Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
conflicts between Texans and Native Americans in the area occurred primarily between groups of relative newcomers. The Comanche, a Shoshone offshoot, became identifiable as a people with the acquisition of the horse in the middle part of the 17th century. Following the herds of bison, they migrated to the southern Plains. By the 1740s they were evicting the few groups, mostly Apache, then resident in what is now the panhandle and western regions of Texas. The Comanche also evicted many eastern residents, most of whom, such as the Cherokee, Wichita, Delaware, were recent immigrants themselves. Only the Tonkawa, Caddo and Coahuilteca appear to have any time depth in the region.
By the 1820s there were few Europeans in this Spanish territory. Stephen Austin received a rare land grant from the Spanish, who were not really encouraging settlement of the area. When Mexico received its independence from Spain in 1821, it was eager to settle the northern lands to gain control over the region. When few Mexicans moved north, the government began recruiting Americans to settle, and reauthorized the Austin land grants as a way of attracting Anglo settlers. The move was successful, and as word spread of rich lands in Texas, thousands of land-starved Americans immigrated to the area.
This clearly put pressure on the Comanche, as more and more Anglos claimed their lands. From the earliest settlements, Comanche raids were a problem. The Texas Rangers were formed in 1823 as mobile fighters to help stop these raids, since the Mexican government had not responded to the settlers’ petitions for aid. The guerilla war “heated up” after the raid on Fort Parker in 1836, in which 3 children were kidnapped by the Comanche, and several adults were killed. As was usual throughout the Indian Wars, the Comanche raiders were from bands not party to the peace treaty negotiated with John Parker in 1834, and the settlers killed were not responsible for the deaths of a Delaware man and his sons, thought to be the “trigger” for this attack.
This fateful raid was to have far-reaching consequences. One of the children was ransomed by Sam Houston, but the other two, Cynthia Ann Parker and John Richard Parker remained among the Comanche for decades (John was ransomed, also, but returned to his Native American family). Cynthia became the mother of Quanah Parker, the Comanche leader who in 1875 finally surrendered his band at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, effectively ending the Indian Wars in Texas.
This lot of 8 items relates to the raids and harassment of Anglos in the territory of Texas, primarily by the Comanche. The freighting firm of Adams & Wickes had a government contract to transport supplies for the military units stationed in Texas from just after the Civil War, when many troops were “re-deployed” to the West. One item in this lot is a letter in support of renewing the Adams & Wickes contract. This single page document is handwritten on stationery of the Headquarters Firth Military District, (State of Texas), Office Assistant Adjutant General in Austen, dated 8 January 1870. The Assistant AAG, Bvt. Brig. General N. Clay Wood notes that Adams and Wickes had served the government well during the course of their first 3-year contract, and recommends renewing the contract with the firm. He notes: They have uniformly pressed their trains through to their destination within the authorized time and the stores have been well protected and cared for, and delivered in good order. He further notes that he is glad to …testify to their promptness in filling all their various contracts for transportation, fuel, forage, &c: and their ability to carry out, …the terms of their contracts.
The last document is a printed petition to the United States government filed 8 June 1891 from Adams & Wickes for losses during the period 1867 – 1872 when they were contractors to the Army in Texas. They are making claims for:
77 mules and 1 mare lost to a band of 125 Lipan (Apache) on 28 May 1869 at Santa Nina Water hole;
14 mules and one mare, raiders unknown, lost 12 Oct 1869, between San Antonio and Ft. Bliss;
18 mules, raiders unknown, lost 13 Feb 1870;
74 mules lost to Northern Comanche, 1 March 1871 near Ft. Mason (TX);
44 mules, one horse, and one mare lost to No. Comanche, 14 March 1871 near San Saba River;
118 mules and 2 mares lost to unknown Indians, 18 Nov. 1871 near Kickapoo Springs; and
a train of wagons, employees massacred, 51 mules, 1 horse, 1 mare, 7 guns, 3 pistols, 50 sets of harness, 5 wagons, and other property lost 20 Apr. 1872 near Howard Wells, TX.
