A History of Collin County, Texas Page: 15
x, 303 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Indians Before and After the Arrival of White Settlers
Late in November, 1841, a wagon was sent from Bird's Fort, in pres-
ent Tarrant County and twenty-two miles west of present Dallas, to
the Red River for provisions. When the scheduled time for its return
had passed, A. W. Webb, S. Silkwood, and Hamp Rattan were sent to
investigate. On Christmas Day, while these men were cutting down a
tree on the east side of Elm Fork, one and a half miles southwest of
where Carrollton is now located, they were attacked by Indians and
Hamp Rattan was killed. After killing one of the savages the other two
men fled back to the fort, where Silkwood soon died from exposure.
A single man, then dispatched to find the relief wagon, succeeded and
on December 30 the party reached the scene of the killing. Here the
members found Rattan's faithful dog still guarding his body. On May
22, 184I, John and Liddleton Rattan, two of his brothers, were in the
fight at Village Creek, six miles east of the present site of Ft. Worth,
when Captain John B. Denton was killed. Hamp Rattan was the son
of Thomas Rattan who came to the present Melissa in 1844. Other
children of Thomas Rattan who came to Texas were Mrs. Hogan Witt,
Mrs. J. W. Throckmorton, Mrs. John Kincaid, Mrs. William Fitzhugh,
and T. H. Rattan.5
In November. I842, J. H. Wilcox, David Helms, and Joseph Harlan
attempted to found a settlement on Wilson Creek, but this was broken
up by Indians so the group joined John McGarrah in establishing
Buckner.
Just prior to November, 1842, Wesley Clements, Samuel Young, and
a man named Whisler with their families settled three miles north of
McKinney on Honey Creek. Late in December, Young went to Fort
Inglish in Fannin County to get supplies. On Christmas morning, while
working in the timber near their cabins, Clements and Whisler were
attacked by Indians and the latter was instantly killed. Clements fled
toward the cabins. His wife, hearing the commotion and seeing her
fleeing husband, rushed to meet him with his gun in her hands. She
was, however, too late. He was tomahawked and scalped within fifty
yards of his home. With the aid of Mrs. Young, Mrs. Clements barred
the door and kept the Indians away with the gun. In the meantime,
Mrs. Whisler, who was at the branch, heard the firing and saw the In-
dians. She submerged herself in the stream, keeping only her nose above
6John Henry Brown, History of Dallas County from 1837 to 1887 (Dallas,
1887), p. II; Wilson, Book 8, pp. 3, 4.
15
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Stambaugh, J. Lee, b. 1889; Stambaugh, Lillian J., b. 1888 & Carroll, H. Bailey. A History of Collin County, Texas, book, 1958; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth61096/m1/27/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .