Milburne Raid

The Milburne Raid in McCulloch County

May 13, 1869, about eighty Indians came to the John Chism Ranch, on Home Creek, about fifteen miles north and a little east of the present town of Mercury, and chased two horse traders, who successfully escaped. The savages then passed the ranch house, and several shots were exchanged. John Chism and two more of his cowhands broke one Indian's arm. The Indians then crossed the Colorado River, came to old Milburne, and robbed and burned the store of David McAlister. The Indians then went to Richland Creek in San Saba County and passed the home of Warren Hudson. Here he counted eighty Indians. The savages took two horses and when they were ready to leave, the Indian chief blew a bugle. When he did, the Indians marched to the call. The warriors divided at the mouth of Richland Creek, and forty warriors went many miles on into the settlements.

After the Indians passed Warren Hudson's home, they gave Capt. W.R. Wood, W.R. Bomar and several other cowhands a lively chase. But what became of the remaining forty Indians is not known.

It so often happened that large bands of Indians were seen on the outer settlements, but when they reached Lampasas, Llano, Burnet and other central Texas counties, broke up into smaller bands for the purpose of combing the country of all available horses.

Note: Author personally interviewed: Warren Hudson, mentioned above; and others.

The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.