Kimble County, Texas
Mrs. Lafe McDonald, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wylie Joy, who lived on James Peak, he came upon a wounded Indian, lying near the edge of the river about fifteen miles west of Harper in Kimble County, was staying with her parents while her husband was away in Old Mexico during the Civil War. Someone had recently returned and brought some letters from Lafe McDonald to his wife and these letters were left at the home of Tom McDonald, who lived on Spring Creek about eight miles east of Harper. Mrs. McDonald was exceedingly anxious to hear from her husband, so she insisted that someone go horseback with her to Tom McDonald's home. They made the trip horseback, and started home early next morning. Mrs. Wylie Joy and her daughter, Mrs. Lafe McDonald were both killed about one mile east of Harper. Many have surmised that this deed was not done by Indians. Nevertheless, moccasin tracks and other savage signs were discovered shortly afterwards.
Note: Author personally interviewed: Mrs. Augustus McDonald, a sister-in-law, W.J. Nixon, and one or two others who were living in Gillespie and adjoining counties at the time.
Further Ref.: 12. Hunter's Magazine, February 1912, and 1. Frontier Times, June 1927.
The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.
The above story is from Indian Depredations in Texas by J.W. Wilbarger.