MARY A. MAVERICK AND CHILDREN 
 
jWemotrs 
 
 of 
 
 JWarp 
 
 arranged by 
 
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 r son 
 
 (ieo. JWabtsion JUabertcfe 
 
 Edited by 
 Etna JWaberttfe <6reen 
 
 (Illustrated) 
 
 Alamo Printing Co. 
 
 San Antonio, Texas 
 
 1921 
 
Copyright 1921 
 By RENA M. GREEN, 
 All Rights Reserved. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 c4 
 
 There are twelve of us in all, my husband and I, and 
 ten children six living and six in the Spirit-land. 
 
 To the memory of the dear ones who have gone before, 
 ^ I dedicate these reminiscences of by-gone years. 
 
 MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This little book is written for my children they have 
 often requested me to put into shape the notes and memo- 
 randa which I have jotted down during the early days. 
 I have based the following history of my family, and of 
 events .transpiring near us, upon my own, and upon 
 some of Mr. Maverick's notes, which were made at the 
 time. I have drawn somewhat from family tradition, 
 from letters written contemporaneously, occasionally 
 from books of authority for dates, and I have not failed 
 to consult with many of the survivors of those early days. 
 I have in some instances relied on my memory, but not 
 often. I trust it will be of use in cementing my descen- 
 dants together in the distant future, as they are now 
 united in the spirit of kindly kinship. I am so impressed 
 with the idea that the work will be useful in the influence 
 indicated, and that my allotted time on earth is drawing 
 toward its ending, that in my old days I have roused my- 
 self up, have experienced again the joys and the sorrows 
 of those dear old times, and now, my dear children, the 
 work is finished. Jesus said : "I must work the work of 
 Him that sent me, while it is day ; the night cometh, when 
 no man can work." 
 
 MARY A. MAVERICK. 
 San Antonio, Texas, March, 1881. 
 
Contents 
 
 Chapter Page 
 
 I. Family History Ancestors 7 
 
 II. Early Married Days 10 
 
 III. Ho, For the Lone Star 12 
 
 IV. Tonkawa Indians , 18 
 
 V. San Antonio de Bexar ,..21 
 
 VI. Comanche Indians ...27 
 
 VII. Doctor Weideman 38 
 
 VIII. Comanches and a Duel , 42 
 
 IX. Family History Resumed .52 
 
 X. Flight 60 
 
 XL Perote 68 
 
 XII. Colorado River Bottoms 78 
 
 XIII. Life on the Peninsula 85 
 
 XIV. The Angel of Death 96 
 
 XV. Our New Home on Alamo Plaza 107 
 
 XVI. Conclusion 119 
 
 Letters, etc. ..123 
 
Chapter I. 
 FAMILY HISTORY ANCESTORS. 
 
 Y maiden name was Mary Ann Adams. I was 
 (born March 16th, 1818, in Tuskaloosa County, 
 Alabama. My parents were William Lewis Adams, 
 of Lynchburg, and his wife Agatha Strother Lewis, of 
 Botetourt County,* both of the state of Virginia. 
 
 My father was son of Robert Adams, from Massachu- 
 setts, and his wife Mary Lynch, of Lynchburg, Virginia. 
 John Lynch, brother of Mary Lynch, was one of the lead- 
 ing men of Lynchburg. 
 
 My mother was a member of an extensive and well 
 known family in Virginia. John Lewis, the founder of 
 the Lewis family in America, married Margaret Lynn, 
 daughter of the Laird of Loch Lynn, Scotland. General 
 Andrew Lewis was the second son of the union. He was 
 a prominent man in Colonial days, and a particular friend 
 of Washington.* His wife was Elizabeth Givens. He 
 commanded the Colonial forces at the great Indian battle 
 of Point Pleasant, where the savages were totally over- 
 thrown, and where his younger brother, Colonel Charles 
 Lewis, distinguished for gallantry, was killed. Upon the 
 suggestion of General Washington, General Andrew Lew- 
 is was appointed a Brigadier General in the American 
 Army, on the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. He 
 was then prematurely old, and died in 1780, having 
 passed his sixty-second year. His statue was placed in 
 the well known group, by the Sculptor Crawford, in 
 the Capitol Grounds at Richmond, Virginia, where my 
 son George Madison and I saw it in 1876 
 
 *Now Roanoke County. 
 
 *See Theodore Roosevelt's, The Winning of the West, Vol. 1, Chapters 
 VII, VIII, IX. 
 
8 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 William Lewis, of Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, 
 my grandfather, was the youngest son of General An- 
 drew Lewis. He married Lucy Madison, in Washington 
 County, Virginia, in 1788. Lucy Madison's parents were 
 John Madison and Agatha Strother Madison. John Madi- 
 son was first cousin of James Madison, President of the 
 United States. A son of John Madison, James Madison, 
 was President of William and Mary College, and Bishop 
 of Virginia. Another son, George Madison, married a sis- 
 ter of Chief Justice Marshall of the United States Su- 
 preme Court and became afterwards Governor of Ken- 
 tucky. John Madison had another son, Rollin, and several 
 daughters, one of whom was Lucy, as above stated. From 
 this marriage of John Lewis and Lucy Madison were born 
 two children, Agatha Strother, my mother, and Andrew. 
 My grandmother died in 1792, and by a second marriage, 
 with Ann McClanahan, my grandfather had other chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Samuel Augustus Maverick, my husband, was born 
 July 23rd, 1803, at Pendleton, South Carolina. His parents 
 were Samuel Maverick and his wife Elizabeth Anderson. 
 She was the daughter of General Robert Anderson, of 
 South Carolina, and of Revolutionary note, and his wife 
 Ann Thompson of Virginia. Samuel Maverick was once a 
 prominent merchant of Charleston, S. C., where he had 
 raised himself from the almost abject poverty, to which 
 the war of the Revolution had reduced his family, to a 
 position of great affluence. It is said of him that he sent 
 ventures to the Celestial Empire, and that he shipped the 
 first bale of cotton from America to Europe. Some mer- 
 cantile miscarriage caused him subsequently to withdraw 
 from, and close out, his business, and he retired to Pendle- 
 ton District* in the north west corner of South Carolina, at 
 the foot of the mountains. Here he spent the balance of 
 his days, and invested and speculated largely in lands in 
 South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. 
 
 The Mavericks entered America at three prominent 
 points Boston, New York and Charleston, South Caro- 
 
 *Now Oconee County. 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 9 
 
 lina. It seems the New York family came during the 
 American Revolution, and were not related to the others. 
 The Mavericks of Boston and Charleston were probably 
 closely related, at any rate they must have been of the 
 same family in England. Samuel is a family name with 
 them the Boston family had many Samuels, as also the 
 Charleston family. A Samuel Maverick was shot by the 
 British, in the Boston massacre March 5th, 1770 s15 . Much 
 of the history of the Boston Mavericks is to be found in 
 a book entitled "History of East Boston" by William H. 
 Sumner, published 1858. In that book is the following 
 statement: "With the destruction of the town records, at 
 the burning of Charlestown on June 17th, 1775, were lost 
 the only means of making a full genealogical account" of 
 the Maverick family. 
 
 The Charleston, South Carolina, branch of the family 
 preserved no regular records some few facts and some 
 traditions are all we have left. Samuel Maverick, father 
 of my husband displayed a coat of arms, and he occasion- 
 ally spoke of an ancestor, Margaret Coyer, who was a 
 Huguenot, banished from France, and from whom he in- 
 herited the privilege. He called his place in Pendleton, 
 Montpelier, for her ancestral home in Southern France. 
 I have no doubt Samuel Maverick had many old family 
 papers and memoranda in his house, which were destroy- 
 ed when the house burned down in 184 
 
 Many incidents in my husband's life I do not allude to 
 in this book, for they are mentioned in the "Eulogy on the 
 Life and Character of Honorable Samuel A. Maverick" 
 delivered October 1870, before the Alamo Literary 
 Society of San Antonio, Texas, by George Cupples, M. D. 
 
 *The Commonwealth of Massachusetts erected a monument which stands on 
 Boston Common to the memory of the four men killed in the " Boston Massacre," 
 one of whom was the youth, Samuel Maverick, 
 
10 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter II. 
 
 EARLY MARRIED DAYS. 
 
 ON Thursday, August 4th, A. D., 1836, at my wid- 
 owed mother's home and plantation, three miles 
 north of Tuskaloosa, Alabama, I was married to 
 Samuel A. Maverick, of the Republic of Texas, formerly 
 of Pendleton, South Carolina, Reverend Mathews, of 
 Christ's Episcopal Church officiating. On the 8th, we 
 left for a visit to Shelby Springs of one month, thence to 
 Talladega Springs, and a few days visit to Judge Short- 
 ridge's. Here we met his daughter, my classmate and in- 
 timate friend, Mrs. E. A. Lewis, wife of Dr. Hamilton 
 Lewis of Mobile. Maggie Shortridge, sister of Mrs. Lewis, 
 soon after married Dr. Philip Pearson of South Carolina, 
 and they moved to Victoria, Texas, and thence settled on 
 Caney, near the Hardemans. 
 
 From Talladega we went to Florence and Tuscumbia, 
 and visited on the plantation six miles from Florence, Mrs. 
 Joseph Thompson, sister of Mr. Maverick. We spent 
 three or four days there, and one day with my aunt, Mrs. 
 John Bradley, also one day with Uncle John Lewis, re- 
 turning to mother's in October. January 1837 we went to 
 Mobile and New Orleans, and rode eight miles on the 
 railroad from Lake Pontchartrain to the City of New Or- 
 leansthe first railroad I ever saw, and the first built in 
 the south. We returned to mother's on February 28th. 
 
 On March 12th, 1837, we left mother's again, this time 
 in our own carriage, to visit Father Maverick in South 
 Carolina. We arrived at "Montpelier," Father's place on 
 19th, and had a most joyful reception. Father had not 
 seen his only son "Gus," for such was he called by his 
 relatives, and by the colored people, "Mars Gus," for 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVEEICK 11 
 
 several years. He had in fact, at one time, counted and 
 mourned him as lost in the ''fall of the Alamo" in Texas. 
 We were treated with the greatest affection. Father fond- 
 ly hoped to induce his son to settle there. He offered to 
 give him "Montpelier" mills, vineyards, orchards, lands, 
 and shops if he would accept them or another place, 
 
 "Gibbs," a new style house and improvements: but all 
 in vain, for my husband dreamed constantly of Texas, and 
 said : "We must go back." 
 
 Poor father looked sad and afflicted at the mention of 
 our going, and so we said very little about it, and agreed 
 to stay as long as Mr. Maverick could. 
 
 Here, on Sunday, May 14th, 1837, was born our son 
 Sam. 
 
 We spent a pleasant summer with father, who was very 
 fond of us all, and especially of baby. Father had three 
 children living at this time my husband, his only son, 
 and two daughters, Elizabeth and Lydia. Elizabeth mar- 
 ried Mr. Joseph Weyman and had three children by that 
 marriage Elizabeth, now Mrs. Dr. G. J. Houston, living 
 in San Antonio, Texas, Joseph B. and Augustus. Her hus- 
 band died and she married Mr. Thompson, from which 
 union were born Samuel and Josephine, now Mrs. Hardin, 
 of Memphis, Tennessee. 
 
 His other daughter Lydia married Mr. William Van- 
 Wyck, of New York City. 
 
 But, notwithstanding the endearments held out to us by 
 Father, my husband adhered, without flinching, to his 
 purpose of uniting his destiny with Texas. At last he set 
 the time for departure and made every preparation for a 
 great journey by land to the new El Dorado. 
 
12 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter III. 
 HO, FOR THE LONE STAR! 
 
 ON the 14th day of October 1837, baby five months 
 old, we bade goodbye to "Montpelier" and the 
 servants and set off for Texas. Father accom- 
 panied us half a day, and it was a sad sight to witness his 
 grief when he at last parted with his son. My heart ached 
 for the dear old man. We travelled in a carriage, Mr. 
 Maverick driving and nurse Rachel and baby and myself 
 the other occupants. In a wagon with Wiley as driver was 
 Jinny, our cook to be, and her four children. Reached 
 Mother's about the last of October, and stopped with her 
 about six weeks, making final preparations. Mother con- 
 sented to let my youngest brother Robert go to Texas with 
 us he was fifteen, but slight and pale, having been quite 
 sick during the fall. My brother William was already in 
 Texas. 
 
 December 7th, 1837, we set off for Texas. With heavy 
 
 hearts we said goodbye to Mother, and my brothers and 
 sister. Mother ran after us for one more embrace. She 
 held me in her arms and wept aloud, and said : "Oh, Mary, 
 I will never see you again on Earth. " I felt heartbroken, 
 and often recalled that thrilling cry; and I have never be- 
 held my dear Mother again. 
 
 Our party was composed of four whites, counting baby, 
 and ten negroes. The negroes were four men, Griffin, 
 Granville, Wiley and Uncle Jim two women, Jinny and 
 Rachael, and Jinny's four children, Jack, Betsy, Lavinia 
 and Jane. Uncle Jim was Robert's man, Griffin, Gran- 
 ville and Rachael belonged to me, a gift from my Mother, 
 and the others were Mr. Maverick's individual property. 
 We had a large carriage, a big Kentucky wagon, three 
 extra saddle horses and one blooded filly. The wagon 
 carried a tent, a supply of provisions and bedding, and the 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 13 
 
 cook and children. We had a delightful trip all through, 
 with the exception of four days' journey across a prairie 
 swamp and one night's adventure with Indians, which I 
 will mention in their order. We occasionally stopped 
 several days in a good place, to rest, to have washing 
 done, and sometimes to give muddy roads time to dry, 
 and we had no serious trouble or accident throughout. 
 We crossed the Mississippi at Rodney, and Red River at 
 Alexandria, and came through bottoms in Louisiana 
 where the high-water marks on the trees stood far above 
 our carriage top, but the roads were good then. We cross- 
 ed the Sabine, a sluggish, muddy, narrow stream, and 
 stood upon the soil of the Republic of Texas,* about New 
 Years day, 1838. 
 
 1838. 
 
 January 7th, 1838, we occupied an empty cabin in San 
 Augustine, while the carriage was being repaired. This 
 was a poor little village, principally of log cabins on one 
 street, but the location was high and dry. We laid in a 
 supply of corn and groceries here and pushed on through 
 Nacogdoches to the Place of Col. Durst, an old acquain- 
 tance of Mr. Maverick's. Mrs. Durst was a Virginia lady 
 and a fine housekeeper we spent a day or two there. 
 There we met General Rusk,* also an old friend of Mr. 
 Maverick's and formerly of Pendleton, S. C. 
 
 We now had to travel in occasional rains and much 
 mud, where the country was poor and sparsely settled and 
 provisions for man and beast scarce. On advice we 
 selected the longest, but the best road, namely the road 
 leading via Washington, high up on the Brazos. From 
 
 *Las Tekas: Name of the home village of the Nassonite Indians, on the East 
 bank of the Neches River. 
 
 The Frenchman La Harpe claims the Province of Las Tekas as part of Louisiana 
 in 1719, in contending with the Spanish Governor D'Alarconne. 
 
 *Thomas J. Rusk was of Irish descent, a brave soldier, lawyer and statesman. 
 He came to Texas in 1834 signed the Declaration of Texas Independence, was 
 the friend and advisor of Sam Houston and fought gallantly at San Jacinto ; in 
 this battle Colonel* Almonte surrendered to Colonel Rusk. 
 
 Rusk filled many public offices and was elected United States Senator by Texas' 
 first Legislature. 
 
14 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Washington we went to Columbus, on the Colorado, and 
 thence about due south towards the Lavaca River. 
 
 Now came a dreadful time; about January 26th, we 
 entered a bleak, desolate, swamp-prairie, cut up by what 
 were called "dry bayous," i. e. deep gullies, and now al- 
 most full of water. This swamp, crossed by the "Sandy," 
 "Mustang" and the head branches of the Navidad, was 
 fourteen miles wide. We had passed Mr. Bridge's, the 
 last house before we got into this dreadful prairie, and 
 had to cross the Navidad before we got to Mr. Keer's, the 
 next habitation. Every step of the animals was in water, 
 sometimes knee-deep. We stalled in five or six gullies, 
 and each time the wagon had to be unloaded in water, 
 rain and north wind and all the men and animals had to 
 work together to pull out. 
 
 The first Norther I ever experienced struck us here 
 this norther was a terrific howling north wind with a fine 
 rain, blowing and penetrating through clothes and blank- 
 ets never in my life had I felt such cold. We were four 
 days crossing this dreadful fourteen miles of swamp. The 
 first day we made three miles and that night my mattress 
 floated in water which fell in extra quantities during the 
 night. The baby and I were tolerably dry; all the 
 others were almost constantly wet during the four weary 
 monotonous days but no one suffered any bad effects 
 from the great exposure, and Mr. Maverick kept cheerful 
 all the while and was not a bit discouraged that we could 
 see said that water was better than mud to pull in and 
 that we were only .eight or nine miles from Keer's. Our 
 corn had given out and our provisions were about gone 
 when, on the 30th, we reached the Navidad. The men 
 "hollooed" at a great rate and, after long continued call- 
 ing men appeared on the opposite bank. Soon we were 
 ferried over, and were all warmed, comforted, fed and 
 treated like kinfolk. Mrs Keer and Miss Sue Linn were 
 ever so nice to us. 
 
 February 4th, we reached "Spring Hill," Major Suth- 
 erland's on the Navidad, where we all, except Mr. Maver- 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 15 
 
 ick, remained until 2nd of June. Mr. Maverick went on 
 to see whether it was safe to take us to San Antonio. He 
 also visited Cox's point on Matagorda Bay, opposite La- 
 vaca, with a view of possibly locating there. There he 
 owned land, but he decided in favor of San Antonio. In 
 February, at Sutherland's, two of our horses froze to 
 death in a norther. April 18th, Mr. Maverick went to 
 New Orleans to purchase furniture, clothing, provisions, 
 etc., for beginning housekeeping, and returned to us in 
 May. 
 
 At Spring Hill, boarded Mrs. Roylston, a young widow 
 with her son, also Captain Sylvester, from Ohio, who 
 had captured Santa Anna after the battle of San Jacinto,* 
 and Captain Peck of the Louisiana Greys,* who was 
 engaged to be married to a niece of Mrs. Sutherland, 
 Miss Fannie Menifee, who lived beyond the Navidad and 
 was the belle of Jackson County. Fannie and I attended 
 a San Jacinto ball at Texana, on April 21st. Her broth- 
 er John Menifee, one of the heroes of that battle, escorted 
 us, and there was quite a gathering. Miss Fannie received 
 great attention. In April, Major Sutherland's corn gave 
 out, and he went over to Egypt for a supply. Egypt is on 
 the Colorado, near Eagle Lake. We called Mrs. Suther- 
 land "Aunt Fannie" her eldest son William, a young 
 man of nineteen, just home from school, went to San An- 
 tonio to learn Spanish, and was killed with Travis at the 
 "Fall of the Alamo"* March 6th, 1836. I learned from 
 
 *See Gen. Houston's official report of San Jacinto battle. Thrall's His. P. 265. 
 
 *Two companies fitted out by the citizens of New Orleans to help the 
 Texans' cause. 
 
 *The Alamo or Church of the Mission of the Alamo, "Alamo" being Spanish for 
 cottonwood tree, was formerly surrounded by cottonwoods. The corner stone 
 was laid 1744. It was also called Mission San Antonio de Velero, because it 
 was removed by order of the Viceroy of New Spain, the Marquis de Velero, May 
 1st, 1718, from the banks of the Rio Grande. 
 
 "The famous siege began February 22nd, 1836. The 'Fall of the Alamo* took 
 place March 6, 1836." One hundred and seventy Texans with such courageous 
 leaders as Travis, Bowie, "Davy" Crockett and Bonham determined never to 
 surrender or retreat to Santa Anna's overwhelming forces, (some 4000), and all 
 were killed. 
 
 Kendall writing in 1841 says, "The Alamo is now in ruins," and so it re- 
 mained for thirteen years or so after "the fall." In about 1849 Major Babbitt, 
 D. S. A., made use of it as a Quartermaster's Depot and in order to do this had 
 almost to rebuild it. "Deep down in the debris were found two or three skeletons 
 that had evidently been hastily covered with rubbish after the 'fall,' for with 
 them were found fur caps and buckskin trappings, undoubted relics of the ever 
 memorable last stand." See Wm. Corner in San Antonio de Bexar, p. 11. 
 
16 MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 her and the other ladies many thrilling tales of the run- 
 away times of '36 when women and children fled in 
 terror before the advancing forces under Santa Anna 
 savages who burnt and plundered and committed all 
 kinds of outrages. They told me it rained almost every 
 day for six weeks of that dreadful time. 
 
 One day, Old "Bowls," Cherokee chief, with twelve or 
 thirteen of his tribe, coming from Houston, camped at 
 Spring Hill, near the house. After tea, we were dancing, 
 when "Bowls" came in dressed in a breech-cloth, anklets, 
 moccasins, feathers and a long, clean, white linen shirt, 
 which had been presented to him in Houston. He said the 
 pretty ladies in Houston had danced with, kissed him and 
 given him rings. We, however, begged to be excused 
 and requested him to retire, when he in great contempt 
 stalked out, and our dance broke up. Bowls told us Presi- 
 dent Houston had lived in his Nation, that he had given 
 Houston his daughter for his squaw and had made him 
 a "big chief;" but that now he was no longer Cherokee, 
 but "The Great Father" of the white men. 
 
 On Saturday, June 2nd we set off from "Spring Hill" 
 for San Antonio de Bexar, in those days frequently called 
 simply "Bexar,"* which is now the name of the county 
 only. Ten miles to Texana and three miles to Dry Branch 
 on 3rd, 12 miles to Natches and three miles to De Leon's 
 rancho, on the Garcitas on the 4th, six miles to Casa 
 Blanca and nine miles to Victoria, a village on the Guad- 
 alupe. On the 5th, eight miles to Arroyo Coleto 6th, 
 twelve miles to Arroyo Manahuilla, where a wagon 
 wheel broke, and Mr. Maverick went to Goliad to 
 have it mended, but failing, we mended it as well as we 
 could with rawhide* and false spokes. 
 
 It was two or three miles north of the main road and 
 east of the Manahuilla, on Easter Sunday, March 27th, 
 1836, that Col. Fannin was surprised by the Mexican Gen- 
 eral Urrea. Urrea surrounded Fannin's forces with a 
 
 *The name San Antonio de Bexar seems to have been used only in connection 
 with the presidio or military post of San Antonio about 1733 in contrast to th 
 village of San Antonio de Velero. See S. A. de Bexar, Wm. Corner. 
 
 *Texas cowboyg used to say "Texas is bound together with rawhide." 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEBICK 17 
 
 largely superior force, (lately victors of the "Alamo" and 
 Travis) and, then offering honorable terms of capitula- 
 tion he induced Fannin, thinking to spare bloodshed, to 
 surrender as prisoners of war his whole force, consisting 
 of four hundred and eighty men in all. They were march- 
 ed to Goliad, and the next morning were formed into line 
 and shot down in cold blood. Santa Anna had so ordered 
 Urrea refused to perform the bloody deed, but Colonel 
 Gavrie, infamous name be it forever! executed the order. 
 Fifty-five escaped. On June 3d, 1836, General Thomas J. 
 Rusk collected and buried the bones, which had been 
 left bleaching on the plain after the bodies had been 
 burnt. Gen. Rusk delivered a moving address over the 
 ashes, bones and charred human flesh; and "there 
 was not a dry eye in the soldier ranks." 
 
 June 7th, we travelled five miles to Goliad, on the left 
 bank of the San Antonio River, and camped in the old 
 mission of La Bahia. 
 
18 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 TONKAWA INDIANS. 
 
 ON June 8th, we went eighteen miles to Ojo de 
 Agua, and nine miles to Harris's on the Ecleto. 
 On the 9th, we went nine miles from Harris's 
 place and our wagon broke down. Mr. Maverick was hunt_ 
 ing in the San Antonio River bottom for wood to mend the 
 wheel, when he met Mr. Harris, who, being a wheel- 
 right, agreed to mend the wheel if we would take it back 
 to his place. Some of our people were sick, and Robert, 
 Griffin and Jinnie had chills every second day, so we left 
 the main party tented and went back with the wheel to 
 Harris's. He was very kind, but had very poor accommo- 
 dations and his cabin swarmed with fleas. He had two 
 very nice little daughters. Some weeks later, while the 
 girls were off visiting relatives, the Indians killed Mr. 
 Harris, burnt his home and took off his horses. 
 
 June 12th, late in the afternoon, we reached camp 
 again, and were loading up to move on two or three miles 
 further to a better camping place for the night, when sev- 
 eral Indians rode up. They said "Mucho Amigo," (dear 
 friend) and were loud and filthy and manifested their in- 
 tention to be very intimate. More and more came until 
 we counted seventeen! They rode in amongst us, looked 
 constantly at the horses, and it is no exaggeration to say, 
 they annoyed us very much. They were Tonkawas, 
 said they were just from a battle, in which they were 
 victors, on the Nueces River, where they had fought the 
 Comanches two days before. They were in war paint, 
 and well armed, and displayed in triumph two scalps, one 
 hand, and several pieces of putrid flesh from various 
 parts of the human body. These were to be taken 
 
FIRST PAGE OF DIAEY KEPT BY S. A. MAVERICK AT YALE 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVEEICK 19 
 
 to the squaws to eat and dance around when 
 these warriors rejoined the tribe . I was frightened 
 almost to death, but tried not to show my alarm. They 
 rode up to the carriage window and asked to see the 
 "papoose." First one, then another came, and I held up 
 my little Sammy, and smiled at their complaints. But I 
 took care to have my pistol and bowie knife visible, and 
 kept cool, and declined most decidedly when they asked 
 me to hand the baby out to them that they might "see 
 how pretty and white" he was. I knew, and so did we all, 
 though we did not tell each other till afterwards, that 
 they, being cannibals, would like to eat my baby, and kill 
 us all and carry off our horses. But we had six men fully 
 armed and determined and all hands kept steadily loading 
 the wagons, saddling the horses and preparing to move. I 
 kept telling Griffin to hurry the others, and Mr. Maverick 
 worked coolly with the rest. Jinny said "Let's cook some 
 supper first," and grumbled mightily when Griffin order- 
 ed her into the wagon and drove off. Imagine our con- 
 sternation when the Indians turned back, and every one 
 of the seventeen rode along with us ! It was a bright moon- 
 light night, and Griffin and one other on horseback acted 
 as our rear guard. About midnight, some of the Indians, 
 finding we were so unsociable and seeing that we were 
 dangerous, commenced dropping behind, and one by one 
 they turned back, until at early dawn, when we reached 
 the Cibolo, having travelled eighteen miles during the 
 night, only two Indians were still attendant. Here we 
 camped and the two Indians sat down, not far off, in an 
 observant attitude. I went into my tent to lie down, and 
 Griffin said "Don't be afraid, Miss Mary, but go to sleep," 
 and I saw him sit down in front of the tent, with his gun, 
 and an ax in his hands which he shook at the Indians, and 
 said: "Come this way if you dare, you devils, and I'll 
 make hash out of you!" I went to sleep with the baby and 
 when I waked, all the vile Indians were gone, everybody 
 rested, and my breakfast and dinner were both waiting 
 for me. That certainly was a narrow escape from a 
 
20 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 cruel death. The Tonkawas were treacherous and cruel 
 and noted thieves and murderers. 
 
 It was well we did not trust them. I will give an op- 
 posite illustration of Indian treachery in an event which 
 happened only about two weeks after this experience 
 of ours. On June 27th, or 28th, 1838, whilst a party con- 
 sisting of a surveyor, chain bearers and others was sur- 
 veying on the Rio Frio, a party of Comanche Indians 
 came to their camp saying "Mucho Amigo," and asking 
 for food. They were welcomed and sat down with the 
 whites, and whilst all were eating together, the Indians 
 sprang up suddenly, killed the surveyor, wounded an- 
 other man and stampeded and stole every one of their 
 horses. 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 21 
 
 Chapter V. 
 SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR. 
 
 'E were now travelling up the valley of the San 
 Antonio River, occasionally passing along the 
 left bank of the river itself. June 13, sixteen 
 miles to the Marcelino Creek and three miles to Aroche's 
 rancho near Erasmo Seguin's 14th, eight miles to Jesus 
 Cantu's rancho on the arroyo Calaveras, passing several 
 other ranches, eleven miles to the Salado. June 15th, 
 1838 nine miles to "El Presidio de San Antonio de Bex- 
 ar." Senor Don Jose Casiano, whose rancho we passed, 
 had offered us his city house until we had time to secure 
 another. This polite offer we accepted and immediately 
 occupied Mr. Casiano's house, when we entered the town. 
 This place fronted on the Main Plaza (Plaza Major), 
 was bounded south by Dolorosa Street and extended half 
 way back to the Military Plaza. It is now covered by the 
 east half of the Hord Hotel.* 
 
 The front room of the house was then occupied by my 
 brother William Adams as a store. He was so much af- 
 flicted with the "Texas fever" that soon after my wedding 
 he set out for San Antonio, travelling on horseback from 
 Galveston. Before reaching San Antonio, he dreamt 
 several times of the town and its surroundings, and when 
 he reached the hills east of town he was struck with 
 the faithful resemblance between the reality and his 
 dreams. He looked upon it as something marvelous and 
 frequently spoke of his prophetic dreams. He was twen- 
 ty-two then, and he immediately determined to establish 
 himself as a merchant in San Antonio. He bought a horse 
 
 *At present, Southern Hotel. 
 
22 MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 which he named Mexico or "Mex" and rode him all the 
 way back to Tuskaloosa. William turned all his available 
 property in Tuskaloosa into money, bought goods, brought 
 them to San Antonio, rented the room of Casiano, and set 
 up as a merchant. He rode back on the horse "Mex," 
 which horse by the way, Mr. Maverick afterwards bought, 
 and we used "Mex" in the "run-away" of '42 and when 
 We removed from La Grange to the Peninsula in 1844, 
 Mr. Maverick, after our arrival, put in some money with 
 William. Dr. Launcelot Smithers was William's clerk and 
 success seemed certain, but Smithers sold large amounts 
 on credit to Mexicans in Coahuila ; and, though the Mex- 
 icans were well to do, they never paid, and after eight- 
 een months merchandizing William closed up without 
 realizing the capital invested. William left February 
 1st, 1839, for Mother's to bring out his negros and try 
 farming. He returned with brother Andrew October, 
 1839. 
 
 We lived in the Casiano house until about September 
 1st, when we moved into a house north of, and adjoining, 
 
 the historic Veramendi place. The house we rented be- 
 longed to the Huisars. Huisar, the ancestor, carved the 
 beautiful doors for the San Jose Mission he had quite 
 a number of workmen under him and was employed 
 several years in the work. In the latter part of December, 
 Mr. Maverick went to Mobile to get some money in the 
 hands of John Aiken, his attorney. Aiken was then in 
 Tuskaloosa, where, as Mr. Maverick's agent, he had sold 
 to a Mr. Brown for sixteen thousand dollars Mr. Maver- 
 ick's business stores in that place. Part of the money 
 was paid down and Mr. Maverick returned to us in Jan- 
 uary. 
 
 1839. 
 
 Early in February, 1839, we had a heavy snow storm, 
 the snow drifted in some places to a depth of two feet, 
 and on the north side of our house it lasted five or six 
 days. Anton Lockmar rigged up a sleigh and took some 
 girls riding up and down Soledad Street. Early in Feb- 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 23 
 
 ruary, we moved into our own house, at the north east 
 corner of Commerce and Soledad Streets, being also the 
 north east corner of the Main Plaza, (Plaza Mayor.) 
 This house remained our homestead until July '49, over 
 ten years, although five of the ten years, from '42 to '47, 
 we wandered about as refugees. It was known as the Bar- 
 rera place, when Mr. Maverick purchased it, and the deed 
 dated January 19th, 1839. 
 
