Texian Stomping Grounds Page: 118
162 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
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WILL-O- THE-WISP OF
THE ESPERANZA
By John William Blackwell
Along the north side of La Salle County there is a creek
which winds its way into the southwestern corner of McMullen
County, emptying into the Frio River. It forms a watershed
for several miles of the hill country on the north side of the
river, which is a very treacherous stream. The creek has been
known to rise very rapidly after a rain, and come down in a
wall of water several feet high, taking its one bridge and every-
thing else in its path. It is not a running stream, but in places
along its banks it has never been known to go dry. These washed
places, caused by sudden rises, have made it very dangerous
for the cowboys, who often have to swim the creek on horse-
back in driving herds across the stream. Many of the boys
have been forced to leave horses that fell off one of these bluffs
into a hole and went under.
This creek is known as the Esperanza (Hope) creek. There
is no story to explain the origin of this name, but for the past
seventy years the Anglo-Americans who have lived in the
vicinity have supposed that it was so named by the Mexicans
because of a very mysterious light that has been seen along the
bank and at the mouth of the creek--beckoning to the beholder
like Hope.
This light on the Esperanza Creek, this Will 0' the Wisp,
appears to be about the size of the headlight on an automobile.
It travels at various speeds, and at a distance of from one to
three feet above the ground. It has been seen in all kinds of
weather conditions, and at all seasons of the year, at all hours
from dusk till dawn.
A country road that runs parallel with the Frio River crosses
the Esperanza about two miles above the mouth of the stream.
Night travellers along this road have seen the mysterious light
as far out as six or eight miles from the crossing of the creek
and have been followed by it beyond the creek.
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Texian Stomping Grounds (Book)
Collection containing sketches of post-war life in East Texas, including descriptions of early recreations and games, stories about Southern food and cooking, religious anecdotes, Negro folk tales, a first-hand account of a Negro folk play about the life of Christ, and other miscellaneous folklore. The index begins on page 159.
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Dobie, J. Frank (James Frank), 1888-1964. Texian Stomping Grounds, book, 1941; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67663/m1/126/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Press.