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Killing of Benson and Capture of Son

Michael has a BA in History & American Studies and an MSc in American History from the University of Edinburgh. He comes from a proud military family and has spent most of his career as an educator in the Middle East and Asia. Please consider reading our editorial policy to understand how and why we publish the resources we do.

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Burnet County, Texas

    During 1865, a Mr. Benson, who lived in Back Bone Valley about twelve miles southwest of Burnet, accompanied by a small son, walked out a few hundred yards from his house in search of timber to make ax handles. Benson was killed and the son captured and taken somewhere toward the headwaters of the Arkansas. It was several years before Mrs. Benson recovered her son. When she did, he had become almost Indianized and was ever inclined to live like the savages.

    Note: Before writing this section, the author interviewed W.T. Cavin, A.H. Edwards, Joe F. Smith and others who were living in Burnet County at the time.

The above story is from the book, The West Texas Frontier, by Joseph Carroll McConnell.

Benson story by Wilbarger

The above story is from Indian Depredations in Texas by J.W. Wilbarger.

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