They further state that the government contract guaranteed them protection, and would not have signed a contract with the government had their investment not been guaranteed, but they never received any escort nor any reimbursement for lost property, etc. They are claiming a total of $64,365, …and for all other proper relief (for the families of those killed, court costs, etc.?) from the government. [This is estimated at over $1.5 million in 2008 dollars, probably much more, since the available “calculators” only go back to 1913!!]
There is one handwritten “tally” of the losses in the last incident at Howards Well on 5.5 x 9” sheet with San Antonio, Texas _______ 187__ printed at top.
Four additional affidavits filed in Bexar County (San Antonio) with the State of Texas document other losses. All are on partially printed sheets 8 x 12.5”. The first claims the loss of 13 mules on 29 July 1868 while in the employ of Adams and Wickes, attested to by A. F. Miles, Wagon Master, as he was hauling forage and supplies to the 9th US Cavalry. This document is interesting in that Miles claims that there might not have been any loss, but …no time was given to attend to sick mules or hunt up those that stamped [stampeded], such was the rapid manner in which I was required to travel. This document retains red notary seal on verso.
The second account is the loss during a violent hail storm of 14 mules in May 1868 while being held at Adams and Wickes rancho. A. O’Doherty, the employee in charge of the rancho, further stated that a …diligent search was made for their recovery and no fault could be found with any person for the loss of said mules. He further notes that this facility had been approved in the contract for holding stock before moving them. Document retains blue notary seal in lower left corner.
The third affidavit by Wagon Master Peter Jones states that in October 1869, 14 mules and 1 mare were stolen by parties unknown while transporting supplies from San Antonio to Fort Bliss. They pursued for 80 miles, but did not catch the parties in question. During this episode, another mule and a horse died, and a mule was abandoned, then 2 more mules lost 85 miles west of San Antonio. No one was deemed at fault since every effort was made to recover the lost stock. This document lacks a notary seal, but notes below docketing that supporting documents were included, and there is a small strip of paper still adhered to verso, presumably what remains of the addenda.
The fourth, filed 20 Jan 1870, states that 10 mules died and were abandoned, but …no fault could be attached to any of the employe’s [sic] in the train as the mules had the best of care and attention but without success [in saving them]. This was signed by Wagon Master, W. P. Ashley, also in the employ of Adams and Wickes, and has a green notary seal in lower left corner.
The final document is on Department of Texas Headquarters, Chief Quartermaster’s Office letterhead, 3pp, dated 27 December 1873, signed by (then) Col. S. B. Holabird. The letter is requesting proof that the 147 mules lost on the wagon train belonged to Adams & Wickes, and proof that the firm was paying the drivers, feeding them, etc. at Adams & Wickes’ expense. They also request records of what was being done to protect the shipments and determine that … every usual care in the Indian country was taken &c. to guard against surprise and loss. Specifically, what defenses were furnished and how they were used to protect the train. The Army also is requesting to question the teamsters about the matter. It sounds like typical government paper pushing, stalling, etc. Presumably, this claim was paid, since it did not appear in the later suit against the United States mentioned above.
Samuel B. Holabird was an 1849 graduate of USMA. After graduation, he was assigned to frontier duty in Texas. In 1859 he returned East to recruiting service at the academy, and joined the QM Department within the first months of the Civil War. After the war, he returned to Texas in a quartermaster capacity, later also serving in Dakota, Missouri, California and the Northwest. In 1883 he was appointed Quartermaster General, a position he held until his retirement in 1890.
The Thomas Minckler Collection of Western Americana
Condition:
Auction Location:
6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Previewing Details:
Tuesday, June 23, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Ohio |
5.5% |
Ohio State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
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Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
Payment Details:
The purchase price for each lot shall equal the hammer price, buyer's premium, sales tax and, if applicable, all packing, handling, insurance and shipping costs. Payment may be made with cash, personal or traveler's check, Visa or MasterCard.
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Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone or who are absentee bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full purchase price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. By signing the absentee bid form or placing an absentee bid by telephone, an absentee bidder authorizes Cowan's to charge the purchase price (hammer price, plus buyer's premium) for each lot for which such bidder is the successful bidder to the credit card number provided by telephone or on the absentee bid form, unless payment in full or alternative payment instruction is received within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan's unless the purchase price has been paid in full.
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Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
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Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
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