Until a year ago, I’d lived in Parker County, Texas. You
know that as someone who loves history, I searched out facts about the area’s
past. One of the stories that fascinated me was the story of three children captured
in the county’s last Indian raid in 1872.
At one time I did considerable research on this tale with
the thought of turning it into a children’s book. I decided the facts were too
gruesome for children. Well, at least for their parents’ approval.
Currently, I’m recovering from ankle reconstruction and can’t
search through my notes. I’m stuck in bed with my foot elevated for another
couple of weeks. So, my story for you will be based on memory.
Sam Savage and his family farmed on Sanchez Creek. His aunt
and uncle farmed across the creek. A
group of raiding Comanche rode through. Sam’s father and oldest brother were
killed in the field where they were working. Mrs. Savage got the girls inside.
One girl who was fifteen was shot with an arrow as she scooped up her sister. They
barely reached the house in time to bar the door. I would have been afraid the
house would have been set on fire, but the Comanche were after horses—and small
children.
Sam was six and his brother John was eight. The two boys
were captured. The Comanche then crossed the creek and killed the boys’ aunt and
uncle and captured four-year-old Mary, their cousin. Their captors did not
capture other children on this raid.
When they camped for the night, the children were given raw
liver and forced to eat. They gagged and vomited but were shown no patience.
During the night, John escaped and started home. He was recaptured and the
soles of his feet slit so he would be unable to walk or run and no longer be
able to sneak out of camp.
The three children lived with the Comanche in Oklahoma
Territory for eighteen months. A trader spotted three white children in the
camp. He traded everything he had with him, including his saddle and saddlebags,
to rescue the three youngsters. The trader took them to Fort Worth in an
attempt to identify the kids and reunite them with their families.
By this time, Mary spoke only Comanche and could not even
communicate in English. The boys were able to give their names. Eventually,
they were reunited with Mrs. Savage and what was left of their family.
I don’t remember (if I knew) what happened to Mary or John,
but Sam remained in the area. He married a Pawnee woman and lived near Mineral
Wells for the rest of his life. I found this story fascinating and hope you
will also.
Caroline Clemmons is the author of MAIL-ORDER PROMISE, the
first in the duet set titled MAIL-ORDER TANGLE, a western historical romance. She and her husband and their
menagerie of rescued pets live near Fort Worth in cowboy country.