Mail Bag

Topics (click on a topic to jump to that section) For more current comments, click here

Books | Web Site Comments | West Texas Frontier

12 November, 2007, Custer Mistake on Fort Tours

Dear Sir,

Upon reading your Custer posting, here am I moved to clarify your conjecture that General Custer was seeking the White House or the Philadelphia fair from a source who probably knew his motives in General Custer himself and his wife, Libby, in their personal letters.

Mrs. Custer made a point that General Custer was not adept at all at public speaking and the few times he tried he could only utter a few words and left the stage. The personal letters of the Custer's mark one offering of enormous sums of money in that day of tens of thousands of dollars if he would promote a show like Buffalo Bill's. History notes he instead chose valor in testifying before Congress about the corruption of the Grant administration which cost him his command. It was only through General Terry changing the orders that Custer was even allowed to lead the 7th. Terry time and again in the 1876 campaign either was lost in Montana, was requesting Custer to find a route through the badlands or was leaving operations to Custer as Terry was inexperienced in Indian warfare.

Nowhere in the Custer personal letters are there mentions of the White House (except before he was removed in President Grant refusing to meet with him) nor any plans on attending any fair. General Custer's letters consistantly in June of 1876 speak of his assuring Libby he is staying inside the lines, is no longer hunting, is having the best time of his life once again on a campaign now using mule trains which he prefers, telling Libby "if this is all this campaign is you certainly can come" and he is urging her to come up by steamboat to join him...as he is hopeful that a victory in the hammer and anvil will have them all on the way back to Fort Lincoln.

The sources I quote in addition are official records and comments by General Nelson Miles. While I do not put you into the category of uninformed commentators, too many do not in commenting on Custer or the Little Big Horn even realize that General Miles wrote the definitive work on the battle which Mrs. Custer quoted as he rode the exact ground.

There was nothing reckless at all in what General Custer did. His tactics had proven against like odds at the Washita and the Yellowstone in 1875 successful. The problem is not General Crook stalling the Sioux at Rosebud, but that Maj. Reno on scout failed to chase and attack the Indians which were moving up the Rosebud. It was this group of 1000 warriors which Custer and all parties deemed they would be fighting. No one knew a much larger encampment was coming from the north to the Little Big Horn. Custer extols the lost opportunity which Reno lost in not following orders in wasting time. He concludes that now the Indians will discover their operations and scatter which would be a disaster as it was proven time and again on the southern plains campaigns.

In official orders and consultations approved by General Terry, General Custer was to pursue the tribe Reno did not "with only enough soldiers to not scare the Indians, but instead to entice a battle with the 7th".
This was the hammer part of the war plan with Gibbons, Crook and Terry to perform the anvil of crushing the renegades.

As General Miles noted, General Custer acted perfectly according to military doctrine. In my later reading of court martial material, there is strong evidence by Maj.Reno asking Capt. Benteen to lie on another matter that both of them had lied about the Battle of the Little Big Horn in not being able to assist Custer. In fact, in Benteen's July 5th account to his wife of the battle, he comes off as rather strange heartless creature who asks her to keep the note of Cooke (bring packs) as a valuable souvenier, discusses how all will be promoted with the deaths of the officers and then lies stating it was Custer's group cheering at 4 miles away which alerted the Indians. Anyone from Texas to the Canadian prairies knows that sounds do not carry that far on the plains.

This is part of the research I have been writing about and I hope the mistaken conjecture will be given a caveat on your page as if anything, General Custer was very content in having Dakota under his command. He though was persecuted while others like Col. Richard Irving Dodge stating the same facts of the corruption of the Indian Department paid with his life for the settling of America against Indian despots who led their people to certain extermination if they had continued.

If I may, I know the first time I read General Miles official report on the Little Big Horn that I was astounded as I had read books stating no one knew what happened and he knew exactly what occurred. The same goes for the many people writing books about General Custer with an ax to grind have never bothered to read the hundreds of letters available.
A different Custer emerges who is being contacted for financial gain which he turns down for his love of the 7th. Soldiers asking to join the 7th because it is disciplined and no drinking is allowed at all and a husband who desires nothing more than to be home at Fort Lincoln with his wife, hunting on the plains with his dogs.

There has been a great effort since 1876 begun by the war profiteers and the Indian apologists covering up it was their policy which caused the deaths of Indians and Americans. This was taken up by the same children covering up their parent's misdeeds and transferred in the 60's to liberal Hollywood who believed the Indian was this Cooper faux noble and not the rather amoral opportunist all savages are. General Custer has born the brunt of this unfairly and the lie keeps building for the same political reasons of today in mafia gaming casinos are needed to sheer the Indian gaming as they are "still the poor wards of the government".

I too 20 years ago without reading the letters had thought General Custer was after the White House, but I have instead found a man hiding in a chicken coup from onlookers to starving at dinner parties in New York as he was invited to dinner and all he was doing is telling stories.
He loved the theater, reading, cavalry life, onions by the bushel, dogs and his greatest treasure of all, Libby.

In conclusion, he spoke of growing old with her and his greatest joy of having like a character he read of, "having a library room in the attic with a ladder he could pull up after him to be away from the world with Libby".

Thank you for your time and I intend this correspondence with complete respect as I very much enjoy the old stories you have posted. It is just that the love Libby had for her husband, has gained loyalty in me for both of them and I simply try to inform people to the best of my ability of the recorded facts. The cover up by Washington and the Indian apologists with the lies of Benteen and Reno did save them, but as the records show the same military of George Custer and many of the officers who had sons with him exacted justice on those two people so the dead could rest in peace. Those officers could not go public, but they knew Custer was not at fault and knew exactly where the problem was in Reno was prone to cowardice and Benteen whom Custer had tried constantly to befriend had not followed orders and left his commanding officer and troops to fend for themselves.

Thank you for your time and God bless, Always, Jess

5 November, 2007, Joe Don and Wahoo

Bless you for the printing the stories. I once saw Joe Don at Knights Gun Shop. I was too intimidated to try to meet him and his friend and, back then, people kinda respected other peoples “space”. Oddly enough, the sighting took place shortly after another machine gun episode that happened close to Midland where Joe Don Loony and Vernon McFarland had been rabbit hunting with a Thompson and were caught by the local game warden. Vernon McFarland married Wahoo’s sister and later committed suicide. These people were legendary in West Texas for their exploits. I believe Joe Don’s dad was somehow connected to, or did business with Ralph Lowe Oil Company in Midland, which might explain the rabbit hunting episode. There was not a lot to do in West Texas except get into mischief. Wahoo may have been recruited by U Texas and like Loony, ended up in Oklahoma. Wahoo’s somehow ended up riding to college in a brand new Cadillac or something like that.(strange things happened in recruiting back then).
 
Larry

21 May, 2007, Compliments for a Site Well Made

I would like to compliment you on the Fort Tours Site...  and especially the Ghosts of the Cross Timbers. stumbled upon your site by accident and now cannot seem to keep off it. I mentioned your site to several other friends and all have been amazed at the wealth of information you have collected and made available.

In one hours worth of time, I found more facts and actual accounts of the history of the area I live in (right off Silver Creek Road and Confederate Park Road area) than I have in six years worth of my own personal research.

Thanks again for such a great and informative website. James Hobbs

8 September, 2006, 13 Soldiers & 2 Children

Cinda's email address was not functional so I am sending this to you with the hope that it will reach those @ crosstimbers.org
 
I was very disappointed with your comparison between the native Americans, who were fighting for the right to stay on their lands, and the current religious terrorists. There is no comparison. The native peoples of this country were performing acts of defiance against a larger and better equipped force, in much the same way as our immigrant forefathers had waged a guerrilla war against the British. So please do not sully the memory of a once proud people by comparing them to the savage religo-political terrorists of today who only want to wreak havoc on society.  The natives were fighting for their freedom and land. It is well known that the US government broke nearly every treaty with the natives and then forced them to some of the worst land in the country.  The pioneers of the west also decimated the food supply of the natives and nearly wiped a species from the face of the Earth.
 
As to Major Ripley Arnold, he was not the gallant father you would portray him as. According to several accounts of soldiers in his command, he was a habitual child abuser. One soldier wrote "I cannot understand why a man sworn to protect life can be so cruel to his children."
 
So please check these facts for yourself. If you have contradictory evidence I would be happy to review it and amend my opinions.
 
thank you for your time, G Claytor

1 Sept, 2006, Robert M. Coleman

My son who was born on 08-20-06 is a by past records a geat-great-great-great-grandson of Robert Coleman.  His great-aunt has had letters from other people with Texas history. I am needing to get as much information as I can for my son. I am an Oklahoma State Trooper and want to make sure that the history is not lost and to make sure Nataniel, knows were his blood comes from.

If anyone has any additional information regarding Robert M. Coleman, please contact Fort Tours and we will put you in touch with the author of the above e-mail. Thanks, Lea Ann Rector, Fort Tours

19 May, 2006, Love Your Site

Hi Rick, just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your site! I was especially interested in the Web Gilbert and Roe Littlefield stories. My husbands family lived in that area along the Brazos and is related to them. I have a story on my website you might like to read about an Indian fight at Cox Prairie.
 
