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Indian Fight on the Head of the Pecos in 1872

Michael has a BA in History & American Studies and an MSc in American History from the University of Edinburgh. He comes from a proud military family and has spent most of his career as an educator in the Middle East and Asia. His passion is travel, and he seizes any opportunity to share his experiences in the most immersive way possible, whether at sea or on the land.

Concho County, Texas

    During 1872, James E. Rank and Lockhart, his brother-in-law, moving to New Mexico, reached the head-waters of the main Concho. They were charged by Indians, about three o'clock in the evening, one of their cow-hands killed.

    Taylor and Charlie Vandeveer, and Bill Morrow were about one-half day's journey behind the Rank and Lockhart cattle. Later, the same Indians attacked the Miller and Vandeveer herd, and when they did, all escaped, excepting Jim Whitehead and his wife, and James Watson. Jim Whitehead and his wife, were moving to Arizona, or elsewhere, and following the herd with an ox-cart. In a short time, they were surrounded, but they cut the steers from the wagon and successfully held their ground. During the fighting Watson was wounded in the neck. The Indians succeeded in capturing all or most of the Seattle.

    Note: Author interviewed: Taylor Vandeveer, mentioned above.

The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.

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