The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 63, July 1959 - April, 1960 Page: 377
684 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Emma Altgelt's Sketches of Life in Texas
vegetables because the inhabitants did not have the time to start
a garden. My husband had a hard time saving his men from
hunger. In bad weather or when the water was high, the hauling
teamsters would be away a long time, and when a wagon loaded
with foodstuffs would arrive it was almost looted. Fortunately
there was an abundance of fresh meat. The settlers took turns in
butchering and sent their neighbors slices of beef which lasted
for days, and whenever more was needed, the young folk would
hunt for deer or bear. Today bear are rarely found [1887], deer
are fewer, and it takes luck to get one. On the other hand, wild
turkeys are plentiful.
Among the older inhabitants a sort of communism prevailed,
brought about by conditions. Oftentimes one had to get along
for months without cash money. One would give to others what
could be spared, and take in return what was lacked. Visiting was
pleasant and simple, likewise dances and other entertainments
which were organized by the community. The work was divided
up, everyone brought such provisions as he thought proper for
the occasion. Sometimes several families would go on a picnic
together by wagon or on horseback, to gather grapes or nuts, both
of which grew in abundance on the banks of the Guadalupe and
its tributaries. When grapes were plentiful, everyone made his
little barrel of wine, and there was much and frequent celebrat-
ing. The young mothers were compelled to bring their children
with them to these celebrations. The babies of the whole party
were then laid together on a big bed to sleep, while the older chil-
dren could watch the dancing. One day, or rather one night, some
young people got the idea to change the places and clothes of the
different sucklings. When the party broke up at dawn, each
drowsy-eyed mother grabbed for her baby, drove home, then soon
discovered the exchange and was forced to take the little scream-
ing thing with her and attempt to trade it in for her own.
Occasionally the high spirits were suddenly interrupted by hair-
raising news of robberies and murders by the Indians. Even after
ten years the redskins sometimes showed up in the rapidly growing
town. Many a horse, grazing in the neighborhood of a house, was
led away by them, and unfortunately many a peaceful citizen be-
came a victim of their arrows. The worst cruelty was their stealing
of children and dragging them into the wilderness under horrible377
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 63, July 1959 - April, 1960, periodical, 1960; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101186/m1/477/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.