Pioneers in Parker and Palo Pinto County, Texas
http://texasdiary.com/genealogy/pioneer.html
 
I have a lot more to put on the site about the family and first hand accounts about their encounters with Indians there. I just wanted to let you know how much fun it is reading your site. We plan on taking some of your tours next time we go up to Mineral Wells. Thanks! Vicki :-)

12 May, 2006, The Box Family

Hi, I googled my Great Grandmothers name (Margaret Box Brunson) on a whim and found the article from Forttours.com. I have done extensive research on the whole incident. The young daughter that jumped off the horse to give her mother some water from her shoe was my Great Grandmother. I tracked down a report that my Great Great Grandmother(Mary Box) had written and gave to Captain Andrew Sheridian 3rd US Infantry at Fort Dodge,Kansas. It states pretty much the same information that you have. My Great Grandmother (Margaret Box) later married Daniel Brunson, son of Captain Allen Brunson, and they later homsteaded in eastern Montana. This was a wonderful find for me, Thank You, Barbara Hughley

21 March, 2006 Road Trip Ideas

Hello, I am writing in regards to your wonderful website -- what a great thing you have done putting that together for people to enjoy -- thank you!! I am planning my trip home to Michigan from Arizona (I spend the winter with my sister).  Your site inspired me to plan my trip around visiting forts.  I stopped by the AAA office today and picked up maps and guide books but your site is more helpful and certainly more informative.

I depart from Gold Canyon, AZ and will be traveling southeast on I-10 into Las Cruces, New Mexico. Are there any forts along that part of the trip? From Las Cruces, I will go into Texas and visit; Forts Davis, Stockton, McKavett and Concho then onto Nacogdoches, TX as it is listed as the oldest town in Texas. Then on to Fort St. Jean Baptiste in Louisiana. Then I am headed to Stamps, Arkansas which is where one of my favorite autors was raised.  Next I want to see Arkansas Post National Memorial.

Now here is where I need some help.  I want to go over into Northern Mississippi, then up through Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana to Michigan. Can you suggest forts that would be along that route. I have A LOT of flexibility in my travel. I am disabled and travel with my service dog.  We just meander home as we please.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer. Sincerely, Brenda and Sunny the wonder dog

Hi Brenda, It's wonderful that you are able to take a long road trip. We have some suggestions for you. You said: I depart from Gold Canyon, AZ and will be traveling southeast on I-10 into Las Cruces, New Mexico. Are there any forts along that part of the trip? From Las Cruces,

We have a map at the following link that might help you out. http://www.forttours.com/pages/texnewmex.asp

I will go into Texas and visit; Forts Davis, Stockton, McKavett and Concho then onto Nacogdoches, TX as it is listed as the oldest town in Texas.

If you can make it, Parker's Fort in Groesbeck is a great fort to visit. You can learn more about it at the following link on our site: http://www.forttours.com/pages/tocparker.asp

Now here is where I need some help.  I want to go over into Northern Mississippi, then up through Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana to Michigan.

You might want to check out our forts page and make a route from there. We have it broken down by areas which you can see on the maps. Just click on them and it will provide a printable map. Here is the link for the forts page: http://www.forttours.com/pages/forts.asp

I hope you and Sunny the wonder dog have a great trip and if you take pictures of the forts, please send them to us and we will post them on our site. Have Fun!! Lea Ann Rector, Fort Tours

23 March, 2006 Road Trip Ideas Response

Thank you so much for responding so quickly. After I sent you my first email -- I dug around in your site some more and found some great places!!  Thank you for the heads up on Parker's Fort -- I have added to my list!!  I will let you know about the pictures!!  Thanks again -- great service you are site "~) Brenda

28 February, 2006, Neighbors/Baylor/Murphy

Rick, I am the great-grand-nephew of Patrick Murphy who was the first sheriff of Young Co. and a lieutenant in the Frontier Battalion. His name has been lionized by some of the poltically correct that would change history. He has been "historically" implicated in the murder of Major Neighbors, the Ft. Griffin Indian Agent, and has been accused of indiscriminantly killing peaceful Indians. Let me give my Murphy Family's rendition of the story.
 
Patrick Murphy and his brother, Dennis J. Murphy, came from Kilkenny, Ireland to work with their father, Denis Murphy, who owned and operated Murphy Station...the Butterfield Stage Station between Jacksboro and Ft. Griffin. There is a large gap in the knowledge of what transpired after Murphy Station was off line. Their sister, Margaret Murphy, was married to an Irishman, Ed Cornett, who was said to have killed Maj. Neighbors. This happened after Margaret was kidnapped, and found in custody of Kickapoo Indians.
 
She had died of exposure and malnutrition. The word is that Maj. Neighbors was known to molycoddle the Native Americans under his jurisprudence; and he tended to look the other way when livestock was stolen. He was even said to profit from some of the spoils.
 
When Margaret Cornett's body was discovered by her husband, two brothers, and members of the Frontier Battalion, Neighbors
tried to sway criticism away from his Indian charges, and even went so far as to say that she had run away with one of the braves. In the days of "Colt Peacemaker Justice", Margaret's frustrated husband took the law into his own hands. My understanding is that he paid for that act with his own life..at the hand of a "Posse Comitatus".
 
I recently received word that is documentation that the whole Indian kidnapping of Margaret was staged by a group called the Old Law Mob. John Baylor was the instigator.This was done to incite the anger of Ed Cornett, and Patrick Murphy. Evidently, the ploy succeeded.
 
My great grandfather, D.J. Murphy, became an intermediary for the U.S. Gov't, and provided livestock for the three forts: Griffin, Belknap, and Richardson.He later became involved in several enterprises with Charles Goodnight(I have a book that reads,"Presented to our friend D.J. Murphy By Charles and Mary Goodnight  Xmas 1899"). e had four children, whom were all raised at Ft. Richardson. Charles Murphy, my grandfather, was an outfit boss for the J.A. Ranch in Clarendon and later had several sections of his own in Donley County. One of Charles' sons, Tom Murphy, married Julia Taylor, the grand niece of Col. Goodnight. She is 94 and lives in Amarillo.
 
No one knows what happened to Patrick Murphy, or where he was buried. One of his daughters, Josephine, married George Boedeker. He owned the old Boedeker Ice Cream Co. of Dallas, and Boedeker St., that winds through the Park Cities and North Dallas, is named in George's honor.
 
Rick, I didn't mean to meander, but I've read some terrible stories that have besmirched the Murphy name. I just wanted to defend my family's honor. Best, Bill Murphy Harter

21 February, 2006 Camp Cooper

Hello, I am planning a trip out to camp copper. I am wondering if there is access to the camp, or is it on private property and unaccessible?
 
If it is accessible, I will take pictures of what remains and submit them to your website. Thanks, Donald Shawver, Lubbock Texas dwshaw63@yahoo.com

Hello Donald,

Please find attached picture of Camp Cooper in Throckmorton County. You will note the caption verifies this site is on private land.

http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/forts/griffin/images/cooperhouse.html

Friends of mine in Archer County who have been by there in the last year reported reconstruction, replica construction or at least, excavation of the place is being conducted by a state university. Please let us know of the activities you discover. Good Luck, Rick Steed

13 February, 2006 Jessie Chisholm

Hello I was wondering if you have any information abot Jessie Chisholm or any of his discendants? And if so would sharing the information or where I might be able to find any of this sort of information? My name is Tina Underwood and my mother's maiden name is Chisem, her father was Richard Edward Chisem and his father's name was Everrett Chism. I am trying to do some family history and am not really sure where to or even how to start to go about it. Any information or websites that you would be willing to share with me would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Tina

Tina, You asked about information on Jessie Chisholm but looking at the spelling of your mother's maiden name leads me to believe that maybe you are related to John Chisem (Chisum) from New Mexico. Anyway, here are various web sites that I hope will get you started in the right direction.

http://www.forttours.com/pages/hmscnm.asp (My web site)
http://www.forttours.com/pages/hmswnm.asp (My web site)
http://www.rootsweb.com/ (Genealogy web site)
http://www.genealogytoday.com/surname/finder.mv?Surname=Chisem

Good Luck, Rick Steed, Fort Tours

27 January, 2006 Braeutigan Family

Rick, I am searching for info. on the Braeutigan family. They purchased Ft. Martin Scott in 1870 and owned it until 1959. I noticed your e-mail address at the bottom of the Fort Tours website and hoped you could be of assistance. Any info you have could be helpful. My Great Great Grandfather opened the saloon there at FMS and was murdered in 1884. I am still trying to locate his first name. Again any info you have or can direct me to would be helpful. Thank You, Mike

