W.A. Morris

W.A. Morris and Others Fight Indians Near Red River Station

During the night of September 5, 1870, some of the members of P.M. Cardwell's family were sick at the Station, so the neighbors had not gone to bed. Shortly after midnight, some one stepped out of doors and when he looked southward, saw Indians riding around the graveyard, about three hundred yards away. W.A. Morris, and W.T. Waybourne, who had been surveying during the day near Red River Station, stopped there for the night. After the Indians were discovered, their presence was promptly reported at the house and elsewhere. Only five horses were available, so W.A. (Bud) Morris, H.D. Newberry, Henry Cardwell, Frank Mull, and Dutch Valance, started out to round up the loose horses. Two horses were found about one mile southeast of the Station, but the citizens passed on to find others, and intended to pick these up when they returned. No other horses, however, were found, and when they returned, two Indians were near the two horses. W.A. Morris and H.D. Newberry were near the two horses. W.A. Morris and H.D. Newberry were riding in front, and not knowing whether or not they were Indians or whites, Morris said, "Who is these?" The Indians turned on their horses' sides and rapidly rode to the north. They were pursued by the citizens, who shot several times. These two Indians were soon joined by about fifty others who practically surrounded the white men. The five brave citizens ran through, shooting to the right and left, and opened a gap in their ranks. They were followed, however, by the Indians about 100 yards, and until the citizens crossed a small stream. Here Morris and his associated made a stand and kept the Indians from crossing. The Indians then retreated and apparently were looking after a wounded warrior. Morris then shot his Spencer rifle, and he heard the bullet strike an Indian, or his horse. The savages then scattered, and fired a few more shots. The citizens rode toward the Station for reinforcements. Several men were available, but no horses could be found. John Lackey took Frank Mull's place, and the five citizens then returned, but found no horses. The Indians went on, and crossed Red River below old Spanish Fort, and along their path, where the savages stopped for a considerable length of time, citizens afterwards found an Indian grave.

Note: Before writing this and the preceding section; author personally interviewed: W.A. (Bud) Morris; and other early settlers of that section.

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