 The main house was of stone, and had three rooms, one 
 fronting south on Main Street and west on Soledad Street 
 and the other two fronting west on Soledad Street also 
 a shed in the yard along the east wall of the house to- 
 wards the north end. This shed we closed in with an 
 adobe* wall and divided into a kitchen and servant's 
 room. We also built an adobe servant's room on Soledad 
 Street, leaving a gateway between it and the main house, 
 and we built a stable near the river. 
 
 We built a strong but homely picket fence around the 
 garden to the north and fenced the garden off from the 
 yard. In the garden were sixteen large fig trees and many 
 rows of old pomegranates. In the yard were several China 
 trees, and on the river bank just below our line in the De 
 la Zerda premises was a grand old cypress, which we 
 could touch through our fence, and its roots made ridges 
 in our yard. The magnificent old tree stands there today. 
 It made a great shade and we erected our bath house 
 and wash place under its spreading branches. 
 
 Our neighbors on the east, Main or Commerce Street, 
 were the De la Zerdas. In 1840, their place was leased to 
 a Greek, Roque Catahdie, who kept a shop on the street 
 and lived in the back rooms. He married a pretty, bright- 
 eyed Mexican girl of fourteen years, dressed her in jewel- 
 ry and fine clothes and bought her a dilapidated piano 
 he was jealous and wished her to amuse herself at home. 
 The piano had the desired effect, and she enjoyed it like a 
 child with a new trinket. The fame of her piano went 
 through the town, and, after tea, crowds would come to 
 
 *Sun dried bricks, often in San Antonio, soft stone, usually plastered on the 
 outside to protect from the weather. 
 
24 MEMOIRS OP MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 witness her performance. One night Mrs. Elliott and I 
 took a peep and we found a large crowd inside laughing 
 and applauding, and other envious ones gazing in from 
 the street. 
 
 Our neighbor on the north, Soledad Street, was Dona 
 Juana Varcinez, and I must not omit her son Leonicio. She 
 had cows and sold me the strippings of the milk at twenty- 
 five cents per gallon, and we made our butter from this. 
 Mrs. McMullen was the only person then who made butter 
 for sale, and her butter was not good, although she re- 
 ceived half a dollar per pound for it. Old Juana was a 
 kind old soul had the earliest pumpkins, a great deli- 
 cacy, at twenty-five cents and spring chickens at twelve 
 and a half cents. She opened up the spring gardening by 
 scratching with a dull hoe, some holes in which she plant- 
 ed pumpkin seed then later she planted corn, red pepper, 
 garlic, onions, etc. She was continually calling to Leoni- 
 cio to drive the chickens out of the garden, or bring in the 
 dogs from the street. She told me this answered two pur- 
 poses it kept Leonicio at home out of harm's way, and 
 gave him something to do. She had lots of dogs one fat, 
 lazy pelon (hairless dog) slept with the old lady to keep 
 her feet warm. When we returned from the coast in '47, 
 Sam S. Smith had purchased the place from her and he 
 was living there. He was a good and kind neighbor. 
 
 We moved into our home in good time, for here on Sun- 
 day morning, March 23d, 1839, was born our second 
 child, Lewis Antonio. All my friends have always told 
 me, and, until quite recently I was persuaded Lewis was 
 the first child of pure American stock born in San An- 
 tonio.* But now I understand a Mr. Brown with his wife 
 came here in 1828 for two years from East Texas, and 
 during that time a son was born to them in San Antonio. 
 Mr. Brown, the father, died about the same time of con- 
 sumption, and his wife moved away further East. The son 
 named John Brown, is now said to be a citizen of Waco, 
 
 *Lewis Antonio Maverick, however, was the first child born in San Antonio of 
 American parents to "grow up" in San Antonio and Mary A. Maverick the first 
 American born woman or United States woman to make San Antonio her home. 
 
MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 25 
 
 During the summer, Sammy had difficulty teething. 
 Dr Weideman, a Russian scholar and naturalist, and an 
 excellent physician and surgeon, took a great liking to 
 Sammy and prescribed for him with success. This sum- 
 mer, William B. Jacques brought his wife and two little 
 girls, and settled on Commerce Street. In the latter part 
 of August, Mr. William Elliott brought his wife and two 
 children, Mary and Billy, to San Antonio. They bought a 
 house on the west side of Soledad Street, opposite the 
 north end of our garden, and we were a great many years 
 neighbors and always friends. This year our negro men 
 plowed and planted one labor* above the Alamo 
 and were attacked by Indians. Griffin and Wiley ran 
 into the river and saved themselves. The Indians cut the 
 traces and took off the work animals and we did not 
 farm there again. Mr. Thomas Higginbotham, a carpen- 
 ter, with his wife, came to San Antonio and took the house 
 opposite us on the corner of Commerce Street and Main 
 Plaza. His brother and sister settled in the country, on 
 the river below San Jose Mission. This year the town of 
 Seguin on the Guadalupe thirty-five miles east of San 
 Antonio, was founded. 
 
 In November, 1839, a party of ladies and gentlemen 
 from Houston came to visit San Antonio they rode on 
 horseback. The ladies were Miss Trask of Boston, Mass., 
 and Miss Evans, daughter of Judge Evans of Texas. The 
 gentlemen were Judge Evans, and Colonel J. W. Dancey, 
 Secretary of War, Republic of Texas. They were, ladies 
 and all, armed with pistols and bowie knifes. I rode 
 with this party and some others around the head of the 
 San Antonio river. We galloped up the west side, and 
 paused at and above the head of the river long enough 
 to view and admire the lovely valley of the San Antonio. 
 The leaves had mostly fallen from the trees, and left the 
 view open to the Missions below. The day was clear, 
 cool and bright, and we saw three of the missions, includ- 
 ing San Juan Capistrano seven miles below town. We 
 
 * Labor: Spanish land measure of about 177 acres. 
 
26 MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 galloped home, down the east side, and doubted not that 
 Indians watched us from the heavy timber of the river 
 bottom. The gentlemen of the party numbered six, and 
 we were all mounted on fine animals. 
 
SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL, MAIN PLAZA 
 (Present Front Added 1873) 
 
 MISSION CONCEPCION (First Mission) 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 27 
 
 Chapter VI. 
 COMANCHES. 
 
 The experiences of my first years in Texas led me to 
 think the Comanches were an active and vigorous tribe 
 of Indians. At that time they were about the only In- 
 dians who infested the country in the vicinity of San An- 
 tonio, and I must mention here some of their deeds which 
 held our attention at the time. 
 
 June 29th, 1838, thirty-eight Comanches came into the 
 edge of town and killed two Mexicans and stole one boy 
 on the 30th they killed a German and a Mexican. July 
 1st, the flag of Texas waves on the Plaza in front of the 
 Court House, and a company of volunteers are assembling 
 for pursuit of the Indians. Later, our company of volun- 
 teers fell in with a considerable party of Comanches, at- 
 tacked them, killed two and wounded many others but 
 the wounded were carried off by the others, all of whom 
 beat a hasty retreat. Our people captured all their horses 
 and provisions. 
 
 The Mexicans of Mexico have not forgotten us. About 
 this time, a party of Mexicans, 200 strong under Agaton, 
 learning that valuable goods had been landed at Ca- 
 pano, and were being carted by friendly Mexicans to the 
 San Antonio merchants, crossed the Rio Grande at Mata- 
 moras, captured the train and compelled the cartmen to 
 haul the goods to the Nueces river where the cartmen 
 were dismissed. Of the two Americans who were with 
 the train when it was captured, one was killed and the 
 other was wounded, but escaped. 
 
 During July, 1838 many rumors from the west came to 
 the effect that an army of centralists was marching to 
 capture Bexar also that the Comanche Nation had en- 
 
28 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 tered into a treaty of alliance with the Mexicans and 
 would act with them for our extermination. But in a day 
 or two, it was ascertained that Aristo had pursued the 
 "President of the Republic of the Rio Grande," General 
 Vidauria, who having been defeated in battle had fled 
 to Texas for refuge. Aristo turned back at the Nueces. 
 But I have promised to speak of the Indians. In the 
 stable We built on our home lot, Mr. Maverick kept a fine 
 blooded horse, fastened by a heavy pad-locked chain to 
 a mesquite-picket. The door of the stable was securely 
 locked also, for every precaution was necessary to pre- 
 vent his being stolen. This was the "war horse." Mr. 
 Maverick was a member of the Volunteer Company of 
 "Minute Men" commanded by the celebrated Jack Hays* 
 who is now an honored citizen of California. Each vol- 
 unteer kept a good horse, saddle, bridle and arms, and a 
 supply of coffee, salt, sugar and other provisions ready 
 at any time to start on fifteen minutes warning, in pursuit 
 of marauding Indians. At a certain signal given by the 
 Cathedral bell, the men were off, in buckskin clothes and 
 blankets responding promptly to the call. They were or- 
 ganized to follow the Indians to their mountain fastnesses 
 and destroy their villages, if they failed to kill the Indians. 
 
 *John Coffee Hays or "Jack" Hays was born January 28, 1817 at Little Cedar 
 Lick, Wilson County, Tenn., close to the "Hermitage," which was originally * 
 part of the Hays property. 
 
 His father and grandfather distinguished themselves in Creek wars under 
 Jackson. Hays left home at the age of fifteen to survey land in Mississippi. At 
 the age of nineteen he joined the Texan Army at Brazos River just after San 
 Jacinto battle. Besides leading the "Minute Men" in San Antonio he commanded 
 in numerous battles against Mexico, and was commissioned by the Texas Congress, 
 in 1840, first Captain of the Texas Rangers. He distinguished himself repeatedly 
 in the Mexican war and later crossed the plains to California in '49 where he 
 filled courageously many positions of public trust. He died in Piedmont, Califor- 
 nia, April 28, 1883. John Hays Hammond was a nephew. 
 
 HittelTs History of California gives the following incident in connection with 
 Hays' election as first sheriff of San Francisco it seems his opponent was a 
 saloonkeeper who represented the lawless element of the town; on the 
 day of election the latter opened to the public free of charge his 
 choicest liquors, to curry favor and secure votes. Wishing to hear how the elec- 
 tion was going, on the afternoon of the election day, Hays rode into the public 
 square on his splendid mettlesome steed, whereupon the crowd, carried away by 
 his noble appearance, cheered wildly and elected him forthwith. 
 
 Some buildings and the original fence of Hays' San Antonio home still stand 
 on N. W. cor. of Presa and Nueva Sts.. San Antonio. 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 29 
 
 Jack Hays came from Tennessee to Texas just after the 
 battle of San Jacinto and when he came to San Antonio 
 he was nineteen years of age, at which time he was ap- 
 pointed a deputy surveyor. The surveying parties fre- 
 quently had "brushes" with the Indians, and it was on 
 these occasions that Hays displaced such' tare mili- 
 tary skill and daring, that very soon by consent of all, he 
 was looked upon as the leader and his orders were obey- 
 ed and he himself loved by all. In a fight he was utterly 
 fearless and invincible. 
 
 There were many remarkable young men in San An- 
 tonio at that time who were attracted by the climate 
 by the novelty, or by the all-absorbing spirit of land 
 speculation. They volunteered from almost every state 
 of the Union to come and fight in the short but 
 bloody struggle of '35 and '36 for the freedom of Texas. 
 Many came too late, i. e., after San Jacinto, but were 
 drawn to the west by the wildness and danger and dar- 
 ing of the frontier life. They were a noble and gallant 
 set or "boys" as they styled each other and soon the In- 
 dians grew less aggressive, and finally Hays' band drove 
 them farther out west, and made them suffer so much 
 after each of their raids that they talked of wanting 
 peace, and thus it went on for several years. 
 
 On June 10, 1839, a party of Americans under Hays 
 and a company of Mexicans under Captain Juan N. Se- 
 guin set off in pursuit of the Comanches, who just then 
 were very bold, and were constantly killing and scalping 
 and robbing in every direction. The Indians fled and 
 were chased into the Canyon de Uvalde, where our men 
 found and destroyed their villages, newly deserted. They 
 saw numbers 6f Indians all the time in the distance, 
 amongst rocks and hills, but scattered and hiding or flee- 
 ing from danger. They had been away from San Antonio 
 ten days, when Captain Seguin returned reporting the 
 woods full of Indians and predicting that our men would 
 surely be killed. Mr. Maverick was with Hays, and after 
 five more terribly anxious days, I was gladdened by his re- 
 turn. Our men had killed only a few savages and return- 
 
30 MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 ed with some Indian ponies, dreadfully ragged, dirty and 
 hungry. 
 
 At the close of the Fall Term of the Court in 1839 or 
 1840, a number of gentlemen who had attended from a 
 distance, wished to ride out to the west of town and see 
 the country before they returned home. A party was 
 made up of ten Americans and about as many 
 Mexicans. They were well mounted and armed 
 and rode out about three o'clock in the afternoon. After 
 sunset, Mr. Campbell, ''Talking Campbell," one of the 
 party, returned alone and reported the Indians had got 
 between the party and town, cut off retreat, and killed 
 all but himself, who rode a very fine horse and had fled at 
 once ; he advised the others, he said, to cut their way back 
 because the Indians greatly outnumbered our party. 
 Campbell was hotly pursued by the Indians, and he made 
 a detour to the south, where his horse distanced the 
 pursuers finally, and he came into town with the dreadful 
 news. Next morning, early, a strong party left town with 
 carts, and by noon returned with eighteen bodies. They 
 were taken to the Court House and laid out. They had 
 been found naked, hacked with tomahawks and partly 
 eaten by Wolves. The following day, the nine Americans 
 were buried in one large grave west of the San Pedro, 
 outside of the Catholic burying ground, and very near 
 its S. W. corner. The nine Mexicans were buried inside 
 the Catholic cemetery. It was believed some Indians had 
 been killed too, but as they always carried off their dead, 
 their loss was never ascertained. 
 
 In the spring of 1840, my brothers William and An- 
 drew Adams leased land of J. A. de la Garza, at the 
 mission of San Francisco de la Espada, and put in a crop. 
 But the Indians were so bad, and corn so dear, selling 
 then at two or three dollars per bushel, and their plow 
 animals were so constantly stolen, that they broke up in 
 the fall, and moved to San Marcos, and bought land 
 of a Mr. Mathews, where they made fine crops for two 
 years. 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 31 
 
 A DAY OF HORRORS. 
 
 On Tuesday, 19th of March, 1840, "dia de San Jose" 
 sixty-five Comanches came into town to make a treaty 
 of peace. They brought with them, and reluctantly gave 
 up, Matilda Lockhart, whom they had captured with her 
 younger sister in December 1838, after killing two other 
 children of her family. The Indian chiefs and men met 
 in council at the Court House, with our city and military 
 authorities. The calaboose or jail then occupied the 
 corner formed by the east line of Main Plaza and the 
 north line of Calabosa (now Market) Street, and the 
 Court House was north of and adjoining the jail. The 
 Court House yard, back of the Court House, was what is 
 now the city market on Market Street. The Court 
 House and jail were of stone, one story, flat roofed, and 
 floored with dirt. Captain Tom Howard's Company was 
 at first in the Court House yard, where the Indian women 
 and boys came and remained during the powwow. The 
 young Indians amused themselves shooting arrows at 
 pieces of money put up by some of the Americans; and 
 Mrs. Higginbotham and myself amused ourselves looking 
 through the picket fence at them. 
 
 This was the third time these Indians had come for a 
 talk, pretending to seek peace, and trying to get ransom 
 money for their American and Mexican captives. Their 
 proposition now was that they should be paid a great 
 price for Matilda Lockhart, and a Mexican they had just 
 given up, and that traders be sent with paint, powder, 
 flannel, blankets and such other articles as they should 
 name, to ransom the other captives. This course had once 
 before been asked and carried out, but the smallpox 
 breaking out, the Indians killed the traders and kept the 
 goods believing the traders had made the smallpox to 
 kill them. Now the Americans, mindful of the treachery 
 of the Comanches, answered them as follows : "We will 
 according to a former agreement,* keep four or five of 
 your chiefs, whilst the others of your people go to your 
 
 *With Chief Muc Warrak. 
 
32 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 nation and bring all the captives, and then we will pay all 
 you ask for them. Meanwhile, these chiefs we hold we 
 will treat as brothers and 'not one hair of their 
 heads shall be injured/ This we have determined, and, 
 if you try to fight, our soldiers will shoot you down." 
 
 This being interpreted, the Comanches instantly, with 
 one accord raised a terrific war-whoop, drew their ar- 
 rows, and commenced firing with deadly effect, at the 
 same time making efforts to break out of the council hall. 
 The order "fire" was given by Captain Howard, and the 
 soldiers fired into the midst of the crowd, the first volley 
 killing several Indians and two of our own people. All 
 soon rushed out into the public square, the civilians to pro- 
 cure arms, the Indians to flee, and the soldiers in pursuit. 
 The Indians generally made for the river they ran up 
 Soledad, east on Commerce Street and for the bend, now 
 known as Bowen's, southeast, below the square. Citizens 
 and soldiers pursued and overtook them at all 
 points, shot some swimming in the river, had desperate 
 fights in the streets and hand to hand encounters after 
 firearms had been exhausted. Some Indians took refuge 
 in stone houses and fastened the doors. Not one of the 
 sixty-five Indians escaped thirty-three were killed and 
 thirty-two were taken prisoners. Six Americans and one 
 Mexican were killed and ten Americans wounded. Our 
 killed were Julian Hood, the sheriff, Judge Thompson, 
 advocate from South Carolina, G. W. Cayce from the 
 Brazos, one officer and two soldiers whose names I did 
 not learn, nor that of the Mexican. The wounded were 
 Lieutenant Thompson, brother of the Judge, Captain Tom 
 Howard, Captain Mat Caldwell, citizen volunteer from 
 Gonzales, Judge Robinson, Mr. Morgan, deputy sheriff, 
 Mr. Higginbotham and two soldiers. Others were slightly 
 wounded. 
 
 When the deafening war-whoop sounded in the Court 
 room, it was so loud, so shrill and so inexpressibly horrible 
 and suddenly raised, that we women looking through the 
 fence at the women's and boy's markmanship for a mo- 
 ment could not comprehend its purport. The Indians how- 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 33 
 
 ever knew the first note and instantly shot their arrows 
 into the bodies of Judge Thompson and the other gentle- 
 man near by, instantly killing Judge Thompson. We fled 
 into Mrs. Higginbotham's house and I, across the street 
 to my Commerce Street door. Two Indians ran past me on 
 the street and one reached my door as I got in. He turned 
 to raise his hand to push it just as I beat down the heavy 
 bar; then he ran on. I ran in the north room and saw my 
 husband and brother Andrew sitting calmly at a table in- 
 specting some plats of surveys they had heard nothing. 
 I soon gave them the alarm, and hurried on to look for my 
 boys. Mr. Maverick and Andrew seized their arms, al- 
 ways ready Mr. Maverick rushed into the street, and 
 Andrew into the back yard where I was shouting at the 
 top of my voice "Here are Indians!" "Here are Indians!'' 
 Three Indians had gotten in through the gate on Soledad 
 street and were making direct for the river! One had 
 paused near Jinny Anderson, our cook, who stood brave- 
 ly in front of the children, mine and hers, with a great 
 rock lifted in both hands above her head, and I heard 
 her cry out to the Indian "If you don't go 'way from 
 here I'll mash your head with this rock!" The Indian 
 seemed regretful that he hadn't time to dispatch Jinny 
 and her brood, but his time was short, and pausing 
 but a moment, he dashed down the bank into the river, 
 and struck out for the opposite shore. 
 
 As the Indian hurried down the bank and into the river 
 Andrew shot and killed him, and shot another as he gain- 
 ed and rose on the opposite bank, then he ran off up 
 Soledad street looking for more Indians. 
 
 I housed my little ones, and then looked out of the Sole- 
 dad Street door. Near by was stretched an Indian, 
 wounded and dying. A large man, journey-apprentice to 
 Mr. Higginbotham, came up just then and aimed a pistol 
 at the Indian's head. I called out: "Oh, don't, he is 
 dying," and the big American laughed and said: "To 
 please you, I won't, but it would put him out of his 
 misery." Then I saw two others lying dead near by. 
 
 Captain Lysander Wells, about this time, passed by rid- 
 
34 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 ing north on Soledad Street. He was elegantly dressed and 
 mounted on a gaily caparisoned Mexican horse with silver 
 mounted saddle and bridle which outfit he had secured 
 to take back to his native state, on a visit to his mother. 
 As he reached the Verimendi House, an Indian who had 
 escaped detection, sprang up behind him, clasped Wells' 
 arms in his and tried to catch hold of the bridle reins. 
 Wells was fearless and active. They struggled for some 
 time, bent back and forward, swayed from side to side, 
 till at last Wells held the Indian's wrists with his left 
 hand, drew his pistol from the holster, partly turned, and 
 fired into the Indian's body a moment more and the In- 
 dian rolled off and dropped dead to the ground. Wells 
 then put spurs to his horse which had stood almost 
 still during the struggle, dashed up the street and 
 did good service in the pursuit. I had become so fascinat- 
 ed by this struggle that I had gone into the street almost 
 breathless, and wholly unconscious of where I was, till re- 
 called by the voice of Lieutenant Chavallier who said: 
 "Are you crazy? Go in or you will be killed." I went 
 in but without feeling any fear, though the street was al- 
 most deserted and my husband and brother both gone in 
 the fight. I then looked out on Commerce street and saw 
 four or five dead Indians. I was just twenty-two then, 
 and was endowed with a fair share of curiosity. 
 
 Not till dark did all our men get back, and I was grate- 
 ful to God, indeed, to see my husband and brother back 
 alive and not wounded. 
 
 Captain Mat Caldwell, or "Old Paint," as he was 
 familiarly called, our guest from Gonzales, was an old 
 and famous Indian fighter. He had gone from our house 
 to the Council Hall unarmed. But when the fight began, 
 he wrenched a gun from an Indian and killed him with it, 
 and beat another to death with the butt end of the gun. 
 He was shot through the right leg, wounded as he thought 
 by the first volley of the soldiers. After breaking the gun, 
 he then fought with rocks, with his back to the Court 
 House wall. 
 
 Young G. W. Cayce had called on us that morning, 
 
w^ 
 
 i4t*4i. 
 . &<^ 
 /^ **t v.4. 
 
 PAGE OF MARY A MAVERICK'S MEMOIRS 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 35 
 
 bringing an introductory letter from his father to Mr. 
 Maverick, and placing some papers in his charge. He was 
 a very pleasant and handsome young man and it was re- 
 ported, came to marry Gertrudes Navarro, Mrs. Dr. Alls- 
 bury's sister. He left our house when I did, I going to 
 Mrs. Higginbotham's and he to the Council Hall. He 
 stood in the front door of the Court House, was shot and 
 instantly killed at the beginning of the fight, and fell by 
 the side of Captain Caldwell. The brother of this young 
 man afterwards told me he had left home with premoni- 
 tion of his death being very near. Captain Caldwell was 
 assisted back to our house and Dr. Weideman came and 
 cut off his boot and found the bullet had gone entirely 
 through the leg, and lodged in the boot, where it was 
 discovered. The wound, though not dangerous, was very 
 painful, but the doughty Captain recovered rapidly and 
 in a few days walked about with the aid of a stick. 
 
 After the captain had been cared for, I ran across to 
 Mrs. Higginbotham's. Mr. Higginbotham, who was as 
 peaceful as a Quaker to all appearances, had been in the 
 fight and had received a slight wound. They could not go 
 into their back yard, because two Indians had taken re- 
 fuge in their kitchen, and refused to come out or surrend- 
 er as prisoners when the interpreter had summoned them. 
 A number of young men took counsel together that night, 
 and agred upon a plan. Anton Lockmar and another got 
 on the roof, and, about two hours after midnight dropped 
 a candlewick ball soaked in turpentine, and blazing, 
 through a hole in the roof upon one Indian's head and so 
 hurt him and frightened them both that they opened the 
 door and rushed out to their death. An axe split open 
 the head of one of the Indians before he was well out of 
 the door, and the other was killed before he had gone 
 many steps thus the last of the sixty-five were taken. 
 The Indian women dressed and fought like the men, and 
 could not be told apart. As I have said thirty-three were 
 killed and thirty-two taken prisoners. Many of them were 
 repeatedly summoned to surrender, but numbers refused 
 and were killed. All had a chance to surrender, and 
 
36 MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 
 
 every one who offered or agreed to give up was taken 
 prisoner and protected. 
 
 What a day of horrors! And the night was as bad 
 which followed. 
 
 Lieutenant Thompson, who had been shot through the 
 lungs, was taken to Madam, Santita's house, on Soledad 
 Street, just opposite us, and that night he vomited blood 
 and cried and groaned all night I shall never forget 
 his gasping for breath and his agonizing cries. Dr. Weide- 
 man sat by and watched him, or only left to see the 
 other sufferers, nearby; no one thought he would live 
 till day, but he did, and got to be well and strong again, 
 and in a few weeks walked out. 
 
 The captive Indians were all put in the calaboose for 
 a few days and while they were there our forces entered 
 into a twelve days truce with them the captives acting 
 for their Nation. And, in accordance with the stipulations 
 of the treaty, one of the captives, an Indian woman, 
 widow of a chief, was released on the 20th, the day after 
 the fight. She was given a horse and provisions and 
 sent to her Nation to tell her people of the fight and its 
 result. She was charged to tell them, in accordance with 
 the truce, to bring in all their captives, known to be fif- 
 teen Americans and several Mexicans, and exchange them 
 for the thirty-two Indians held. She seemed eager to 
 effect this, and promised to do her best. She said she 
 would travel day and night, and could go and return 
 within five days. The other prisoners thought she could 
 in five days return with the captives from the tribe. The 
 Americans said "very well we give twelve days truce and 
 if you do not get back by Thursday night of the 28th, 
 these prisoners shall be killed, for we will know you have 
 killed our captive friends and relatives." 
 
 In April, as I shall mention again, we were informed by 
 a boy, named B. L. Webster, that when the squaw reached 
 her tribe and told of the disaster, all the Comanches 
 howled, and cut themselves with knives, and killed 
 horses, for several days. And they took all the American 
 captives, thirteen in number, and roasted and butchered 
 
MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 37 
 
 them to death with horrible cruelties; that he and a little 
 girl named Putman, five years old, had been spared be- 
 cause they had previously been adopted into the tribe. 
 Our people did not, however, retaliate upon the captives 
 in our hands. The captive Indians were all put into the 
 calaboose, corner Market Street and the public square 
 and adjoining the courthouse, where all the people in 
 San Antonio went to see them. The Indians expected to 
 be killed, and they did not understand nor trust the kind- 
 ness which was shown them and the great pity manifested 
 toward them. They were first removed to San Jose Mis- 
 sion, where a company of soldiers was stationed, and 
 afterwards taken to Camp "Cook," named after W- G. 
 Cook, at the head of the river, and strictly guarded for 
 a time. But afterwards the strictness was relaxed, and 
 they gradually all, except a few, who were exchanged, 
 escaped and returned to their tribe. They were kindly 
 treated and two or three of them were taken into families 
 as domestics, and were taught some little, but they too, 
 at last, silently stole away to their ancient freedom. 
 
38 MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter VII. 
 DOCTOR WEIDEMAN. 
 
 HATE in the afternoon of the Indian fight, of the 
 19th, I visited Mrs. Higginbotham's, as I have 
 before stated. While I was there, Dr. Weide- 
 man came up to her grated front window, and placed a 
 severed Indian head upon the sill. The good doctor bow- 
 ed courteously and saying, "With your permission, Mad- 
 am," disappeared. Soon after he returned with another 
 bloody head, when he explained to us that he had viewed 
 all the dead Indians, and selected these two heads, male 
 and female, for the skulls, and also had selected two en- 
 tire bodies, male and female, to preserve as specimen 
 skeletons. He said : "I have been long exceedingly anx- 
 ious to secure such specimens and now, ladies, I must 
 hurry and get a cart to take them to my house/' and off 
 he hurried all begimed with dirt and blood, (having been 
 with his good horse one of the foremost in pursuit.) Now 
 he was exulting for the cause of science in his "magnifi- 
 cent specimens" and before it was quite dark, he came 
 with his cart and its frightful load, took his two heads and 
 disappeared. His house was the old Chaves place, on 
 the side of Acequia Street, (now Main Avenue,) north 
 of Main Plaza. Dr. Weideman, a Russian, was a very 
 learned man of perhaps thirty-five years of age, was a 
 surgeon and M. D., spoke many living tongues and had 
 travelled very extensively. In former years, he had buried 
 a lovely young wife and son, and becoming resless, had 
 sought and secured employment under the Russian Gov- 
 ernment. In fact the Emperor of Russia had sent him to 
 Texas to find and report anything and everything, vege- 
 table and animal grown in Texas and he had selected a 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 39 
 
 worthy man, for Dr. Weideman was a devotee to science. 
 He grew enthusiastic over our Western Texas and her cli- 
 mate and constantly accompanied the "Minute Men" on 
 their expeditions and numerous surveying parties. 
 
 Dr. Weideman took the Indian heads and bodies to his 
 home as I have mentioned, and put them into a large 
 soap boiler on the bank of the "esequia," or ditch, which 
 ran in front of his premises. During the night of the 20th 
 he emptied the boiler, containing water and flesh from 
 the bones, into the ditch. Now this ditch furnished the 
 drinking water generally for the town. The river and the 
 San Pedro Creek, it was understood, were for bathing 
 and washing purposes, but a city ordinance prohibited, 
 with heavy fines, the throwing of any dirt or filth into 
 the ditch for it was highly necessary and proper to keep 
 the drinking water pure. 
 
 On the 21st, it dawned upon the dwellers upon the 
 banks of the ditch that the doctor had defiled their drink- 
 ing water. "There arose a great hue and cry and 
 all the people crowded to the mayor's office the men 
 talked in loud and excited tones, the women shrieked 
 and cried they rolled up their eyes in horror, they vomi- 
 ted, and many thought they were poisoned and must die. 
 Dr.Weideman was arrested and brought to trial, he was 
 overwhelmed with abuse, he was called "diabolo," "de- 
 monio." "sin verguenza," etc., etc. He took it quite 
 calmly, told the poor creatures they would not be hurt 
 that the Indian poison had all run off with the water long 
 before day paid his fine and went off laughing. 
 
 The doctor had a Mexican servant who had been pretty 
 good, and lived with him two years but Jose would 
 steal and one day he stole the doctor's watch, a valu- 
 able gold timepiece. Dr. Weideman after inquiring and 
 waiting several weeks in vain, determined to have his 
 watch, if he had to use magic to get it. He had several 
 Mexican men servants, for he kept horses, wild animals, 
 snakes and birds and also cultivated a fine garden with 
 wild flowers, etc., he satisfied himself that Jose was 
 
40 MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 the thief. He invited several gentlemen to come to his 
 house a certain evening about full of the moon, and he 
 told his servants that he would summon the spirits to 
 point out the thief- When the appointed time came, he 
 caused a fire to be built on the flat dirt roof of his house, 
 over which he placed a pot filled with liquids. Hither he 
 brought his company and the servants. He was dressed in 
 a curious robe or gown covered with weird figures, and a 
 tall wonderful cap rested on his head. In his hand he held 
 a twisted stick- with which he stirred the liquid in the pot, 
 uttering the while words in an unknown tongue. He was 
 very solemn and occasionally he would turn around slowly 
 and gaze upward into space. Finally he told all present 
 that he would put out the fire, and cool the liquid, and 
 then each person in turn should dip his hand in, and the 
 thief's hand would turn black. Each one advanced in due 
 order and submitted his hand to the test, and after each 
 experiment the doctor would stir and mutter and turn 
 around again. Jose waited until the very last, he came 
 up quite unwillingly, and when he withdrew his hand 
 from the pot it was black. Jose was terribly frightened, 
 he fell upon his knees and acknowledged the theft then 
 and there and begged for mercy. The Doctor got his 
 watch back and did not discharge Jose, who never after 
 stole again. 
 