Rick, I appreciate your quick response. I called FMS and the man there, Mac Burnett said that Mr. Camfield has retired. I was able to him for a short while and found that what the Historical society has on this family is about the same as what I have. We did exchange info and agreed to keep each other updated on new info coming in about the family. I thank you for your help and will keep your address on file in the event I think you could be of some help in the future. Thanks again,
Mike

21 January, 2006 Council House Fight

Where was the Council House Fight in SA? I'm assuming it was near La Villita? I can find no exact location or historical marker for this fight, which I consider one of the classic fights/battles in Texas history. I find it strange this is not considered a more worthy event in Texas history....great website, one of the very best on western history, if not THE BEST. We go to SA quite alot, I might have even walked by site without knowing. We are in Memphis, TN. now but will be moving to New Braunfels soon as wife's transfer comes through. Thanks! Mike Nunnally

Mike, Thanks for the compliments on my site. We do have a marker for the Council House Fight, however, it isn't listed as Council House fight but as Casas Reales. I have listed the actual marker information below: http://www.forttours.com/pages/hmbexar.com
Rick

20 December, 2005 Quanah Parker

First of all you have an outstanding web site. My great-grand father, Isacc Sullivan and my grandfather, Jesse Sullivan ran into Quanah Parker while crossing the Red River into Oklahoma. The way the story went, Quanah Parker was going after Geronimo. Quanah Parker did not like what Geronimo was doing; killing white people and giving the Indians a bad name. At the time, Quanah lived west of Lawton and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The town is called Indiahoma, Oklahoma. There used to be a house in Indiahoma with big red stars on the roof of that house; that was Quanah Parker's house. The story that I was told by my grandfather and grandmother Sullivan is that my great-grandfather met up with Quanah Parker again. After my great-grandfather had moved west of Lawton and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The town that my great-grandfather had moved to was and still is called Cache, Oklahoma. My great-grandmother is buried in Cache, Oklahoma. My great-grandfather had become very good friends with Quanah Parker. My grandfather Jesse Sullivan became friends with Quanah Parker's son. I think his name was Quanah Parker Jr. Quanah Parker's fathers name was Nokoni and his mother's name is Cynthia Ann Parker. Cynthia Ann Parker was a white captive. Also Nokoni was also called Quanah. My grandmother and grandfather had always told me that Quanah Parker took a white woman for his wife. What made me think about all this is the e-mail that was sent to Lea Ann about Quanah Parker who I have a lot of respect for the Parkers. I will try and come up with more information about this. Also Geronimo died at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was well into his 80s when he diee. Thank you for your time. I love your web site. Jerry Thomasson jthomason04@msn.com

24 November, 2005 Huff Family Massacre

Rick, Some years ago, my cousin and I came across a cemetery that had covered wagon bows sticking up out of the ground. There was a marker that said the people had died in an Indian raid and were buried under the wagon to keep the Indians from desecrating the body. Any ideas where this is or the name of the cemetery? We were in north Texas. Michael Tate, myklt8@yahoo.com

Michael, I did a quick search and found this marker. Does this sound like it could be what you are talking about? You can read the story on our site at the following link: http://www.forttours.com/pages/tochuff.asp
Please let me know if this helps! Lea Ann Fort Tours

31 October, 2005 Camp Verde

I was browsing around for some history stuff on my home town Camp Verde. I came across your website & think it has some good info. I wanted to send you an e-mail because being from one of Camp Verde's founding families, over 100 years, was surprised to see Camp Verde as being listed as part of Kerrville, City. You may already know but just in case you don't. Camp Verde is its own town however small it is with a population of 40 or so. Camp Verde is split between Kerr & Bandera County & is located between Kerrville & Bandera Texas. But if you did know,,,  you know the Pace Picante commercial..  Get A Rope!!!  Just kidding.
 
Now the marker Camp Verde, C.S.A. is located in Kerrville.  
Thanks and have a great day. Yuri Lackey
10th generation Camp Verdian ylackey@waterguyz.com

30 October, 2005 Montague County

Some of what I read was familiar as I have the History of Montague County. My great, great grandparents were in Montague in 1870; not sure how much before that, but they settled in Burlington, which is now Spanish Fort at the bend of the Red River. Family says they lived in a soddy with a false wooden floor. They said that the family hid beneath the planks when Indians raided. The mother would suckle her baby and give sugar tits to the young ones to keep them silent while their house and yard was being ransacked. They endured the lawlessness of the area until 1874 and picked up their belongings, cattle, hogs, & horses and moved closer to Bonita where the remaining children were born. Times were hard and primitive. The mother died of complications of childbirth, as did the child some months later. The father died trying to drive cattle across the Red River to market in Duncan, OT. There is a story of the sudden blizzard and long bitter winter that followed in about 1885, freezing the cattle to death where they stood. The remaining cattle died of disease in the spring.
 
My husband's family tells of a raid that stole two of the familiy's young children in the San Saba area. It is unclear exactly where this took place but the children were either later returned to the family or were adopted by another family. Story is that the entire wagon train was wiped out except for the children taken. I'm still searching to see if there was government intervention in the return of the children. The girl was Lue Rena Scott and when she came back to white society, she spoke Comanche well. This fact saved her home and her own children in subsequent years. Warriors would ride up on the home and she would give them food and speak to them in their tongue. They would take the gifts and leave the home and family unmolested. dehanlon47@hotmail.com

Fri, 5 Aug, 2005 EB Dennis Article

Hello, I just happened to find your article when I typed in the name EB Dennis. I have a copy of the San Antonio Evening Newspaper, May 16, 1919, about EB Dennis and his wife. He is my great, great, however many that is, grandfather. My grandfather was John W. Dennis, EB’s great grandchild. I just wanted to let you know that I thought your article was interesting and lines up a lot with the newspaper story. Thanks,
Sharon theredherring7@cox.net

Thurs, 9 June, 2005 Butterfield Question

Dear Sir, I am trying to find information about Uncle John, I know very little, other that, he was my father's, father's brother. I have some pictures of them. Do you know if there is any pictures of John Butterfield? if so, where could I find them? Was Uncle John a Southern Sympathizer as is folklore in our family, that caused him to loose the business, or was it just the railroad? My Grandfather's first name was Nathan. Do you have any information about John's family at all?  If you have any answers to any of these questions, please contact me.
Distant Relation, Larry E. Butterfield, larryb12269@earthlink.net

Larry, We don't have the information you requested but I have found a web site that might be helpful. Here is the contact information. Please call 785-751-4242, or e-mail at wardtayl@st-tel.net and here is the web address: http://www.windyplains.com/butterfield/museum.html, Let us know if you find what you are looking for. Good Luck,
Lea Ann Rector, Fort Tours

Wed, 2 June, 2005

Reading through your Web site I get the impression that you still think, that you, the White Americans, were fighting a just and honourable war against a savage and evil enemy. When in fact a growing technological and industrial superpower brought all of its might to bear, and wiped out an entire race of indigenous people, Men, Women, and Children, who were merely defending their Country, and their way of life and who fought with Bows and Arrows! It must make you so proud! ! !
I am English and we have come in for a lot of stick for so called attrocities committed over the Centuries but they all pale in comparison compared to the price the American Indian has had to pay! You were a bunch of Murdering Bastards!

Note: Sir, I am also English and so, have a foot in each pond.

Wholesale genocide was never the order of the day on America's frontier; how else could you explain our Indian casinos? Besides, I think the English were paying a bounty in Australia for Aborigines' ears until the dawn of the twentieth century, which was decades after cattlemen had become used to paying American Indian tribes both grazing and trailing rights on their reservations.

I take pride in offering as wide an account as is possible concerning each phase of America's frontier, at least, on the Southern Plains. A wider reading on your part might temper your perspective. Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Sun, May 1, 2005, McCoy Family

Hi Rick, I am related to the McCoy family killed in the Elm Creek raid 1864. James McCoy and son Miles are on the 1850 Cherokee CO TX census next to Mason Cope & Anna McCoy sister of James McCoy. These McCoys are from Floyd CO KY and are most likely realated to the McCoys involved in the Hatfield feud. David C. Cope Crowcope@aol.com

Fri, 21 Jan 21, 2005 Captain (Lieutenant) Lewis Johnson

My great grandfather was Colonel Lewis Johnson (Civil War) and Captain Lewis Johnson (as Indian Agent). He was at Fort Stockton for several years.  I am writing a book on him.   Would you have any information on him or would you know of a certified genealogist that I could hire to research his time at Fort Stockton? Thank you very much for your help in advance.  Cheryl Johnson Ludecke , Great Granddaughter of Colonel (Captain) Lewis Johnson ( 44th usct, 42nd, and company G, 24th Infantry) cheryljl@earthlink.net

Sun, Jan 9, 2005 Historical Marker Search

Hello from Indiana. My husband, who was born near the Red River in a little town called "Blossom" and I were driving in the hill country with dear friends of ours from Wilson, Tx. several years ago. We had been attending a funeral in Kerrville and decided to tour around afterwards to see the area. During our all day excursion, we came upon a Historical Marker which was of interest to us all. It was read, commented on and then sort of forgotten until a few weeks ago, when my interest really got the best of me. I have searched and searched but cannot find anyone that knows anything about "the pig/hog drive". We even asked our friends from Wilson if they remembered where that sign was and they also came up blank.

