The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970 Page: 138
605 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
events, depicts life around Clarksville, Texas, and the Red River. This
is the first time many of these narratives have appeared in print.
Although they have not written a county history, the authors are well
informed in the history of Red River County, its customs, and its folklore.
They tell the stories almost as if they had lived them. They include few
pictures, but not many are needed, because each chapter presents some-
thing new to lead the reader to the next; each story depicts a way of
life on the Texas frontier in the early days. Nearly all are interesting and
well-written and contribute to the history and folklore of East Texas.
The chapter, "River Voyages," seems to have little connection with this
country, but it does belong in the book. It tells about life on the river-
boats, the most important mode of travel in the early settlement of Texas.
The article on Robert Potter is very interesting, but it is difficult to
understand how it is connected with the Red River. Although it adds
to the value of the book, it is no more than a fine story of the life and
death of this great character who lived on Caddo Lake.
Red River Dust is recommended reading for all East Texans, as well as
anyone interested in the state's history, adding bits of legend and fact to
our knowledge of the early Southwest. It should inspire others to collect
stories about other areas of Texas.
Gilmer, Texas DOYAL T. LOYD
Captain Jeff, or Frontier Life in Texas with the Texas Rangers. By William
J. Maltby. (Reprint of 1906 edition. Waco: The Texian Press, 1967. Pp.
20o4. Illustrations. $5.95.)
For many years William J. Maltby's Captain Jeff, an interesting pamph-
let published in 1906 at Colorado, Texas, has been a collector's item. Un-
doubtedly the number of copies printed was small; and besides, the volume
does contain some interesting and valuable facts and narrative concerning
frontier life, Indian fighting, and activity with the Texas Rangers in the
halcyon days of that far-famed organization.
In his brief introduction to this new edition Dr. Rupert N. Richardson
describes Maltby's writing style as "vivid." Vivid it is indeed, borrowing
strongly from the Victorian flavor of George Ruxton and Ned Buntline.
Throughout his narrative, he weaves his hair-breadth encounters with a
famous Kiowa chieftain named Big Foot-one of three or four different
individuals by that name who appeared on the Texas frontier.
Maltby led a varied and interesting civilian life in the pioneering days
of Burnet and Brown counties, and he made definite contributions to the
improvement of horticultural and agricultural methods in that region.
It is regrettable that he came in for scant mention in Webb's The Texas
Rangers and none whatever in the Handbook of Texas. He can be com-
mended for preserving his experiences in print, whereas many of the other
captains left not a word.138
Waco, Texas
ROGER N. CONGER
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970, periodical, 1970; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117147/m1/154/?rotate=90: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.