C. Palmer
F. M. Totty
C. McDonnald
J. E. Totty
Robert Totty
W. C. Totty
Anderson White
James White
Aaron Hanning
Jerold McDonald
Wm H. Taylor
Jno. Willingham
Fineas McFarlan
Thomas McFarlan
L. P. Totty
M. N. Haggler
Daniel L. Hagler
Willis Lavender
John Morris
Austin Morris
James Truelove
[column 2]
I do verify that the above named citizens of Montague County to have their names affixed to this instrument. Frank M. Totty, Surveyor of Montague.
J. A. Paschal
J. W. Hale
Cornelius Burez
White Biernads
J. H. Hordezra
W. P. Lowe
J. M. Lindars
J. B. Devenport
James Mann
D. W. Shums
J. Berows
J. G. Small
A. B. Templeton
H. H. Tisdall M.D.
J. W. Barley
T. S. Ewing
S. B. Retten
J. M. Bailey
J. B. S. Ewing
S. S. Linsey
Stiles S. Carpenter
[column 3]
J. E. Hughes
T. Richards
N. T. Bonner
Jno. L. Esthredge
Saml Hauffman
M. Steinleir
Alfonzo Templeton
S. G. Poarners
Wm. B. McCrun
Leml Goodwing
Wm. Bean
J. R. Wonall
T. H. Harnett
A. W. Morris
Jno. W. Johnson
Mansil Bailey
M. W. Matthews
Wm. F. Fitchue
Jesse Byrd
W. C. Richeson
Carpenter Chadwell
Lewis Carpenter
Daniel Montague
S. C. Atkinson
Jno. W. Crisp
James M. Gibson
Joshua Hahn
James Ramsey
[p. 4]
James O. Hill
Wm. Hendrick
Aaron Hill
Edwin Leek
Jno. Benton
Jesse H. C. Jones
Francis Stump
John Brumley
Jno. Longaire Jr.
Wm. Stephens
M. M. Redman
J. M. Redmon
J. C. W. Ganer
Hugh M. Green
R. Bean
J. T. Lyday
Jacob Dalking
L. L. Brumley
Wm. Crow
Domrick Burns
A. D. Huffman
N. Stephens
Jasper Nie
A. J. Mann
Westley Mann
Geo. Y. Bird
B. D. Ticknor
Patrick Burns