Knowing full-well, that the cowboys had bacon on the trail,  why not have a pig or hog drive? They had beef, sheep and goats.  They had chickens for eggs and meat. Why can't I find ANYTHING about this historical marker?  I have found a lot of history around Kerrville and my husband and I appreciated the listing of history on your web site.  But......still no pig or hog drive listed or mentioned.   :o( Could I be in the wrong area?  We were in the Hill Country. None of us can remember where the marker was located. Now it is bothering me that I can't locate it on any historical sites. Can you PLEASE help us??? Would appreciate any information or ideas you might have on this subject. Thanking you in advance, Margaret Long
MLong25554@aol.com

Dear Lea Ann, How can we ever thank you for all your effort in searching for this for us?  We really appreciate it.  I believe this is what we were looking for.  Can't wait to show this to my husband when he comes home.  I've already e-mailed your information to our friends in Wilson, Texas.  I'm sure they will be delighted also. Thank you Lea Ann. Gratefully, Margaret and Burt Long

Fri, 19 Nov., 2004

It was 36 years ago, when I was 14 years old, and Dad took me and my brother over to the battle site near Devil's Canyon.  We climbed up to Soldier Springs and discovered one of the most beautiful places I've seen anywhere.  It was around the bend of the mountain from the battle site to Devil's Canyon where the old Wichita village was located, where the U.S. Dragoons and Osages visited 30+ years earlier.  Dad found a human baby tooth discarded by an Indian kid, and I found in the rut of the dirt trail at the battle site, a .44 Henry flat nose bullet--obviously from the fight.  Years later, after reading the recent historical archaeology performed on the Custer Little Bighorn battlefield (the book, Archaeolgical Perspectives of the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Scott, Fox, Conner and Harmon), I concluded that this spent lead bullet was apparantly fired from an 1860 Army Colt open-top revolver converted from the old cap and ball to the .44 Henry cartridge popular out west after the War.  From the look of the lands and grooves, it was also apparant that the revolver barrel was fouled beyond belief, leading me to conclude that it was a seldom, if ever, cleaned weapon, and therefore probably was owned and fired by a Kiowa or Comanche warrior during the battle.  Just as at other battle sites, you could close your eyes, feel the wind against your face, and faintly hear the shouts, sounds, and smells of the battle.  It's a very special and secluded place.
 
Thanks for posting the Carbine and Lance story.  It is rarely mentioned. Mike Peacock

Tues, 16 Nov, 2004 List of Forts

You, left out OLD FORT NIAGARA, it was used before and through the F & I War, held by French and English. Played part in the REV. WAR and the WAR OF 1812 had troops there during the CIVIL WAR and German Prisioners in WW2! Thanks for your Time! Sean7841@aol.com

Thurs, 11 Nov, 2004 William Youngblood

Hello, If you have time, I am interested in the information sited in the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell. The author states that William Youngblood was the son-in-law of William Butler Fondren. The story also says, "Pleas Price, preparing to be married to Miss Bertha Parmer, was at Mr. Van Cleve's home at the time. .."Pleas Price badly tore his wedding clothes, in the timber, nevertheless, he was married that night. And Wm. Youngblood's scalp was returned before his funeral." According to the Parker County Marriage Records, Pleasant Price married Berthema Parmer on February 11, 1862, which would be the actual date of William Youngblood's death. As far as records show, Elmira Fondren Youngblood died in April of 1860. It doesn't seem possible that she was the wife of William Youngblood. In the 1860 Parker County, TX (Beat three) Census, W. Youngblood is married to "B" age 26 from Missouri. In the same year, James Leander Youngblood is listed as married to "E" age 25 from Mississippi. Adding all the pieces of the puzzle together, it seems more likely that William's brother James was married to Elmira Fondren.

In your research, do you have any information to prove (or disprove) who Elmira Fondren was truly married to?
James Leander Youngblood is my gg-grandfather and I would love to get factual information. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. I appreciate it more than you can know.
Sincerely, Judy Sierra

Sat, 13 Nov, 2004 Response to Wiliam Youngblood

Rick, Thank you sooo much for the contact information for Jack Loftin. I got his phone number and had a wonderful, informative conversation this morning with him. I am purchasing two of his books plus a map of historical landmarks in the area we are interested in. He is very pleasant, and as you said "the best authority on North Texas genealogical questions." He asked me to send information that I have gathered for his museum and research. So again, thank you for this source. Judy jsierra@efn.org

Mon, 25 Oct., 2004

Rick, I feel sure you are familiar with the article written in the
book in Wise County about the Indians being driven back and then there was so many of them they had to move the old Fort
to Jacksboro from Buffalo Springs. If I read the book correctly
it gave several names of the men that were there and the reason they left. Of course, this is only a story in the book the gentleman wrote, but I do feel as though it is correct. It is in the Pioneer History of Wise County and you may be the one that wrote about it, I don't know. My G Great Grandfather James B. Riddle and Mr. Birdwell are both mentioned on page 161 I believe. I know JB Riddle's children were to have stayed in the log Cabin of Mr. Birdwell as I do know Mrs. Riddle died in Tenn. before they came down in a covered wagon and Mr. Riddle bringing the children and I do feel like some of his wife's folks may have come down with him or them as I believe they came in a covered wagon. (This is here say from relatives long ago passed on.) If you can enlighten me
on anymore of this please do so as I am trying to get a book of
my Dad's people and also one of my mother's people. I have Dad's back to 1798 which isn't very far but then no one talked about the ones that had died before they died it seems.rw

Sat, 18 Sept., 2004

Hi, I ran across your photo of Fort Sandusky, But I'm unable to find any directions or location of this fort. Can you help me find these? Thanks, JD

JD, Our best estimate is the reproduction is in the Cedar Point Amusement Park though we can't verify it. If you find it, please let us know. We have been told there is a historical marker about the fort near the town. If you see this as well, please let us know. Rick Steed, Fort Tours (see response below)

Fri, 1 Oct., 2004

Hi Rick, rom my last correspondence with you, you mentioned if we find the fort to please let you know. Well, we found the historical marker for where Fort Sandusky was originally built in 1761. There is no Fort Sandusky that stands today, the picture that you have listed on your site is a reproduced exhibit at Cedar Point Amusement park. Here are a couple of links to verify this statement:    http://hometown.aol.com/pointfan/frontiertrail.htm

The picture of the fort you have on your page is shown in the middle of that page. Here is the correct picture of the Ohio Historical Marker and its exact location near the town of Sandusky, Ohio. Leaving downtown Sandusky on State Route 6, headed west, you come to a turn in the road where Venice Road turns left onto Freemont Ave, (it's still Route 6.) This historical marker is on that corner. Its not a very big plot of ground and the intersection can be busy. Use caution crossing the road. End

You have quite a site here.  The use of maps is fantastic as well as much of the history which is invaluable. The artwork is great!
 
One thing though: I understand that continuing the mythic use of romantic language to describe conflicts between cultures makes the reader feel he/she is reading a novel or memoir of the 1800s.  The difficulty is that the information is useful to all cultures, and for the Indians to be viewed as "savages" who "massacred" and the "braves" and their "squaws" is totally unacceptable in the 21st century. For those of us who are long time descendants, 6th generation for me, to read about our ancestors in such a small mythic frame of reference is an affront to all the citizens who crafted families who became the first citizens of the State of Texas.
 
Many of us lost more of our Native ancestors killed by whites than we did our white ancestors killed by Natives.  In sheer number alone, the militias and volunteers of the early ranger units decimated entire villages as a term of their employment.  For every Indian killed their was another who served as a guide or provisioner to the settlers. As a historic novelist and anthropologist I've been on a learning curve for over fifty years.
 
If it were not for the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw there would be way far fewer families in East Texas today.  The Tonkawa were sturdy allies in many events.  Two of the women made famous in the Runaway Scrape filmed as "True Women" were Cherokee women who married Anglo or mixed blood men from TN/GA/AL and the Carolinas, including my ggggrandmother.   There were more Mexicans native to Texas that fought in the battles of the Republic than there were Anglos. And so it goes on..............
 
With so much to learn, understand and appreciate I would sincerely hope when you consider an update of your website you would remember these things I have shared with you.  Like hundreds of thousands of others, I have a lively collection of people and cultures running in my bloodstream. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's what makes me a TEXAN!
 
