The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 58, July 1954 - April, 1955 Page: 38
650 p. : ill., maps (some col.), ports. ; 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:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
scarcely a settlement between Austin and the site of Waco. At the
Trading House "on Tahuacano creek, a few miles north of where
the city of Waco now stands,"'8 friendly Indians came to barter
buffalo robes, deer skins, and articles they had made for provi-
sions, clothing, and cutlery. Neighbors spent several days here
making preparations for the journey.14
Robert S. Neighbors was well fitted to lead the expedition.
Besides having been an officer in the Army of the Republic of
Texas and having served in volunteer military forces, as the in-
cumbent United States Indian Agent for Texas he had explored
much of the Texas frontier."' Neighbors, who had survived the
horrors of two years of imprisonment in Perote Castle, was thirty-
three years of age, six feet and two inches tall, and in rugged
physical condition.' He was experienced in dealing with Indians
and was acquainted with most of the tribes through whose terri-
tory the expedition would pass. Neighbors had in his service
James Shaw, the celebrated Delaware Indian scout, interpreter,
and skillful prairie diplomat.17
Neighbors selected the following men to accompany him: John
S. Ford, D. C. Sullivan, A. D. Neal, white men, and four Indians,
John Harry, a Delaware, Joe Ellis and Tom Coshatee, Shawnees,
and Patrick Goin, a Choctaw, who were placed under the direc-
tion of Shaw by Neighbors.",
John S. Ford was persuaded to join Neighbors by citizens of
Austin who wished their city connected with El Paso. Ford, who
18Ford, Memoirs (MS.), III, 504; IV, 719. Present day writers state that Torrey's
'Trading House was on Trading House Creek eight miles southeast of Waco. This
does not agree with Ford's contemporary statements cited. George Barnard bought
the Torrey interest in 1849 and moved the post near Comanche Peak in Hood
County, at the suggestion of Major Neighbors, to be near Jos6 Maria's band and
others.
14Ibid., III, 504f.
15Affleck, J. C. Hays (MS.), 739, incorrectly states that Neighbors was a member
of the Hays expedition to Chihuahua in 1848.
1eFor details of the life of Neighbors, see Alice Atkinson Neighbors, The Life
and Public Works of Robert S. Neighbors (M.A. thesis, University of Texas, 1936),
and Kenneth F. Neighbours, Robert S. Neighbors: Texas Pioneer (M.A. thesis,
Southern Methodist University, 1948).
17See R. N. Richardson, "Jim Shaw the Delaware," West Texas Historical Asso-
ciation Year Book, III (1927), 3-12.
18Neighbors to Harney, June 4, 1849 (MS., Records of the War Department,
Letters Received, National Archives, Washington, D. C. Hereafter referred to as
R. W. D. L. R.) .
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 Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 58, July 1954 - April, 1955, periodical, 1955; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101158/m1/57/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.