Runnels County, Texas
During 1877, Billy Brown and Horace Simms, who were ranching on Oak Creek, northwest of Ballinger in Runnels County, discovered two or three men that appeared to be Indians, driving a bunch of stolen horses. The Indians ran and were charged by the white citizens. When the savages reached a ravine, one of their number dropped off into the sunflowers, and his horse went on. In a short time, this Indian, who ambushed Brown and Simms on Mess Box Creek, wounded both of the citizens. Billy Brown died the same day.
Note Author interviewed: D.A. Cameron, and others.
The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.