Sincerely,
Judith Alef
now of Portland, OR

FrankBoddn@aol.com

Thurs, 4 Nov, 2004, Judith Alef

Sat, 4 Jan 2003
My great-grandfather, Charles Carroll Piatt, was one of the 50 scouts in the Battle of Beecher's Island. I once saw a painting depicting the battle, in a volume of the Time-Life Old West series, but have never been able to find a print of that painting. Do you know of any place that a copy could be obtained? Roy Nichols

Roy, Thank you for visiting our site. The painting you are asking about is by Robert Lindneux. The following web site lists the museums that have collected his works, however, you have to become a member to access the information. I believe this site lists the phone numbers of each museum at no charge if you wanted to call each one. Hopefully the museum that has this particular piece will have a print for purchase. http://www.askart.com/artist/L/robert_ottokar_lindneux.asp I hope this helps! Rick Steed

Sat, 19 May 2001

Have you heard of a book named A Cry Unheard, The Story of Indian Attacks in and Around Parker County, Texas, 1858-1872? It's supposed to be in its fourth printing and available from Mary Kemp of the Abandoned Cemetery Association of Parker County at (817) 594-2612. I just read an excerpt in the Star Telegram about a murderous red-haired Comanche who turned out to be a West Point dropout that went bad. Sounds like it might be a pretty interesting book. Fred

Tue, 11 Jun 2002

Hi Richard, I took a look at your site and I was very impressed. I don't have time to review all or even part of it, but the section on Fort Belknap looked good to me. I just picked up a book this evening at Walden Books that I want to recommend to you. It is called "Savage Frontier," and it is a highly detailed and thorough history of the Indian fights on theTexas frontier 1835-1837. It came out this year from Republic of Texas Press, written by Stephen L. Moore. Have you seen it? It looks terrific. Thanks for listing my book on your site and keep up the good work! Clay Perkins

Wed, 12 Jun 2002
I am looking for a copy of Ninety-Four Years in Jack County. Email if you can help me. Thanks, Red Shields

Wed, 04 Dec 2002

Subject: Savage Frontier
Found your site and have enjoyed looking through what you have collected. Thanks for posting the link for Savage Frontier, Volume 1. For your interest, Volume 2 should be out in late March.
Regards, Steve Moore

What a coincidence. We are building "blood trail" maps covering the early Texas settlements and, of course, a lot of the information has been gathered from your book. It should be uploaded on our site by this afternoon. You can go to the following link: http://www.forttours.com/pages/maps.asp and scroll to the Early Texas Settlements Map; click on it and it will take you to it. I am eagerly awaiting Volume II. I'm more than a little vague about expeditions involving McLeod/Dyer/Rusk/Tarrant/Sloan/Journey and hope you cover them as well as Hays, McCullough and Ford. You have probably noticed I am neither an historian or a writer, but an artist. I am involved in a project with co-author Mike Shropshire to produce something about a road trip through the Cross Timbers west of Fort Worth for the Republic of Texas Press. Mike has written a piece in this month's Playboy on George W. and an article about Prince Albert in last weeks Sports Illustrated.

I hope something a little irreverent will draw a audience to Texas history that otherwise wouldn't read such stuff except at the point of a six-shooter. Thanks for getting in touch and for writing Savage Frontier. Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Wed, 11 Jul 2001

Interesting web site. When are you going to add Camp/Fort Supply, Indian Territory (Oklahoma) to your list? Bob Rea, Site Supervisor, Fort Supply Historic Site

Sat, 19 May 2001

Hello RSteed: Discovered your web site tonight. It is very nice! I'm glad to see others have an interest in the history of the Young/ Jack County area. Like yourself, I have enjoyed researching the Young/Jack Co. area for quite some time. My Granparents are buried in the Finis cemetery. My Grandfather Fred Chesnut shared fence lines with "Bill" Ribble, in Finis. My Grandmother operated the Post Office in Finis and lived on a nearby hilltop a stones throw from Rock Creek. Buried next to the Marlow Brothers in the Finis cemetery is my Uncle George Short (an outlaw in his younger years). Being the same age as his friends the Marlow's he requested to be buried next to them when he died in the early 1950's. I'm very interested in the information from The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell. When was his work published? I have several books on Jack County History, although do not have a copy of his? I'm sure you have utilized the Library in Graham, they have excellent first hand accounts on microfilm from the old issues of the Graham Leader. Have you read any of the information from Barbara Neal Ledbetter? She is an older lady who I have visited with many times, she can be difficult to talk to. She works often at the Fort Belknap library and Archive. She has written several books on the history of the Young County including the account of the Marlow Brothers. I question some of her work, due to the lack of reference information in her book on the Marlow's. Glenn Shirley (TCU Press) has also written an account of the Marlow's. Mrs. Ledbetter claims he copied her work and took the credit? Congratulations again on a very nice web site, you have no doubt invested quite a lot of time and effort to create it. I go to Jack/Young County as often as possible to visit the Chesnut home place and my Grandparents farm in Olney, would love to hear who you have talked to in the Finis area. I'm also doing some related research on the Finis community. Best Regards, Wes J. Sheffield Burleson, Texas. _______@ev1.net

Tue, 11 Dec 2001

My name is Joe Bruhl. I am a First Lieutenant at Ft. Hood, TX. My unit, B Company 1/227th AVN, is interested in taking a tour of a Texas battlefield. We would like the distance to be within several hours of Ft. Hood, and we would like it to be able to support several hours of discussion and tour. We have thought about the Alamo but would be interested in your suggestions. If you could e-mail your suggestions to _____@hotmail.com.Thank you, JOE BRUHL

Sat, 16 Mar 2002

I read a small introduction to a story about my great-grandfather from forttours.com. It started as "Nathan McDow & Son, Nathan who lived about 5 miles north of Alexander, in Erath Co., was about 1/2 mile from him home hauling rails, and was assisted by one son. The 2 were..."

I was unable to open the file. I was able to go to forttours.com home page & read everything I could there. The link for the page I was looking for is www.forttours.com/pages/564.htm. I have been unable to find much information on my grandfather. I just recently found out he was born in Erath Co., TX. Any information you could give me about this story would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Beverly McDow Kerns

Thank you so much for replying. I have been searching for information on my grandfather for a long time. I believe this Nathan was his father. I wish I could find more. Thanks again, Bev

Beverly, if you are looking at this site again, please see the following e-mail: Hello, A distant cousin posted the following to your website: (your e-mail above was here). Do you have an email address for Bev? If so, would you please send it to me or email her and ask her to contact me. Thanks, David Coon noxqcez@comcast.net

Fri, 29 Mar 2002

I am looking for a ranch or a farm that is an actual working frontier style living ranch with authintic cloths and people using old tools and such. Thanks and GOD bless, Kyle-I want to take my kids there for Easter.

Sun, 12 May 2002

This Email is to inquire or ask for your assistance in locating a suspension bridge in Shackelford County near Fort Griffin. The only information that I can found is that is that it is located somewhere in Shackelford County on the Clear Fork of the Brazos River, near Fort Griffin State park.I would greatly appreciate any help or possibly instructions or directions to get to this bridge from Fort Griffin or Albany. Thanking you in advance, Gary Pirkle

Tue, 28 May 2002

On the page: http://www.forttours.com/pages/toctupper.asp, this should read Tullius C. Tupper - not Jullius C. Tupper. He is a distant uncle. Thanks, Mike

Fri, 27 Sep 2002

A few months back I emailed about a page on your site:
http://www.forttours.com/pages/toctupper.asp
I have located a photograph of TC Tupper through the US Army Military History Institute. I am attaching close up scans of his picture if you have any interest. Rgards,Mike

Wed, 12 Jun 2002

Your site is marvelous, I cant complement you enough. I do have two questions about the site if I might.
1. I have been told all my life that Tip Seay was killed close top present day Lipan......the flag on the site is in NE Parker Co. is this where he was killed?
2. I can't find the site for the "Battle of Elm Creek"; do you know where it was? I spent almost two hours perusing your site. I can't say enough good about it. Oh, I forgot to mention that Mr. Seay is buried about twenty feet from my Great Grandfather, should you ever need a picture of the stone or anything.Your Humble Servant, Tom Tierce

Sat, 17 Aug 2002

On page 378 of On the Border with Mackenzie, Capt. Carter states that Sgt. Charles B Charlton was recommended and never got his MEDAL OF HONOR-notify your Congressman or woman and make it happen before we leave this world too…

Mon, 26 Aug 2002

I just ran across your website and found it very informative. I was able to locate two of my family members, Martin Cathey and Jackson Hale, under the Indian attacks section. I also ran a cross the page that has the various flag markers situated on a picture of the various counties. I found the flag that was representative of my family members under Parker County. In my genealogy research, thus far, I have not been able to accurately locate the exact location of the attack and murder of these two boys and was hoping that perhaps you might be able to help me with this. Do you have a more specific and accurate location for where this took place?? My family is very interested in learning as much as possible about this attack, and would like to have a historical marker erected sometime in the future. Any help, or references that you could provide me with would be very much appreciated. Thanks again for your time. Sincerely, Shanna Villines

Fri, 6 Sep 2002

Tip See buried in the old Cox cemetery in South West Parker county. He was killed and originally buried in a shallow grave southwest of Santo. I believe I have located that original site and am planning to use my experience as a mortician to see if I can locate the actual original grave site later this year.