 The Mexicans when they saw the doctor on the streets 
 would cross themselves, and avoid him they said he was 
 leagued with the devil ; he claimed that the spirits of the 
 Indians, whose bodies he had dissected, were under his 
 enchantment and that he could make them tell him any- 
 thing. He set his skeleton Indians up in his garden, in his 
 summer house, and dared anybody to steal on his prem- 
 ises. It is needless to say, everything he had was sacred 
 from theft. 
 
 Dr. Weideman was very good to the sick and wounded. 
 He would not take pay for his services, and saved many 
 lives by his skill and attention. He was universally re- 
 spected and liked by the Americans. In 1843 or '44 he 
 was drowned in attempting to cross Peach Creek, near 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 41 
 
 Gonzales when the water was very high his horse and 
 himself and one other man were carried down by the rap- 
 id current and drowned, whilst the others of the party 
 barely escaped. 
 
 During the summer of this year, 1840, Colonel Henry 
 Karnes* upon returning from Houston when yellow fever 
 was prevailing there, was taken down with yellow fever. 
 The Colonel and Dr. Weideman were great friends, and 
 the Doctor hardly left his room till he was out of danger. 
 Karnes thought though his business required him in Hous- 
 ton, and contrary to the doctor's advice, he started back 
 before he was strong enough. He travelled stretched out 
 in a light wagon took a relapse after the first day and 
 came back to his friends. But his case was now hopeless, 
 and he died from his great imprudence, and the good 
 doctor put on the deepest mourning for his friend. 
 Colonel Karnes was a short, thick-set man with bright red 
 hair. While he was uneducated, he was modest, gener- 
 ous and devoted to his friends. He was brave and un- 
 tiring and a terror to the Indians. They called him "Capi- 
 tan Colorado" (Red Captain) and spoke of him as "Muy 
 Wapo" (very brave.) Four or five years before he died, 
 he was taken prisoner by the Comanches, and the squaws 
 so greatly admired his hair of "fire" that they felt it and 
 washed it to see if it would fade ; and, when they found 
 the color held fast, they would not be satisfied until each 
 had a lock. 
 
 *Karnes came from Tennessee and joined the Texas forces at Conception '35, 
 while very young. Yoakum refers to an amusing incident of this same battle. 
 "One who was often with him, (Karnes), and by his side at Conception, says he 
 never knew him to swear before or since that day. But when he came into th 
 lines, after being shot at so often, and began to load his rifle, he exclaimed with 
 some wrath, 'The d > d rascals have shot out the bottom of my powder horn.' 
 Karnes was quit sober and temperate ... he had remarkable gentleness and. 
 delicacy of feeling." 
 
4:2 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter VIII. 
 
 COMANCHES AND A DUEL. 
 
 v -j-^SIMANICA. Several incidents occurred soon 
 after the fight of the 19th, which, together with 
 ^m. ^ other incidents much later, I will narrate. 
 
 On March 28th between two hundred and fifty and 
 three hundred Comanches under a dashing young chief, 
 Isimanica, came close to the edge of the town where the 
 main body halted and chief Isimanica with another war- 
 rior rode daringly into the public square, and circled 
 around it, then rode some distance down Commerce Street 
 and back, shouting all the while, offering fight and heap- 
 ing abuse and insults upon the Americans. Isimanica was 
 in full war paint, and almost naked. He stopped longest 
 at Black's saloon, at the north east corner of the square ; 
 he shouted defiance, he rose in his stirrups, shook his 
 clenched fist, raved, and foamed at the mouth. The 
 citizens, through an interpreter, told him the soldiers were 
 all down the river at Mission San Jose and if he went 
 there Colonel Fisher would give him fight enough. 
 
 Isimanica took his braves to San Jose,* and with fear- 
 less daring bantered the soldiers for a fight. Colonel Fish- 
 er was lying on a sick bed and Captain Redd, the next in 
 rank, was in command. He said to the chief : "We have 
 
 made a twelve day truce with your people in order to ex- 
 change prisoners. My country's honor is pledged, as well 
 as my own, to keep the truce, and I will not break it. 
 
 *Mission San Jos, (St. Joseph), or Second Mission, named also for the Gov- 
 ernor of the province of Texas at the time, "de Aguayo," was founded in 1720 
 and completed about 1730 the same year Mission Concption was begun. 
 
 San Jose is said by many to be the most beautiful of all the Missions in this 
 country though it has been badly neglected, and the wonderful carvings broken 
 and defaced by relic hunters. 
 
 The South window of the Baptistry is considered by good judges the finest gem 
 of architectural ornamentation existing in America today." Wm. Corner S. A. 
 de Bexar. (See cover sketch.) 
 
LEWIS ANTONIO MAVERICK 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 43 
 
 Remain here three days or return in three days and the 
 truce will be over. We burn to fight you." Isimanica 
 called him liar, coward and other opprobrious names, 
 and hung around for some time, but at last the Indians 
 left and did not return. Captain Redd remained calm 
 and unmoved, but his men could with the greatest diffi- 
 culty be restrained, and in fact some of them were ordered 
 into the Mission church and the door guarded. 
 
 When Captain Lysander Wells, a non-commissioned of- 
 ficer, who was in town, heard of it, he wrote Captain Redd 
 an insulting letter in which he called him a "dastardly 
 coward," and alluded to a certain "petticoat goverment" 
 under which he intimated the Captain was restrained. 
 This allusion had reference to a young woman who, 
 dressed in boy's apparel, had followed Redd from Georgia 
 and was now living with him. This letter of Wells' was 
 signed, much to their shame, by several others in San An- 
 tonio. About this time Colonel Fisher removed his entire 
 force of three companies to the Alamo in San Antonio; 
 Redd challenged Wells to mortal combat, and one morn- 
 ing at six o'clock they met where the Ursuline Convent 
 now stands. Redd said : "I aim for your heart," and Wells 
 answered: "And I for your brains." They fired. Redd 
 sprang high into the air and fell dead with a bullet in his 
 brain. Wells was shot near the heart, but lived two weeks, 
 in great torture, begging every one near him to dispatch 
 him, or furnish him a pistol that he might kill himself and 
 end his agony; Dr. Weideman nursed him tenderly. In 
 Captain Redd's pocket was found a marriage license and 
 certificate showing that he was wedded to the girl (be- 
 fore mentioned) also letters to members of his own and 
 her families, speaking of her in the tenderest manner, 
 and asking them to protect and provide for her. She was 
 heartbroken and went to his funeral in black . . and 
 soon returned to her family. 
 
 These men were both brave and tried soldiers ! What 
 a sad ending to their young and promising lives, and that 
 too, when cruel and relentless savages daily committed 
 atrocities about us. 
 
44 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Captives. Matilda Lockhart, who came in as I have 
 mentioned, on March 19th, had been about two years in 
 captivity. When she was captured, two of her family 
 were slain, and she and her little sister were taken pris- 
 oners. At that time she was thirteen and her sister not 
 three years of age. They were taken off to the tribe. 
 Just before her release, she came along with the Indian 
 party, as a herder, driving a herd of extra ponies for the 
 Indians. The Indians thus could exchange their horses 
 from time to time for fresher ones. 
 
 She was in a frightful condition, poor girl, when at last 
 she returned to civilization. Her head, arms and face were 
 full of bruises, and sores, and her nose actually burnt off 
 to the bone all the fleshy end gone, and a great scab 
 formed on the end of the bone. Both nostrils were wide 
 open and denuded of flesh. She told a piteous tale of 
 how dreadfully the Indians had beaten her, and how they 
 would wake her from sleep by sticking a chunk of fire 
 to her flesh, especially to her nose, and how they would 
 shout and laugh like fiends when she cried. Her body 
 had many scars from fire, many of which she showed us. 
 Ah, it was sickening to behold, and made one's blood boil 
 for vengeance. 
 
 Matilda was now fifteen years old, and, though glad 
 to be free from her detested tyrants, she was very sad and 
 broken hearted. She said she felt utterly degraded, and 
 could never hold her head up again that she would be 
 glad to get back home again, where she would hide away 
 and never permit herself to be seen. How terrible 
 to comtemplate ! Yet her case was by no means solitary. 
 She told of fifteen other American captives, all children, 
 then in the Nation, and two adopted captives, her little 
 sister and Booker Webster. After a few days, Matilda's 
 brother came and took her home. 
 
 On March 26th, Mrs. Webster came in with her three 
 year old child on her back. This poor miserable being 
 was hailed by the excited Mexicans as "India," "India," 
 as she trudged along to the center of the town. She came 
 into the Public Square from the west, and was dressed as 
 
MEMOIKS OF MAKY A. MAVEBICK 45 
 
 an Indian in buckskin. Like the Indians, her hair was cut 
 short and square upon her forehead, and she was sun- 
 burned and as dark as a Comanche. 
 
 She called out in good English, however, and said she 
 had escaped from Indian captivity. She was taken into 
 John W. Smith's house, and we American ladies soon 
 gathered there to see her and attend her wants. She said 
 she was very tired and hungry and appeared much ex- 
 hausted. After listening to a part of her story, Mrs. 
 Smith gave her some food, which she and her little one 
 ate in a famished manner. Five of us ladies, Mrs. Jac- 
 ques, Mrs. Elliott, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Higginbotham and 
 myself, agreed to unite in caring for the unhappy fugi- 
 tives. We got her some clothing, and, having prepared a 
 bath, we helped her to undress and found her skin yet 
 fair and white beneath the buckskin. We bathed and 
 clothed her and left her to sleep and rest. 
 
 The stench of the poor woman's clothes was so dread- 
 ful, while we were undressing her, that Mrs. Jacques 
 fainted away, and Mrs. Smith told me to get a bottle of 
 cologne on her mantel in the adjoining room. I picked up 
 the only bottle there, and hastily sprinkled the contents 
 on Mrs. Jacques's face, which caused her to revive instant- 
 ly, and she screamed : "Stop, stop, that is pepper vinegar!,* 
 And so it was indeed, and had gotten into one of her eyes, 
 whereupon Mrs. Jacques was accused of "playing 'pos- 
 sum," and we had a great laugh. Mrs. Webster remain- 
 ed a week with Mrs. Smith, a week with Mrs. Jacques 
 and two weeks with us. She was treated with great kind- 
 ness by every one, and money and clothes given her. Her 
 story was as follows : 
 
 She came from Virginia to Texas early in 1838 with 
 her husband, who she claimed, was a relative of Daniel 
 Webster. They built a house northwest of Austin, and 
 in August of that year her husband was removing her 
 and her four children to this wild home -they had also 
 in the party two negroes and one white man. One eve- 
 ning they camped on Brushy Creek, not far north of Aus- 
 tin, when a large party of Comanches suddenly attacked 
 
46 MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 them. Their three men fought bravely, but were over- 
 powered and killed. Mrs. Webster's infant was taken 
 from her arms, and its brains dashed out on a tree and her 
 second child was killed. She and her eldest boy of ten 
 years, Brooker Webster, were tied upon horses, and she 
 held her child of two years so tightly and plead for it so 
 piteously, that the Indians left it with her. They were 
 taken by rapid marches to the mountains, where they 
 stripped Booker and shaved his head. He was attacked 
 with brain fever, and an old squaw, who had just lost a 
 son of his age, adopted him and nursed him very tenderly. 
 The Indians allowed Mrs. Webster to keep her little girl, 
 but prohibited her from talking with her son. They made 
 her cook, and stake out ponies, and they beat her very 
 badly. She had been nineteen months in captivity when 
 she seized a favorable opportunity to escape. It was one 
 night after a long day's march when, having learned the 
 general direction of San Antonio, she quietly and noise- 
 lessly slipped out of camp with her child in her arms, 
 and bent her steps toward Bexar. She spent twelve terri- 
 ble days on the road without meeting a human being- 
 sustaining herself all this while on berries, small fish 
 which she caught in the streams, and bones left at Indian 
 camps, which she followed, hiding and sleeping in the 
 day, and travelling at night by moon and starlight. She 
 several times gave up to die, but gathering courage and 
 determination, she would trudge on. The early morning of 
 the 26th she lay down despairing on a hillside in a fog, 
 not able to drag one foot after the other. When the sun 
 shone out, looking to the east she saw a "golden cross 
 shining in the sky!" Then she knew her prayers had been 
 answered and that cross surmounted the Cathedral of San 
 Fernando in San Antonio. She said she felt her weariness 
 melt away and she grew strong and hopeful and again 
 took up the march with a thankful heart. She was about 
 thirty-two years old. 
 
 April 3rd. Two Indians, a chief and a squaw, the man 
 with his bow strung and arrows in his hand, came into 
 the public square and, remaining mounted, called out to 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 47 
 
 the Americans that about twenty warriors were holding 
 all the American and Mexican captives three miles from 
 town, and that they were prepared to make the exchange 
 proposed or agreed upon in the twelve days' truce. 
 The Amerirans sent scouts, who reported the Indians 
 to be numerous and the captives few. Two companies of 
 soldiers and nine captive Indians were ordered up from 
 San Jose. The Americans declined to go with the chief 
 to the Indian camp, but they gave him bread, peloncillos 
 and a beef and agreed to talk "manana," (tomorrow.) 
 
 On the 4th, the chief returned and asked the Americans 
 to take out two captives and exchange for two, and the 
 answer was: "Bring two captives to the edge of town 
 and we will meet you." They came with a little Ameri- 
 can girl, Putman's child, and a Mexican boy, and received 
 two Indians. The Americans being desirous of securing 
 all the captives, not knowing they were murdered, asked 
 why they did not bring American captives, and the In- 
 dians answered they had only one more with them, and 
 if they gave him up they wished to choose a^ Indian in 
 exchange. The boy proved to be B. L. Webster, "Book- 
 er," the son of Mrs. Webster mentioned above, and they 
 brought a Mexican boy with him and said these were all 
 they had with them. The chief selected in exchange for 
 Webster a squaw whose arm had been broken in the fight 
 of the 19th. When asked why he chose her, he answered 
 she was the widow of a great chief who had been killed 
 in the fight, and he wanted her for his squaw, because she 
 owned "muchas mules," "muchas mules." The squaw 
 did not seem t<? relish this and so the Americans would 
 not let him take her, but selected another woman, and a 
 child, and threw in a blind Indian. The chief was not 
 pleased, but departed with what he could get. 
 
 Thus we got back two American and five Mexican 
 captives. Booker Webster's head was shaved and he was 
 painted in Indian style. One of the Mexicans ran away 
 some time afterwards and returned to the Indians. The 
 girl, Putman, was five years old, and cried to go back to 
 the Comanche mother who had adopted her, probably in 
 
48 MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 
 
 her second year. She could not speak or understand 
 English, and had many bruises and her nose was burnt 
 partly off. The boy, Booker, then told us, and we learnt 
 for the first time, how the Comanches had murdered the 
 captives in their hands when they received the message 
 borne to them by the squaw. 
 
 The Indians used the Spanish language a great deal, 
 but they never tried to acquire any knowledge of the 
 English tongue. This summer, 1840, the Indians were con- 
 stantly stealing and murdering. Travel was especially 
 unsafe, except when the company was large, and even 
 then it was advisable to travel by night and camp by day, 
 always keeping a sharp lookout. 
 
 Indian Raid to Lavaca Bay. Early in August, a band 
 of about three hundred warriors suddenly appeared in 
 the neighborhood of Victoria, having escaped detection 
 on their route down the country. On the 6th, they ap- 
 peared there in force. Circling around Victoria, they 
 passed on to Linnville, a small town on Lavaca Bay, one 
 and a quarter miles below the present site of Lavaca. 
 Linnville was a very small town in which was located a 
 Custom House and a few stores. When the Indians 
 charged into the town, most of the citizens took refuge 
 on the boats anchored near, and thus escaped. Some were 
 not quick enough, and were cut off and killed, and two 
 ladies and a boy were taken prisoners. The Indians found 
 large quantities of goods stored at Linnville which they 
 loaded upon pack animals, and even upon their riding 
 horses. They spent the whole day there, and burnt all the 
 houses and everything they could not carry off. Mean- 
 while, runners had been sent out of Victoria to warn the 
 settlers, and for the purpose of summoning volunteers to 
 intercept the Indians' return to the mountains. The call 
 was responded to from every valley and settlement. From 
 the Colorado to the Guadalupe and beyond, volunteers 
 gathered, under McColloch, Lynn, Caldwell, Ed Burles- 
 on, Moore and others. Scouts who followed close upon 
 their trail told of whole bolts of ribbon, muslin and calico 
 streaming to the air from the saddles of the savages. On 
 
MEMOIBS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 49 
 
 Phm Creek, a branch of the San Marcos, August 18th, 
 they were at last surrounded, retreat cut off and they 
 forced to fight. The Texas forces, under general 
 Felix Houston, had been gathering for one grand blow. 
 The combat was remarkable for the terrible slaughter 
 of the Indians. The battle ground extended over a dis- 
 tance of fifteen miles, for it was a running fight. None 
 of the Texans were killed, and the Indians were so com- 
 pletely crushed by this defeat that they never dared to 
 raid into that section again. 
 
 When they found they would lose the fight, the Indians 
 lanced and shot arrows into their captives, who were tied 
 to trees, and left them for dead, but Mrs. Watts recovered 
 and returned to her friends. The capture of Mrs. Watts 
 illustrates how vitally important a few moments of time 
 may become. Mr. Watts had married this lady only a 
 few weeks before the Comanches burned Linnville, and 
 had presented her with an elegant gold watch and chain. 
 After starting to run for the boats, Mrs. Watts thought 
 she would secure her watch first, ran back into the house, 
 and got it, accompanied by her husband. Having secured 
 the trinket, they attempted to reach the boats, but some 
 mounted Indians had cut them off. Watts was tomahaw- 
 ed, and his wife taken captive. She afterwards married 
 again to a Mr. Staunton, I am told, and died at Lavaca in 
 1878. 
 
 Now, why have I mentioned this raid? Well you shall 
 hear. On April 21st, Mr. Maverick had left for New Or- 
 leans and returned in June by the way of Houston. He had 
 only got home a week before this, and had intended to 
 come by Lavaca, but was detained. He however, shipped 
 by way of Linnville, goods, stores and a supply of clothing 
 material for two years ahead, and unfortunately for us 
 the goods were stored in Linnville when the Indians sack- 
 ed the place. Mr- Maverick had purchased a supply of 
 whiskey and brandy to be used on surveying expeditions 
 it being the custom for those having surveying done to 
 furnish the liquor. He had purchased for me a silver, soup 
 ladle, twelve table and twelve tea spoons; the spoons 
 
50 MEMOIES OF MABY A. MAVEEICK 
 
 we had travelled out with were only plated ware. He had 
 also a number of law books with the other things. These 
 law books were the only things we ever heard from, and 
 what he heard was this : they were strung to the Indians' 
 saddles by strings run through the volumes, and used for 
 making cigarettes.* 
 
 I shall not mention the thousand and one incidents 
 which happened in connection with the Comanches in 
 and about San Antonio from 1838 until 1842, when we be- 
 came refugees. They made life very unsafe on the fron- 
 tier and during the period mentioned they were always 
 within dangerous proximity to us and always doing some 
 of their devilment. 
 
 However I will mention one or two more incidents be- 
 fore I bid them adieu. On May 27th, thirty or forty 
 Comanches came close to town, and being early discover- 
 ed, they were hotly pursued by the "Minute Men." They 
 fled to the nearest timber on the Medina, where, dark- 
 ness overtaking them, they speared all their horses and 
 took to the bottom on foot. In the morning, the dead 
 horses were found but the Indians had escaped- 
 
 The Indians were always lurking around in small bodies 
 hiding close to town, waiting for an opportunity to strike 
 without danger to themselves. We were compelled to 
 learn this through many murders and robberies. They 
 would suddenly appear from the river bottom, from be- 
 hind a clump of trees, from a gully, and sometimes from 
 the tall grass. It seemed they were always on the watch 
 everywhere, but only acted at the most favorable 
 moments. 
 
 In the spring of 1841, Mrs. Elliott and I set out up the 
 river to gather dewberries. They grew in great abundance 
 where the Ursuline Convent now stands.* Mr. Elliott sent 
 his two clerks, Peter Gallagher and John Conran, Mrs. El- 
 liott's brother, along, they being well armed. We with 
 my son Sam and Billy Elliott and the two nurses Rachael 
 and Julia, took our buckets and started up directly after 
 
 *Which shows what respect the Indians had for Blackstone and the law. 
 G. M. M. 
 
 *Then a wild-wood. Mary A. Maverick. 
 
CANVAS BATH-HOUSE ON SAN ANTONIO RIVEK 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 51 
 
 dinner. We found a great abundance of ripe luscious 
 berries, ate all we wanted, filled our buckets, had a first- 
 rate time and started home alright. We met just after 
 we left the bend of the river a Mexican cartman going 
 out to hopple his oxen on the fine grass we had just pass- 
 ed over. We had gone only a few hundred feet further, 
 after passing the Mexican, when we heard all around us 
 the sudden cry of "Indies," "Indios." Soon the alarm 
 bell called to arms and we ran quickly home. The cart- 
 man we passed proved to be the victim he was kill- 
 ed and scalped by the Comanches, who had been hiding 
 close to us in the river timber when we were gathering the 
 berries and having our good time just before. Our two 
 armed guards on the watch had saved our lives. The In- 
 dians both escaped in the dark and we were grateful 
 for the foresight of Mr. Elliott, and we learned a lesson 
 never forgotten, for our foolhardy venturing. 
 
52 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter IX. 
 
 FAMILY HISTORY RESUMED. 
 'R. Maverick was a most earnest and enthusiastic 
 idmirer of Western Texas, and firm believer in 
 her future. He was constantly in ecstasies over 
 the beautiful valleys, the rich soil, the charming climate. 
 Often he would speak in glowing terms of the magnifi- 
 cent expanses of fertile hill and dale. What a grand home 
 for the toilers of Europe, he would say. Along with his 
 admiration, came the spirit of speculation in land all 
 men of strong imagination speculated deeply in land in 
 those days. So brilliant and so realistic were his visions 
 of the future, that in his mind's eye the future, ah, the 
 far distant future, became the tomorrow of the dreamer. 
 Tomorrow they will come tomorrow the overcrowded of 
 the cities, the wearied sons of toil will come, and will 
 build up this magnificient country into a grand empire. 
 But the future came not to him in his lifetime he saw 
 the toilers come across the sea, but they came not toTex- 
 as; they settled in the great North West, and there they 
 built up the empires of which he had prophesied. 
 
 Mr. Maverick took the greatest delight in the surveying 
 camp. He purchased many thousands of acres of land 
 certificates, and he was out much of the time locating and 
 surveying lands for himself and for friends, or at least 
 planning expeditions. I will tell of a trip he made in the 
 fall of 1839. He fitted out the party and went, accord- 
 ing to my best recollection, to the Medina and San Geroni- 
 mo. Before they started, Mexicans killed and jerked 
 beef* at our place, and they had a busy time packing the 
 
 * Jerked beef: many an old timer 'declares to this day that the flavor of beef 
 cut in thin strips and sun dried, can not be equalled. Not only was meat "jerked" 
 to prepare it for long marches, but kitchen doors of the early days were some- 
 times supplied with iron hooks upon which newly purchased steaks were hung 
 and cooked in the hot sun School girls and boys of the 60's relished "jerked" 
 beef in their lunch boxes. 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 53 
 
 animals the day they started. Mr. Lapham, the deputy 
 surveyor, a nice gentleman from Vermont, spent a week at 
 our house, waiting for the preparations to be completed. 
 When they departed, I exacted from my husband the 
 promise that he would return on a certain day. He kept 
 his word, although the work was not completed he 
 came in accordance with his promise, and brought with 
 him one or two of the party. The very night after he left 
 the camp, the Indians surprised the camp and killed every 
 one, save one chain bearer, who escaped on a fine horse. A 
 party went out to bury the dead and found the compass 
 and papers and some other articles. 
 
 1840. 
 
 Mr. Maverick, as I have mentioned, left us for the 
 "States" April, 1840, and returned the latter part of June. 
 He went to Pendleton, South Carolina, when he was 
 away, but he told me, "I had not the face to go to Moth- 
 er's without you and the boys she would take it so to 
 heart." 
 
 Sept. 16th, The Mexicans celebrated Dia de Inde- 
 pendencia." On December 12th, the Mexicans celebrated 
 in grand procession "Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guada- 
 lupe," the patroness saint of Mexico , and whom the 
 priests had identified with the Virgin Mary. Twelve 
 young girls dressed in spotless white, bore a platform on 
 which stood a figure representing the saint very richly 
 and gorgeously dressed. First came the priests in proces- 
 sion, then the twelve girls bearing the platform, and car- 
 rying each in her free hand a lighted wax candle, then 
 came fiddlers behind them playing on their violins, and 
 following the fiddlers the devout population, generally, 
 firing off guns and pistols and showing their devotion in 
 various ways. They proceeded through the squares and 
 some of the principal streets, and every now and then they 
 all knelt and repeated a short prayer an ''Ave Marie" or 
 "Pater Noster." Finally the procession stopped at the 
 Cathedral of San Fernando on the Main Plaza, where a 
 long ceremony was had. Afterwards the more prominent 
 families taking the Patroness along with them, adjourn- 
 
54 MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVEEICK 
 
 ed to Mr. Jose Flores' house on west side of Military 
 Plaza, where they danced most of the night. We were in- 
 vited and went, taking with us little Sammy with his jolly 
 golden curls and a new suit of pea green. It was all 
 quite a novel and interesting scene to me. 
 
 The principal citizens lived in the plazas or within two 
 blocks of them on Flores, Acequia, Soledad, Commerce 
 and Market streets. Very few of the Mexican ladies 
 could write but they dressed nicely and were graceful 
 and gracious of manner. We exchanged calls with the 
 Navarros, Sotos, Garzas, Garcias, Zambranos, Seguins, 
 Veramendis and Yturris. 
 
 December 1840, Uncle John Bradley brought his family 
 to San Antonio. They spent two or three weeks with us 
 and then moved into the house formerly occupied by the 
 Higginbothams, who had removed to the country. Annie 
 Bradley was a lovely girl, very womanly and sweet tem- 
 pered. About Christmas we attended a ball given at 
 Chauncy Johnston's, who had brought out his family 
 some two months before, and resided in the Casiano house. 
 Annie received great attention and had a throng of ad- 
 mirers. 
 
 About this time Mr. Gautier, a French merchant, came 
 to town with his wife and child. 
 
 1841. 
 
 We now began to have a society and great sociability 
 amongst ourselves, the Americans. During the summer 
 1841, Mr. Wilson Riddle brought out his bride, and Mr. 
 Moore his family. These gentlemen were both merchants 
 on Commerce Street. Mr. Campbell married a second wife 
 with whom and her sister, Miss O'Neill, he returned to San 
 Antonio. Mr. Davis opened a store on Commerce Street. 
 Mr. John Twohig started a small grocery store on corner 
 of Commerce Street and Plaza Mayor.* 
 
 Mrs. Jacques had a boarding house at southwest 
 
 *Diaries were of real use on the frontier as records of events, for the daily 
 paper did not exist, also as the mail or post was cent back to the State* onry 
 once a month diaries were useful as reminders of interesting happenings to be 
 chronicled in home letters. 
 
MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 55 
 
 corner of Commerce and Yturri she had a whole block 
 rented from Yturri and boarded all the nice young Ameri- 
 cans, and was very hospitable and pleasant. She was a 
 good nurse and extremely kind to any sick or wounded, 
 and consequently a great favorite with the gentlemen. 
 On Easter Sunday of this year, she invited all the Ameri- 
 can families, and many young gentlemen to dine with her. 
 She served her dinner at the long room, (sagnan). She 
 dinner was simply elegant, the company large and lively 
 and we all enjoyed the day very much. In the afternoon 
 we promenaded up Soledad Street in a gay and happy 
 throng. 
 
 Easter Monday, April 12th, 1841, Agatha, our first 
 daughter was born and named for my mother. She was a 
 very beautiful and good baby. 
 
 My mother talked of coming out to visit us. Her idea 
 was that she would come to some port on the coast, and 
 we would go down at the appointed time and meet her 
 there. But I had too many babies to make such a journey, 
 and the risk from Indians was too great, and we did not 
 encourage the plan. Her letters were one month to six 
 weeks old when we received them. 
 
 President Lamar with a very considerable suite visited 
 San Antonio in June. A grand ball was given him in Mrs. 
 Yturri's long room (all considerable houses had a long 
 room for receptions). The room was decorated with flags 
 and evergreens; flowers were not much cultivated then. 
 At the ball, General Lamar wore very wide white pants 
 which at the same time were short enough to show the 
 tops of his shoes. General Lamar and Mrs. Juan N. Se- 
 guin, wife of the Mayor, opened the ball with a waltz. 
 Mrs. Seguin was so fat that the General had great diffi- 
 culty in getting a firm hold on her waist, and they cut such 
 a figure that we were forced to smile. The General was a 
 poet, a polite and brave gentleman and first rate conver- 
 sationalist but he did not dance well. 
 
 At the ball, Hays, Chevalier, and John Howard had but 
 one dress coat between them, and they agreed to use the 
 coat and dance in turn. The two not dancing would stand 
 
56 MEMOIBS OF MAEY A. MAVEBICK 
 
 at the hall door watching the happy one who was enjoy- 
 ing his turn and they reminded him when it was time 
 for him to step out of that coat. Great fun was it watch- 
 ing them and listening to their w r it and mischief as they 
 made faces and shook their fists at the dancing one. 
 
 John D. Morris, the Adonis of the company, escorted 
 Miss Arceneiga who on that warm evening wore a maroon 
 cashmere with black plumes in her hair, and her haughty 
 airs did not gain her any friends. Mrs. Yturri had a new 
 silk, fitting her so tightly that she had to wear corsets for 
 the first time in her life. She was very pretty, waltzed 
 beautifully and was much sought as a partner. She was 
 several times compelled to escape to her bedroom to take 
 off the corset and ''catch her breath" as she said to me 
 who happened to be there with my baby. 
 
 By the way, speaking of Mrs. Yturri, I am reminded of 
 a party I gave several months before this. It blew a 
 freezing norther that day and we had the excellent good 
 luck of making some ice cream, which was a grateful sur- 
 prise to our guests. In fact those of the Mexicans present, 
 who had never travelled, tasted ice cream that evening 
 for the first time in their lives, and they all admired and 
 liked it. But Mrs. Yturri ate so much of it, tho' advised 
 not to, that she was taken with cramps. Mrs. Jacques 
 and I took her to my room and gave her brandy, but in 
 vain, and she had to be carried home. At that party 
 some natives remained so late in the morning that we had 
 to ask them to go. One man of reputable standing carried 
 off a roast chicken in his pocket, another a carving knife, 
 and several others took off all the cake they could well 
 conceal, which greatly disgusted Jinny Anderson, the 
 cook. Griffin followed the man with the carving knife 
 and took it away from him. 
 
 During this summer, the American ladies led a lazy 
 life of ease. We had plenty of books, including novels, 
 we were all young, healthy and happy and were content 
 with each others' society. We fell into the fashion of the 
 climate, dined at twelve, then followed a siesta, (nap) 
 until three, when we took a cup of coffee and a bath. 
 
MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 57 
 
 Bathing in the river at our place had become rather 
 public, now that merchants were establishing themselves 
 on Commerce Street, so we ladies got permission of old 
 Madame Tevino, mother' of Mrs. Lockmar, to put up a 
 bath house on her premises, some distance up the river on 
 Soledad Street, afterwards the property and homestead 
 of the Jacques family. Here between two trees in a 
 beautiful shade, we went in a crowd each afternoon at 
 about four o'clock and took the children and nurses and 
 a nice lunch which we enjoyed after the bath. There we 
 had a grand good time, swimming and laughing, and 
 making all the noise we pleased. The children were 
 bathed and after all were dressed, we spread our lunch 
 and enjoyed it immensely. The ladies took turns in pre- 
 paring the lunch and my aunt Mrs. Bradley took the lead 
 in nice things. Then we had a grand and glorious gossip, 
 for we were all dear friends and each one told the news 
 from our far away homes in the "States," nor did we omit 
 to review the happenings in San Antonio. We joked and 
 laughed away the time, for we were free from care and 
 happy. In those days there were no envyings, no back- 
 biting. 
 
 In September mother wrote she had determined to visit 
 us, that she would leave Robert and Lizzie at school and 
 that George would accompany her. William and Andrew 
 were then on the San Marcos. She wrote she would set 
 out about October first, and should she like our town she 
 would sell out in Tuskaloosa and move to San Antonio. 
 That letter arrived late in October, and soon after it came 
 a letter from Professor Wilson to Mr. Maverick, and a 
 letter from Mrs. Snow to me telling us that my dear 
 mother was no more. She was taken with congestive 
 chills the first had been severe, but the second was light, 
 and two weeks having elapsed after the second chill, Dr 
 Weir, her physician, considered her out of danger from a 
 third. Lizzie had come home from school, and slept in 
 the adjoining room, and a servant girl much attached to 
 my mother slept on a pallet before mother's door. Mother 
 would not allow any one to sit up with her now, and her 
 
58 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVEKICR 
 
 tonic, lamp and watch were placed on a table near her. 
 A third chill must have come on during the night, for by 
 the early morning light, on October 2nd, they found that 
 my dear mother was cold and dead. Oh, what a grief to 
 me was this first great loss of my life. Her heart had 
 been so set upon seeing me that I now blamed myself for 
 not going to meet her at the coast when she had proposed 
 it. 
 
 My mother had a sorrowful widowed life, for she was 
 not always successful in managing business or in govern- 
 ing her boys. She blamed herself for her want of success 
 as she called it, and she seldom smiled and never appear- 
 ed to enjoy life. She was a devoted mother, but probably 
 too strict with her children, and she was an humble,faith- 
 ful Christian. Her death was to me a sudden awakening 
 from a fancied security against all possible evil. Slowly 
 and sadly I came to realize that my dear mother had left 
 this world forever, and we should not meet again on 
 earth. 
 
 President Lamar's visit to San Antonio in June was 
 to sanction and encourage an expedition to Santa Fe, New 
 Mexico. The object of this expedition was to open a line 
 for commerce between the two sections, and get a share 
 of the lucrative trade between Santa Fe and Lexington, 
 Mo. Lamar gave the project his sanction and encourage- 
 ment, furnished governmental supplies and sought the 
 endorsement of Congress. He appointed William G. 
 Cook, Don J. A. Navarro and R. F. Brenham commission- 
 ers to go with the expedition. The expedition, after much 
 delay, set out from Brushy, near Georgetown, on the 20th 
 of June, 1841. The party consisted of two hundred and 
 seventy armed men under General Hugh McLeod, and 
 fifty traders with wares and pack mules. There were al- 
 so servants and some supernumeraries. Some of our 
 brave young men of San Antonio were of the party. The 
 unfortunate expedition, its total failure and the unhappy 
 causes and consequences of the final disaster, are told 
 with great vigor and fidelity by George W. Kendall who 
 
MAVERICK HOMESTEAD, ALAMO PLAZA 
 
 MEXICAN HACAL WITH STRINGS OF BEEP DRYINtt 
 IN THE SUN 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 59 
 
 was of the party and wrote a thrilling history or narra- 
 tive of the expedition. 
 
 It was strongly believed by many that Juan Nepomicino 
 Seguin, who had held the honorable position of Mayor of 
 San Antonio, and Representative to Congress, from Bex- 
 ar, and being a man of great pride and ambition, had 
 found himself surpassed by Americans, and somewhat 
 overlooked in official places, had become dissatisfied 
 with the Americans, and had opened communications with 
 the officials of Mexico, exposing the entire plan from its 
 inception as "invading Mexican soil." Certain it is that 
 Governor Armijo of New Mexico was early advised of the 
 expedition, and ordered to capture and put to death the 
 whole party. From this time Seguin was suspected and 
 Padre Garza, a rich and influential priest, was known to 
 carry on traitorous correspondence with the Mexican 
 authorities. Positive proof, however, was not obtained 
 until Padre Garza escaped. Seguin indignantly denied 
 the charge and many suspended judgement. His father, 
 Don Erasmo Seguin, was a cultivated and enlightened 
 man, who had befriended Stephen F. Austin in a Mexican 
 dungeon, had been friendly to the Americans, and was 
 much esteemed by all. 
 
60 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chaater X. 
 FLIGHT. 
 
 OURING the fall of 1841 and the following winter, 
 many rumors came to the effect that the Mexi- 
 cans were about to invade Texas in force. Some- 
 times friendly-minded Mexicans dropped in to warn us 
 and even to entreat us not to remain and be butchered, 
 for they felt sure the invading army would be vindict- 
 ive and cruel. 
 
 1842. 
 
 In February 1842, the scouts advised Captain Hays that 
 a force had gathered on the right bank of the Rio Grande, 
 had crossed to this side and was moving on toward San 
 Antonio. We thought it must be a foraging party which 
 would not venture into San Antonio, but our soldier 
 friends insisted that the ladies and children should not re- 
 main any longer. The ladies finally agreed to move 
 temporarily from San Antonio. Hasty preparations were 
 made, and on March 1st, 1842, our little band started on 
 the trip which we have always spoken of since as the 
 "Runaway of '42." 
 
 Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Moore waited a few days and 
 did not afterwards overtake us. Mrs. Riddle had a two 
 weeks old baby, (now Mrs. Eager), and could not move. 
 
 Our party consisted of Mrs. Elliott, three children and 
 two servants ; Mrs. Jacques, two children and one servant, 
 also having Mr. Douglas, an invalid gentleman, in charge ; 
 Mrs. Bradley, six children and seven or eight servants; 
 Messrs. Bradley, Jacques and Elliott having remained be- 
 hind to pack up and urge forward such of their goods as 
 were most valuable. In the party was also Mr. Gautier, 
 wife and child, Judge Hutchinson and wife in their car- 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEElCK 61 
 
 riage with driver, the only fine carriage in the caravan 
 and last but not least the tribe of Maverick. Mr. Maverick 
 and I were mounted, as also our two servants Griffin and 
 Wiley. Granville drove the wood cart drawn by two 
 horses, which carried Jinny, Rachael and quite a number 
 of children white and black. In the cart we had also the 
 necessary clothing, bedding and provisions. Our carriage 
 got out of repair soon after -we settled in San Antonio, and 
 the wheel of our big Kentucky wagon was broken and we 
 found no blacksmith in the place able to mend or repair 
 either, so it will appear we were just a Ittle crowded. 
 Mr. Maverick thought we would go back very soon, and 
 we left the house as it was with some gentlemen who 
 would live there and care for it. We buried some articles 
 under the storeroom floor and I left a bureau of drawers 
 in the care of Mrs. Soto. In that bureau I placed some 
 keepsakes, books, silver, my wedding dress arid other ar- 
 ticles I valued. Mrs Soto begged me to send the bureau to 
 her in the night-time so that none of her neighbors should 
 know. These things she faithfully kept for me till we re- 
 turned in September, 1847. 
 
 Our three children were sometimes in the wood cart and 
 sometimes in front of the riders Agatha the baby in my 
 lap. Mrs. Elliott had a good large carryall, Mrs. Bradley 
 a fine wagon and some riding horses. Annie Bradley 
 rode on horseback with Mr. Maverick and myself. The 
 weather was charming, the grass green and the whole 
 earth in bloom and I cannot forget the gay gallops we 
 had going ahead and resting 'til the others came up. 
 Strange that we refugees should be such a happy crowd, 
 but so it was. So it always will be with youth and health 
 heedless of trouble and misfortune awaiting us. 
 
 The first day we travelled only five miles and camped 
 on the west bank of the Salado. It rained gently on us 
 that night and the children and I crept under our little 
 tent. Mr. Maverick was on guard part of the time, or 
 asleep in his blanket before the camp fire. Once it rained 
 so hard that he took refuge under Judge Hutchinson's 
 carriage, in which Mrs. Hutchinson was sleeping. While 
 
62 MEMOIRS .OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 he was lying there awake, Judge Hutchinson came up, 
 opened the door, and remarking to Mrs. Hutchinson that 
 he had just been relieved from guard and was wet and 
 cold, was proceeding to enter the carriage, when Mrs. 
 Hutchinson said in rather discouraging tones: "What 
 makes you such a fool as to stand guard? You know you 
 can't see ten feet." "Well, my love, can't I come in?" 
 ''No, my dear, you can't, you are damp and would give me 
 a bad cold." The judge resignedly closed the door and 
 retired to the camp-fire, where he smoked his pipe, rumi- 
 nating over the cruelty of his young second wife, or pos- 
 sibly over his own unwisdom in mentioning the fact that 
 he was wet before he had gotten fairly in. 
 
 March 2nd. We traveled eighteen miles to the Cibolo 
 and four miles to Santa Clara and camped. Here Colonel 
 Ben McCulloch, Mr. Miller and several other gentlemen 
 met and camped with us they had armed in haste and 
 were going out to San Antonio to "meet the enemy." They 
 were as witty and lively as could be and we all sat late 
 around the camp fire enjoying their jokes and "yarns." 
 A guard was kept all night and in the morning when Mc- 
 Culloch's party was about to leave us, Colonel McCulloch 
 told the ladies that Indians had been seen lurking in the 
 neighborhood, which was the reason they had given us 
 their protecting presence during the night. 
 
 March 3rd, twelve miles to Flores' Rancho near Se- 
 guin, and here we met Major Erskine of the Capote Farm, 
 who had come purposely to meet and conduct us to his 
 place, in good old Virginia style. He was an old acquain- 
 tance and friend of Mr Bradley, and also knew Mr. Mav- 
 erick. We proceeded one mile further to Seguin when we 
 camped for the night. Crossing the Guadalupe, Mrs. El- 
 liott's carriage turned over, breaking a shaft, but without 
 injuring anyone. 
 
 March 4th, Mr. Maverick, my brothers and many others 
 left us for San Antonio, and we went on twelve miles to 
 Major Erskine's. We were many, but they crowded us all 
 into their hospitable house, gave us a fine supper, and a 
 fine breakfast, and although Mrs. Erskine was an invalid 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 63 
 
 confined to her bed at the time, they extended to us the 
 kindest attentions, and treated us all like kin. 
 
 March 5th, after breakfast we insisted on relieving the 
 kind people and taking care of ourselves. Mrs. Elliott, 
 Mrs. Jacques and I took possession of the blacksmith shop 
 suburbs and adjacent country crowded rapidly into the 
 central part of the town, and many came to our house, for 
 five or six gentlemen, well known as brave men, were to 
 be the defenders of our house in case of an attack. The 
 people came in pell-mell, they crowded into my room and 
 Mrs. Riddle's room, and there was no chance for sleep or 
 privacy that long night. They ate all the provisions we 
 had in the house, (tho' stored in a large fireplace and cov- 
 ered up,) the children cried, and we had a dreadful night 
 of it. The men stood guard, they barricaded the doors 
 and windows, they furnished us women with pistols and 
 knives and every hour or so they reported, "All's well." 
 Patrols and pickets took care of the various roads and al- 
 together everybody, except probably the old gentleman, 
 had a frightful night. 
 
 The old fellow who started all the hubbub became 
 sick apparently, and went off somewhere to sleep, and in 
 the morning they found that he had gone crazy from the 
 excitement of the times. His story had been a mere vagary 
 of his disordered mind, and no Indians were near us. 
 
 Mr. Maverick returned to us in April. He had found 
 our house robbed of everything. We had built a brick wall 
 and a walnut mantel-piece together, so as to divide our 
 "long-room" into two apartments, and even this mantel 
 had been forced out of the wall and carried off. It had 
 been sand-papered and oil-rubbed until it looked beauti- 
 ful, and they took it for some rare wood. Mrs. Hutchin- 
 son's piano had been chopped open with an axe and all 
 kinds of damage had been done to anything belonging to 
 Americans. 
 
 Mr. Maverick found it necessary to make another trip 
 to the United States, and, being desirous of leaving us in 
 a perfectly safe place during his absence, he concluded 
 
64 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 to take us to the Colorado River near La Grange, and 
 leave us there until his return. 
 
 April 16th, we set out for the Colorado, Andrew ac- 
 companying us, and travelled twelve miles to McClures. 
 
 A presentiment fulfilled. On April 17th, we travelled 
 twenty-eight or thirty miles to Mr. Chadong's on the west 
 bank of the Navidad. It was on this day's trip that I 
 experienced a memorable foreboding which saved us from 
 disaster. We had travelled about twenty-two miles when 
 we reached a lone log house, where a family, O'Bar, I 
 think, had been massacred by the Indians four years pre- 
 viously. This house was much used by travellers as a 
 stopping place, and we had expected to stop there, and 
 now it was dusk and very cloudy, and we had every 
 reason to wish to remain there during the night, for it 
 was eight miles to the next place; but as I rode up to the 
 doorless cabin and looked into the large room, which ap- 
 peared all right, a strange feeling of danger came over 
 me so strongly that I turned and said to my husband and 
 brother, "Don't think of staying here for something very 
 dreadful will happen if you do." They laughed, and 
 bantered me on being afraid of Indians, but I answered. 
 "Not Indians, I don't know what it is, but we must go on." 
 
 We, people and beasts, were all very tired, but I was so 
 urgent that we all went on after waiting for the cart a lit- 
 tle while. Soon after, a tremendous thunder storm swept 
 over us, the wind whistled mournfully, the lightning flash- 
 ed vividly about us and the rain poured down in torrents. 
 A tree at the roadside, just ahead of us, was torn to pieces 
 by a lightning stroke. The road was full of water directly 
 and our horses could only walk, so that it was after mid- 
 night when we approached Chadong's house. But our 
 trouble was not ended then a ravine crossed our path 
 between us and the house and it was overflowing its 
 banks. Andrew swam over and found a fair crossing, 
 and then came back and led my horse. Agatha was 
 sleeping in my arms at the time. I had kept her tolerably 
 dry, and she slept peacefully through it all. Lewis was 
 asleep in front of his papa and was kept dry by his Mex- 
 
MEMOIES OF MAKY A. MAVEEICK 65 
 
 lean blanket. After we had called repeatedly Mr. Cha- 
 dong opened his door, and when he learnt who we were he 
 apologized for keeping us out in the storm so long. He 
 said he had to be cautious because of the dangerous times, 
 and that it was not safe to let everybody in. He told us 
 of a better crossing, and Andrew went back to guide the 
 balance of our people over, and returned holding Sam in 
 his arms. 
 
 The kind people of the house did all they could for us 
 they built big fires, spread beds for us on the floor, 
 and the children were soon asleep again. I turned about, 
 and dried my clothes upon me and did not sleep 'til near 
 day, the hogs were so noisy under the house, and the fleas 
 so thick within. On the 18th, and until the 20th, the Navi- 
 dad was impassable, and so we moved into Mr. Chadong's 
 corn crib and kept house for ourselves. 
 
 In the course of the day a man following our route in- 
 formed us that the storm of the previous night had blown 
 down the deserted log cabin which I had refused to en- 
 ter, roof and big logs all in ruins lay scattered upon the 
 ground. We were very thankful for our Divine guidance 
 from this certain death to some of us, had we camped in 
 the house. 
 
 Our travel of the day before had been uncommon to say 
 the least. We crossed the "bald prairie" which Indians 
 were believed to be always watching, and through which 
 ran their trail, generally passed over by them in the full 
 of the moon, to steal and often murder or take captives. 
 We had a very early start and only stopped at mid-day to 
 lunch, and to rest our animals the cart was lightly load- 
 ed and the people preferred to walk much of the time 
 but in eighteen hours we had gone twenty-eight or thirty 
 miles and we were wet, hungry and tired dreadfully 
 yet no one of us was sick, or even had a cold. 
 
 While we were living in the corn crib, Mrs. Chadong 
 invited us to dine with her. She had young chickens and 
 green peas, and tarts of Mustang grapes, sweetened with 
 molasses, the only sweetening to be had. They had cof- 
 fee without milk or cream, although they were large cat- 
 
66 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 tie owners. They were very kind and hospitable to us, and 
 we enjoyed the excellent dinner and their good cheer 
 very much. 
 
 April 20th, Andrew went back, and we crossed the 
 Navidad and travelled eighteen miles to Buckner's Creek 
 and stopped at Major Brookfield's 21st, six miles to the 
 Colorado River. 
 
 On the west bank of the Colorado stood the office of 
 Colonel J. W. Dancy, and the vacant house adjoining just 
 left so by the family of Enoch Jones who had fled further 
 east. Mr. Griff. Jones a brother was there and Mr. 
 McAhron, the ferryman. They begged us to stop and 
 take charge of the house, alleging that they were lone- 
 some and were tired cooking for themselves. We rested 
 there one week, and on the 29th, we returned to Brook- 
 field's on Buckner's Creek, where we engaged board with 
 his daughter, Mrs. Evans. 
 
 April 30th. Today Mr. Maverick left us to go to Ala- 
 bama. He left to collect some money due him in Tuska- 
 loosa and also for the purpose of bringing back with 
 him my sister Elizabeth. None of my brothers were mar- 
 ried, and as I was the only one who could offer her the 
 comforts of a home, she had concluded to brave our wild 
 country and unite her fortune with ours. 
 
 May 13th. Anton Lockmar rode expressly from San 
 Antonio with letters from John Bradley and J. W. Smith, 
 from which we learned that all Americans had left that 
 place again that seven hundred Mexicans \vere ten miles 
 below and would probably seize the town, for our volun- 
 teers had disbanded and gone home. Radaz and some 
 others were captured by the Mexicans thirty miles below 
 San Antonio. About twenty men under Hays were out 
 west and had overstaid their appointed time, and fears 
 were entertained for their safety Cornelius Van Ness 
 had been accidently shot and killed by James Robinson. 
 
 May 23d. Agatha had burning fever for three hours. 
 Dr. Wells gave her senna. 
 
 May 24th. News from LaGrange gave report that 
 fifty Comanches had been seen on Peach Creek twenty 
 
MEMOIBS OF MARY A. MAVEEICK 67 
 
 miles from us. Most of the young men in that vicinity 
 left in pursuit of the Indians. 
 
 May 26th. The young men returned, had found no 
 fresh trail. 
 
 June 2nd. Heard of Major Tom Howard and Mr. Hud- 
 son passing through Columbus going west. They were in 
 the Santa Fe expedition, had been taken prisoners and had 
 escaped. 
 
 June llth. Mr. Maverick returned from Alabama 
 with my sister Lizzie . They came upon horseback 
 from Galveston, via Mobile and New Orleans, having 
 bought horses for themselves and a new saddle for me. 
 
 June 21st. We returned to General Dancy's, and took 
 up our residence at his place, until we could provide a 
 home for ourselves. This place is in Fayette County, op- 
 posite La Grange on the Colorado. 
 
 August 22nd. Mr. Maverick, with servant Griffin, J. 
 Beale, Grif. Jones and Mr. Jackson set off for San An- 
 tonio to attend the Fall Term of Court. Griffin went 
 along to bring back whatever he could find of our furni- 
 ture. Lizzie and I and Colonel Dancy accompanied them 
 six or seven miles of their way. I felt much depressed 
 at saying goodbye, and deplored the necessity of his going 
 so much, that Mr. Maverick remarked : "Almost you per- 
 me not to go." 
 
 Alas ! too surely and swiftly came a terrible sorrow. 
 
68 MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter XI. 
 PEROTE. 
 
 September llth, Sunday morning, at day-break, 
 General Adrian Woll with a large force of Mexicans con- 
 sisting of cavalry and artillery to the number of thirteen 
 hundred suddenly appeared before San Antonio, and cap- 
 tured the place. It was a complete surprise. The court 
 was in session at the time, and, including the members of 
 the bar and Judge of the district Court, fifty-three 
 Americans were captured, one of whom was Mr. Maver- 
 ick. 
 
 Before the little band surrendered, they showed a bold 
 and vigorous front, even in the face of such fearful odds. 
 They fortified themselves in the Maverick residence at the 
 corner of Commerce and Soledad Streets some of them 
 mounted upon the roof, when Mr. John Twohig received 
 a wound from which he has never entirely recovered. 
 When the Mexican troops entered Main Plaza, the 
 Texans fired upon them briskly, killing two and wounding 
 twenty-six, six of whom died of the wounds. 
 
 General Woll beat a parley, and after he had shown the 
 Texans they could not escape him and had promised to 
 treat them as honorable prisoners of war and used some 
 other plausible talk with them, the Texans held a consul- 
 tation among themselves, when a majority voted to sur- 
 render. After they surrendered, they were kept in the 
 Maverick residence, where they were closely guarded un- 
 til the 15th. 
 
 Mrs. Elliott was in San Antonio when my husband was 
 captured, and she was allowed to visit the prisoners once 
 or twice before they were taken off to Mexico. Mr. Mav- 
 erick found an opportunity to hand Mrs. Elliott twenty 
 gold doubloons for me. 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 69 
 
 No one can imagine how dreadful this news was to me, 
 especially when I learned that our poor prisoners were 
 marched off on foot for Mexico on 15th. At this time my 
 poor little Lewis was dangerously ill with fever then pre- 
 valent in the neighborhood. Our slave Griffin had come 
 back from San Antonio and was greatly troubled about 
 his master, to whom he was much attached. I called him 
 to me, and talked to him about going out to San Antonio 
 to pass himself for a runaway, follow to Mexico, and do 
 anything he could to free or even aid Mr. Maverick, and 
 he could have his freedom. He answered that to do 
 anything for his master would delight him, and he had 
 been wanting to ask me to let him go "as for my free- 
 doom," he added, "I do not want any more than I have, 
 master has always treated me more like a brother than 
 a slave*," and he choked up unable to say more. He took 
 a gun, a good mule, some money, and made ready and 
 started within a few hours happy to think he might 
 do something to help his master. 15th. Juan Seguin 
 killed Dr. Smithers, McDonald and McRhea at the Sul- 
 phur Springs on the Cibolo. 17th, 163 men under Mat 
 Caldwell are on the Cibolo going west. 18th, Caldwell 
 moved with 225 men to the Salado, and on the morning 
 in the yard, and Mr. Gautier's family took a shed along- 
 side the shop. The Bradleys remained housed with the 
 Erskines, and the Hutchinsons went on east. We had 
 great fun decorating our domicile. We placed flowers and 
 green boughs in the chinks, and. erected a shelf on which 
 we placed a borrowed mirror, and our perfumery bottles 
 and bric-a-brac, and we made ourselves at home general- 
 ly. The servants stretched tents near by and cooked us a 
 nice supper. 
 
 March 6th. Early, to-wit at three a. m., Captain High- 
 smith rapped loudly on our door and, when we had an- 
 swered, called out in a solemn voice: "Ladies, San An- 
 tonio has fallen." It was startling news indeed, and the 
 night being very dark and cold, we were seized with a 
 vague sense of terror. Mrs Jacques lit a candle and com- 
 menced weeping bitterly. Mrs. Elliott fell on her knees 
 
70 MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 and counted her beads oftener than once, and I took a 
 shaking ague and could not speak for the chatter of my 
 teeth. The children waked and cried, the negroes came 
 in with sad and anxious looks, and we were in fact seized 
 with a genuine "panic." 
 
 Then Mr. Gautier learned from Captain Highsmith 
 that the Americans had fallen back in good order, with 
 their cannon that General Rafael Vasquez with a large 
 force had entered San Antonio on the 5th, and that the 
 Americans believing Vasquez' forces to be the van- 
 guard of a large army, had decided upon making Seguin 
 our rendezvous, and were gradually retreating to that 
 point.* That miserable day, all day, rumors came, cour- 
 iers passed in haste, and we were informed that an army 
 of thirty thousand Mexicans had cut our forces up and 
 was marching directly toward Capote Farm, presumably 
 intending to cross the Guadalupe at this point. 
 
 During the excitement in the morning, Mrs. Jacques 
 buried her money, and Mrs. Elliott constructed three 
 bustles, for herself and her two servant-women, and in 
 the bustles she deposited her gold doubloons, and we had 
 all prepared and recited what we should say to the Mex- 
 ican officers upon their arrival. After dinner, we all 
 went out to the public road and sat down on a log, all in 
 a row and watched to see them approach, whilst the in- 
 valid Mr. Douglas, wearing his comical long red-silk 
 smoking cap tried to cheer and amuse us with his Jokes 
 and witticisms. Soon towards the fatal west was seen 
 an approaching horseman urging his tired steed with whip 
 and spur "A Courier!" cried Douglas, "Now we shall 
 know all." Sure enough it was my dear brother Andrew 
 come to set us at ease about the personal safety of our 
 absent husbands, as he had a better horse than they, for 
 our husbands appreciated our anxiety, and had sent him 
 forward as their avant courier, and before dark Mr. Mav- 
 
 *On March 6, '42 Gen. Vasquez with 1400 Mexican troops appeared and 
 captured San Antonio. No battle was fought and they retreated across the 
 Rio Grande during the same month. This was the time when John Twohig blew 
 Bp hit store. G. M. Maverick. 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 71 
 
 erick and Mr. Elliott came, followed soon afterwards by 
 Mr. Bradley and Mr. Jacques. 
 
 Hays sent us word to go right on to Gonzales, and we 
 were informed that he with some three hundred men had 
 concluded to march on San Antonio and attempt its re- 
 capture, Hays having satisfied himself that no additional 
 forces were sustaining Vasquez. On March 9th, Hays 
 with three hundred men entered San Antonio, and on his 
 approach, Vasquez with eight hundred men fell back 
 across the Rio Grande, after having done considerable 
 damage to property in San Antonio. 
 
 Meanwhile we had gone to Gonzales, where Mr. Mav- 
 erick left us again and returned to San Antonio. We re- 
 mained in Gonzales until April 16th. The Bradleys re- 
 mained with the Erskines awhile and then went to the 
 Brazos in company with the Chalmers. At Gonzales, 
 Mrs. Riddle overtook us and joined me in the house I was 
 occupying a house vacated by the owners, who had fled 
 further east. Mr. Robinson, partner of her husband, 
 brought Mrs. Riddle from San Antonio in a buggy behind 
 a fleet horse. She became very sick, and for a time could 
 not nurse her baby, a little more than three weeks old, 
 and I gave her little Sallie a portion of Agatha's milk un- 
 til Mrs. Riddle recovered. 
 
 On the way from Capote farm to Gonzales, we had 
 passed King's Rancho, which had just been deserted by 
 the owners. Here was desolation amidst plenty. The 
 corn crib was full, the smoke house well supplied and 
 chickens and hogs moved around as usual but on the 
 front door a notice was posted: "To all refugees, wel- 
 come, help yourselves to what you need. Also, to all 
 marching to repel the invaders, take what you want, but 
 leave the remainder to the next comers." This at first 
 appeared remarkable, but it was founded in wisdom. All 
 along the Guadalupe and even the Colorado, families ran 
 away from their homes in the same way, and great losses 
 followed. My brothers William and Andrew, living on 
 the San Marcos, sent their negroes each with a "run 
 away" family, and went to the front with Caldwell and 
 
72 MEMOIBS OF MAKY A. MAVERICK 
 
 McCulloch, and while they were absent some wanton 
 passersby left their fences down and their hogs were 
 killed and stolen their cattle strayed, and finally a flood 
 came in May, swept away their bottom fences, and broke 
 them up. Andrew left affairs with William, and in the 
 summer went back to Alabama to complete his medical 
 studies in Tuskaloosa, intending to return eventually with 
 his diploma; he also had some property there from 
 Mother's estate to attend to. While we were in- Gonzales, 
 I met Mr. and Mrs. Vanderlip, young people, living there, 
 who afterwards came to San Antonio. Mrs. Vanderlip 
 had a piano and was very pretty and not long from New 
 York City. I met also Mrs. Ballinger of South Carolina 
 and her sister Miss Roach, afterwards Mrs. Frank Pas- 
 chal. 
 
 A singular panic occurred in Gonzales when we were 
 there. One evening an old and respected citizen came in 
 from the country northwest of town, and, in a state of the 
 greatest excitement reported that a large force of Indians 
 was enroute coming down the river direct for Gonzales 
 and would certainly arrive during the ensuing night. He 
 said they could easily take and destroy the town, weak- 
 ened in force as it was. This report spread swiftly and 
 created the wildest excitement. The people from the 
 of the 19th, selecting a ravine for his force, he ordered 
 Hays with 50 mounted men to draw the Mexicans out of 
 San Antonio. 
 
 The Battle of the Salado. This battle ground was on 
 the left bank of the Salado about six miles from San An- 
 tonio and a mile below the Austin crossing of that creek. 
 Hays maneuvered to success, and feigning flight, was hot- 
 ly pursued by the two hundred Mexican cavalry to the 
 Salado, who then halted and awaited the arrival of the 
 main body of one thousand infantry (dismounted men) 
 and a battery of two guns. 
 
 My brothers William and Andrew were both with Cald- 
 well, and they afterwards told me all about the battle. 
 The Mexicans charged in style. The Texans held their 
 fire until they "could see the whites of the eyes" of their 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 73 
 
 foes then each "picked his man and laid him low," and 
 the Mexicans were repulsed with considerable slaughter. 
 They returned to the charge again and again, but were 
 repulsed each time with great loss. The battle lasted from 
 eleven o'clock, a. m. until five in the afternoon, when the 
 the Mexicans were repulsed with considerable slaughter, 
 back on San Antonio. General Woll reported his loss as 
 one hundred killed, but our people claimed three times as 
 many. Amongst the Mexicans slain were Agaton and Cor- 
 dova, two famous leaders of marauding parties. Not a 
 Texan was killed and only ten were wounded. My broth- 
 ers told me it was a pleasure to our boys to shoot down 
 those Mexicans, "for they had broken up all our homes 
 and taken many of our brave comrades into cruel capti- 
 vity." 
 
 On the morning of the battle, the Texans had butcher- 
 ed some beeves, but before they could get their breakfast, 
 the order was given to fall in. But after the fight com- 
 menced, and they found it was such an easy going affair, 
 after each charge was repulsed, and before the Mexicans 
 slowly reformed and advanced again, our boys would de- 
 scend into the ravine and take a lunch of broiled meat 
 and hot coffee. They joked and sang and were very 
 gay, and they wanted nothing better than to have the 
 Mexicans come up and be shot it seemed like child's 
 play. They themselves were quite secure behind the 
 banks of the ravine and the cannon balls passed above 
 and over them. 
 
 The Dawson Massacre. During the day of the battle 
 of the Salado, Captain Dawson with his brave fifty-nine 
 men from Fayette County, seeking a junction with the 
 main force under Caldwell met a bloody and cruel fate. 
 They fell in with WolPs army and were surrounded by 
 eight hundred Mexican troops when within one mile of 
 Caldwell. Our faithful Griffin was with Dawson's com- 
 pany. They fought so desperately that the Mexicans 
 brought their two cannon to bear upon them, when Daw- 
 son, seeing there was no hope of escape, raised the "white 
 flag." This was fired upon, and the Mexican cavalry, dis- 
 
74 MEMOIRS OF MAKY A. MAVEKICK 
 
 regarding the surrender, charged upon the gallant rem- 
 nant and cut them down on every side. It was then that 
 Dawson was slain. Colonel Carasco interfered at this mo- 
 ment and fifteen Texans were taken prisoners three or 
 four of whom died of their wounds. Thirty-three had 
 been slain and the rest escaped.* 
 
 Mr. Miller escaped on a fine horse before the white flag 
 was raised. My uncle, Mr. John Bradley, was one of the 
 prisoners. Ten of them, including Mr. Bradley, were 
 marched off to Mexico, and finally joined the fifty-three 
 who had^ started on' the 13th. 
 
