The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 58, July 1954 - April, 1955 Page: 48
650 p. : ill., maps (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
Creek, about three miles southwest of present Eden, the party
struck west in the direction of the main Concho, A-hope Ho-
Nope, or Blue River, as the Indians called it. Before the main
stream was reached, however, a number of its tributaries were
crossed: Kickapoo Creek, Antelope Creek (so named because Jim
Shaw missed an antelope at forty yards there), Boiling Fork,
Dove Creek, Good Spring Creek, and Lipan Camp Creek. Ford
stated that streams "were named in accordance with their Co-
manche designations, or from incidents.""1 Perhaps Jim Shaw
Creek and Nabors Creek on the east side of the Colorado were
named for members of the party.
The Concho was struck "about ten miles below the mouth of
the North Fork."12 This was not the stream later known as the
North Concho, but a fork arising in present Upton County and
flowing through Reagan County into Irion County. The point
where the party struck the Concho was probably about fifteen
miles northwest of present Mertzon. The head spring of what
Neighbors designated as the main Concho was reached on April
12, 1849. Neighbors reported that the surface of the country from
Brady's Creek to the head of the Concho was gently undulating,
and had an abundant supply of water, timber, and grass."5 After
leaving the Concho, the Chihuahua Trail was followed for a short
time.4
At the Mustang Water Hole, about fifty-three miles from
Horsehead Crossing of the Pecos, or in the vicinity of present
Stiles, the expedition almost came to an end. The party was
mounted on mules, which were stampeded about daylight by a
herd of mustangs. Enough mules were secured to mount and
pursue the others, but it was noon before the Indians returned
with the runaways. The Indians heaped many maledictions upon
Ford's mule, Tantrybogus, which was blamed for the stampede,
"notwithstanding he had on hopples [sic], and was noted for his
laziness. . After the stampede he had not a single friend in
camp."55
51Ford, Memoirs (MS.), III, 513.
52Ibid., 514.
5sNeighbors to Harney, June 4, 1849. R. W. D. L. R.
54Dr. Henry Connelley, of Missouri, was a prominent leader who took part in the
opening of the trail in 1839-1840. Texas Democrat, June 23, 1849.
S5Ford, Memoirs (MS.), III, 514.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 58, July 1954 - April, 1955, periodical, 1955; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101158/m1/68/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.