Tue, 17 Sep 2002

Thank you for your help in promoting Fort Chadbourne and for all the site you have added. This is really nice and a great way to promote the wonderful resources the State of Texas has to offer people. We appreciate your help!

Mon, 30 Sep 2002

I just wanted to write and say that the picture you have of Oska Horseback is a picture of my great,great grandfather Chief Horseback. My mothers maiden name is Horseback, she is the last living granddaughter in the direct bloodline of Chief Horseback. I just wanted to ask where you got the name Oska? I have never heard of him referred to as this. Sincerely, Deborah Bellavia

Thu, 03 Oct 2002

Thanks for adding Fort Adams link to your website. Our Calendar of Events is up to date - just let us know if you have questions. Thank you, Mary Beth Smith, Fort Adams Trust

Mon, 21 Oct 2002

Hello. My husband is a descendant of Big Foot Wallace but the family, to my knowledge, has no photo's. I found the photo at the forttours.com web site and am wondering if you have the photo and if copies would be available to purchase? Would appreciate any assistance! Thank you. Lisa West

I have enclosed a different picture of Big Foot Wallace that we know for sure where it came from. It's from the book, Life of "Big Foot" Wallace by A. J. Sowell. In the cover, it gives the name of Mr. Gianfranco Spellman, DVM, as the contributor of this picture. I looked up his address and phone number for you, if it helps. The other picture came from a book that we have loaned out and we can't remember the name of it. When it comes back, I will let you know the name of the book. Lea Ann Rector, Fort Tours

This is GREAT!! I've already contacted Dr. Spellman and have an email to obtain additional information. I appreciate your prompt reply and the attached file. Lisa West

Sun, 3 Nov 2002

I am trying to find out what Indian reservations were in the Tarrant county area during the 1930's. If you have any information, could you please e-mail me back? Holly

There have never been any Indian reservations in Tarrant County but there were two in the 1850s in Young and Throckmorton Counties. They are discussed at the following link: http://www.forttours.com/pages/922.asp If you have any additional questions, please feel free to e-mail me. I noticed your e-mail address has quanah; any relation to Quanah Parker? Lea Ann Rector, Fort Tours

Thanks for the info!! My husband's name is Quanah and he is named after Quanah Parker. I believe he is related through his grandmother. His grandmother had some tribal connections but I believe she was from Mexico. That is all I know. Thanks again for the link. Holly

Wed, 20 Nov 2002

I have a Ft. Concho No. 90 Fez and am trying to find information as to the age, etc. As I was helping with my late aunt's estate I found the Fez, it is purple with gold lettering with the words: Ft. Concho No. 90. The label on the inside is: Made by The Lilley Co. Columbus, Ohio. At the top of the label is: The Lilley, Regalia MRSF Columbus Ohio. My aunt lived in Benjamin, Texas and I have no idea how she acquired the Fez. If you could shed some light on this I would really appreciate it. Thank You, Willa Cunningham

Wed, 11 Dec 2002

You recently sent us an e-mail inquiring about a Fort Concho Fez which I forwarded to Fort Concho. I was wondering, were they able to help you? Lea Ann Rector, Fort Tours

Wed, 11 Dec 2002

I received an email from Mark and he said the Fez might be an old Knights of Columbus one. I have not had time to research any further but do plan on going to the internet and put in a Knight's of Columbus search. My husband's cousin was visiting us during Thanksgiving, his name is Lonn Taylor and has recently retired
from The Smithsonian Institute. I showed the Fez to him and he didn't know anything about it but gave me the name of a museum to get in touch with. I have not done that but plan to after this busy time of the year is over with! I will let you know if I can find information. And I appreciate yours and Mark's help. Best regards, Willa Cunningham

Tue, 26 Nov 2002

Dear Rick, In attempting to trace all the descendants of my great-great-grandfather Phillip Spivey Parrish b. 1796, NC, there are descendants with the surname Shelton who went to Harbert/Herbert City, Texas in the 1870's. Do you know of the existence of any reference that will refer on to the location of these "lost" pioneer areas? Best wishes for a joyous holiday season. Trish Parrish-Lewis, Humboldt, Tennessee

Trish, Thanks for your e-mail. I do not recognize the name and couldn't find any information. The only thing I know to do is to contact the Texas Historical Commission at http://www.thc.state.tx.us/ They may be able to help you. Rick Steed

Mon, 06 Jan 2003

Dear Rick, Thank you for your gracious reply. Patricia Lewis

Sat, 7 Dec 2002

When you take someone's page of information word for word, it's usually appropriate to at least give the originating page the credit. And no, I don't appreciate it. My pages are copyrighted, and have been since 1995. http://www.over-land.com/fortcraig.html compared to http://www.forttours.com/pages/tocfcraig.asp At least you didn't steal my photos which I personally took. Please make the changes to your page which shows that the information had originated on my site. Thanks, Elizabeth http://www.over-land.com

Tue, 10 Dec 2002

I truly apologize for not crediting your site on the Fort Craig page. It was an oversight as we normally credit all our sources. I have listed your site on the page; please let me know if this isn't acceptable. Again, I truly apologize for this error. Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Sat, 4 Jan 2003

Could you please give the directions or the address that you are located? I have two little girls and I would like to show them the Indian reserves over Texas. I really appreciate all you can do for me at this time. Regards, Angelica Phillips

Angelica, The only service we provide is help in gathering historical information for self-directed road trips. I am afraid there is not much in the way of Indian reserves in Texas except the Alabama-Coushatta at Lake Livingston in the Big Thicket Forest http://www.alabama-coushatta.com/ and at Fort Clark in Brackettville. http://www.forttours.com/pages/tocfclark.asp and click on the Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts Link. The surrounding states were not able to keep their public lands and allowed the Federals to establish National Parks, reserves, etc. Rick Steed

Tue, 3 Dec 2002

Hello Rick at FortTours.com This morning I accidentally came upon your website while exploring the various ways of finding the Fort Riley, Kansas, sales commissary. I enjoyed browsing your site. However, if you don't mind too much, I have an observation and suggestion: it seems that you should call your 'Post Commissary' section something else. Not only will you get people (like me) looking for the actual food-selling commissary, but you're historically inaccurate, since the post commissary always sold food - never books. (The Sutlers, Post Traders, and Exchanges sold books, but not us.) Maybe you could call it the Post Library. Or Post Printer or Post Print Shop. (I'd stay away from Post Exchange because then you'd get all sorts of hits from people looking for the actual exchange.) Well, it's your site and this is just a suggestion. BUT --- In the meantime, if people write to you asking where they can get information on the actual commissary store at any Army post (or USAF, Navy, or USMC base, for that matter), please refer them to us at www.commissaries.com. Thanks ---Sincerely, Dr. Peter D. Skirbunt

Dr. Skirbunt, I appreciate you bothering to straighten me out. I guess I could say that I considered these books to be "food for thought", but in fact, I just didn't know any better. I am going against your advice and changing it to PX in hopes that the increase in hits will lead to more book sales. Rick Steed

Thu, 19 Dec 2002

Hello, I was so excited about finding your site tonight. The Pendleton Porter in the article is my Great Great Grandfather. His son Richard, was my Great Grandfather Richard Caroll Porter. He died in 1900, in Anderson County, Texas. My father was also named Pendleton Porter....he passed away in January of this year. I would love to visit the area where the massacre took place. Does your site provide a map to the locale? Anyway, its a great site you have. I currently live in Oklahoma City with my family. Thanks, Karen Porter

Karen, I am glad you found my site. Your family's event is on the Cooke County Map. You should be able to click on the link below to access the map. http://www.forttours.com/pages/encooke.asp I would be honored to include any family pictures or letters from that time that you might have. Thanks, Rick

Thu, 26 Dec 2002

Hello! Your website is fantastic! I do have a general question: Is there any way to get more detailed information about the marked sites on the maps? I particular, I am interested in the location of the Landman and Gage family homesteads as shown on the 199 to Jacksboro map. Is there any centralized source of historical maps of Jack County? Also, do you know if it is possible to find a copy of McConnell's The West Texas Frontier? Thank you for your help. Eric Rothe, Jacksboro

Eric, Thank you for your compliments on my site. I have a Jack county active map in the Cross Timbers Road Trip Section. You can click on the following link to access. http://www.forttours.com/pages/enjack.asp There are two flags just south and east of Jacksboro that are the Landman/Gage stories. Click on the flags for full accounts. I also have a maps page that lists all the counties. http://www.forttours.com/pages/maps.asp McConnell's book is very hard to find and expensive. The last one I found was selling for over $500.00. I am looking into offering a digital version online or on a CD as well as hard to find historical maps. I will keep you posted. Thanks for your interest, Rick Steed

