Read these accounts to get a flavor of how the Comanche, Quakers and Texans had
differing histories and views of each other.
Texan and Tejano Accounts of Comanche Relations
Clint
Padgitt
Padgitt tells of Comanches coming to his house to get some food. Some
terrified boys went with them. Oddly, an Indian admired Padgitt even though
he killed his brother.
Los
Comanches
A Mexican trader tells of his experiences dealing with the Comanches.
Also talks about a Mexican captive girl they want to rescue. Sad ending.
Sallie
Chisum Roberts
Girl and her brothers get their cattle stolen by Indians. Shows how
frustrating it could be living near such raiders.
O.
M. Ratliff
Annie MacCauley tells about her dad, Mr. Ratliff, who had dealings
with Comanches, Quanah Parker, and how Mom kept guns at school.
C.
D. Bonney--Old Timer
Bonney is an "Indian Scout" who helps return Indians to reservations.
O.
W. McCuistion
Famous head cutting off story...He was a friend of the Ute Indians.
Indians stealing horses.
L.
H. Williams , Jr
L.H. was ready to die when charged by Comanches. But they know his
dad and leave them alone.
William
Blevins
Blevins was a Texas Ranger and a saloon-keeper. Good stories.
Miss
Mattie Mather
Tells of several settler contacts and relations with Indians in Texas.
Mrs.
J. D. Rylee
Tells of contacts with Comanches from the reservation, and also of
settlers being abducted and rescued.
Don
Manuel Jesus Vasques
A buffalo hunter and trader with Indians of the Great Plains tells
of his experiences.
Rev.D
. D. Tidwell
A prairie minister tells of raids and trades with the Indians, as well
as battles between settler clans.
Quaker Information
"Feather of Peace"
This story from 1775 tells what happens when a Quaker meeting house
in Saratoga County, New York is visited by Indians on the "warpath".
1871 BIA Report to the President
Third annual report of the Board of Indian Commissioners to the President
of the United States, mentions that the Quakers have had a good impression
on the Cheyenne and Arapahoe in with managing the schools on their reservations.
William Penn
The founder of Pennsylvania was a Quaker, and established a pattern
of friendly, successful relationships with the native inhabitants of North
America. Note: Search the document for the word "indian" to read of his
contacts with them.
Deathbed Testimony
of James Naylor
This deathbed statement by one of the first Quaker preachers, James
Naylor (1616-1660) of England, is a typical example of how Quakers tried
to view all other humans.
Expression of
Quaker Universalism (1772)
A short paragraph from the writings of the American Quaker John Woolman,
illustrates the view that Quakers hold toward others.
John
Woolman's Diary, Chapter VIII.
John Woolman (1720-1772) was an American Quaker whose life and writings
served as a "conscience" to many European-Americans, particularly other
Quakers. Woolman had many contacts with Indians. This chapter of his journal
describes some of those meetings. Tip: Search the document for the word
"indian" to read of his meetings with them.
George Fox
The founder of Quakerism visited North America before it was a nation.
His comments on his experiences with the American Indians reveals much
about how most Quakers related to them.
Note: Search the document for the
word "indian" to read of his contacts with them.
Comanche Resources
Comanche History
Historical and cultural background on the Comanche people, in three parts.
Part Three is most relevant for the 19th century.
Medicine
Lodge Treaty of 1867
Description of a treaty-signing event in which the US tried to get a handful of Indian nations to go onto reservations.
She-Who-Is-Alone's
Sacrifice
Bluebonnets blossom in Comanche Country because
of She-who-is-alone's sacrifice.
Comanche
Architecture, 1872
Dr. Kavanagh's essay with William S. Soule's series of photographs
of a Comanche village on Medicine Creek, Indian Territory, in the winter
of 1872 - 1873.
Native American Authors
Writings by Native American authors are arranged by authors, titles
and tribes. Click "C" for Comanche, or search for other peoples and writings.