 Our poor Griffin was slain. He would go into the fight 
 with them and though offered quarter several times re- 
 fused because he was thinking of his master, now a prison- 
 erer, and too, of his young masters, William and Andrew, 
 now possibly slain; the desire for vengeance seized his 
 brave and trusty soul, and he wanted to kill every Mexi- 
 can he could. He was a man of powerful frame, and he 
 posessed the courage of the African lion. And this faith- 
 ful and devoted African performed prodigies that day. 
 When his ammunition became useless because of the 
 proximity of the enemy, he fought with the butt-end of 
 his gun and when the gun was broken, he wrenched a 
 limb from a mesquite-tree and did battle with that until 
 death closed his career. He received more than one mor- 
 tal wound before he ceased fighting.* 
 
 The Mexican Colonel Carasco himself afterwards told 
 Mr. Maverick that he had witnessed the feats performed 
 by "that valiant black man," and he pronounced Griffin 
 the bravest man he had ever seen. Mr. Maverick grieved 
 over his untimely death, and more than once did he say: 
 "We owe Griffin a monument." 
 
 September 20th. The Mexican citizens of San Antonio 
 who espoused the Mexican cause, with a guard of four 
 
 *Thrall says the battle took place on the 17th. He says that as Gen. Woll 
 retreated he fell in with Dawson 's company of 55 men 33 were slain, 15 sur- 
 rendered and 2 escaped (he doesn't account for the other five men). He says 
 Woll retreated the following morning from S. A. and that a misunderstanding AS 
 to who was entitled to command prevented pursuit by the Texans. 
 
 *Brown's history says "Griffin" was killed with Dawson. Gr. M. M. 
 
SAN JUAN OK THIRD MISSION 
 
 MISSION SAN .FRANCISCO DE LA ESPADA, OR 4th MISSION 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 75 
 
 hundred soldiers, left San Antonio for Mexico, taking with 
 them five hundred head of cattle and much plunder. 
 
 September 21st, General Woll, with his remaining 
 forces evacuated San Antonio, and retired in good order 
 towards the Rio Grande. Colonel Caldwell with six hun- 
 dred and fifty men pursued them, and at night came upon 
 their camp on the Medina. At daylight the next morning, 
 the Texans found the enemy had retreated during the 
 night they gave chase, and caught up with them early 
 in the afternoon. Caldwell ("Old Paint") commanded 
 the first division, Morehead the second and John H. Moore 
 the third or reserve. J. H. Moore was the ranking offi- 
 cer, but Caldwell immediately took active command, and 
 prepared for the battle. He commanded Hays with 
 twenty picked men to make a diversion on the enemy's 
 left. Hays, with his usual dash and gallantry, entered 
 vigorously into the spirit of the hour. He charged bold- 
 ly into the ranks of the enemy and immediately captured 
 the artillery, The Mexicans threw their women and chil- 
 dren into the space between the captured artillery and 
 their main army. Then came a dreadful pause. A dis- 
 graceful scene was being enacted in the Texan army. J. 
 H. Moore claimed his right as ranking officer to conduct 
 the battle. Caldwell's men refused to be commanded by 
 anyone other than the hero of the Salado. Morehead's 
 men demanded that Morehead should command. After 
 some delay Caldwell awoke to the importance of action 
 and announced that he would follow Moore or any other 
 man, and take all his men into the fight with him. But the 
 contention had lasted too long; the important moment 
 had come and had fled forever. Hays' small band had 
 captured the artillery, and the enemy was already casting 
 timorous glances toward the rear a charge by the Tex- 
 ans would have scattered them to the winds. As it was, 
 Hays was in a perilous position the enemy had time to 
 recover from the first shock they charged upon Hays in 
 force and drove him from the field. Hays fell back out of 
 range and witnessed Woll's army successfully retire from 
 the field and resume the march westward. Hays' gallant 
 
76 MEMOIRS OF MAKY A. MAVERICK 
 
 spirit was wounded by this unaccountable and ignomini- 
 ous scene and his feelings found utterance in tears yes, 
 tears of shame and rage. The Texan army at last came 
 forward, but it was too late, the enemy had escaped. The 
 Texans were so disgusted and mortified that all discipline 
 was lost and they returned in angry and humiliated 
 squads to San Antonio. Hays had five wounded in his 
 brilliant encounter, one of whom, Judge Lucky, died. 
 The Mexicans abandoned their extra baggage and fled 
 precipitately across the Rio Grande. 
 
 The blame of the failure was cast principally upon 
 Colonel Caldwell, and he felt so humiliated and outraged 
 that he became restive under the heavy burden and from 
 a condition of excellent health, he sank into despondency 
 and died of chagrin two or three months later. But his 
 memory remained fresh and revered. He had been a 
 noted Indian fighter, as I have mentioned before, and he 
 had been an officer in the unfortunate Santa Fe expedi- 
 tion, and had suffered imprisonment. He had a great and 
 good reputation throughout west Texas. 
 
 I now return to Mr. Maverick, and other prisoners 
 captured on September llth, in San Antonio during the 
 Term of the Court. 
 
 On March 30th, 1843, Mr. Maverick, W. E. Jones and 
 Judge Anderson Hutchinson were finally released in the 
 City of Mexico by Santa Anna. Our obligations to Gener- 
 al Waddy Thompson can never be forgotten. General 
 Thompson was a native of South Carolina, and a connec- 
 tion by marriage of Mr. Maverick's. Ha was the United 
 States Minister to Mexico. After securing the release of 
 Mr. Maverick, Jones and Hutchinson, he nobly exerted 
 his influence to secure the release of all the other helpless 
 and friendless prisoners, and he did not cease his efforts 
 until he had succeeded in getting them all all the sur- 
 \ T ivors liberated. 
 
 On April 2nd, 1843, Mr. Maverick, once more free, 
 left the City of Mexico, and on May 4th, he dismounted 
 at our cabin on the Colorado, having been absent from 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 77 
 
 his family eight and a half months, and a prisoner seven 
 months. 
 
 Mr. Maverick's only sorrow was that he had left so 
 many friends and comrades in prison, and he felt almost 
 ashamed when he met any of their families and friends, 
 who all, of course, came to see him to tell them of his 
 own good luck and of the continued ill luck of the other 
 captives. 
 
 June 16th, 1843, Santa Anna, as a special favor to 
 General Waddy Thompson, signed the release for the 
 balance of the Perote prisoners, but the order for release 
 was so slowly carried into execution that it was more than 
 two months before Mr. Bradley reached his family. 
 
78 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter XII. 
 COLORADO BOTTOMS. 
 
 lived on the Colorado from June 21st, 1842, un- 
 til November 15th, 1844. I have mentioned our 
 arrival, June 21st, at Colonel Dancy's where we 
 were to remain a while. On August 21st, Mr. Maverick 
 bought twenty-six acres of land, fronting on the right 
 bank of the Colorado, and lying between two tracts be- 
 longing to Colonel Dancy. He had it surveyed by Hudson, 
 and made arrangements to build us a temprorary home 
 on it. This tract was opposite La Grange in Fayette 
 County and opposite the ferry. 
 
 It was on August 22nd, as I have mentioned, that Mr. 
 Maverick left us for San Antonio, where he was captured 
 and taken to Perote. During September, poor little Lewis 
 became' ill with typhoid fever. Griffin came back about 
 this time and returned on his fateful errand. 
 
 September 29th, I received a letter from my dear hus- 
 band, now a captive. The letter was written on the eve of 
 their being marched off to a Mexican dungeon. It was 
 calm, cheerful and hopeful, and counseled me to be brave, 
 to bear a stout heart, and to take care of myself and 
 the children. 
 
 November 16th, we moved into our own house, which 
 consisted of a log cabin of one room sixteen by eighteen 
 feet, one smaller for a kitchen, and a shed room for Jinny 
 and the child'ren. This house w r as built by Granville and 
 Wiley with much help from Mr. Griff. Jones, who was 
 very kind to us. Lewis was now almost strong again. The 
 fever had been severe with him, and had so reduced him, 
 that he was unable to stand up for some time after it had 
 left him. 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 79 
 
 My aunt, Mrs. Bradley, whose husband was also a pris- 
 oner in Perote, came to the Colorado and moved into 
 Colonel Dancys house, which I had just vacated. She and 
 I had some sad consolation conferring together over our 
 troubles, and comparing such news as each of us occasion- 
 ally received from our imprisoned husbands or from Dame 
 Rumor. Annie Bradley had gone to Alabama to visit her 
 relatives. Mollie Bradley, my sister Lizzie, and Leonora 
 Hill, daughter of a neighbor, became intimate compan- 
 ions, rode much on horseback together, and kept some 
 youthful company and cheer of life about us. 
 
 In La Grange lived Dr. Chalmers' family, refugees from 
 Austin. Here we met Thomas J. Devine, a young lawyer, 
 and the Misses Elder, one of whom Devine married. We 
 also met George Hancock and Tom Green. 
 
 As I have said Mrs. Elliott was in San Antonio when 
 Mr. Maverick was captured. She visited the prisoners by 
 permission, and Mr. Maverick handed her privately 
 twenty gold doubloons for me, about $325.00 in our mon- 
 ey. And the money came safely to me through John W. 
 Smith. This amount with what I had in the house I tried 
 to make go as far as possible. Coffee, sugar, and flour 
 were very high, as indeed everything except beef, corn, 
 fowls and butter. I had the twenty-six acre tract fenced 
 in and purchased some milch cows. 
 
 My brother William came to see how I was doing, and 
 stopped awhile with us, and worked with our men, until 
 they built another log cabin, adjacent to the one previous- 
 ly built, leaving a passage or hall between them. In this 
 hall we usually sat when the weather was fair. We had 
 an immense live-oak tree for shade, and immediately in 
 front of the house stood a "mott" of young live oak trees. 
 In fact, we made ourselves as comfortable as possible 
 under the circumstances. William remained with us as 
 long as he could, and then left for Alabama. 
 
 In November I received a letter from my husband, 
 written October 16th, at Monclova (Montelovez) Coa- 
 huila. He had marched four hundred miles and had eight 
 
80 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 hundred more, as he understood, to march before reach- 
 ing the City of Mexico, where he expected to be released. 
 My dear husband wrote to cheer me expressly, for he 
 spoke of his excellent health, and hopefulness, but did not 
 mention anything about the pens they were herded in at 
 night, nor of the other abuses they were subjected to. 
 
 I, however, was constantly fearing that the next mail 
 would bring some dreadful news from the prisoners and 
 only when I got an occasional letter so brave and fond, 
 from S. A. M. could I hope. I tried to follow his advice, 
 and kept up at times a semblance of cheerfulness, but I 
 was then only twenty-four years of age, and almost a 
 child in experience and I had the care of three helpless 
 little children and the birth of a fourth to look to in the 
 future. A refugee in a strange land and my husband a 
 captive in the power of a cruel and treacherous foe. Ah, 
 then I felt "What weight of agony the human heart can 
 bear." But I strove to be brave and prayed to God that 
 I might live for my children and my dear husband. 
 
 In February, 1843, 1 received a letter from Mr. Maver- 
 ick written January 27th, at Perote. He mentioned in it 
 how badly they had been treated in Satillo "that robber 
 city of thirty thousand people, where we were closely con- 
 fined in a filthy prison for fifteen days" and where 
 their captors threatened to take them to some secret 
 place where they would never be heard from again. But 
 in this letter, Mr. Maverick was quite hopeful of being 
 released through the exertions of General Waddy Thomp- 
 son, then United States Minister to Mexico. 
 
 This letter, full of deep feeling, along with other let- 
 ters written by Mr. Maverick, whilst a prisoner, I have 
 carefully preserved for our children as sacred. I have 
 another written December 30th, 1842; one written Febru- 
 ary 2nd, 1843, also expecting speedy release. Another 
 written March 15th, contains the same hope, March 
 22nd, he wrote again stating that he and W. E. Jones and 
 Judge Anderson Hutchinson were released from prison. 
 Their final release would be received in the City of Mex- 
 
MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 81 
 
 ico. He wrote of Dr. Borken, one of "our San Antonio 
 boys," being shot by a drunken soldier, and told of his 
 dying in great bodily pain and mental agony, and he 
 mentioned the death of General Guadalupe Victoria, the 
 first President of the Republic of Mexico. 
 
 March 30th, 1843, on Thursday morning our second 
 daughter was born child of a captive father, and for 
 him named Augusta. On the day of her birth, her father 
 was finally released by Santa Anna in the City of Mexico. 
 Mr. Maverick set out for home on the 2nd of April, 
 and finally reached our cabin the night of May 4th, in 
 splendid health, and happy as he could be and so was I, 
 and thankful to our Heavenly Father for all His mercies. 
 Augusta was five weeks old when she and her father met. 
 
 In June, Ada Bradley was born. In June and again 
 September, Mr. Maverick visited San Antonio to attend 
 court and land business. 
 
 on the Brazos, the capital of the Republic of Texas, and 
 In December, 1843, Mr Maverick went to Washington 
 attended the session of the Eighth Congress of the Repub- 
 lic, as Senator from Bexar. He had been elected whilst in 
 Perote prison. He returned from Washington to spend 
 Christmas with us at home, and we, with others, took 
 Christmas dinner with the family of Dr. Chalmers in La- 
 Grange. 
 
 1844. 
 
 The Congress adjourned on February 8th, 1844, and 
 that was the last session of the last Congress of the Repub- 
 lic of Texas. Mr. Maverick soon after left for San An- 
 tonio, where he attended the March term of the District 
 Court, and returned to us in April, and then started off 
 on a visit to South Carolina. 
 
 Remarkable Indian Fight. On June 20th, 1844, Ma- 
 jor Jack Hays came to see me and gave me the particulars 
 of a noted encounter he had had with the Indians only 
 twelve days before he called on me. The fight took place 
 on June 8th. Hays, with fourteen men, was scouting on 
 
82 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVEEICK 
 
 the Guadalupe about fifty miles above Seguin, (it must 
 have been between the present sites of Sisterdale and 
 Comfort in Kendall County) . Whilst some of the Rangers 
 were cutting a bee tree, the spies galloped up with the 
 news that a very large party of Comanches were close 
 upon them. At once the Rangers mounted and made 
 ready by this time the Indians had formed in admirable 
 order on the level top of a hill near by. The Rangers fol- 
 lowing their leader, spurred forward in full charge, and, 
 when they reached the foot of the hill which was steep 
 and somewhat overhanging, they found they were no 
 longer in sight of the enemy. Taking advantage of this, 
 Hays led his men half around the base of the hill, still 
 out of sight, and dashed up at a point not expected. The 
 Comanches had dismounted, and were kneeling down 
 
 with guns and arrows fixed for a deadly aim. Strange 
 to say, Hays was close upon them before they discovered 
 his stratagem, and before they could mount their horses, 
 the Rangers were in their midst shooting them right and 
 left, with their new revolving pistols. But the Indians 
 were numerous, some sixty-five or seventy warriors, and 
 were led by two especially brave and daring chiefs. The 
 chiefs rallied their forces and closed completely around 
 the Rangers and fought with great daring, but the aston- 
 ishing "six-shooters" did the work the Indians speedily 
 became demoralized and they broke and fled, leaving 
 twenty-three of their comrades dead on the battle-field 
 This was opportune, for the loads were exhausted in 
 the six-shooters of the Rangers, and they immediately 
 took advantage of the enemy's flight to reload their vig- 
 orous little weapons. The Indians, finding they were not 
 pursued, paused and reformed for battle. The Rangers 
 charged now with the same result. The fight lasted near- 
 ly an hour, the Indians fighting stubbornly and retiring 
 slowly and still forty strong- A chief then made a great 
 talk to his followers, rising in his stirrups and gesticulat- 
 ing he rode up and down their lines and got them to 
 make another desperate stand. 
 
SAMUEL AUGUSTUS MAVERICK 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 83 
 
 The Rangers were reduced now to e^ven fighting men, 
 and Hays called out: "Any man who has a load, kill that 
 chief." Ad Gillespie answered : 'Til do it," dismounted, 
 aimed carefully with his trusty yager, and shot the chief 
 dead, when a panic seized the Indians, and they fled in 
 the utmost confusion. 
 
 Peter Fohr was killed, and four of the Rangers wound- 
 ed and many arrows passed through their hats and cloth- 
 ing, for several thousand arrows were fired into their 
 midst. 
 
 I wrote the memorandum of the fight just after Major 
 Hays had related it- I was much struck with the odds in 
 the numbers of the opposing forces, fifteen against six- 
 ty-five or seventy, and with Hays' remark that "more than 
 thirty Indians were killed." 
 
 Hays modestly gave the credit of the victory to the 
 wonderful marksmanship of every Ranger, and the total 
 surprise to the Indians, caused by the new six shooters, 
 which they had never seen or heard of before. 
 
 I quote Colonel Hays' closing 'rematrks: 
 
 "We were right glad they fled, for we were nearly 
 used up with the fatigue of a long day's march that day 
 and the exertious on the battle-field, and we were almost 
 out of ammunition. The Indians made a magnificent fight 
 under the circumstances. They seemed to be a band of 
 selected braves in full war-paint, and were led by several 
 chiefs, showing that they were marching down upon the 
 settlements, where they would have devided into parties 
 commanded each by a chief, and great would have been 
 the mischief done by such a number of savages." 
 
 August llth, our dear little Agatha came near being 
 killed. Brother Andrew came to see us on his way to 
 Alabama, and, dismounting, hitched his gentle horse 
 under the shade of the large live oak tree. Some time 
 afterwards, Agatha was playing near the horse's heels 
 when the horse, kicking at a fly, struck her on the fore- 
 head and buried a small piece of his hoof in her head. 
 She screamed and fell down and when her father picked 
 
84 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 her up she was in convulsions. We picked the scrap of 
 hoof out of her forehead, bathed her head in cold water 
 and we sat almost hopeless at her side awaiting the re- 
 sult. At midnight she became quiet and went to sleep, 
 and just before daybreak she opened her eyes and said: 
 "Papa, give me a drink of water." He said with deep 
 emotion : ''Blessed be God," and she was out of danger. 
 Under the doctor's advice, we took great care of her, 
 and kept her out of the sun for some time. 
 
 In the summer of 1843, the balance of the Perote pris- 
 oners received their liberation, and Mr. Bradley soon 
 thereafter reached his family. In the summer of 1844, Mr. 
 Bradley was persuaded to run for Congress. Whilst out 
 electioneering, he was taken down with a fever, of which 
 he died September 24th. Pauline Bradley was also quite 
 ill at this time. Annie had married Robert Bibb, of Ala- 
 bama, and they came out to see Aunt. Ann directly after 
 Mr. Bradley's death. When Mrs. Bibb returned to Ala- 
 bama, Mrs. Bradley with her children took her negroes 
 and moved out to San Antonio. Mrs. Bradley was self 
 reliant, and she determined to provide for the large fam- 
 ily left in her widowed care. How ably and successfully 
 she performed that difficult task is quite well known. 
 
 For some weeks after her accident, Agatha was quite 
 pale and she had a long and severe chill about the first of 
 September. The doctor gave her quinine and she was 
 soon a perfect picture of rosy health. Sam had a spell of 
 chills and fever, and I became at last quite sickly myself 
 during the summer. In fact, I became much reduced and 
 was an invalid all the fall. 
 
 We concluded it would not do to live here any longer; 
 the Colorado bottoms were too unhealthy. Mr. Maverick 
 decided to take us to the Gulf Coast where we could enjoy 
 sea bathing. 
 
MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVEEICK 85 
 
 Chapter XIII. 
 LIFE ON THE PENINSULA. 
 
 Pass, or waterway, which connects Matagorda 
 Bay with the Gulf of Mexico, is bounded on the 
 south by Matagorda Island, the northern extre- 
 mity of which is named Saluria, and on the north by De- 
 crows Point, which is the southwestern extremity of the 
 Peninsula. The pass is called Paso Caballo, and it is about 
 three miles from Decrows Point to Saluria. 
 
 The Peninsula extends northeastwardly from Decrows 
 Point, a distance of about fifty miles to the main land. 
 Where the Peninsula joins the main land, Caney Creek 
 formerly emptied into the Gulf of Mexico, but the creek 
 has been diverted by means of a canal and now empties 
 its scanty waters into the northern arm of Matagorda 
 Bay. The Peninsula is a dreary, sandy flat, having an 
 average width of about two miles; at the middle of this 
 elongated strip of land is Tiltona, which was our farm. 
 We lived at Decrows Point from December 7th, 1844, 
 until October 15th, 1847, when we returned to San An- 
 tonio. 
 
 On November 15th, 1844, we deserted our temporary 
 home on the Colorado, and set out for Decrows Point. 
 We had a carriage and two hired wagons, some saddle 
 horses and seven cows. I was an invalid during the whole 
 trip, and travelled lying down in the carriage. A wide 
 board was laid from the front to the back seat of the 
 large roomy carriage, and quilts and pillows were be- 
 stowed where they would give me the most comfort. The 
 driver's seat was on the outside. My dear little girls were 
 generally with me, and sometimes Lizzie, but she usually 
 
86 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 preferred to ride on horseback with Mr. Maverick. Sam 
 and Lewis rode in a wagon. We spent the first night in 
 LaGrange at Mrs. Angus McNeil's, a third or fourth cous- 
 in of mine. 
 
 16th, got started in the afternoon and travelled only 
 a few miles and camped. It rained and stormed all that 
 night, and the next morning we started off in a norther. 
 
 17th, five miles to Rutersville. Mrs. Butler took us in, 
 and she and Mrs. Robb were very kind. We established 
 ourselves in a vacant house and waited for the weather 
 to moderate. 
 
 November 21st, twelve miles to Breedings. 
 
 November 22nd, eight miles to Ohmburg's; 23rd, eight- 
 een miles to Alley's; 24th, sixteen miles to Major Mont- 
 gomery's; 25th, eighteen miles to Crawford's (Spanish 
 Springs), 26th,sixteen miles to Cayce's; 27th, six miles to 
 Dawson's (wiggle-tail mud pond, awfully dirty water) ; 
 28th, six miles to Captain John Duncan's; took dinner, and 
 six miles to Mrs. Hardeman's, where we spent the night ; 
 29th, six miles to Rindrick's, kindest people of all ; took 
 dinner here, and eight miles to Shepherd's, which is two 
 miles into the swamps; 30th, awful roads, swamps con- 
 tinuously, crossed three sloughs, in the last one of which 
 Granville's wagon stalled and one ox fell. He beat the 
 ox awfully, and then they prized him out and doubled 
 teams and got through. Made eight miles today and 
 camped. In the night it rained and a norther blew up, 
 and we all got cold and wet. 
 
 December 1st, Sunday, five miles to the new canal, 
 crossed it with great difficulty, and camped. 2nd, half 
 a mile to a vacant house, where we camped. 3rd, one 
 mile, came to Gulf of Mexico magnificent, calm, gent- 
 ly heaving water, and fourteen miles on the beautiful, 
 smooth, hard beach, where we saw many bright shells. 
 4th, six miles to Mrs. Love's, where we took dinner, and 
 five miles to Sergeant's and camped. Mrs. Sergeant gave 
 us fresh butter-milk and butter and some coffee. 5th, 
 seven miles in an awful north wind and rain, but we all 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 87 
 
 lived through it, and camped in a shanty. 6th, eighteen 
 miles and we camped on the beach. It was cold and the 
 smoke of the camp fire intolerable. I lost all admiration 
 for the "deep and dark blue ocean," and was most mis- 
 erable and sick. 
 
 On December 7th, we travelled seven miles to De- 
 crows Point still in a brisk norther, but delighted to ar- 
 rive at our journey's end, and have rest once more. We 
 moved into a house occupied by Judge and General Som- 
 erville, the arrangement being that we should keep house 
 and furnish them board, they to retain a portion of the 
 house. General Somerville was the Revenue Officer for 
 the Port collector of revenue. The house was very close 
 to the bay, and every evening Mr. Maverick took me down 
 to bathe in the salt water. 
 
 December 12th. Had the pleasure of an introduction 
 to His Highness Charles Solm Solm, son of the Grand 
 Duke of Braunfels, and who was on his way to the Col- 
 ony of New Braunfels of which he was the founder. The 
 Prince and suite spent a day and night with us, and the 
 Somervilles. Next evening he came near to land in his 
 vessel and serenaded us. 
 
 General Somerville was a noted laugher he saw the 
 Prince's two attendants dress his Highness, that is lift 
 him into his pants, and General Somerville was so over- 
 come by the sight that he broke out into one of his famous 
 fits of laughter, and was heard all over the Point. The 
 Prince and suite were all very courteous and polite to us. 
 They wore cock feathers in their hats, and did not appear 
 quite fitted to frontier life. 
 
 1845. 
 
 We had a block of ground fenced in, and early in 1845 
 we planted a garden. It was wonderful how every thing 
 grew, and what fine vegetables we had and what deli- 
 cious watermelons ! Flowers, grapevines and orange trees 
 flourished luxuriantly. 
 
 In March, Agatha's clothes caught on fire, but Jack 
 
88 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 threw a bucket of water on her and put the fire out, be- 
 fore she was badly burned. She was quite sore for sev- 
 eral weeks afterwards. 
 
 June llth, Mr. Maverick visited San Antonio, and was 
 gone six weeks. On his return he took a sail boat at La- 
 vaca, and before they had gotten out of sight of Lavaca 
 a sudden squall capsized the boat, and he with several 
 other passengers came very near being drowned but 
 being still near enough to Lavaca to be seen with the 
 spyglass, they were observed and a small boat put out 
 immediately, and rescued them just before dark. I am 
 told by Mr. Dawson, now in Mr. Grenet's store, in San 
 Antonio, that he was one of the rescuing party. 
 
 During this month, Mary McNeil came to see us. She 
 and her uncle, Henry McNeil, were on their way to her 
 mother's old home in Mississippi, where Mary was to at- 
 tend school. 
 
 One afternoon the McNeils with General Somerville, 
 Lizzie, Mr. Maverick and myself and Sam and Lewis 
 went sailing on the bay, as we frequently did for pleasure, 
 or to fish, or to gather gulls' eggs on the islets. The day 
 was beautiful and we sailed seven or eight miles when 
 we noticed a fog gathering, and, since we had not a pilot 
 as we usually had aboard, we hastened to tack about and 
 return, with General Somerville, a pretty good sailor, at 
 the helm. But the fog came on so rapidly, and grew so 
 dense that we could not see ten yards beyond the boat, 
 and were soon satisfied that we were lost. We tacked, 
 and we tacked, and we tacked again, but to no avail, we 
 couldn't find our way out and we were right glad when, 
 about ten o'clock that night, we ran well aground. We 
 remained there safely until daylight. We ladies were 
 much alarmed, besides being damp, cold a$d hungry, 
 and we at last crowded into a diminutive cabin to avoid 
 a drizzling rain which now set in. Sam and Lewis were 
 gotten to sleep quite early. The gentlemen h^led in the 
 sails and made bed covers with them and went to sleep. 
 Lizzie and Mary also slept, but I lay awake all night 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 89 
 
 listening to the wash of the waves, and the roar of the 
 breakers at the Pass, and I hailed with delight the 
 dawn of day. General Somerville declared we were 
 twelve miles from home, on the mainland on the west 
 side of the bay. The gentlemen got out into the water, 
 pushed the boat off, and it was still early morning when 
 we hove to and greeted the anxious faces of our friends. 
 Some of the people at the Point feared we werQ drowned, 
 others blew fog horns and built big fires on the coast and 
 kept them burning all night, but we had neither heard nor 
 seen anything. We were all thankful to get safely back 
 and put on dry clothing, and we attacked the warm break- 
 fast with great gusto. I was delighted to see Agatha and 
 Augusta, and I was told the poor little things had cried 
 themseives to sleep the night before. No one suffered 
 any harm from the exposure, and our experience of the 
 night gave us many hearty laughs thereafter. 
 
 July, 1845- Thank God, we are now annexed to the 
 United States, and can hope for home and quiet. Mr. 
 Smith, American Consul in Saluria, was drowned in a 
 bayou which he was attempting to cross, and his poor 
 wife, an amiable, nice lady, left desolate and alone. We 
 went over to see her, and Lizzie and Cora Vandever 
 spent some time with her. 
 
 August 13th. Our family took quite an excursion up 
 the bay. Went up Lavaca bay and landed opposite La- 
 vaca at Tres Palacios (Cox's Point), where Mr. Maverick 
 had long since purchased an interest in the land, as I 
 have mentioned in Chapter III. This we found a beauti- 
 ful site. Twenty Matagordians were here for the bathing, 
 and we spent a few days at Captain Grimes's. Dr. Farque- 
 har had a nice residence here and a garden of pretty 
 flowers and rare plants and fruits. 
 
 We rented a house opposite the Levy's, and in the same 
 block with the family of Mr. Forrester, who had been a 
 Perote prisoner with Mr. Maverick. At that time, Mata- 
 gorda had probably the most cultivated society in the 
 state. Matagorda then had good schools, several 
 
90 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 churches, and many well-to-do people, who had planta- 
 tions on the Caney and Colorado, where the summers 
 were quite unhealthful, had their summer residences 
 here. Reverend Caleb Ives was the Episcopal Minister. 
 His wife, when she was Miss Kenneer, had been my teach- 
 er in Tuskaloosa. They had charge of the academy for 
 young ladies in Matagorda. 
 
 On Sunday, September 7th, 1845, at seven p. m., our 
 fifth child, George Madison, was born. 
 
 August first, Miss Annie, daughter of Rhodes Fisher, 
 was married to Mr. J. W. Dallam. Mr. Maverick and 
 Lizzie went to the wedding, and to several parties given 
 to the married couple by friends in Matagorda. 
 
 October 25th, we all returned by Schooner "Mary" to 
 Decrows Point, and had a house to ourselves. 
 
 October 28th, Mr. Maverick and Lizzie left by Schooner 
 "Mary" for New Orleans Lizzie to Tuskaloosa for the 
 winter, and Mr. Maverick on business. 
 
 1846. 
 
 The 19th, January, we had a tempest. 
 
 January 28th, Mr. Lucius W. Peck came out, on Mr. 
 Maverick's advice, to teach school. He came to our house, 
 sent hither by Mr. Maverick whom Mr. Peck had left 
 quite well in New Orleans. 
 
 March 17th, Mr. Maverick returned after an absence 
 of nearly five months. He took Lizzie to Tuskaloosa 
 and remained there several weeks on business. Thence 
 he went to Pendleton, where he visited Father Maverick, 
 and he found it "cruel to leave him in his precarious 
 health." He remained with his father two weeks, and 
 received "his last sad embrace and blessing." From 
 Pendleton he went to Charleston, where he was detained 
 by vexatious business one month. At Charleston he 
 bought four negroes viz: Frances and her boy Simon, 
 Naoma, a seamstress, and William, a carpenter. He 
 wanted the carpenter because he had bought a one-third 
 interest in Decrows Point and intended to erect some 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 91 
 
 houses. This purchase of negroes in Charleston soon 
 proved to be a perfectly worthless investment. When Mr. 
 Maverick reached New Orleans, he chartered a schooner, 
 which he loaded with lumber for the improvements he 
 intended to make at the Point, and on February 4th, he 
 found it necessary to go to Mobile to complete his pur- 
 chases. On March 9th, he left Mobile for Decrows Point 
 on the chartered schooner, "Urbana," Captain Small. On 
 board he had the negroes and the lumber and some 
 goods and provisions. They had a stormy passage and 
 narrow escape from going down during a gale. They en- 
 tered Matagorda Bay, March 17th, happy to be with 
 us again and gladly welcomed. Lewis cut a big "L" in 
 one of the new chairs with his new knife first thing. Mr. 
 Peck taught Sam and Lewis regularly at this time. 
 
