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823
clouds. That man was Jim Lowe, who was one of the first settlers in McMullen county, and who was the best fixed man in that section. He was truly one of God's noblemen —a philanthropist of the first order. He made it possible for many poor families to have bread in their homes, who, otherwise, would have had to live on meat alone. I was truly benefited by his wise counsel and good backing.
In March, 1865, about the close of the Civil War, I married the best little girl in the world, and she lived to bless my life for fifty-six years to a day, and passed on to her reward in March, 1921.
The year 1865 was an eventful one in my life. Married in March (I was promptly notified that I must "quit my meanness"), the war closed in May, and the Indians killed my father in August. However, with all the energy and determination I possessed I went to work on the "wreck," for we lost practically everything we possessed during the war. I proceeded under difficulties too numerous to mention, but by the spring of 1872, had gotten together a pretty good little herd of mixed cattle, and drove them to Kansas that spring. I had about the usual amount of trouble that a man has on his first drive over the "trail." Was compelled to swim swollen streams, had storms at night, and several stampedes. Finally I bumped into the Osage tribe of Indians, and they gave us an exhibition of what they could do to a Texas herd, shooting and yelling the regular Indian war-hoop. They killed about one hundred beeves right there on the prairie, in sight, and scattered the others to the four winds, causing Mr. Redus great loss and trouble. I drove my herd to Wichita, Kansas, and held them there on fine grass until fall, and sold out at good prices. When I got home that fall, I had more than $15,000 cash, in gold,