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Mr. Cassady’s African

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.

Stephens County, Texas

    During the fall or early winter of 1858, Mr. Cassady had a camp on Hubbard Creek, while he was building a log cabin. Late one evening he and his men were out after logs, when they heard a gun fire. When they reached their camp which was approximately fifteen miles north and west of the present city of Breckenridge in Stephens County, they found the African lying dead on the ground. Circumstantial evidence seemed to indicate that an Indian slipped up from the bank of the creek and fired at the African, who was unaware of his presence, and who was in a stooping position. Afterwards, the Indian trail was followed and it led to a camp of Caddos or other Indians, who belonged to the Lower Reservation.

    Ref.: The author personally interviewed W.K. Baylor and Wm. Harrell, who were living in Stephens County at the time, or shortly afterwards; also interviewed others.

    Further Ref.: Report of Com. of Ind. Affairs, 1859.

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

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