 Dr. Gray Jones Houston and his brother Ross visited 
 Texas during the winter of 1845-6. They came to see us 
 in March 1846, and spent a few days with us. Mr. Mav- 
 erick was in New Orleans at the time. It was about the 
 15th, when the north wind blew almost a gale and the 
 bay rose very high, and the water of the bay seemed high- 
 er than the land, as it was driven southward through the 
 Pass. The Houstons had decided to remove with their 
 families and worldly goods from Alabama to Texas, but 
 Dr. Houston said he would not settle on the Peninsula, at 
 any rate, for he considered life quite unsafe here. 
 
 March 18th. The "Petrel" wrecked with two hundred 
 German immigrants aboard. All lives saved by Captain 
 Simptorn of the revenue cutter "Alert." Mrs. Neil, of 
 San Antonio, was aboard. About this time, I learned of 
 the marriage of my brother William to L- A. Goodman, 
 in Freestone County at Troy on the Trinity River. There 
 he was established as a merchant. My brother George 
 M. Adams died April 26th, 1846, in Aberdeen, Mississip- 
 pi, of congestive chills. He was twenty-eight years of age. 
 He was an affectionate, good brother and a courageous 
 man. 
 
 In June and July, we were gladdened by the news of 
 
92 MEMOIBS OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 
 
 the two brilliant victories gained by General Taylor at 
 Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. 
 
 In June, Lewis, Agatha and Augusta had the whooping 
 cough. In September, every one of the children had the 
 measles Lewis was quite sick, and George had sore ears 
 afterwards. Augusta was packed in a wet sheet to com- 
 pel the measles to the surface. During September, the 
 smallpox being prevalent, the children were all vaccina- 
 ted and all took well. In October, Mrs. Maggie Peareson 
 (nee Shortridge) spent some time at the Pass for her lit- 
 tle girl's health. They were living at that time in Victoria. 
 She boarded at Mrs. Vandever's across the street from 
 us. We were great friends and spent many hours togeth- 
 er. Parties from the country often came to the Pass, to 
 fish and bathe and get away from mosquitoes, for we had 
 none, and were always cool. 
 
 November llth, Mr. Maverick visited San Antonio. He 
 wrote of Charley Bradley's death of measles, and he 
 stated there was much sickness in town, probably aggra- 
 vated by the fevers and dysenteries of the soldiers in the 
 camps, and by the continued ill health of the German im- 
 migrants, and that many deaths had occurred. In Decem- 
 ber Mr. Maverick bought the Nixon house and two lots. 
 
 1847. 
 
 January 3d, 1847, Mr. Maverick returned from San 
 Antonio. I had heard many rumors of Indians on the 
 road, and had suffered much uneasiness. 
 
 February 18th, Lizzie and Andrew arrived from Tuska- 
 loosa. Lizzie had grown much improved and was fine 
 looking and fashionably dressed. Andrew had his diplo- 
 ma with him and was now a regular M. D. The next day 
 after his arrival, Andrew started for his old place on the 
 San Marcos. 
 
 Purchase of Tiltona. March 16th, Mr. Maverick went 
 to Tilton's place, twenty-five miles up the Peninsula, and 
 bought it and four hundred head of cattle at $3.00 per 
 head.* The place had an oyster bayou belonging to it 
 
 *See story and letters at end of book. 
 
MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 93 
 
 and pens for cattle, and there was a field in cultivation 
 and some fine fig trees on the grounds. 
 
 March 19th, Friday, in the afternoon, Mr. Maverick 
 was going up the stairway in the new house he was build- 
 ing for our residence, when he tripped on a loose step and 
 fell twelve feet on the ground striking on his shoulder. 
 He was picked up insensible and brought in, his shoulder 
 sprained terribly and neck twisted. When revived, he 
 suffered agony for hours. We gave him twenty drops of 
 laudanum and bathed the breast and shoulder with hot 
 brandy and laudanum. We then also rubbed the bruised 
 shoulder with mustard and placed hot bricks at his feet. 
 He could not move, but felt some relief during the night 
 and slept a little. After that he had fever and we used 
 wet bandages. On the 21st, he could move his head and 
 shoulder and became cheerful and his appetite returned. 
 He was fed from a spoon, and he gradually gained 
 strength we had to rub the bruised place often and 
 much, which seem to soothe the pain. Not until April 
 7th, was he able to get up and walk. 
 
 March 25th, Mr. McFee was upset in a small boat up 
 the bay and his body was picked up at Indian Point. 
 
 April 1st bright and warm planted many garden 
 seeds. 
 
 April 2nd, Jinny and Jack with Jane, Harriet and 
 Laura went to Tiltona to take charge of the place. Wiley 
 and Rachael and Rachael's child had some time previous- 
 ly been conveyed to Mr. Decrow in part payment for one- 
 third interest in the town site of Decrows Point. 
 
 In April, we moved into our new frame house of eight 
 rooms and three stories. The house was very substantial- 
 ly built, and was calculated to resist a very considerable 
 storm. It was very roomy and commanded a fine view of 
 both the bay and the gulf. We had been living for three 
 months previously in the kichen and outhouses of this 
 building. So we all enjoyed greatly the new, clean, cool, 
 roomy house. We lived well on the coast, had any quan- 
 tity of fish, always fine, had fruits fresh from New Or- 
 
94 MEMOIRS ,OF MABY A. MAVERICK 
 
 leans and splendid gardens and the best water melons in 
 the world and never suffered from the heat- And still we 
 were aware great storms might come and destructive cy- 
 clones at equinoxial times, and we often talked of going 
 back to San Antonio. 
 
 April 13th, we heard General Scott was marching from 
 Vera Cruz towards the City of Mexico. 
 
 April 12th, Mr. Maverick went to Matagorda to try the 
 galvanic battery on his still suffering shoulder, and re- 
 turned the 16th, much benefitted. 
 
 April 22nd, Mr. Maverick left for San Antonio to be 
 gone three weeks. He wrote me that Colonel Hays was 
 married on April 24th, at Seguin to Miss Susan Calvert, 
 and that on May 1st, a large party of San Antonians met 
 them on the Salado and gave them a grand ovation. Mr. 
 Giulbeau gave a party and reception to Colonel Hays and 
 bride. Mr. Maverick mentioned that six or seven hun- 
 dred soldiers were mustering at San Antonio, to be form- 
 ed into a regiment and to march to Mexico under Colonel 
 Hays, and stated also that there was a great increase in 
 the American population of the town. 
 
 April 25th, we all took a trip to Tiltona, Cora Vandever 
 and Mr. Peck accompanying us. The girls were on horse- 
 back, and I with the children in the cart with Mr. Peck 
 driving. We spent a delightful week drinking fresh milk, 
 fishing, bathing in the breakers, riding and having a gen- 
 eral good time. We returned May 1st, and took home 
 with us chickens and turkeys, butter and eggs, fresh beef 
 and other farm products. 
 
 May 1st, fourteen lots were sold for eight hundred 
 dollars in "Cahoun" across the Pass. 
 
 May 2nd, $1200.00 worth of lots were sold here in 
 Paso Cavallo, and it seems they are to be improved. 
 
 July 3d, Mrs. Vandever and I with the girls and escort- 
 ed by Major Stores and Captain Cummings, went to La- 
 vaca to attend the Grand Fourth of July Ball. Mr. Mav- 
 erick remained at home with the children. At Lavaca 
 the girls had numerous beaux and a fine time. We re- 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 95 
 
 turned by the way of Dutch town (now Indianola) a thriv- 
 ing place, and at that time threatening to deprive Lavaca 
 of her large trade. At Lavaca we stopped at Mrs. Eberle's 
 and at Dutch Town with the family of Reverend Mr. Blair. 
 July 15th, we took a boat and visited our farm Tiltona, re- 
 turning on the 26th. Robert J. Clow and John Mann 
 courted Lizzie, who had much attention they both got 
 "no" for their answer, but Bob Clow said he believed she 
 meant "yes" for him. September, Cora Vandever was mar- 
 ried to Billy Nichols, a pilot and a good man. 
 
96 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Chapter XIV. 
 THE ANGEL OF DEATH. 
 
 UT after all the Peninsula was not home to us in 
 the full sense of that word. Mr. Maverick was 
 constantly returning to San Antonio on business, 
 each visit he was making new investments and 
 knitting his interest and his sentiments more and more 
 with the life and growth of San Antonio and the surround- 
 ing country. To me the four years of our early married 
 life spent in San Antonio seemed like a bright vision a 
 veritable romance. The memory of the stirring events 
 of that period and of the birth of my Lewis and Agatha 
 there, kept my affections warm for the dear old place. 
 
 On the 15th day of October 1847, with bag and bag- 
 gage, we left the Point and set off for San Antonio. It 
 was right sad to leave a pleasant home and the friends 
 we had gathered during three years, and not the least 
 regret was it to say goodbye to Mr. Peck, who had taught 
 our children faithfully for two years and been a member 
 of our household, but his health was re-established and he 
 obeyed the urgent requests of his mother to return to her 
 in his native state. He was quite anxious to go with us to 
 San Antonio, but he parted with us at the Pass and re- 
 turned to Ohio. 
 
 At Lavaca we stopped at Mrs. Staunton's until the 19th, 
 when Lizzie and I, with Agatha, and George and his nurse 
 Betsy took the stage for San Antonio my first stage ride 
 in Texas. Mr. Maverick, Sam, Lewis and the servants 
 took passage with the wagons and our household goods 
 and we did not see them again until November 4th. We 
 spent the first night in Victoria with Maggie Pearson, the 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 97 
 
 second in Cuero at Cardwell's. On the 21st, we stopped in 
 Gonzales with Mrs. Brown. It rained all night and until 
 nine the next morning. The 22nd, we went only a short 
 distance and stopped with old lady Trimble. Mrs. Trim- 
 ble had lived here over twenty years, and had herself 
 fought the Indians. Her first husband had been killed, 
 and her second husband fell in the Alamo. Three months 
 after his death, she gave birth to twin girls, now eleven 
 years old. An older daughter's husband had fallen with 
 Dawson and she had given birth, seven weeks after his 
 death to a girl and had died. The pretty child was five 
 years old when we were there and the idol of her fond 
 grandmother. 
 
 The 23rd, we reached New Braunfels at the junction 
 of the Comal with the Guadalupe. This was a pretty 
 place, and rapidly filling up, and I thought the Comal th 
 lovliest stream I ever saw. 
 
 Sunday, October 24th, at three p. m., we arrived in San 
 Antonio, and stopped at Aunt Ann Bradley Vat the south 
 east corner of Commerce and Yturri Streets everything 
 covered with dust and the heat dreadful. The town seem- 
 ed much changed since 1842; many strangers had settled 
 here and immigrants were arriving daily. Not until 
 November 4th, did Mr. Maverick's party arrive the hired 
 wagoners insisted on stopping five days at their home on 
 the way, and I had time to grow very uneasy about them 
 but all were well and we moved directly into our old 
 home with its dirt floors, for the cement had all worn off. 
 The fence around the garden was nearly gone and the 
 garden itself was in a dilapidated condition, but the figs 
 and the pomegranates were still standing. The weather 
 grew quite cold, and we learned that many people were 
 sick with colds and diarrhea, and almost every day some- 
 body died, which made us quite doleful. I recalled our 
 first residence in San Antonio, and it seemed that in those 
 days there was scarcely any sickness and postively no 
 case of fever, save the case of Colonel Karnes which was 
 
98 MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 
 
 yellow fever imported from Houston. Now, all of our 
 children suffered some illness. 
 
 Late in November, Lewis was spinning a top at the 
 front door and George was sitting on the door sill, when 
 Lewis' top bounced up and struck George on the forehead. 
 George went into spasms, but we packed him in a wet 
 sheet and blankets and he got well, but he was quite low 
 for a week or so and he has ever retained the scar. 
 
 December first, brother Andrew, surgeon in Captain 
 Veach's company, spent a few days with us on his way to 
 the Rio Grande. 
 
 On Friday, December 24th, our sixth chM, Willie H., 
 was born. The joyous bells of Christmas Eve were ring- 
 ing when he was born. 
 
 1848. 
 
 April 4th, 1848, Mr. Maverick left with Mr. Tivy, de- 
 puty surveyor, and a considerable surveying party, to have 
 a pet location on Las Moras creek surveyed. He located 
 our headright certificate on the head spring, and Fort 
 Clark is on that tract he also located much land below 
 that survey. 
 
 April 29th, Mr. Clow came to marry Lizzie, although 
 she has not set the day. 
 
 The Angel of Death. Sunday, April 30th, my dear 
 little Agatha took fever. Lizzie and I with the girls and 
 Betsy with the baby were out walking and we were near 
 the Mill Bridge when she first complained. I told Betsy to 
 take baby and go home with her, when Agatha said: "O, 
 if my papa was here he would carry me." At this time 
 Agatha was a large and very beautiful child of seven 
 years. She was the idol of her father, and in return for 
 his devoted affection for her, she idolized him. The 
 sentiment of love between Mr. Maverick and the sweet 
 child was something extraordinary, something beautiful 
 and touching to behold. 
 
 When I got home, I bathed her in tepid water and cared 
 tenderly for her, but on the following day she grew much 
 
SAN ANTONIO RIVER BACK OF TWOHIG HOME 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 99 
 
 worse, and I called in the services of Dr. Cupples. He 
 gave her an emetic and then powders and enemas, but 
 nothing seemed to reduce the fever or overcome the stu- 
 por. Day by day, Dr. Cupples encouraged me to hope, but 
 I lost my appetite and passed many sleepless nights, for a 
 terrible fear took possession of me. My fears whispered 
 in my heart, "Agatha is dying," and I lost hope. 
 
 The poor child, with crimson cheek and shining eyes, 
 sometimes raved wildly once she screamed out in 
 agonizing manner: "Oh, Sam," she thought she saw In- 
 dians about to kill Sam. When she took her medicine, 
 (the first in her life)' she would say: "Mamma, will you 
 tell papa I was good and took my medicine?" Once she 
 
 said, "Mamma if I die " but I could not bear it I 
 
 stopped her before she could speak another word. Ah, 
 how often have I regretted my action, and fondly longed 
 to know what the dear angel would have told me. Her 
 father was still out on his surveying expedition on the 
 Las Moras, and we had no means of cummunicating with 
 him. On May 8th, the poor child breathed her last at 
 two a. m., Tuesday, May 9th, 1848. Even now, in 1880, 
 after thirty-two years, I cannot dwell on that terrible be- 
 reavement. The child was the perfection of sweetness 
 and beauty and possessed such a glad and joyous dis- 
 position that her very presence was a flood of sunshine. 
 
 On May 12th, Augusta took the same bilious fever, 
 which quite a number of people in the town had at the 
 time. Dr. Sturgis came and treated her for two days, 
 when she recovered and in a short while became quite 
 well again. We now learned from the servants that our 
 nurse Lavinia and Mrs. Bradley's nurse had taken Aga- 
 tha and Augusta and Mrs. Bradley's girls Pauline and 
 Ada, on April 25th, out walking and had allowed them to 
 eat as many green mustang grapes as they would. I have 
 always attributed Agatha's death and Augusta's deadly 
 sickness to the grapes. Pauline and Ada had similar at- 
 tacks about the same time but not as severe as Augusta's. 
 
 Tuesday, May 23rd, at 7 :30 a. m. Lizzie was married to 
 
100 MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Mr. Clow, Reverend Mr. McCulloch officiating, and at 
 eight a. m. took the stage for Saluria. 
 
 Friday, May 26th, Mr. Maverick returned. Eleven 
 miles west of town, he met an acquaintance who told him 
 of Agatha's death ! He went to the grave and threw him- 
 self down upon it ,and remained there until it was dark. 
 No one but God could tell the depth of his anguish. He 
 was crushed and broken when he came home. He said 
 he was striving "not to murmur at the will of God." He 
 said we should humble ourselves in sack cloth and ashes 
 and he never removed that sack cloth in spirit whilst 
 he lived was ever after a sad changed man. 
 
 That night I dreamed so distinctly that Agatha ran 
 through our room and out at the door again the dream 
 seemed so real that I jumped up, and looked for her with 
 a candle in my hand, in spite of reason. And Mr. Mav- 
 erick said: "She has wandered off in the dark and we 
 will never on earth be able to find her." Another time in 
 his deep anguish he said : "Cursed land, cursed money, I 
 would give all. all, only to see her once more." 
 
 May 29th, Mr. Maverick wrote a touching letter to his 
 father telling him of our loss one of his sentences was 
 this : "I feel as if, every moment, she is being torn out of 
 my heart." 
 
 My poor little Willie came near starving to death when 
 Agatha was sick and after her death my milk almost 
 dried up. I got Mrs. Elliott's cook, Patience, to nurse him 
 two weeks, and then had to begin feeding him. This dis- 
 agreed with him, and all summer he was very sick and 
 thin and fretful once he lay at the point of death with 
 the dysentery, and the doctor told Mrs. Elliott there was 
 no hope. Mrs. Gorch told me to make tea of pomegranate 
 root, and give a teaspoonf ul every fifteen minutes until the 
 dysentery was checked. I did this and I believe it saved 
 his life. As he grew better and well, it was wonderful 
 how he liked his hoarhound tea and drank goats milk. 
 
 August 13th, read in the Pendleton Messenger of July 
 7th, the following obituary: 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 101 
 
 Departed this life, Agatha Maverick, at San 
 Antonio, Texas, on the 9th of May, aged seven 
 years and twenty-seven days, eldest daughter of 
 Samuel A. and Mary A. Maverick. "Oh, Al- 
 mighty and all just God, teach us how it is that 
 the poor little boon of the breath of life, could 
 not be spared from thy great storehouse to ani- 
 mate a little dear thing which thou hast made 
 so perfect." 
 
 The portion in quotation marks is an extract from Mr. 
 Maverick's letter. 
 
 Poor little Augusta missed her sister "Tita" so much, 
 and, as we grieved without ceasing, so did she. Daily she 
 gathered flowers and kept them in water until the after- 
 noon, and then she took them to the grave for "Tita" 
 Tita who had ever been her companion and her ideal of 
 goodness. 
 
 Augusta was a child of great promise, gentle, patient, 
 thoughtful, and pious beyond her years. She was very 
 fair with blue eyes and light hair, and she had a high, 
 broad forehead and a development of mind beyond her 
 age. She was very fond of attending Sunday School, and 
 of listening to singing and of caring for the baby and 
 was always obedient. She repeated her prayers nightly 
 and was ever talking of God and his angels and of "our 
 Tita with them." 
 
 Ah, pure and spotless angel, thyself. 
 In August Colonel Hays was ordered to open a shorter 
 and better trading route through the wilds to Chihuahua, 
 Mexico. Colonel Hays asked me to persaude Mr. Mav- 
 erick to go with the expedition. I answered: "Oh, no, 
 he is not well enough for such a hard trip." Then Hays 
 replied, "Don't you see Mr. Maverick is dying by inches? 
 Every one remarks how gray he has grown, how bent and 
 feeble he looks, and this will be the very thing for him 
 he always thrives on hardships, and his mind must be dis- 
 tracted now from his grief." 
 
 I recognized the truth and force of this reasoning and 
 
102 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 i 
 
 that Hays loved him dearly and I set to work to persuade 
 him to go. My husband was quite reasonable, and quick- 
 ly saw that the trip had become a necessity for him. 
 
 On Sunday, August 27th, Mr. Maverick left with 
 Colonel Hays, fifty men and fifteen Delaware Indian 
 guides, to run out the new route to Chihuahua. They had a 
 very severe trip, especially going they got lost and were 
 nearly starved and their horses suffered more severely 
 than the men. One man lost his reason and was lost and 
 afterwards saved by the Indians and recovered. While 
 hopelessly lost ,they met some Indians from Santa Fe who 
 sold them some bread and peloncillos and pointed out to 
 them the road to San Carlos on the Rio Grande; where 
 they arrived a few days after. 
 
 Their return trip was much shorter. A good road, com- 
 paratively, was surveyed of about seven hundred miles 
 from El Paso to San Antonio. 
 
 They were greatly troubled on their return by the In- 
 dians hanging about, and trying to stampede their horses 
 and they had one fight with them. 
 
 They got back Sunday, December 10th, and the three 
 and a half months of hardship had done wonders for 
 Mr. Maverick, just as Colonel Hays had thought. He said 
 that Mr. Maverick had been the "most enduring and least 
 complaining man of the party," had encouraged others, 
 walked much to save his horse had cheerfully eaten 
 roots, berries, mule-meat and polecats, and had chewed 
 leather and the tops of his boots, to keep his mouth moist 
 when no water could be found. Besides coming back in 
 good health Mr. Maverick was more cheerful and hope- 
 ful. 
 
 A ball was given to Hays and his company, and another 
 to the officers of the United States Army stationed here, 
 but we did not go. 
 
 Christmas was beautiful glad day of redemption to 
 the world. 
 
 1849. 
 
 Cholera. New Years Day was bright and beautiful, 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 103 
 
 but we heard the cholera had appeared in New Orleans. 
 We also heard at the same time that some bad mess pork 
 had caused the death of a hundred soldiers recently 
 landed at Lavaca, and destined for this place frightful ! 
 Some think it cholera. 
 
 And here in San Antonio violent influenza with sore 
 throat and measles and scarletina were prevailing. Pal- 
 las, Aunt Ann's house boy, died he told his mother: 
 "God came to me in a dream, and took me to heaven," 
 and he asked her to pray with him and then he died. 
 
 February 28th, Major Chevalier took small pox at Aunt 
 Ann's, and was sent to an isolated room in the yard and 
 nursed there. Russell Howard, one of the volunteer 
 nurses, took the disease from him. 
 
 March 7th, sister Lizzie came, spent five days with me 
 and went back to Mr. Clow in Lavaca. March 29th, Mrs. 
 Elliott, Mrs. Lockwood and I sat up all night with Mrs. 
 Richardson, mother of Mrs. Judge Paschal, and closed her 
 eyes in death. Heard of the death of George Peacock 
 and four others of cholera in Lavaca. We talked of go- 
 ing into the country and camping out, before the cholera 
 reached San Antonio this we made up our minds to do, 
 but the weather was very bad, wind and rain and fog, 
 continually, and we waited for better weather alas! too 
 long. 
 
 Monday the second of April, cholera appeared in San 
 Antonio. For two weeks it was confined to Mexicans in 
 low, damp places, and Dr. Cupples thought it was easily 
 managed and would not become epidemic, but suddenly, 
 in gloom overhead and in our hearts it appeared every- 
 where in the most violent form and would not yield to 
 treatment. April 22nd, twenty-one died of cholera. 
 """Death of Augusta. On Monday 23rd, O, world of 
 grief! my darling Augusta complained of colic in the 
 evening it was damp and cold. We gave her the reme- 
 dies which were ready in every house and she felt pretty 
 well and went to sleep a perfect picture of rosy health and 
 
104 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 beauty. About midnight she awoke vomiting and purg- 
 ing violently. Dr. Sturgis was down with the cholera and 
 we called in two other physicians, but all that could be 
 done gave no relief. 
 
 God willed to take our darling. In four hours, her case 
 was pronounced hopeless and she looked thin and emaci- 
 ated, purple and sunken, but conscious to the last, and 
 suffering fearfully. We humbly gave her up, beseeching 
 God to stay the hand of the pestilence, for Lewis and 
 George were both attacked at daylight. At eight a. m., 
 Augusta felt no more pain and tried to get out of bed; 
 at nine o'clock, one hour afterwards, she breathed her 
 last. She was six years and twenty-five days old. They 
 buried her the next day by the side of Tita I could not 
 go. 
 
 Two nights before her attack, Augusta had a lovely 
 dream, which made me tremble when she related it to 
 me on Saturday morning, she smiling and happy the 
 while over its loveliness. In her dream she was clothed 
 in a new dress, all white and shining and flowing down 
 below her feet. She got into a carriage and with a large 
 procession went "way off to a big church" resounding 
 with sweet music, and filled with people dressed in white. 
 It was prophesy of her shroud and burial and resurrection. 
 
 God I thank Thee that we could yield her up unsullied 
 by earth her memory a white and shining light. 
 
 Just before she died, knowing she had only a few mo- 
 ments to live, I took her in my arms and held her in my 
 lap before the fire, and said to her : "Gussie, do you know 
 our Father in Heaven?" "Oh, yes, mamma," she an- 
 swered earnestly. She said-' "I hear then singing, mam- 
 ma, put my bonnet on and let me go to church." I put 
 the little fresh muslin bonnet on her head. She loved the 
 bonnet and was content she looked up, listened intently, 
 and said: "Don't you hear them, mamma?" 
 
 "Gussie, do you want to see God?" 
 
 "Yes, Mama." 
 
 "Do you want to see Tita?" 
 
MEMOIRS OP MAEY A. MAVERICK 105 
 
 "Yes, mama." And these were her last words. 
 Thou wert purity itself my gentle child. 
 
 Death had no terrors for thee, 
 
 The gates of Heaven were open for thee : 
 
 Whilst yet in the flesh, thou didst behold thy Father's 
 
 face in Heaven. 
 
 On the day of Augusta's death, Lewis and George both 
 had the cholera. The doctors were prompt and their 
 cases yielded to treatment, although George was very 
 low for awhile. I also was threatened and had to go to 
 bed by George's side and take my medicine like the 
 others. On that day, many children died, two of whom 
 were friends and playmates of Augusta. Of our servants, 
 Granville, Emmeiine and Ann had the cholera, and in fact 
 every soul of the household except Sara and Betsy was 
 more or less affected. Idle would be the task of portray- 
 ing the gloom of our household, or the terror which seized 
 upon the community. Fear and dread were in every house 
 an oppressive weight in the atmosphere. Into every 
 house came the pestilence, in most houses was death, and 
 in some families one-half died! All had symptoms and 
 the weather continued close and damp and dismal. Men 
 of strong nerve and undoubted courage shrank in fear 
 many drank hard and died drunk some dropped and 
 died in the streets one poor fellow cut his throat when 
 attacked. Never can those who were here in that terrible 
 visitation forget its gloom and horror. The cholera last- 
 ed six weeks ,and the priests thought that over six hun- 
 dred people died. One third of the population fled to 
 the ranches and into the country and they generally got 
 above this heavy atmosphere and escaped. 
 
 July 10th, Mr. Maverick sent me with the four boys and 
 Betsy to Sutherland Springs to rest and recuperate. We 
 stopped first at Dr. Sutherlands, and Mrs. Frank Pashal 
 with her three children stopped at Mrs. Johnson's. Mrs. 
 Sutherland was very kind to us, but as all the water 
 there was mineral, we moved to Mrs. Johnson's and drank 
 Chalybeate water. Mrs. Johnson's little daughter died 
 
106 MEMOIRS PF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 of convulsions while we were there. We felt no improve- 
 ment by our visit to the springs. A number of strangers 
 were there from the low country, some housed and some 
 camping, and there was much sickness all the log cabins 
 were full of the sick. On the 17th, Mrs. Paschal took the 
 stage for San Antonio, and on the 19th, I did the same. 
 
COMMERCE STREET IN THE GO'S, LOOKING EAST 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVEEICK 107 
 
 Chapter XV. 
 OUR NEW HOME ON ALAMO PLAZA. 
 
 I felt that I could not live any longer at the old 
 place, and Mr. Maverick, too, did not want to live 
 there. We concluded that the high ground on the 
 Alamo Plaza would be a more healthful location. When 
 Mr. Maverick sent us to the springs, he remained in San 
 Antonio to move our household goods from the old home 
 to an old Mexican house he had bought on the Alamo 
 Plaza, and also to make arrangements for building us a 
 new two-story house. 
 
 When we returned to San Antonio, on July 19th, 1849, 
 we settled down in the old house I have mentioned, and 
 did the best we could. This house was situated on the lot 
 now formed by the west line of Alamo Plaza and the 
 south line of Houston Street. At that time, and for some 
 years thereafter Houston (Paseo) Street was not in ex- 
 istence. 
 
 Heavenly Comfort. On September 1st, I had a sweet, 
 consoling dream. Agatha and Augusta came from the 
 Spirit-Land to comfort me. I took Augusta in my arms> 
 and clothed her in white robes. Then I asked to see 
 Agatha, and she stood in the window, a little taller than 
 in life I clasped her in my arms. They told me they were 
 very happy, and said we should be together in Heaven. 
 
 Singular how real it was, and how happy and thankful 
 it made me. 
 
 September 30th, I heard an excellent sermon by Mr. 
 Fish, the Army Chaplain, on the parent's duty of training 
 their children in the way they should go with the bless- 
 ed promise, "and when they are old they will not depart 
 
108 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 from it." October 21st, Reverend Ambrose Smith preach- 
 ed his farewell sermon I Thes. XL, 11. November 4th, 
 Reverend Mr. Fish preached a splendid sermon II Cor. 
 IV, 7. 
 
 September 5th, Mr. Maverick's nephew, Augustus W. 
 Wayman, died of cholera at West Point his four years' 
 cadetship nearly completed. 
 
 November 5th, Mrs. Elliott, Susan Hays and I had our 
 daguerrotypes taken at Whitfield's gallery Mrs. Hays 
 is going to California to join her husband. Susan and I 
 had joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in '48, during 
 our husband's absence on the expedition to open a better 
 route to Chihuahua. She preferred that church, but I 
 only joined till my own, theProtestant Episcopal, should 
 be established here, and we had been great friends, and 
 "sisters" ever since, though she was so much younger. On 
 Christmas Day, Mr. Young, the local Methodist minister 
 for two years past, dined with us and said goodbye. He 
 was going home to Mississippi an earnest and zealous 
 Christian and much beloved here. 
 
 1850. 
 
 Wednesday, February 6th, at ten p. m., was born our 
 seventh child, John Hays. John was an old name in the 
 Maverick family Hays was in honor of our friend the 
 Colonel. The baby and Willie were baptized on April 
 4th, by Bishop G. W. Freeman, of Louisiana. Sam, Lewis, 
 Agatha, Augusta and George had been baptized at De- 
 crows Point by the Reverend Caleb Ives of Matagorda. 
 Johnnie looked so delicate that scarcely any one thought 
 he could live. But I hoped on, and devoted my time day 
 and night to him, and he was seldom out of my arms. 
 
 July 19th, he had a sudden attack of cholera infan- 
 tum, and died before night "Thy will be done." . . . 
 
 In July, Mr. Schmidt commenced building our new 
 house of stone and built very fast. 
 
 September 10th, Bombre began the carpenter work. 
 
 September 15th. Susan Hays spent a day and night 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 109 
 
 with me. She was as lovely and lovable as ever. She 
 was to start in two weeks to join her hero-husband in 
 California. 
 
 25th, Mary Bradley returned with Major Tom Howard 
 and wife and baby Fannie. 
 
 29th, we and all old San Antonios bid Mrs. Hays good- 
 bye Bob Hays and Mr. Randall go with her. 
 
 Saturday October 5th. Lewis was gathering pecans, 
 when a rotten limb broke with his weight and he fell to 
 the ground breaking both bones in his right arm, just 
 above the wrist. Although it was a mile below town, he 
 walked home accompanied by Joe, Mrs. Elliott's black 
 boy. Dr.Dignowity set his arm. Lewis suffered much 
 pain and I sat by him all night pouring cold water over 
 his arm. The next day, Sunday, Dr. Dignowity put his 
 arm in a tin sheath and he slept little Monday night no 
 sleep Tuesday night the same. Wednesday he was bet- 
 ter, slept some and enjoyed seeing the children at their 
 play. Thursday he walked some with his arm in a sling. 
 Friday the pain returned and sleeplessness feverish and 
 groaning again I poured cold water all night. Monday 
 14th; the bandages and tin sheath were taken off, and 
 we found an abcess below the elbow. I was frightened ; 
 it looked like gangrene. But the doctor said it was all 
 right, applied a poultice with "number six" and gave a 
 "course." The swelling subsided and he slowly got over 
 his suffering but not before the 30th of November did 
 he have any use of his arm and it is not straight. 
 
