REPUBLIC OF TEXAS

Difficulties With The Carancahuas

A serious difficulty has lately occurred between the Carancahuas and a portion of the citizens of Jackson county. It appears that a party of fifty or sixty Indians of this tribe have been residing near Texana on the Carancahua and Mustang creeks for the last year. But until within a few months they were regarded as inoffensive and attracted little notice from the citizens of that section. A few weeks since a man was killed near Obar’s place, between the Colorado and Navidad, and there were some suspicions that the murder was attributable to these Indians. The general impression however, was, that the murder was committed by four Mexicans, who were discovered in the vicinity. Since that murder was committed, the Carancahuas have been discovered shooting wantonly the cattle and swine of the settlers in that section. A large number of beeves and fine hogs were found slaughtered in the woods near their camp. One of the settlers discovered a party of three Indians carrying off some hogs that they had killed, and attempted to follow them to their camp, but they immediately assumed a threatening attitude, threw up their bows, and made other signs indicating that they would shoot him if he advanced upon them. The citizens of…a notice, calling upon the agent of this tribe, to interfere and prevent further depredations. But as nothing was effected, a party of the citizens armed themselves, proceeded to the camp of the Indians, singled out several of the warriors, and fired upon them. It is supposed, that several Indians were shot down. We feat this rash act will excite the enmity of the remaining warriors of the tribe, and sooner or later some innocent settlers of the West will be basely murdered to atone for this massacre. The conduct of the men engaged in this transaction is excused by many, upon the ground that this tribe has always been faithless and blood thirsty, and that it is capable of doing less injury when at open war then when encouraged by a pretend peace. There are only thirty or forty warriors now belonging to this tribe, and they are capable of doing little injury. We believe however, that it would have been better policy to have borne their depredations, rather than to excite them to open war. They were hostile in 1836, and during the period of their hostility five or six citizens were murdered by them, but since they have been at peace, we believe only one or two persons have fallen victims to their treachery. The amount of cattle and swine destroyed by them however, has been considerable, but the loss of property is unworthy of consideration when place in comparison with the loss of innocent citizens. If it is thus found to be impossible to preserve peace between our citizens and this insignificant band of savages, how can we expect to preserve a lasting peace with larger bands on our northern frontier that are equally blood-thirsty and treacherous?

Telegraph and Texas Register, Houston, Wednesday, April 17, 1844