Mon, 30 Dec 2002

Hello, Thank you for your quick response. I am not surprised by the price of McConnell's book. It must be very rare. If you are successful in copying it to CDROM, that would be great! I noticed from the commissary on your site that 'The History of Jack County Texas' (1985, a.k.a. 'Jack County History') was listed. I'm not sure that there was any kind of link on how to find the book. Today I found a contact who would be helpful if anyone wants to buy one. The book is being sold by the Jack County Genealogical Society (JCGS) for $70 or $75 if shipped. They can be purchased from Mrs. Hazel Marley, 301 W. Belknap, Jacksboro, Texas 76458. Mrs. Marley's phone is 940-567-5817. She has about 70 copies left (the last to be printed) and told me that it would be okay to list this information on the internet.I hope that this may be of some s mall help in your wonderfully comprehensive work. Happy New Year! Eric Rothe, Jacksboro, Texas

Wed, 8 Jan 2003

Great site! I'm thinking about biking the old Butterfield Stage route across Texas from Colbert's Crossing to El Paso - later this spring. Your maps - especially of the Cross Timber's area from Gainesville to Jacksboro look really well researched. I'm trying to find the closest back roads to the old route and stay away from heavy traffic - and yet see as much history as I can conveniently. I've beat my brains out over that section across the plains from Gainesville to Decatur especially - and then trying to find a safe ride west to Jacksboro is also a problem. Any ideas for me? Also, do you sell hard copy large-scale maps of this area or know where I can find really good ones? Many thanks, Pete Shannon, Dallas, Texas

Fri, 10 Jan 2003

I am seeking information on an Indian reservation in or around Beaumont Texas. My mother used to recount how in the early 1900's her mother would put her family in a wagon and they would ride into an Indian reservation to spend the day with her grandmother. As far as I can determine this reservation would have to be in the area between Beaumont, and Jasper, TX. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Robert Brown

Robert, After receiving your e-mail, I searched the Internet and was not able to find any information regarding your question. My suggestion would be to contact the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce http://www.bmtcoc.org/ and see if a local historian may be able to help you. Good luck and let me know how it turns out. Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Sun, 12 Jan 2003

Rick, I found a Culver battery ring, with crossed cannons on the front and spread eagles on both sides of the band, with my metal detector, in Grosse Pointe Michigan. I wonder if you could give me some background information on it! Julie

Julie: If you are looking back at our site, please contact crosie@umich.edu (see e-mail below)
hey i was wondering if u could put me into contact with julie from a jan 2003 comment about finding a culver military battery ring, i am a grad and happened to have lost my ring in the place where she found it.

Julie, Being an alumnus of Kemper Military School, I can only guess that the ring may have something to do with Culver Military School. The following is their web site, http://www.culver.org/ hopefully someone there will be able to help you. Good Luck! Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Sun, 12 Jan 2003

Perhaps you can help... I am the C. E. O of a nonprofit corporation in southern California. On our 142-acre site is a registered historical building that I am told was a stage stop along the Butterfield Stage Line. I hope to restore the building to its original. To that end I hope to (1) confirm that the Butterfield Line stopped at our station (we are in north San Diego County, in the City of Vista, approximately 8-miles east of the Pacific Ocean). And (2) find pictures, sketches, etc. as to what the interior of a typical stage stop looked like. Are you able to assist? Kind regards, Carl J. Fielstra, President, Green Oak Ranch Ministries, Inc.

Sat, 1 Feb 2003

Could you please inform me if there is some type of marker in the former community of Pleasant Valley at the site of the home of John R. Allen (and location of the formation of the 1877 first Farmers Alliance in Texas)? Thank you, C. Robert Keathley, Corsicana, Texas (retired schoolteacher)

Thank you for your e-mail. I found the following historical marker regarding the Pleasant Valley Farmers' Alliance. I hope this is what you are looking for. Please let me know. Thanks, Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Tue, 22 Apr 2003

My name is Chris Hirsch and I am writing a book on The Texas Gun Trade, 1780 - 1899. I found a photo, on your web site, of Noah Smithwick and I am trying to find out who to contact to obtain permission to publish it in my book. Also, are you aware of any other photos of this man? Thanks, Chris Hirsch

I found the picture of Noah Smithwick in the book, Savage Frontier by Stephen L. Moore. Under the photo is states "Prints and Photographs Collection, Center for American Hisotry, University of Texas at Austin, CN Number 01542. I don't know of any other photos offhand but the University may have others as well. Good Luck, Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Thanks a million Rick! I will pursue that lead. Chris

Tue, 19 Jun 2001

Fort Belknap is celebrating it's 150th Birthday on Saturday, June 23 from 9:00 - 6:00 Re-enactors from Forts Concho, Richardson, Griffin and Fort Worth will be present and will Chief Gordon Tonips of the Comanche Nation, along with the great, great grandson of Quanah Parker. There are lots of activities for the day. You ought to come to Graham and visit the Fort that day. Kathy Skipper Graham Chamber of Commerce, grahamcc@visitgraham.com

Wed, 2 May 2001

Hi, My name is Mitch Baird, assistant manager at Fort Griffin State Park. I met Lea Ann Rector at the Stock Yards this past weekend at the forts muster. I was surfing your web site when I came across a picture of the park's adminstration building. The picture on your web site is from Fort Griffin located in Shackleford county, it was a military outpost from 1867 till 1881 (a post civil war post) and is on the Clear Forks of the Brazos. Fort Griffin State Park would be more than happy to help you correct your website and seperate the civil war Fort Griffin from the Indian Wars Fort Griffin. Needless to say we are the Indian Wars Fort Griffin. Let's get together and discuss this further. Thank you, Mitch Baird

Mon, 2 Apr 2001

My mothers grandfather and at least two of her great uncles were Texas Ranger during the Indian Wars. I know they were in the Brazaos River are, and several other places, however I can't find the information I had recieved about them. It was very sketchy, and as the Rangers didn't keep good records, if they even kept them at all. Any information you could provide me with will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Sandi

Thu, 1 Feb 2001

May I ask where you got the map on the warren wagon train massacre because were going to use it in our school project and we need to know where it came from for our bibliography. Thank You

Website Comments

11 August, 2010, Hood & Parker County Research

I happened upon your site while doing some genealogical research for Hood and Parker counties, TX - it is fantastic! Do you have a bibliography ut together used to develop your site for Comancheria and if so, would you mind sharing it? Do you happen to have all of the photos, text, and maps put together I could buy - it would save me time coying and pasting! I am an amateur historian of the same period and region with ancestors (Nathan Holt was a relative of my ancestors - the Selfs from Hood Co.) who were involved in some of the raids described at your site. Again, a truly wonderful site!

Sat, 5 Nov, 2005

Your website is my "Link of the Month" for November 2005, You have done an excellent job on your website. The link appears on these websites and in my monthly newsletter. http://americanindian.net/links.html
http://americanindian.net/linkmonth.html
Keep up the great work, Phil Konstantin

Mon, May 30, 2005

Hello,  I've just found your web site forttours.com, it is really excellent! My name is Lionel Lacaze and I'm very much interested by the things you're talking about at your web site. I went several times in Oklahoma and Texas at historic places of Comancheria area. (Palo Duro Canyon, Santa Fe Trail, Wichita Mountains, Cutthroat Gap, Antelope Hills, Red River, Fort Belknap old reservation, Clear Fork of Brazos old reservation, Fort Phantom Hill...) all these places are cool to visit and the history of Comanches in Texas is so interesting! thank you for your site, I wish I had all those informations when I was in Texas! I'll have to come back! quenemo4@yahoo.com

Fri, 19 Nov, 2004

It was 36 years ago, when I was 14 years old, and Dad took me and my brother over to the battle site near Devil's Canyon.  We climbed up to Soldier Springs and discovered one of the most beautiful places I've seen anywhere.  It was around the bend of the mountain from the battle site to Devil's Canyon where the old Wichita village was located, where the U.S. Dragoons and Osages visited 30+ years earlier.  Dad found a human baby tooth discarded by an Indian kid, and I found in the rut of the dirt trail at the battle site, a .44 Henry flat nose bullet--obviously from the fight.  Years later, after reading the recent historical archaeology performed on the Custer Little Bighorn battlefield (the book, Archaeolgical Perspectives of the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Scott, Fox, Conner and Harmon), I concluded that this spent lead bullet was apparantly fired from an 1860 Army Colt open-top revolver converted from the old cap and ball to the .44 Henry cartridge popular out west after the War.  From the look of the lands and grooves, it was also apparant that the revolver barrel was fouled beyond belief, leading me to conclude that it was a seldom, if ever, cleaned weapon, and therefore probably was owned and fired by a Kiowa or Comanche warrior during the battle.  Just as at other battle sites, you could close your eyes, feel the wind against your face, and faintly hear the shouts, sounds, and smells of the battle.  It's a very special and secluded place.
 
