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In early 1864, a raiding party of twenty native Americans left Indian territory (Oklahoma), entered Texas and, passing west of Comanche Peak, descended the high ground between Prairie and Squaw Creeks. There they surprised stockman Rigman Bryant who was out hunting. He was overtaken and lanced to death, and his wounded, faithful dog stayed with his body. The band next encountered W.C. Walters and Silas Scarborough on horseback and Bryant’s slave on a mule who were returning from Goather’s Mill on the Paluxy River with a turn of corn. The mule-mounted young man was captured and induced to join the raiding party. When he refused, he was mortally wounded with lance and arrows. Walters and Scarborough narrowly escaped to spread the alarm. By circuitous route of central Somervell county, the raiders gathered a large horse herd from ranches and farms. Re-crossing the Paluxy River, they took the mounts of the Barnard’s Mill (Glen Rose) mill hands, then retreated north two miles, stopping to regroup at mesquite flat where the men and boys of the home guard, who were trailing, caught up with the band. Following a running skirmish, the raiding party withdrew and abandoned the stolen horse herd. Two of the home guard received minor arrow wounds while the casualties of the native Americans is unknown. |