 December 1st, 1850. We moved into our new house 
 and found it very nice, after the old Mexican quarters we 
 had occupied over a year. The new house, considerably 
 enlarged, is standing today, and is now known as the 
 Maverick Homestead.* 
 
 1851. 
 
 Mr. Maverick took Lewis to the Army Surgeon, Dr. 
 Wright, to have his arm straightened, but it was too late. 
 
 Where Gibbs Building now stands, Avenue D and Houston Streets. 
 
110 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 March 16th. I am thirty-three years old today, and am 
 trying to keep Lent. Sunday April 13th, after evening 
 service, I was confirmed by Bishop Freeman of Louisiana. 
 
 A New Daughter. On Tuesday, June 17th, 1851, at 
 eight a. m. was born our third daughter, Mary Brown. 
 How glad and thankful were Mr. Maverick and I to have 
 a daughter. She was named for Father Maverick's "bless- 
 ed grandmother "Mary Brown."* 
 
 Soon after Mary's birth, I wasted until I fainted twice 
 and grew quite helpless and almost speechless. This was 
 caused by the mid-wife Mrs. D., wilfully giving me lobelia 
 telling me it was raspberry tea. I felt my hold on life 
 very slight, but in my fainting had felt an indescribable 
 peace. For two weeks I could scarcely move without 
 fainting, but after that I grew strong very fast. My pre- 
 cious baby grew thin the while, and Mrs. Beck, who had a 
 baby born on the same day with mine, nursed Mary twice 
 a day. Mary was sent to her each morning and afternoon 
 for five or six weeks. When Mary was seven weeks old, 
 we had to commence feeding her, and I began drinking 
 ale and porter myself to see whether I could provide the 
 proper nourishment and I recovered my strength rapid- 
 ly. Baby however, was thin and fretful. 
 
 Mr. Maverick had been elected to the Legislature, and 
 he wished to visit his father who had been stricken with 
 paralysis, but he did not see how he could leave us. 
 
 August 23rd. We call in the services of a goat feed 
 it well and milk it four or five times a day for baby, and 
 she improves some. 
 
 Bone Soup Bath. August 28th, Mrs. Salsmon, an ex- 
 perienced German nurse, came to see baby, and persuad- 
 ed me to bathe her daily in bone soup. The bone soup 
 
 * Samuel Maverick (1772-1852) always spoke of this grandmother, Mary Tur- 
 pin Brown of Providence, R. I., as his "blessed grandmother Mary Brown" and 
 at mention of her name bared his head; this gratitude was well deserved for 
 during Revolutionary days when his father was a prisoner on the Jersey Prison 
 ghip and their home destroyed by the British, his mother took the family to this 
 same grandmother who cared for them tenderly until it was possible for their 
 return to Charleston. She was a Quaker, as were her people. 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 111 
 
 is made by boiling beef bones four hours, and then cool- 
 ing to a temperature of about one hundred, and the bath 
 is ready. Daily I put her into the bath, and kept her there 
 some time, and then, while wet from the bath, rolled her 
 in a blanket and put her to sleep. And when she awaked, 
 I rubbed her well and dressed her. At first the bath 
 did not seem to do any good. But Mr. Maverick asked 
 me to try it one month, and then we saw she had steadily 
 improved. The treatment was kept up for about six 
 months. 
 
 Mr. Maverick bought a horse and buggy and drove us 
 out into the country every evening. 
 
 September 28th, baby is rosy and playful and good. 
 November 2nd, Mr. Maverick weighed baby before leav- 
 ing on the morrow for Austin she weighed ten and half 
 pounds, and we were happy over it. She was growing 
 good sized like any other baby, and I began to feed her 
 rice and hominy water in her milk also soup. Mr. Mav- 
 erick writes often and is always solicitous about his daugh- 
 ter. 
 
 The Houstons Come. November 31st, Dr. Houston and 
 Routez Houston, his wife, with their three children, Han- 
 nah Jane, Mary Elizabeth and Augustus W., and with 
 wagons and negroes, arrive from North Alabama to settle 
 in Texas and they stay with us until after the holidays. 
 Ross Houston with his household camped on the Cibolo. 
 
 December 30th, Mr. Maverick came over from Austin 
 to spend Christmas with us, and we all enjoyed the holi- 
 days and the children Santa Claus' visit. 
 
 1852. 
 
 January 3d, 1852, Dr. Houston took his family to the 
 new house on the Cibolo about twenty-seven miles E. S. 
 E. from San Antonio. Ross Houston built his house one 
 mile nearer San Antonio. 
 
 January 5th, Maley caught cold and became quite sick 
 and was not well again until the 26th, when she recover- 
 ed her health and became playful and fat, and weighed 
 
112 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 thirteen and a half pounds. How miserable and frighten- 
 ed I was when she was ill. During January, we stopped 
 using the bone soup bath. 
 
 February 15th. Baby and I were out riding and Lewis 
 was driving the mare, when some one discharged a gun 
 near us which frightened the mare and she ran away 
 kicking and charging wildly. We, Lewis and I, together, 
 turned her head against a fence, when she reared and fell 
 back on the buggy and broke a shaft. I jumped out with 
 baby and the men who had been shooting ran to our as- 
 sistance. Mr. Teagle helped us to repair the shaft and 
 drove us home. 
 
 February 16th, Maley cut her first tooth and was not 
 sick. 17th, weighed fourteen and a half pounds. 20th, 
 had another tooth. 22nd, Mr. Maverick got home. March 
 17th, Maley weighed fifteen pounds. April 17th, six- 
 teen pounds. May 17th, seventeen pounds. 
 
 On April 20th, Maley not very well. 22nd, Mary Brown 
 was baptized by Bishop G. W. Freeman. May 1st, we all 
 attended a picnic at San Pedro Springs. Willie narrow- 
 ly escaped being run over by Judge Paschal's coach. 
 
 Father Maverick's Death. May 7th, received a letter 
 from Mr. Maverick's sister, Lydia A. Van Wyck, saying 
 father was better and could whisper. 15th, another let- 
 ter said he was very sick. 22nd, Mr. Maverick received a 
 letter from a cousin, Robert Maxwell, giving the sad tid- 
 ings of father Maverick's death he died April 28th, 
 1852. The poor old man suffered over two years before 
 he died. His son never ceased to regret that he did not go 
 on to see him, ere he died but he seemed to be tied here 
 all the while, still hoping to start soon, and yet finding 
 something to detain him. 
 
 June 17th, Mary, one year old, weighs seventeen and 
 a half pounds. Mrs. Samuel made her a pretty dotted 
 swiss dress. Mary can stand alone is happy and play- 
 ful. Sam and Lewis went down to Cibolo to visit the 
 Houstons. 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 113 
 
 July 5th, Routez came up to see us. 
 
 July 13th, my sister with her two girls, Kate and Alice, 
 and nurse, came up from the coast to pay us a good long 
 visit. 
 
 October 6th, Mr. Clow came up, spent a week with us 
 and took his family home. Lizzie sent me an old china 
 bowl, an heirloom in our family, which has descended 
 through five generations that we know of, each time to 
 the youngest daughter . Mrs. Agatha Strother owned it, 
 and it is said in our family tradition she inherited it. From 
 Agatha Strother it descended to Mrs. A. Madison from 
 her to Mrs. Lucy Lewis from her to Mrs. Agatha L. 
 Adams from her to Mrs. Elizabeth Clow from her to 
 Ada Clow, her youngest daughter. (Lizzie wanted me 
 to keep it in my family, but in 1879 I sent it to Ada Clow 
 by my son Willie H. Maverick.) 
 
 1853. 
 
 January 4th, 1853, Mr. Maverick being away at the 
 Legislature in Austin, I took all the children and left on 
 the stage at ten p. m. for Dr. Houston's. There we had a 
 delightful visit. Heard of Fleming Bradley's death, and 
 his mother's great grief and distress. February 8th, we 
 returned from the Cibolo, and found the heavy snow of 
 the 6th, still unmelted. The excessive cold and the snow 
 together had cracked our cement roof and it was leak- 
 ing badly. February 13th, thermometer down to twelve 
 degrees above zero at three a. m. Mr. Maverick got home 
 on the stage quite ill with bilious colic. Althoug he had 
 been quite ill at Austin for two weeks, he continued, with- 
 out complaining, to attend to his legislative duties. He 
 now submitted to a "botanic course" and kept in bed for 
 several days wonderful for him. 
 
 March 9th, Mr. Maverick went with John McDonald 
 surveying to Fort Mason and the Llano, and to Fort Chad- 
 bourne and the Red Fork of the Colorado. 
 
 March 18th. X. B. Saunders held an examination at 
 his school and our boys received prizes. We gave Mr. 
 
Ill MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 Saunders his board to help him and he to help our boys 
 fair exchange. Judge Saunders is now residing at Bel- 
 ton, Texas. George tells me that Mr. Saunders used to 
 spank him daily, never omitting a school day, but that he 
 did not "lay it on hard." 
 
 April 25th, Mr. Maverick returned in good health. 
 
 May 1st, Sam and Lewis attend dancing school. 
 
 May 17th, Colonel Dancy took dinner with us, and in 
 the evening we all had a gay time trying "table rapping/ 7 
 Colonel Dancy was a spiritual medium and he told me 
 I was a medium also. 
 
 May 18th, George had the mumps. June 5th, Mary 
 had mumps but she was not sick, and she laughed at 
 "mamma's baby" in the glass. 
 
 June 21st, Willie makes his first trip to school with 
 George. 
 
 June 28th, sat up all night with Mrs. Cox who is dying. 
 She is mother of Mrs. Ogden. 
 
 In July, a committee of six ladies were chosen to get up 
 a church supper, in order to raise funds to complete the 
 Methodist Church on Soledad Street. 
 
 On July 28th, our supper came off we worked very 
 hard, and the supper was renewed the second night. The 
 sum of $617.00 was netted, and turned over to the build- 
 ing committee of which Elder Whipple was president, 
 and Miss Harriett Richardson treasurer. 
 
 August 21, we heard that yellow fever was very bad in 
 New Orleans. 
 
 November 4th, Mr. Maverick attended the Legislature 
 at Austin. Sam and Lewis came back from a long visit 
 to the Cibolo they had beaten all hands picking cot- 
 ton. General Rusk, United States Senator from Texas, 
 visited San Antonio, in November. He dined with me 
 we went to the Theatre at the Casino, then on south side 
 of Dolorosa Street, near the present location of Hord's 
 Hotel, and saw the laughter-provoking play of "Bombas- 
 tes Furioso." 
 
 December 22nd. An Episcopal supper was given in 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 115 
 
 the old Alamo Chuch the weather was bad, and the ven- 
 ture brought us no return. 
 
 1854. 
 
 January 1854. Sam, Lewis and I joined Professor Ry- 
 an's class in Psychology. March 15th, Mary Elliott mar- 
 ried Russell Howard. I received a letter from brother 
 Andrew, written at Huepac, Sonora, Mexico. 
 
 Conquista Ranch Established. On March 29th, Mr. 
 Maverick with Sam and Lewis, and Granville and four 
 Mexicans set off for our old Tiltona Rancho on the Mata- 
 gorda Peninsula, with the purpose of bringing Jinny 
 and her children and the stock cattle to a tract of land on 
 the left bank of the San Antonio River, about forty-five 
 miles below San Antonio. The new location after- 
 wards called by us the Conquista Ranch, because the 
 noted Conquista ford of the river was on this tract. The 
 tract extended along the river from a point half a mile 
 above the Conquista ford to a point below the mouth of 
 Marcellino Creek. They were gone two months, had a 
 rough, hard time of it and all came back well and hearty 
 on May 24th. 
 
 On Sunday, May 7th, 1854, was born our ninth child, 
 Albert. I was very weak and did not have milk enough 
 for him. In August Mr. Maverick established Conquista 
 Ranch in due form built a house, fences and pens and 
 left Jack in charge of the place. On August 14th, Sam 
 and Lewis with Mr. Maverick went down to the ranch. 
 Joey Thompson and Lizzie Houston spent December with 
 us and we enjoyed the time very much. 
 
 1855. 
 
 March 1855, Joey Thompson and Lizzie Houston came 
 to pay us a long visit. In April, I gave them a party which 
 the girls enjoyed very much. We had a large company 
 and the girls received great attention. In the latter part 
 of August, our whole family went down to visit the Hous- 
 tons and to partake of a birthday dinner given to Joey 
 Thompson. While at the Houstons, we had a great In- 
 
116 MEMOIRS .OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 dian scare. A party of some twenty-five or thirty Coman- 
 ches made a raid down the Cibolo, crossed the San An- 
 tonio River at the Conquista ford, and by rapid marches 
 escaped to the mountains with impunity. They killed two 
 persons, stole some horses and killed others. My boys, 
 Sam and Lewis, joined the party which went in pursuit of 
 the Indians, and I became wretched and anxious about 
 them. 
 
 Sebastopol. Wild rumors came soon after the boys had 
 gone, to the effect that several hundred warriors had 
 been seen not many mles from Dr. Hodston's house. This 
 was a new and startling turn. Dr. Houston's house was 
 a large and substantial stone building and the people for 
 miles around crowded there. We fortified the house and 
 most of us kept awake the whole night. We dubbed the 
 place, in its fortified condition, "Sebastopol," which in- 
 dicated our intention to defend ourselves to the last. But 
 it all proved a mere scare of some easily frightened per- 
 son. 
 
 While on this visit to the Houstons, we went up to a 
 grand ball at Seguin, and to dinner and speeches the next 
 day. 
 
 In December, Mr. Maverick was attending the Senate in 
 Austin, when we concluded to pay him a visit. On Decem- 
 ber 20th, I with George, Willie, Mary and Albert and 
 nurse Betsy, accompanied by Joey Houston, went over to 
 Austin to visit Mr. Maverick, and attend the inaugural 
 of Governor Pease. We boarded at Mrs. Newell's and 
 had a nice visit of two or three weeks. Joey made a de- 
 cided "impression." She played and sang well, and was 
 very attractive and lively and she had several offers of 
 marriage to consider and decline before we left Austin. 
 
 1856. 
 
 We returned from Austin about January 10th, 1856, 
 and on the 12th, we went with Joey to Dr. Houston's. 
 Sam Thompson, her brother, fifteen years old then, was 
 there. He, on February 20th, 1856, took her back home 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 117 
 
 to North Alabama. Colonel and Susan Hays and their 
 two interesting children, Jack and Dickey, visited San 
 Antonio and the Calverts at Seguin. 
 
 February 14th, Mr. Maverick returned from Austin. 
 While in Austin, to please Jack, he bought Rosetta, Jack's 
 wife, and her three children and brought them along with 
 him in the stage. 
 
 April 19th, Mr. Maverick went with J. McDonald and 
 eleven others surveying on the San Saba and up on the 
 Red Fork of the Colorado, to be gone two months. Mr. 
 Maverick returned June llth. William McDonald ac- 
 cidentally shot himself in camp. 
 
 Separation. On June 22nd, 1856, Lewis, then seven- 
 teen years of age, left us to go to college in Burlington, 
 Vermont. I felt as if some dear one had died, and I 
 missed my dear Lewis dreadfhlly. 
 
 July 3d, George was bit on the left foot by a moccasin 
 snake, whilst bathing above town at the island, now the 
 Grand Avenue crossing. Sam cut the wound and sucked 
 the poison from it. George ran home and we had a great 
 fright. Dr. Herff* gave him whisky, and he got over it 
 in a few weeks. 
 
 In September, Mr. Maverick sold to Mr. A. Toutant 
 Beaureguard all his cattle, estimated at four hundred 
 head. They were at Conquista ranch and scattered over 
 the country around there. 
 
 September 24th, 1856, Mr. Maverick set off with Sam; 
 Mr. Maverick on business for the S. A. & M. A. Railway 
 Company, and Sam for college. It was hard to let Sam go 
 he and Lewis so far away. On the day they left, Willie 
 ran a nail into his heel and I was alarmed, but Willie got 
 through safely. Mr. Maverick and Sam visited Lewis in 
 Vermont, and Lewis ran down with them to New York 
 City. 
 
 On November 8th, Sam sailed for Europe to attend the 
 University of Edinboro in Scotland across the ocean ! 
 
 *Dr. Ferdinand Herff, skilled physician, came to San Antonio from Germany 
 in 1847, member of an independent political society consisting of young Germans 
 of the upper class. 
 
118 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 18571859. 
 
 Birth and Death of Our Tenth Child. On October 
 17th, 1857, our fourth daughter and tenth and last child, 
 Elizabeth, was born, a very delicate baby. 
 
 We did everything we could to save her life, but all 
 in vain. She died March 28th, 1859, aged one year, five 
 months, and eleven days. 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 119 
 
 Chapter XVI. 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 task I set out to perform is completed. With 
 the death of my last child, I closed the book of 
 the past the remoter past and the events 
 which have happened since 1859, seem too modern to be 
 incorporated into this book. But in order to connect the 
 remoter past with the actual present I feel that I ought 
 to take a rapid glance over the period of twenty-two 
 years which has intervened. 
 
 The Civil War soon came on and Mr. Maverick and my 
 sons did not shrink from what they conceived to be their 
 duty. Mr. Maverick had always been a Union man in 
 sentiment, he loved the Union of the states, and although 
 he may have believed (before the question was settled) 
 that we had the abstract right to withdraw from the 
 Union, he thought the Union was sacred, and that the idea 
 of a dissolution of the Union ought not to be harbored for 
 a moment. Having such ideas and convictions, he found 
 life to be uncongenial and unpromising for him in South 
 Carolina, where the doctrines of nullification and ultimate 
 secession were agressively espoused by an overwhelming 
 majority of the ruling class. He came to Texas, but all 
 doctrines and issues of the former time bloomed into life 
 about him when Texas became a member of the union. 
 Creeping beneath the shadow of the manifold blessings 
 of the Union, came the bitter and unceasing strife. At 
 last he came to believe the quarrel was forced upon us, 
 and that there was before us an "irressible ronflict" 
 which we could not escape, no matter where we turned 
 
 The Secession Convention of 1861 met there was in- 
 tense excitement and, need I say, deep gloom the hour 
 
120 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 came at last when he was compelled to take his choice for 
 or against his kith and kin. The question was no longer 
 whether secession was right or wrong, wise or unwise, 
 the question was now narrowed down to this Even if 
 you could sever your fate from that of your people, 
 would your heart permit you to do it? 
 
 Thus it appeared to him, and he did a simple, straight- 
 forward unselfish act, and an act which nevertheless 
 gave him deep pain, when he cast his vote for secession. 
 
 The boys well, their youthful and warm sympathies 
 were aroused, and a simple sense of duty carried them 
 hand and heart with their state. When the war commen- 
 ced, Lewis was attending Chapel Hill, University of North 
 Carolina he immediately enlisted for six months in the 
 1st North Alabama Regiment, and was at Big Bethel, 
 the first battle of the war. Sam had returned from col- 
 lege he enlisted in the 1st Texas Cavalry, under Colonel 
 Henry McCulloch, which regiment served on the Indian 
 frontier for one year. In 1862, Sam crossed the Mississip- 
 pi River and attached himself to the 8th Texas Cavalry, 
 the gallant Terry Rangers. With that regiment he served 
 until the war was ended and, whilst with them, he gained 
 many laurels, for tireless devotion and unflinching cour- 
 age. Lewis returned to us at the end of his first en- 
 listment, and raised a company, Company "E", for the 
 32nd Texas Cavalry commanded by Colonel Woods. When 
 the company was mustered in, April, 1862, George at the 
 age of sixteen was sworn in with the rest as a private in 
 his brother's company. George remained a soldier and 
 a private throughout the war. Lewis was promoted dur- 
 ing 1864, to the staff of General DeBray, with the rank 
 of Major. At the battle of Blair's Landing on Red River, 
 on the day of April, 1864, Lewis received a severe 
 wound in the leg and George a slight scratch on his left 
 ear. Sam was "scratched" once or twice but he seemed 
 amidst perils and dangerous innumerable, to bear a 
 charmed life. 
 
 Willie came to the front as the war progressed and was 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 121 
 
 mustered in during January 1865. When he was just 
 seventeen, he wore the gray. So that, with the exception 
 of Allie, who was too young, I sent all my boys to the 
 front, and my prayers went with them, and neither they 
 nor I can ever be ashamed of the sense of honor which 
 led them to battle for the Lost Cause. When the war was 
 ended, the sentiment was unanimous in our family, that 
 all the old issues had been settled, and that the result 
 of the conflict was right. 
 
 The war over, July, 1865, George and Willie left 
 home to attend the University of North Carolina, and 
 afterwards the University of Virginia. 
 
 In 1865, Lewis A. Maverick and Ada Bradley were 
 married. They settled on the Colorado near Austin. 
 
 Sam was with his regiment in North Carolina, when the 
 war ended. He remained awhile at Pendleton, South 
 Carolina, with his relatives, and returned to us. 
 
 Death of Lewis. Lewis became almost an invalid while 
 attending the University of Vermont, and he was com- 
 pelled for his health's sake to prosecute his studies at 
 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and in fact he was never 
 quite well after his second winter in Burlington, Vermont. 
 During the war he bore the seeds of disease visibly on 
 his person and it made him quite unhappy at times to 
 feel that the fatal malady was slowly but surely sapping 
 his vigor, his youth, his life. 
 
 In the spring of 1866, his maladies developed rapidly, 
 and it soon became evident that he could not live long. 
 
 No child was born of this union between Lewis and Ada. 
 In 1870, Ada married Major Waelder, a prominent and 
 much respected lawyer of San Antonio. 
 
 In September, 1869, George returned from college, and 
 in October, 1869, Mr. Maverick took Mary to Staunton, 
 Virginia, where she entered the Episcopal School of that 
 place. Mary afterwards completed her studies in New 
 York City at Mrs. Hoffman's School for young ladies. 
 
 Death of My Husband. Mr. Maverick was not strong 
 or well in 1869, and it was upon our urgent request that 
 
122 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 he went with Mary to Staunton, and the trip was of bene- 
 fit to him. He felt that the grave was not far distant, for 
 in the fall of 1869, he wrote his last will and testament; 
 but, while he saw that disease was making inroads upon 
 his strength, he would not heed the suggestions offered 
 by relatives or friends, cautioning him to remove his mind 
 from his cares and his business, and to seek rest and rec- 
 reation by travel, or in the curative properties of the 
 many springs in the Northern States. In the spring of 
 1870, Mr. Maverick became quite feeble at last in Aug- 
 ust, he became much worse and we no longer had any 
 hopes of his recovery. Mr. Maverick breathed his last 
 on the 2nd day of September, 1870. I shall make no com- 
 ment here upon his pure and noble character, or upon the 
 tender feelings which lay deep in his heart I comfort 
 myself with the sentiment that he is happy now in 
 
 the company of his beloved Agatha 
 
 Since the death of my beloved husband, not a death 
 has occurred in our family. My five remaining children 
 have married happily, and I am now the mother of ten 
 children again. If Mr. Maverick were to look in upon us 
 today, he would be gratified at the good will, the good 
 health and the good fortune which have come and re- 
 mained with us during the ten years past. I am thank- 
 ful that God has spared me this long, to see my descend- 
 ants all happy and prosperous and I hope it will be 
 many years before the pleasant scene I am contemplating 
 shall be marred by misfortune or the hand of death. 
 
- ; - 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 123 
 
 , The Term "Maverick". 
 
 What a pity to contradict The Century Dictionary, but the fol- 
 lowing letters tell a story of their own: 
 
 Extract from Letter Written for the St. Louis Republic. 
 
 St. Louis, Nov. 16 1889. In response to your request I here- 
 with submit an account of the origin of the term "maverick", as 
 applied to unbranded cattle. 
 
 Hon. Samuel A. Maverick, a citizen of San Antonio. Tex., was, 
 during 1845, temporarily residing at Decrows Point, on Mata- 
 gorda Bay. He was a lawyer with a strong propensity for specu- 
 lation in real estate. In fact, all the . enterprising men in Texas 
 of that day went more or less wild over real estate at 5 and 10 
 cents per acre. An interesting volume could be written on the 
 land craze of that period. During that year (1845) a neighbor be- 
 ing indebted to Mr. Maveriiek in the sum of $1,200 paid the debt in 
 cattle, transferring 400 animals at $3 per head. Cattle were cheap 
 in those days, the hides only being cashable in the foreign mar- 
 kets. Mr. Maverick did net want the cattle, but as it was a case 
 of cattle or nothing, he passively received them and left them in 
 charge of a colored family, nominally slave, but essentially free, 
 while he and his own family returned to San Antonio. In the year of 
 1853 the cattle were removed from the Gulf coast to the Con- 
 quista ranch, on the east bank of the San Antonio river, 50 miles 
 below San Antonio. Here as before, under the poor management 
 of the colored family, who really were not to blame, as they 'had 
 no interest in the outcome, the cattle were left to graze, to fatten, 
 to multiply and to wander away. Mr.Maverick was absorbed in 
 real estate and no doubt enjoyed the reflection that he was not 
 encumbered by either the cattle or their managers. 
 
 About one-third of the calves were branded, and the branding- 
 iron was kept so cold and rusty that in 1856 the entire plant 
 or "brand" was estimated at only 400 head, the original number. 
 To the ingenious minded the explanation will occur when it is 
 stated that the branding of "mavericks" was perfectly "square" 
 in those days, although the occupation had not been distinctly 
 named. 
 
 Now the neighbors shrewdly surmised these calves to be Maver- 
 ick's, and so they called them "mavericks" but did they continue 
 to recognize them as such? Ah no; they hastened to burn into 
 their hides their own brands, and the beasts were Maverick's, 
 "mavericks" no longer. The reader should bear in mind that 
 before the day of fencing no owner could know his own cattle 
 on the range except by the brand, and so the first brand settled 
 the question of ownership. Thus the unbranded thray calves in 
 those days were dubbed "mavericks," for they were most likely 
 Maverick's, at least in that neck of the woods. The humorous neigh- 
 borss who profited by Mr. Maverick's indirect liberality, thus jok- 
 ingly gave him the credit for it and while they secured the profits 
 he was permitted to acquire the experience. 
 
124 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVEBICK 
 
 The name took, and spread, for Texas was then the heart of 
 ihe cattle industry of the United States. About the year 1856, 
 Mr. Maverick sold the entire brand, 400 head, "as they ran/' to 
 Mr. A. Toutant Beauregard, a brother of the distinguished general. 
 Mr. Beauregard, however, paid him $6 per head, and Mr. Maver- 
 ick retired from the venture, thoroughly experienced against 
 similar investments, but with an apparent profit of 100 per cent 
 and the unique distinction of having his name bestowed upon a 
 very dear friend of the human race. The truth is Mr. Maverick, 
 was never a cattle king, for, with the exception of the herd men- 
 tioned and a few necessary cow ponies he never owned any cattle 
 or horses. 
 
 To the stockmen of the West I submit this account and would re- 
 mind them that of the thousand and one versions of the story 
 only one can be correct. Be assured this is the true account. 
 
 George M. Maverick. 
 
 Matagorda 25th Novr. 1849 
 S. Maverick, Esq., 
 Dr. Sir, 
 
 Your servant "Jack" has done me the honor t<? 
 make me his amanuensis and requests that I inform you as 
 follows, viz: 
 
 In the first place he sends his most dutiful regards to you 
 and your family and says that his mother and self are quite well. 
 2nd. He says that he is very anxious to see you as without 
 assistance he finds it quite impossible to pen and brand your 
 cattle on the Peninsula and the stock is consequently becoming 
 more wild and unmanageable daily. 
 
 3rd. He wishes to receive your approval of his marriage, which 
 with your sanction he is anxious to consummate with a girl here 
 called Elizabeth and owned by Miss Ward. 
 
 With best regards to self and family, I remain 
 Your humble servt. 
 
 John C. Graham 
 
 Port Lavaca, Sept. 3rd, 1850 
 Sam'l A. Maverick. Esq.. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Having just returned from the 
 
 "Peninsula," Decrow's Point. T heard that your stock of cattle 
 were all being lost or stolen from want of proper attention. This 
 report so unfavorable to your interest induced me to suppose that 
 you might wish or find it to your interest to dispose of said stock. 
 I therefore address you this letter. If you wish to dispose of the 
 balance of said stock I will offer you such a trade that I think 
 you will conceive it be to your interest to make. 
 
 I have a tract of land lying in Washington County on the waters 
 of Mill Creek six miles from Brenham, the County Seat, well tim- 
 bered, well watered by the creek and springs and of the very 
 best quality of soil (1/2 league) title warranted been in possess- 
 ion for the last ten years house and improvements and eighty 
 acres under fence and in cultivation, rented now for $200 a year. 
 
 I will trade you this tract for a portion of the Peyton League 
 on Peyton's Bayou and on such terms as I think will suit you. The 
 
MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 125 
 
 reason I make this proposition is that I wish to go extensively 
 into the stock raising business, horses, mules, and cattle, and 
 I think if it should suit you that we could make such arrange- 
 ments as would be mutually acceptable and profitable. 
 
 An early reply will oblige , 
 
 Your obdt. Servt. 
 
 James T. Lytle. 
 
 Matagorda, July 24th. 1852. 
 Mr. Maverick, 
 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I am informed that you want to dispose of 
 them cattle and place -on the Peninsula. If such information 
 should be correct, you will please state the price and terms of 
 sa i e they have been awfully neglected, not branded ever since 
 you left, and will do you very little good, situated as they are. 
 Am, Sir Respectfully yours &. 
 James Stanley 
 
 To 
 
 Mr. Maverick, 
 
 San Antonio 
 Matagorda 
 
 Mrs.Mavric 
 
 Send someone to look after your stock of cattle 
 immediately or you will not have in eighteen months from this 
 time one yearling nor calf to ten cows. It is said and that by 
 some of our most respectable citizens that yearlings and calves 
 may be seen by dozens following and sucking your cows and brand- 
 ed in other people's brands. 
 
 While I am writing this I am informed that Morrison, Cove 
 
 and Worcester have each written to Mr. Maverick on this same 
 
 subject. But for fear that you are not apprised of it and hearing 
 
 that Mr. Maverick is net in Texas, I give you this information. 
 
 In haste. 
 
 Respectffully, 
 
 A friend to Justice 
 May 1853 
 
 San Pedro, 18th July, 1856 
 Hon'ble. S. A. Maverick, 
 
 Austin. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Upon my reaching my "rancho" after our last interview, 
 I called to see Jack two or three times, but not finding him at 
 home, he being out gathering your stock, I presume, I finally 
 sent him word by one of my negroes that you said "as soon as 
 he would gather your cattle he should let me know." This mes- 
 sage, by-the-bye, appears rather to have displeased the white man 
 who received it, Jack being absent at the time. However this may 
 be, Jack soon returned, and sent me word that he then had about 
 200 Hds. of your cattle in the range, and would comply with the 
 
126 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 request as soon as he could make some drives. But as yet I have 
 received no message from him; and time slipping on fastly, I 
 find I will have to leave for Louisiana before having got through 
 with this matter. But my son will be here ready to receive your 
 cattle ait any (time, should my proposals prove acceptable -to 
 you. From what your son, who procured him the pleasure of a 
 visit, told mine, (I being absent from home) Jack had on the 
 other day, as he said, about 200 again. Now I must conclude that 
 the negro boy is not over anxious that you should sell your stock, 
 either because he has there, indeed, an enviable birth, or because 
 he does not wish you to be convinced, by counting, of the gross 
 negligence of which he has been guilty. Under the circumstances, 
 I do not believe he will ever gather 300 heads. Therefore I will 
 make you the following proposals: to-wit: I will take the whole 
 stock as it now stands, and pay you for same, Two thousand 
 Dollars cash, provided you have disposed of no other beeves than 
 those taken by Capt. Walker. Or, I will pay you upon delivery, 
 Seven Dollars 25/100 per head. In either case, I should have the 
 exclusive ,use of your "jacal" & "coral", and of the premises from 
 Mr. Radaz' lower line, on the San Antonio River, down to the 
 mouth of the Marcelina for three years at least. Should any of 
 these proposals be agreeable, please inform my son of the same 
 by writing to "Leo J. Toutant, care of J. Twohig, Esq., San An- 
 tonio". Or by writing to myself to Bladon Springs, Alabama, 
 whither I am going. 
 
