Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas Page: 363 of 372
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ENYCLO PEDIA.
29,5
stantly expired. The other two. succeeded in mak- selves with teams by the opening of s iring, they
ing their escape; but, unfortunately, at that mo- made their way to Robertson's Colony, and settled
ment the commander of the post, Captain George on Pond creek, near its mouth, in whalt is now
B. Erath, was absent on a scout with the majority Falls county. I1 the winter of 1835, when almost
of his men west of Little river; and before the In- all the settlers had retired from the frontier in
dians could be pursued they had fled to their consequence of the hostility of the Indians, he
mountain home, thus escaping the punishment they and his brave associates remained on their farm.
so richly deserved. In the spring of 1836, their first misfortune overCoryell
was really a frontierman, - an excellent took them. The Indians made a descent upon
woodsman, an agreeable companion, a brave sol- their settlement. His brother Laughlin, while
dier, and admirable marksman, - and was splitting rails a short distance from the house, was
beloved by all who knew him. At the time of his killed. His wife was also murdered. His mother,
death, he was forty years old. A short time previ- an aged and enfeebled woman, not able to walk,
ous to his death, while out on a scout, he explored was burned alive in the house, and their three
a region of country now known as Coryell county, children taken into captivity, - two of whomn soon
and, being a man of acute judgment, was struck died. The other, a fine boy of seven years, was
with the beauty and eligibility of the country near adopted by the Indians; and when reclaimed in
the mouth of Coryell creek. He there located his 1846 he was unable to speak a single word of Engheadright
of one-quarter of a league, and thus lish, and, in the Indian garb and with all the
gave his name to that stream. propensities of that race, it was no ordinary task
to win " this yolung savage from the customs
and feelings that had been engrafted on him by
his Indians friends. After his return it was a long
- time before he could be reconciled to his relatives
cLENNAN, S:., NEIL, the Patriarch of and civilization; but at lengtl tlhey triumphed,
the Bosque, a native of the Highlands of and he resided on I-log creek, with his wife,
Scotland, was born in the year 1777, and an american lady, and family, an industrious
immigrated with a large family connection farmer, and doing well. During the lifetime of
to the State of North Carolina in the year 1801, his adopted Indian mother lie often visited her,
where he continued to reside, pursuing the bust- being always loaded witIh such presents as he
ness of a farmer, until the year 1816, when, ima- knew would gratify her,--thus showing his gratipelled
by a brave and adventurous spirit, in corn- tude for her care and attention to him during his
pany with one companion, he determined to ex- boyhood. After the attack by the Indians, Neil
plore the then wilderness of Florida. This they McLennan and Iiis companions, attending to the
accomplished under the most disadvantageous cir- remonstrance of their friends, removed to Nashcumstances.
Without a path or a guide, they ville, at that time a frontier settlement; but in the
penetrated and explored the dense forests of West spring of 1837 he determined once more to open
Florida, traversing it in every direction for several his farm, and, in company with his son John, afhundred
nliles on foot, burdened with their guns, terwards Sheriff of McLennan county, and a negro
axes, and provisions and blankets. Being satisfied boy, commenced planting corn, when the Indians
with that country, he removed to it in the follow- again attacked him. He and his son narrowly esing
year, and continued to reside there until the caped: his negro boy, after being sevIrely wounded,
year 1834, when having heard of the great and was taken prisoner, but, disliking the Indian mode
peculiar advantages of Texas, he, together with of life, he, through his own exertions and the
his brothers, a few friends and their families, mediation of the friendly Indians, was soon reafterward
removed to that country. They pur- leased from captivity and safely restored to his
chased a schooner at Pensacola, loaded lier with master.
their worldly goods, and navigated her themselves, Whenever there was a call for rangers for fronand
arrived safely at the mouth of the Brazos tier protection, Neil McLennan was sure to respond.
river. Early in 1835, they proceeded up the razos The daring feats performed by these hardy and
river as high as what is now known as Fort Bend brave men it is not now our province to recount.
county,- where, striking a snag, the schoone At this time land surveying on the frontier was
was sunk; but they succeeded in saving the ma- rathler a dangerous business; but Neil was always
jority of their goods; and, having supplied them- sure to be found among them, doing good service.
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas (Book)
Biographical view of Texas and its history including narratives of the individuals who helped shape Texas history and information about important point in history including: the pioneer days of Texas, Texas' transition from a Mexican state to being part of the United States, and the wars in which Texas citizens took part.
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas, book, 1880; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5827/m1/363/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.