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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.

Gillespie County, Texas

    Rudolph Fischer and Peter Webber had been to the home of Ludwig Kneese, a blacksmith, who lived about five miles southwest of Fredericksburg. When they were returning home and within one mile of their residence, Indians charged the boys and succeeded in capturing Rudolph Fischer, about twelve years of age. But Peter Webber, two years older, successfully made his escape. Rudolph Fischer may have also escaped, had he not been riding a mule. The Fischer boy was made a captive among the Comanches and Kiowas and remained in Oklahoma for a long time. According to reports, he visited his people but later returned to Oklahoma, where he became wealthy.

    Note: Author interviewed Peter Metzger and others who lived in Gillespie County at the time.

    Further Ref.: "The Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs" for the year 1867.

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

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