Mathews, Col L G 1969-11-22

Col. Mathews tells of his father’s experiences on the Texas frontier as a Texas Ranger and Confederate soldier. He relates his family’s role in the establishment of Camp Colorado, the founding of Trickham, Texas, Indian problems and other activities of the early settlers of Coleman County.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Col. L.G. Mathews

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: November 22, 1969

Location: Colemen, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Carpenter

Length: 1 hour

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Col. Mathews’ grandparents and their move to Texas from Georgia, Mathews’ relatives in Trickham, Mathews’ father who was with the Burleson Rangers and who helped establish Camp Colorado in Coleman County in 1855, Story about Mathews’ father having to dig up a tree as punishment for serving skunk and rat meat to fellow rangers, Rises in Home Creek that flooded Camp Colorado, Robert E. Lee, George B. McClellan and Ulysses S. Grant as lieutenants on the Texas frontier, Raid by Comanche Chief Iron Jacket on U. S. Cavalry near the Red River, Description of Chief Iron Jacket, Iron Jacket’s death (1858), Capture of Camp Colorado by Confederate soldiers at beginning of Civil War, Mathews’ father as a Confederate spy, Story about Mathews’ father deciding against going to California when Indians attacked stage, Josiah Blackwell, the only white man on Home Creek after the Civil War, Means by which Mathews’ father got his land near Camp Colorado, Story of land trade, Old settlers of Trickham after the Civil War.

Tape 1, Side 2: Indian killings of Trickham settlers, How Trickham got its name, Charles Finch Featherston (Mathews’ grandfather), Killing of Steve Porter by L. L. Shields in Trickham, Early settlers of Trickham, Penlem’s saloon—the first building at Trickham site, Fiveash family of Trickham, First wire fence built at Trickham, Cutting of the fence by neighbors.

Range Dates: 1855-1879

Bulk Dates: 1855-1879

Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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