 I again repeat, Dr. Sir, what I said before: "that it is your inter- 
 est to sell and mine to purchase". And the sooner the better. 
 With high respect, T remain, Sir, 
 Truly yours, 
 
 (Signed) A.Toutant. 
 
 P. S'. I understand that your men say we have branded two of 
 your calves. I have requested Mr. Whetstone to see into the mat- 
 ter, and if so, apply the proper remedy. Indeed I am surprised 
 that this has not happened more frequently, so little have your 
 cattle been attended to. The payment, if you accept, will be made 
 through the agency of my friend, J. Twohig, Esq. Please write 
 me word at Bladon Springs of the result of Mr. Thibodeaux's pe- 
 tition, which you had the kindness of taking charge. 
 For want of opportunity this letter has laid over several days, and 
 mailed only on my way down. 
 
 Austin, Texas, August 13th, 1856 
 Mr. Leo S. Toutant, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 T rec'd a short time since from your 
 
 father a letter dated July 18, but which was mailed on his de- 
 parture from Louisiana, in which he offered me seven dollars and 
 a quarter per head for my cattle at Conquista, or two thousand 
 lor the lot without the difficulty and trouble of herding. 
 
 By last night's mail I have word that my negro boy is driven 
 away, and his life threatened, &c., so that I have now no power 
 to take care of the stock. Your Father wanted the corrals and 
 my land down to the Marcelina for at least 3 years. I judge the 
 cattle, my oxen, all the beeves (except 5 or 6 I sold to Capt. 
 Walker some months since) & 80 calves would be worth over 3 
 thousand. But situated as I am and considering the impossibility 
 cf my attending to the business, I will now propose to you to 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 127 
 
 take all of said cattle and oxen on the premises and those which 
 have strayed, at the sum offered by your father, provided you 
 will consent to take and allow $250 for the wagon, yokes, hogs 
 and horses, that are mine, and I am throwing in without rent a 
 large tract and good corral &c. You know your father's wishes 
 and can write me that you will take, or not, the whole affair at 
 $2250, If so, it will be a finished trade between us. But if you do 
 not wish to do so until you hear from your father, please write 
 me a letter to that effect, and in the meantime it would result 
 to the interest of your father and be greatly valued by me if 
 you will send your herders around to gather up the stock and let 
 it be understood you are buying them, so as to save them being 
 run off by theives. 
 
 Please write and direct me at San Antonio, as I wish the letter 
 to be reed, by my family. 1 address this to the care of Mr. Twohig 
 by a direction in your father's letter. 
 
 Dear Sir, I remain 
 
 Yours truly &c. 
 (Signed) S. A. Maverick 
 
 Rancho de San Pedro, Aug. 21st, 1856 
 S. A. Maverick, Esq. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I had the honor of receiving yester- 
 day a letter from you dated the 13th inst. in which I see that 
 you would be willing of accepting father's propositions, if he 
 would consent at the same time to take in the sale your horses, 
 hogs, &c. for $250. 
 
 Father having never mention to me of nothing else but of the 
 offer that he had made to you that is to say $7 per head or 
 $2,000 for the whole stock without excepting any. and at the same 
 time to have the use of your corrals for three years. 
 
 It would be out of my power to give you a direct answer for 
 your last proposition till I learn from him, though if you happen 
 to make up your mind to let me have the cattle at his said price, 
 1 wish you would come down or send a responsible man when we 
 would finish gathering to put your own brand on all those that 
 Jack neglected to brand before we put ours on as it was father's 
 direction when he started, and I shall bear the responsibility to 
 take in, your horses, hogs, yokes and chains at a reasonable price, 
 piovided that some one delivers them to me as I do not know 
 how many horses you have nor what they are! A.s for your hogs 
 I have not perceive any of them for a very long time; the rest 
 of your little things on the Rancho we would have no use for, 
 principally of your wagon which is all rusty and rotten. 
 
 If you consent, please have the kindness to give me a direct 
 answer so that we might commence the hardest work that we 
 ever practiced. 
 
 I remain yours very respectfully, 
 Leo J. Toutant 
 
128 MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 
 
 LIFE AND CHARACTER OF SAMUEL AUGUSTUS MAVERICK 
 
 DELIVERED OCT. 1870 BEFORE THE 
 
 ALAMO LITERARY SOCIETY 
 
 BY GEO. CUPPLES M. D. 
 
 Samuel Augustus Maverick was born on the 28th of July, 1803, 
 his mother being a daughter of General Robert Anderson, of South 
 Carolina, of Revolutionary renown. Of Mr. Maverick's boyhood 
 and youth little is known. Having received preliminary education 
 in his own State, he entered Yale College, where he graduated. 
 During his journeyings to and from Yale he made the acquaintance 
 of one destined to be for long years his friend and neighbor, and 
 to follow him to the tomb at an interval of but thirteen days. This 
 was the late Wm. B. Jacques, who often spoke of the gravity and 
 sedateness beyond his years of the young Maverick, whom he had 
 first known in the morning of life. 
 
 At this time Mr. Maverick's friends looked forward to the time 
 when he should become a leading man, and he himself was am- 
 bitious to excel and to take a political stand. But his views were 
 diametrically opposed to the nullification ideas of the Carolinians, 
 and he could not compromise with his opinions. He was not a 
 disciple of Calhoun, through personally an admirer of the trans- 
 cendent talent of that great statesman. Finding himself in politics 
 directly at variance with all his neighbors, he left the State. An 
 incident growing out of this difference had, no doubt, an important 
 part in determining him to such a step as emigration, then much 
 less common than now. His father on one occassion, after having 
 answered Mr. Calhoun in a speech of great power, was made the 
 subject of some intempe r ate remarks, which his son resented by 
 challenging the utterer of them. In the encounter he wounded 
 his antagonist, and afterwards nursed him until his recovery. Pre- 
 vious to this he had studied law under Henry St. George Tucker, 
 at Winchester, Virginia, and had been admitted to practice at 
 the bar of his own State. 
 
 He first moved to Alabama, and thence, in 1834, to Texas, ar- 
 riving at San Antonio in 1835. In the fall of that year Messrs. 
 Maverick, Jno. W. Smith and P. B. Cocke were arrested by Col. 
 Ugartachia, commanding the Mexican troops who occupied the 
 city. During their incarceration they contrived to keep up intel- 
 ligence with Gen. Burleson, who commanded the Texan army then 
 investing the town. On one occasion these three gentlemen were 
 sentenced on suspicion to be shot, and were actually marched to 
 the place of execution, when Mrs. Smith, now the wife of Mr. 
 James B. Lee, living on the Medina, appeared on the ground, fell 
 upon the earth, embracing the feet of the Mexican commander, 
 begging piteously for a further investigation of their case. The 
 investigation was finally granted, and resulted in the clearing of 
 the prisoners, who were, however, kept under close guard. They 
 made their escape, nevertheless, and joined the Texan army. Early 
 on the moring of the 5th of December, 1835, Col. Ben. Milam at- 
 tacked the city; S. A. Maverick as guide, with Milam at the head 
 of the right division, moving down Soledad street to the LaGarza 
 House Johnson, commanding the left, marching down Acequia 
 street to the same point, with Jno. W. Smith for guide. The can- 
 non posted at the corner of the Main Plaza swept these streets. 
 To procure water cur troops took the Veramendi House by dig- 
 ging a trench of five feet in depth across the street during the night 
 of the fifth, and so going back and forth with heads bent to avoid 
 the grapeshot. Of the seven hundred volunteers under Burleson 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 129 
 
 at the "Old Mill' above town, only two hundred fifty were un- 
 der Milam others joined them two days later, but the greater 
 number had gone home or to Goliad, where a force was then 
 gathering to move against Matamoras. On the 8th, Milam was 
 killed in the yard of the Veramendi House,* being shot through 
 the head; and by his side stood Mr. Maverick. On the 10th the 
 Mexicans ran up the white flag of surrender. The Texan troops 
 had fought incessantly night and day, and had taken all the 
 square block of buildings fronting the north side of the Main 
 Plaza, by digging through the walls of the houses from one to 
 another. Where the Plaza House now stands there lived he 
 priest, Padre Garza; trom this house the Texans made a charge 
 and took and spiked the guns, the fire of which had been con- 
 centrated on that building and was fast crumbling it down. In 
 this charge Col, Ward lost a leg, and the young Carolinian, Bonham, 
 an eye. The Mexican gunners fled or were cut to pieces. This was 
 on the morning of the 10th, and was followed by the capitulation 
 of Gen. Cos, who was permitted to retire with his troops across 
 the Rio Grande. Bancroft Llbllffjl 
 
 Mr. Maverick's absence on March 6th, 1836, the day of line mas- 
 sacre of the Alamo, was due to his being sent a delegate to the 
 Convention of the people of Texas, in which capacity he, on the 2nd 
 day of March, signed the Declaration of Independence; the Hon. Jose 
 Antonio Navarre being the other delegate from the municipality 
 of Bexar, also present and signing. 
 
 After the battle of San Jacinto, the result of which secured 
 the safety of Texas, for a time at least, Mr. Maverick returned 
 to Alabama, where he married, in August of the same year, and 
 in 1838, returned to San Antonio with his family. 
 
 In March, 1842, Gen. Vasquez invaded western Texas entering 
 San Antonio with nine hundred men. On this occasion, Mr. Twohig 
 blew up his store to prevent the ammunition it contained from 
 falling into the hands of the enemy. The few American families 
 then living in San Antonio had made good their escape in time; 
 retiring to the Brazos river. The family of Mr. Maverick did not 
 return to San Antonio until 1847. 
 
 On the 12th day of September, of the same year, the District 
 Court being in session, a Mexican citizen, now dead, was visited 
 by some of his countrymen, known to be in the Mexican service; 
 from them he ascertained that Gen. Woll was close at hand 
 with a force of fourteen hundred men. This intelligence he com- 
 municated to Don Antonio Manchaca, who lost no time in making 
 it known to Judge Hutchinson. The few troops stationed in San 
 Antonio immediately withdrew, but the American citizens, with the 
 members of the bar, the presiding judge at their head, decided on 
 defending the place; Mr. Maverick, who was urgent in favor of this 
 course, declaring that they ought to set the example of resistence 
 and that whatever might be their fate, they would at least check 
 the advance of the enemy, and give time for succor to arrive from 
 the few and scattered settlements which existed at that day in 
 
 *This typical Spanish House, a quaint landmark until recent years, was the 
 home of Jean Martin Veramendi, vice-governor of Coahuila and Texas, elected 
 in 1830. Veramendi was known as a "man of liberal principles" and was 
 naturally friendly towards San Antonio since he was a resident. His daughter 
 married James Bowie one of the heroes of the "Alamo." 
 
 In 1835 Ben Milam was shot about twenty feet back of the Veramendi 
 kome ; S. A. Maverick who with Deaf Smith had guided the Texan forces into 
 the city, stood beside Milam and caught him in his arms as he fell dead. 
 
 A narrow street south of the Wolff and Marx store, Veramendi St., is all that 
 is left to mark this historic spot. 
 
130 MEMOIES OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 western Texas. They accordingly, in the night of Saturday, the 12th, 
 took up their position on the flat roof of the building known as 
 Maverick's, forming the corner of Commerce and Soledad streets, 
 and commanding all the entrances to Main Plaza. The little band 
 numbered fifty-three Americans and one Mexican, Mr. Manchaca, 
 who had served through the War of Independence, from Bexar to 
 San Jacinto, and was especially marked for vengeance by Santa 
 Anna. Soon after daylight, in a thick fog, the Mexican troops en- 
 tered the Main Plaza, music in front, little expecting the reception 
 which awaited them. A pealing volley from the Texan j'ifles 
 checked' their march, and before Woll cohild withdraw them, 
 fourteen were slain outright and twenty-seven wounded. Having 
 placed his men under cover, Gen. Woll brought up two six-pound- 
 er guns, and being well advised of the numerical weakness of the 
 Texans, made his disposition for surrounding them and cutting 
 off their escape. On the roof of the Dwyer House, on the south- 
 east corner of the Plaza, he posted thirty-five Cushatta Indians, 
 who formed part of his force. Another detachment crossed the 
 river and took post near the pecan tree, in front of the barracks. 
 The east bank was guarded by Cavalry, also, and the preparations 
 of the Mexican commander being now complete, he sent an officer, 
 with a flag, to summon the little band to surrender as honorable 
 prisoners of war, adding, that if the conditions offered were not 
 accepted within ten minutes, he would advance on them with the 
 bayonet. During the fire of musketry and artillery to which they 
 were exposed while Woll was posting his troops, it is singular that 
 not one of the little band of Texans was hit; they being partially 
 covered by the low parapet of the flat-roofed house. The only one of 
 them that received any injury was Mr. Manchaca, who was struck 
 on the knee by a fragment of stone detached by a round shot 
 from the effects of which he walks lame to this day. Resistance 
 being evidently vain, the small band surrendered, and were, on the 
 retreat of Woll. marched to the Castle of Perote, and there im- 
 prisoned, under circumstances of the greatest harshness. 
 
 Gen. Woll has been generally and loudly denounced for breach 
 of faith toward his prisoners; but it is not generally known that 
 in sparing their lives he disobeyed the express orders of Presi- 
 dent Santa Anna, to put to death every man taken with arms in 
 liis hands as a rebel and a traitor. These orders were shown by 
 Woll, in 1863, to an intimate friend of Mr. Maverick (now present) 
 on which occasion he made many friendly inquires for Maver- 
 ick, Colquhoun, Twohig, and others, by name. When asked why 
 he had not defended his course by the publication of these orders, 
 Woll replied be himself owed, not only his life under similar 
 circumstance, to the intervention of Santa Anna, but also his 
 position in the Mexican army, and that he could not honorably 
 vindicate himself by the exposure of one to whom he owed so 
 much. 
 
 After the surrender of Maverick, Colquhoun, Twohig, Hutch- 
 inson, and Jtheir companions, rVVoll was utterly defeated with 
 great loss, five miles from San Antonio, on the Solado, by the Tex- 
 ans under Hays and Burleson, and without loss .on their own 
 side, if we except the La Grange company, under Captain Dawson, 
 which was surrounded by the Mexican troops in the prairie, while 
 on march to rendezvous, and cut to pieces; seven only of their 
 number escaping. 
 
 On the 23rd, Woll marched on his return to Mexico, carrying 
 his citizen-prisoners with him. On the way, one of the number, 
 Mr. Cunningham, died and was buried on the Leona. On their ar- 
 
MEMOIRS OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 131 
 
 rival at Perote they were subjected to the most humiliating and 
 cruel treatment,beng confined to cells, and frequently chained two 
 together; Major Colquhoun being, if I mistake not, Mr. Maverick's 
 companion in these bonds of adversity. Of these they were relieved 
 trom time to time, to work on a stone quarry, or on the road which 
 San Anna was constructing to his palace of Tacubaya. I have seen 
 the quondam prisoners smile grimly when allusion was made to 
 the little work the Mexicans got out of the Texan captives. While 
 they were here many attempts were made to bribe them with 
 promises of office and favor, and Mr. Maverick particularly, was 
 approached, on account of his influence in Bexar; but he, like 
 his companions in captivity, had naught but scorn for their offers, 
 which utterly failed to seduce them from their faith and allegiance 
 to Texas. 
 
 By the intercession of Waddy Thompson, then American minister 
 to Mexico, and a relative of Mr. Maverick, the latter, with Judge 
 Wm. E. Jones and old Judge Hutchinson, were released in April. 
 1843; others were released at the instance of the British minister; 
 while others, of whom the leader was Jno. Twohig, disdained to 
 ask protection from either power, and manfully dug their way 
 out of the fortress, making good their escape to Texas, in the 
 spring of 1844. 
 
 The following extract from a report of a speech made by Gen. 
 Waddy Thompson, at . Greenville, South Carolina, in May 1844 t 
 sets the conduct and character of Mr. Maverick during his cap- 
 tivity, in the most honorable light. "Amongst the many interesting 
 "incidents which General Thompson mentioned, there wa$ one 
 "particularly so, as it related particularly to a gentleman born 
 " and educated In this neighborhood Mr! Samuel A. Maverick 
 "which, in the language of Gen. Thompson, was not only honor 
 "able to the man himself, but to human nature. Mr. Maverick 
 "was a young man of large fortune, with a young wife and three 
 "or four interesting children. When he arrived at his prison, at 
 "Perote, he wrote to General Thompson, informing him that he was 
 "there ?.nd in chains, but said that he neither asked nor ex- 
 pected any interposition from Gen. Thompson, as he considered 
 "that such interposition might not be proper, and only asking the 
 "(General to convey some letters to his family. Gen. Thompson 
 "neverless, set about obtaining his release, and as there was then 
 "a negotiation on foot for reannexation of Texas to Mexico, Gen. 
 "Thompson wrote to Mr. Maverick, saying that if he was really in 
 "favor of such reannexation, and would say so, he thought his 
 "release would certainly be granted, as he, Gen. Thompson, would 
 "say to Santa Anna that any promise which Maverick made would 
 'certainly be complied with. Mr. Maverick replied: 'I regret that 
 "I cannot bring myself to think that it would be to the interest 
 "of Texas to re-unite with Mexico. This being my settled opinion, 
 "I cannot sacrifice the interest of my country even to obtain my 
 "liberty; still less can I say so when such is not my opinion, for 
 "I regard a lie as a crime, and one which I cannot commit. Gen. 
 "Thompson said that he felt a special pride in this heroic virtue 
 "because Mr. Maverick was a South Carolinian, his neighbor, and 
 "the 'kinsman of his kinsman.'" 
 
 I have dwelt at length on the history of the taking of San 
 Antonio, andf the adventures of the prisoners taken there, as 
 they constitute the last episode of the Texas-Mexican war, of which 
 San Antonio was the theatre, and they may give some idea of 
 the danger and hardships to which the old Texans were exposed. 
 
 During his captivity. Mr. Maverick was elected by his fellow 
 
132 MEMOIRS OF MABY A. MAVERICK 
 
 citizens of Bexar to the Senate. On his return, he found his family 
 at La Grange, all sick; after removing them to the coast, near 
 Decrows Point, he returned to South Carolina to procure means 
 to meet obligations which he assumed in many instances for 
 the relief of his more necessitous companions in captivity. He 
 gradually sold his property elsewhere and invested in Texas lands. 
 In 1847 he returned to San Antonio, where he continued to reside 
 up to the time of his death, September 2nd of this year. 
 
 In 1838 he took out his law license in San Antonio. From 1838 
 until 1842 he was one of Hays' minute men, and often followed 
 the trail of the marauding Indians under that celebrated chieftain. 
 He accompanied his old leader, in 1848 % on his expedition to 
 open the route from San Antonio to El Paso del Norte. On this 
 memorable trip they lost their way, and were at the point of 
 starvation one man actually perishing of hunger; when they were 
 guided by Indians to San Elisario, on the Rio Grande, where they 
 lound food and rest. Their route back from El Paso established 
 to brand mine...," but the following article and letters tell a story 
 
 In February. 1861, as one of the three Commissioners of the 
 Committee of Public Safety, he was charged with the delicate duty 
 of procuring the removal of the United States troops from the 
 State of Texas and that all this was effected without bloodshed, 
 and with so little of inconvenience or humiliation to the officers 
 and men who had so long been friends among us, constitutes one 
 of his highest titles to the respect and gratitude of his fellow- 
 citizens, and a very little acquaintance with the situation of af 
 fairs at that time will satisfy any one, whatever views he may 
 entertain on the question of secession, that but for this action of 
 the Commissioners, civil war would have been inaugurated in the 
 State; the Federal troops numerous, well equipped and well 
 commanded, forming a nucleus for an army composed of the forces 
 which the Governor had already commanded to organize for the 
 maintenance of Federal authority. No one who knows the feelings 
 which prevailed throughout Texas can doubt that the Union army 
 would soon have succumbed, but I repeat, that to the prudent yet 
 energetic action of the Commissioners, and of their coadjutors, 
 Texas owes it that no blood was shed within her borders, and that 
 she escaped the horrors of war which devastated her sister States. 
 
 With this closed the public functions of Mr Maverick, which 
 he had exercised in various capacities from the memorable day 
 when he affixed his signature to the Declaration of Independence, 
 and always with credit to himself and advantage to his constituents; 
 his public services in either House, in conventions, or in any capac- 
 ity whatever, being rendered with disinterestedness and freedom 
 from all personal and party consideration; which, I trust, will yet 
 from all personal and party considerations. 
 
 Truthful to a punctilio no man can say that he ever used equivo- 
 cal language, and his sincerety was testified to by the confidence 
 he commanded from all who knew him. And of those who enjoyed 
 that privilege, who is there who does not remember to admire 
 that courtesy of the old school which is fast passing away? 
 
 Prudent and considerate, he never said of the absent one word, 
 which uttered in their presence, could have wounded or pained 
 them. Modest and retiring to a fault he ever manifested that 
 iorgetfulness of his own comfort and convenience which is the 
 true test of good breeding. 
 
 He was frugal and unostentatious in his habits, and he carried 
 into practice his philosophic scorn of the gewgaws of fashion and 
 of display. Years ago, when sickness and distress pressed hard on 
 
MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 133 
 
 the poor classes in San Antonio, secretly, and as a thief in the 
 night, Mr. Maverick came unto the then mayor of the city, bear- 
 ing somethng tinder his cloak that cloak which,! among the 
 older inhabitants may be remembered as an historical relic 
 drawing forth the hidden object, Mr. Maverick, in his peculiar 
 hurried manner, begged his honor to undertake the distribution 
 among the necessitions of a thousand dollars, his contribution 
 in this time of suffering, and above all, to say nothing of it. 
 
 To this Society he leaves the signal honor of having inscribed 
 his name on the roll of its founders, and the task of rearing on 
 the site, which you owe to his munificence, an edifice which may 
 do honor to the donor and credit to your young Association, the 
 Alamo Literary Society; a task in which 1 trust you will be aided 
 by the wealthier members of the community. 
 
 To the inheritors of his name he has bequeathed a heritage 
 richer than broad lands, more precious than fine gold the name 
 of a just, an upright and a conscientious man, of one who never 
 compromised with his convictions, who never bowed the knee to 
 expediency; and let them ever remember that the name they 
 bear has long been a synonym for honor, integrity and truth. 
 
 SUBSTANCE COPY TO CAPT. COMDT. HOWE, SAN ANTONIO 
 
 BEXAR 
 
 Capt. Coindt. S. M. Howe, 
 San Antonio, Bexar Co. 
 
 Port Cavallo, Matagorda Co., Tex. 
 
 July 3rd, 1847. 
 My dear Sir: 
 
 I desire to make my excuses to Capt. Rawlins for 
 not giving him a decisive answer in regard to some Alamo prop- 
 erty, and as I am indebted to you for many civilities and you 
 were the first to introduce the subject of the Goverment's sup- 
 posed right to the same, I am going to beg of you the favor to say 
 to Capt. Rawlins that the time intervening between our inter- 
 view and my hurried departure from San Antonio was so short 
 that I was unable to make any very extensive discoveries on the 
 subject. But I did inquire of two or three of the old inhabitants, 
 persons of information and veracty, who stated to me uniquivocally 
 that the Alamo never was a fort, barracks, or "anything of a Gov- 
 ernment post or military establishment but that it was a mission 
 "The Mission of San Antonio de Velero," like those missions below 
 San Antonio and others over Mexico generally. It was enclosed in 
 walls about 150 yards square in the first instance as a protection 
 against wild Indians and afterwards given as a sort of uniform 
 fashion for Catholic Indian Missions. These persons when questioned 
 by me with regard to those uniform arches noticed by you and me 
 on the West side, state with much plausibility (and no doubt truth) 
 that these were the cells of the priests, etc. These arched buildings 
 proclaim such :, uniformity and unity of plan; but I think you 
 gentlemen will agree with me that they belonged to no part of 
 the plan of a fort. Being a Mission and having strong walls and 
 contiguous stone houses caused it to be first used in 1835 and 
 -6, etc. by the Mexican Military as a convenient place. 
 
 I was myself a prisoner in the hands of General Cos. in Dec. 1835 
 in San Antonio. Gen'l Cos' and Ugartechia's principal barracks were 
 in the Military square in this city in 1835. Upon the approach of 
 
134 MEMOIRS OF MARY A. MAVERICK 
 
 the first Texan army under Austin, Cos commenced putting the 
 Alamo into fort fashion. During the month of November '35 with 
 great labor, Cos for the first time turned the Alamo into a fort. 
 He threw down the arches of the Church which now lie inbedded 
 with the earth in order to .make an inclined plane to haul cannon 
 on top the Church. He also erected mounds at different distances on 
 the sides for cannon. And being then a prisoner I do not positively 
 know, but I am sure it was then or afterwards when Santa Anna 
 massacred Travis & Co. that those bastions and other fort shapes 
 were given to the Alamo. 
 
 My dear sir, I want you to bear me witness and I propose to 
 submit the question to the careful investigation of Capt. Rawlins. 
 But in making his inquiry there is only one thing to be guarded 
 ?.gainst, a two-complying or assentive disposition in the Mexicans 
 (they do not like to say no, it appears to be a part of their polite- 
 ness) I ask no favor, but I confidently look for justice. Though 
 I must add that I have a desire to reside in this particular spot. 
 A foolish prejudice, no doubt, as I was almost a solitary escape 
 from the Alamo massacre having been sent by those unfortunate 
 men only four days before the Mexican advance appeared, as 
 their representative in the convention which declared Independ- 
 ence, etc. Capt. R. as a man of honor is aware of the immense 
 advantage which the Government has in a contest with an individ- 
 ual. Let him in candor make the requisite inquires of the most 
 respectable and disinterested old Mexicans. If they say that the 
 Alamo was built for a fort I will freely surrender my supposed 
 rights, but on the contrary if they say it was an old Mission and 
 onlly accidently and recently used by the military merely be- 
 cause it was convenient, originally strong, etc., then I shall expect 
 Capt. R. to withhold the strong arm of power from my poor pri- 
 vileges and my little predilections. If my proposition is not fair 
 and equal, then I pray that you or Capt. R. will do me the favor 
 to suggest some more acceptable plan of settlement. Forgive me, 
 dear sir, and believe me, Your attached fellow citizen, 
 
 S. A. Maverick. 
 
 City of Houston, 
 
 September 2, 1839. 
 Samuel A. Maverick,, Esq., 
 
 San Antonio, 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 In compliance with the request of yourself and fellow 
 citizens and my promise to do all for your relief in my power 
 and which the exigencies of your situation demands, I have laid 
 before His Excellency, the President, the Secretary of war and 
 other offices of Goverment, the exposed and deplorable state of 
 your frontier and your city in particular, and the result of my ex- 
 positions and efforts are. that Major Ross with his detachment 
 of about seventy men, well mounted and well armed, has been or- 
 dered to include your section of country in his circuit of ranging 
 and to afford you all the protection in his power. The President 
 has also written individually to John H. Moore on the Colorado to 
 raise two hundred men to range out your way. No force can for 
 the present be made stationary at your place, although this will 
 be attended to as soon as recruits may be had from the United 
 States. 
 
 I write this in consummate haste as the gentleman who takes 
 
MEMOIES OF MAEY A. MAVERICK 135 
 
 this is on horse awaiting. Our friend I. P. Borden is at my elbow 
 and sends his best respects to you and his thanks for the docu- 
 ments which you remitted to him by me. 
 
 With the assurances of my esteem and regard for your- 
 self and all our friends, 
 
 I, Sir, remain, Yours obediently, 
 Thomas G. Western 
 
 Seguin, 26, February 1842. 
 Dear Sirs: 
 
 There are a number of our citizens who feel desirous 
 to render you such aid as may be in our power in case of an 
 attack upon your city. You will, therefore, oblige us by giving us 
 information by return mail, and at all times when you think 
 prudent, of your situation, and we will depend upon your in- 
 formation and act according to your advice. We have many ru- 
 mours here and know not truly what to believe, and the people 
 generally are busily employed, and they do not wish to act until 
 necessity requires, so that my giving us correct information, we 
 will depend upon it and come out to your aid if really needed. 
 
 We understand that an express went on yesterday morning to 
 Gonzales for aid. Why not give us the news also? And we can ren- 
 der you some aid and forward the express to the next settlement. 
 A. company will leave this in one or two hours notice for Bexar 
 on foot at any time, so that we may be relied on when you send 
 for us by giving us the true situation of your affairs, and we will 
 not encumber ourselves unnecessarily by horses or anything else 
 but arms, and can march through in a night. 
 
 Be particular to write by mail if possible. 
 I am, gentlemen, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 A. Neill 
 
 Messrs. C. Van Ness 
 Ed Dwyer and S. A. Maverick 
 
 gal one Maverick 4 30 Hill 
 
 MRS DICKINSON'S STORY OF THE "FALL OF THE ALAMO." 
 
 Mrs. Dickinson told Dean Richardson of St Marks Episcopal 
 Church the following story of the "Fall of the Alamo", several 
 times; once when the transfer of the Alamo property from the 
 Church to the State was about to be made (1883). At this time, 
 Che walked with him and a party of others to an inner room in 
 the Alamo, and -pointed it out as the one in which she and the 
 Mexican women were asked to stay, and where they were when 
 the Alamo fell. 
 
 The first attack of the Mexicans was over, and all seemed peace- 
 ful, when one day Lieutenant Dickinson came hurriedly up to 
 their home on Main Plaza, saying: 
 
 "Give me the baby; jump on behind me and ask me no ques- 
 tions." 
 
 They galloped down to the crossing, at the point where the "Mill 
 Bridge" now is, but not in time to escape being fired at by the 
 incoming Mexican?!: however, they succeeded in crossing and 
 ha '"toned over to the Al^mo. 
 
 Mrs. Dickinson said she saw no fighting only the noise of the 
 
136 MEMOIBS OF MABY A. MAVERICK 
 
 battle reaching her and the few Mexican women inside the Alamo. 
 
 On the day of the fall, Sunday, her husband kissed her good- 
 bye in the morning, and she never saw him again. 
 
 Probably she and the Mexican women, who were her compan- 
 ions, saw the bayoneting of the last American; when the shoot- 
 ing was over, a soldier crawled into the room where they were, 
 not to seek refuge, but to carry out an order previously given, 
 and generally understood, which was that if the garrison fell 
 someone was to try to fire the powder supply; and this man 
 named Evans, wounded and spent with weariness, was killed 
 while making his painful way to the powder room. 
 
 One of the Mexican officers, always thought by Mrs. Dickinsom 
 to be General Almonte, Chief of Staff to Santa Anna, wlio spoke 
 broken English, stepped to the door of the room in which tha 
 women were, and asked: 
 
 "Is Mrs Dickinson here?" 
 
 As she feared to answer and kept quiet, he repeated: 
 
 "Is Mrs. Dickinson here? Speak out, for it is a matter of life 
 and death." 
 
 Then she answered, telling who she was, and he took her in 
 charge over to Main Plaza. Here she and her child were held 
 and cared for some days, when she was given a horse and a bag 
 of provisions and told to go. She and her baby and a colored man- 
 servant journeyed safely eastward to the town of Washington, 
 then the Capital, where she lived some years, later returning to 
 visit in San Antonio. 
 
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