The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906 Page: 62
ix, 294 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
ceeding the war, Indian incursions continued, in spite of the vigil-
ance of the troops, under the determined and gallant Gen. R. S.
Mackenzie, and the desperate efforts of the long-suffering and re-
vengeful frontiersmen. Fort Griffin was in the great buffalo range,
and became the base of supplies for the buffalo hunters. These
hunters soon denuded the adjacent region of the vast herds of this
noble American species that had been from time immemorial the
chief support of the wild tribes inhabiting the plains of the North-
west. Adventurous stockmen soon overspread the splendid pas-
toral section with their herds of cattle from the more settled por-
tion of the state, and ranches of the crudest description, consist-
ing of rude huts or "dug-outs" and picket corrals in the midst of
open, unfenced ranges were established. Soon some of the counties
were organized, and the district known as Young Territory disap-
peared from the maps of the state.
With the removal of the Tonkawas the last vestige of the native
Texan tribes disappeared from the state. The wide variation in
the two classes of our native tribes was mostly the result, no doubt,
of the difference between the fertile, well-watered region of eastern
Texas, where a subsistance was easily obtained, and the arid plains
of the west, with their vast herds of herbivorous animals. But
who can tell how great an influence the devoted Franciscan mis-
sionaries, who first chanted the Te Deum in these wilds two cen-
turies ago and labored faithfully among these poor children of
nature for a whole century, may have had on them? The partial
knowledge of Spanish existing among them and the common oc-
currence of Spanish names such as Placido, Jose Maria, Santa
Anna (names of noted chieftains), are conclusive evidence of it to
the reflecting mind. We can but believe, had patience had "her
perfect work" with these aborigines of our state, and the seed sowed
by the pious fathers been carefully nurtured, many dark pages in
our history might have been avoided. Instead of having only rude
monuments, a few painted rocks with quaint picture inscriptions,
many blood-stained battlefields and desecrated village sites, a col-
lection of rude arms, shields, and savage ornaments, and the names
of a few cities, mountains, and streams, to remind us of these
tribes, we might have had happy and peaceful races lifted from
barbarism to civilization to bless the coming of the Anglo-Saxon
to his Paradise !
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906, periodical, 1906; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101036/m1/66/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.