Jack County, TX - History - James Francis Blair and James Hart, David Crockett, John Rolland, Thomas Roland ************************************************************************************* This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************************* James Francis Blair and James Hart, David Crockett, John Rolland, Thomas Roland Aaron Hart and Wm. Blair, fathers of James Hart and James Blair, moved their families to Palo Pinto County, several years before the outbreak of the Civil War. Aaron Hart settled about seven miles southeast of Golconda. In the first part of 1858, Mr. Blair it settled near the Brazos, almost the same distance north of Palo Pinto. But during the early 60's an exodus of citizens of Palo Pinto County moved to Stephens, Shackelford, Coleman, and other counties farther west. Aaron Hart and Wm. Blair numbered among this group, and located near the head-waters of Deep Creek, in Callahan County. During 1864 the purchasing of provisions was one of the big problems of that section. So Wm. Blair and, perhaps, others had sent to Old Mexico for coffee and other commodities, which had arrived at Camp Colorado. James Blair and James Hart went horseback to this post about 20 miles away for these supplies. James Blair, at the time, was a boy nine years of age; and born February 28, 1855. As a coincidence, it so happened they returned home from camp Colorado, February 28, 1864. James Hart was several years older. went in an ox-wagon to Mudsprings, which was about one mile west of the Joe Manley place. After they reached the spring where they went for water, several Indians charged upon them. Davy Crockett was killed almost instantly. When relief reached the boys, Jno. Rolland had five arrows sticking in his back, and little Thomas Rolland the only one, who successfully reached home, was cut across the chin with an arrow when he fled away. The other little Rolland boy, climbed an Elm tree near the spring. But the savages came up and captured him. When the other Rolland boy, who was cut across the chin, reached the house, he told his grandfather and others that the 'Niggers' were killing the boys. Old man Rolland and others rushed to the scene, but the Indians were already gone. David Crockett, the orphan boy, lay dead on the ground, badly wounded, and Jno. Rolland only lived about twenty-four hours; but was conscious almost up until the time of his death, Little Thomas Rolland had been captured and carried away by the savages. Since it was during the Civil War, both men and horses were scarce on the frontier. But W. L. Lasater, Milton Lynn, Isom Lynn, and, perhaps, one or two others, took the Indian trail, which led south toward the mouth of Big Keechi, in Palo Pinto County. Here the Indians crossed and then took a northwest course, toward the headwaters of Dark Valley, and from there, they went on the northwest. Little Thomas Rolland remained an Indian captive until he was recovered several months later, by David White and negro Britt Johnson. They brought the little fellow home, and placed him in the hands of his grieved mother. Few people there were on the frontier, who suffered so severely, as did the Rolland family. Three Rolland brothers and David Crockett, an orphan boy, were killed. Little Thomas Rolland was carried into captivity. Note:-Before writing this section, author personally interviewed A. M. Lasater, James Wood: B. L. Flam; J. Fowler; Lafayette Wilson: Mrs. Taylor; and others who lived in Palo Pinto and Jack Counties at the time. The following story is from the book: The West Texas Frontier or a Descriptive History of Early Times in Western Texas Volume 2 by Joseph Carroll McConnell