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Creed M. Click’s Experience with Indians in Brown County

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. His passion is travel, and he seizes any opportunity to share his experiences in the most immersive way possible, whether at sea or on the land.

Brown County, Texas

    During the early part of 1875, Creed M. Click had been staying with Capt. Maltby's company of Texas Rangers on Mud Creek, but decided to go to the home of Charlie Washburne. Shortly afterwards, while Creed M. Click, Charlie Washburne and Arch Roberts were out hog hunting, they rode upon a mountain about one-half miles from the house and about fifteen miles northwest of Brownwood. From here they discovered Indians. The citizens then went home and had an early supper, inasmuch as it was unsafe to have a light when Indians were around. Before they had finished, however, the savages were discovered near the house. So Washburne jumped up so quickly, he knocked dishes, table and other things to the side and yelled "Indians, by Gosh!" Charlie Washburne, Creed M. Click and Arch Roberts ran out of the house, firing. Washburne had a half greyhound that caught an Indian on his horse, but did not succeed in pulling him to the ground. The seven Indians managed to escape with one of Mr. Washburne's ponies.

    About four or five nights later, while Creed M. Click was on guard for Indians and hidden under a big live oak tree in the yard, he saw fifteen savages coming across the creek. One Indian came up to the tree under which Creed Click was hidden and placed his hand on the top rail of the fence. Uncle Creed, at the time, was lying near the bottom rail, so close, he could plainly smell the savage. The Indian could have been easily killed, but Creed Click said he didn't care for the Indian's scalp, inasmuch as he would have had fifteen more to kill. He then reached to the house and said he didn't want any more night watching.

    Note: Author interviewed Creed M. Click, mentioned above.

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

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