Thanks for posting the Carbine and Lance story.  It is rarely mentioned. Mike Peacock

Wed, 24 Jan 2001

While looking in the Travel section of the Southwestern Bell yellow pages I found your web site address which I wandered through. This is to tell you how very interesting it is. I am a life long native Texan (Fort Worth area) and find all the story excerpts intriguing. I am deflintely planning some trips to the areas indicated on your maps. Thanks for all the hard work you have done in preparing and presenting this. Doris Auvenshine Secretary, NE Library (817) 515-6477 Doris.Auvenshine@tccd.net

Sat, 03 Mar 2001

This is an interesting site. I found info about my grandad, James S. Lauderdale & his brother-in-law, Josh Lawrence. They both were killed by Comanches near Jacksboro. Do you know where a person could find a copy of that book? Sandy Avery ____@flash.net

Sat, 7 Apr 2001

Very interested in getting on to your mailing list, but my computer don't want me to. Please mail to me whenever you make an update. Congratulations to a great site. yours truly Calle Friden e-mail _________@telia.com sweden

Sun, 15 Apr 2001

Is there any way you can mention our Clay County 1890 Jail Museum-Heritage Center in Henrietta on your tours page? We do have a web page www.pctutor.org/ccmuseum.html and a link on www.rootsweb.com/~txclay. We could use all the publicity we can get to entice more visitors to our museum. It is really very good for our size. Lucille Glasgow, Treasurer Clay Co. Historical Society, Inc.

Tue, 24 Apr 2001

Sir: I cannot imagine this site is in existence, much less, that I found it! My cousin, Vernon E. Kisinger, Mineral Wells, TX, gave me some print-outs which mention our great grand uncle, George Kisinger, in these fights. "Uncle George," as we all call him, was 1st Sergeant with Co. B, Frontier Battalion, in 1877. We would be interested in learning anything more about the engagements in which he was a participant. He was supposedly in Palo Pinto County by 1868. Uncle George never narried, and was buried in Henson Cemetery, Baylor County, TX in 1922. There is another book which is of great historical significance in this locality. Written by Barbara Neal Ledbetter, 188 DAYS OF HELL ON THE TEXAS FRONTIER, describes the ordeal of the Marlow brothers in Graham, Young County, TX, in 1888. The movie, SONS OF KATIE ELDER, purports to describe their experiences. It is a good read for all true Texas history buffs. Sincerely, William Boyd Kisinger

Tue, 19 Jun 2001

I own property at FM 1769 and Garvey Ranch Road, north of Farmer, in Young County. I have been very interested in the rich history of the area, and by reading all the accounts you have on your site, I am even more astonished. I had no idea of the events that had taken place so close to my land. I am interested in trying to locate maps of that area, during the periods of the 1850's thru the 70's, any ideas where I may find them? Any help would be truly appreciated..Keep up the EXCELLENT WORK...Thanks, Phil

Wed, 27 Jun 2001

Hi, I am Mrs. Cy Gibson (Barbara). I understand that you once lived at PK Lake. We live south of the dam on the old Belding ranch--my family home. In fact, Cy and I live in the original ranch house--log rooms and all. My great-grandfather settled here in 1859 and found a one room cabin deserted, probably because of the recent massacre of Choctaw Tom's family. Needless to say, I am very interested in your web page. It is a great idea. There are so many fantastic stories about our area but, until recently, the local interest in our history has been very low. I have just written a book about our family and the county which should be out in July (I hope). And have become a board member and contributor to the Painted Post Crossroads Magazine. All of this is an effort to generate interest. Do you still live in the area? Maybe we could pick each other's brains. Of course, the older I get the less there seems to be to pick. But maybe there is still something there that would be helpful. If you are interested, let me know. Barbara

Fri, 27 Jul 2001

Your site is wonderful; I enjoyed it so much! Neel Kennimer

Mon, 27 May 2002

Outstanding site!!!! Thank you very much. Jon

Mon, 30 Sep 2002

Thank you for the link to Sid Richardson Museum.
I enjoyed your site. Jan Brenneman, Director

Tue, 1 Oct 2002

Good morning. I was recently forwarded an e-mail stating you have added some of Hill County's museums and visitors bureaus to your site. We appreciate the opportunity for extra exposure and hope that the following URL to our 'new' website can replace the one currently on your site. http://www.hillsborochamber.org
Forttours.com is a great site and I'm sure to visit often in the future. Alex Hernandez, Main St./Tourism Director

Tue, 1 Oct 2002

I am not sure if your interested or not, but I have photos of many more forts on my website, http://www.civilwaralbum.com. A few that I can think of off hand are: Fort Pulaski, Forts Jackson, Pike, St. Phillip (LA), Fort Pickens, Fort Pemberton and many more. These are personal photos and are not official. You can go to my Misc. Sites Index and Site Map, which will have links to all the fort photos that I have. You are probably more interested in official type sites, but you might take a look at mine just in case you can't find anything official. Thanks, Bruce Schulze

Tue, 1 Oct 2002

Thank you very much! If I can assist you in any way, let me know. Are you aware of the Texas Historical Commission's new Chisholm Trail map and pamphlet? It was just released last month. I've been working with several communities in Texas to market the Trail and start Chisholm Trail associations.Chris Jefferies
Director, Chisholm Trail Heritage Center

Tue, 01 Oct 2002

Thanks for adding a link to my site. I have referenced your forttours site a number of times while researching possible destinations during my travels. Your hard work providing and maintaining the site is appreciated! Best regards, Mike Podpolucki

Tue, 01 Oct 2002

Thanks! I have added your site to my site also, it is the left wagon on this page. About the center of this page are several other forts you don't have listed that are on my site.See ya in a rut someday! Larry & Carolyn Mix http://www.stjohnks.net/santafetrail/

Wed, 02 Oct 2002

Your site is excellent. I haven't gone over all of it yet, but I quickly bookmarked it. Many of our inquiries could be referred to your site for additional information. I'll add a link from our site, too. Thanks again, it always nice to know someone is paying attention to our efforts! Museum of the Western Prairie

Thu, 3 Oct 2002

On and off for three years, I have been gathering information for a book (that has been in my head for over ten years). Yet, there were always things missing, because of so much "misinformation" out there in books and on the web. Then today, I keyed in Comancheria and bought up your site--I cannot express how grateful I am. It is the most informative site that I have come across. If/when, the book is completed, I will be write you in as my source. Thank you again,Shawna MacCullough

Fri, 29 Nov 2002

Could you explain what this is and where it takes
place? Ghost of the Cross Timbers Road Trip. Thanks, Alcus

Alcus, The Ghost of the Cross Timbers refers to a self-directed drive through Parker, Jack, Young and Palo Pinto Counties in North Texas. This site describes as accurately as possible the history of events that occurred during the Comanche War. Rick Steed

Sat, 8 Feb 2003

Rick, I ran across you site and I am amazed at the information that you placed there. What a great job! I am interested in a couple of things. First, how you were able to determine the location of the Elonzo White and Sara Kemp story? I was under the impression that the kidnapping took place on Big Keechi Creek, yet the location you have seems to be quite off Keechi Creek. I would be interesting in determining how you were able this. Elonzo White was my G-Grandfather. Also, the location of Fort Stubblefield as the White (David William) mentioned there was Elonzo's father. Tip Seay was Martha Seay's bother. She had married David White and their son was Alonzo or Elonzo also known as Lon. Two different versions of the story appear in McConnel's book, with different spellings of the first name. I am interested in visiting these sites and live in Dallas. Can you direct me? Thanks. Michael McEntire, CIRM, C.P.M

Michael, After receiving your e-mail, we researched and found that we did indeed have the flag in the incorrect spot. It is 10 miles southwest of Jacksboro or roughly 8.6 miles south of where Hwy. 4 intersects with 380 on your left. We thank you for drawing this to our attention. We appreciate any corrections or additions. If you have any pictures or letters, we would love to add them to our site. Look forward to hearing about your trip. Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Wed, 26 Mar 2003

I live in Arlington, TX and was born in Ft. Worth. My Great-Great Grandfather was Geo. "Press" Farmer. He was the fort sutler at Ft. Worth and also his daughter was the 1st white child born there. He was on my mothers side. I read a lot about the Lasaters (my fathers side) at Turkey Creek, a place I've crossed many times going to Possum Kingdom, and other Indian encounters on you site. I'm not sure how I'm related to Green, A.M., Geo. Luke and all those but I know my family has been in this part of TX. since the mid 1800s and Lasater is not a very common name especially spelled this way. Your site has given me and my family a source of great pride. Thank You So Much, Ray Lasater

Ray, Sorry to being so late in replying but thanks for your compliments. If you have any pictures, letters, etc. that you wouldn't mind sharing; I'll post them on my site. Rick Steed, Fort Tours

Rick, I will try to send photos at a later date. I showed your site to a friend who is a member of a large cowboy action shooting society. He said he passed it on to dozens of interested parties. Once again it is the most fascinating site I have ever seen and is well worth passing on. Thanks! Ray

West Texas Frontier

13 February, 2006 West Texas Frontier Book

Rick, Do you know where I can purchase a copy of this book? Thanks,
Jaime Reyes

Hi Jaime, This is a very rare book and the last time we saw it on the internet, it was going for over $500.00. We have the entire book on our site in a downloadable .pdf format. The link is below:

http://www.forttours.com/pages/mcconnellbook.asp Rick

Back to the top