McMullen Co. TX - Indian Depredation Claim of William J. Askins - 6929

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   Court of Claims of the United States
   
   Indian Depredation, No. 6929
   
   William J. Askins v. the United States et al.
   
   Deposition of Amanda Walker, for claimant, taken at Fowlerton, Tex.,
   on the 11th day of November, A.D. 1914.
   
   Claimant's counsel, Harry Peyton, Esq.; defendants' counsel, John A.
   Hendricks, Esq.
   
   AMANDA WALKER, being duly sworn, testified as follows:
   
   My name is Amanda Walker; am 68 years old; reside at Tilden, Tex.; am
   not related to Askins in nay way, and have no interest in his claim.
   
   Direct Examination by HARRY PEYTON:
   
   Question. Were you acquainted with Askins, the father of W.W. Askins?
   
   Answer. Yes, sir; had known him ever since I was a child; knew him up
   on the Atascosa before I moved to McMullen County. When did you move
   to McMullen County?
   
   Answer. When I was 12 years old. I moved there with my father, and I
   am now 68.
   
   Question. You are one of the oldest pioneers living in McMullen, are
   you not?
   
   Answer. Yes, sir; Mr. Tope and I are the oldest pioneers living in
   McMullen County.
   
   Question. Do you remember when the Indians killed old man Hinds?
   
   Answer. Yes, sir; they brought him, or his remains, to our house next
   morning. They had to tote him over there as the Indians had got all
   their horses at the time they killed Hinds. They brought the body to
   our house, and they got our wagon to haul the body to Tilden to bury.
   We lived about a mile from where he was killed.
   
   Question. Do you know if the Askins family were at the place where
   Hinds was killed?
   
   Answer. Frank Askins was there. He fought the Indians that night. He
   and a man named Lane were guarding the pen that night.
   
   Question. Did you understand next morning that Askins lost any horses
   that night?
   
   Answer. I don't think he did, but he might have had one in the pen. I
   know they lost some horses at one time. It might have been before that
   time. Frank Askins, who lives at Jordanton, would know all about it.
   
   Question. Do you think that we could rely on whatever statement Frank
   Askins might make regarding the loss.
   
   Answer. I think you could.
   
   Question. Wm. J. Askins filed a claim for the horses. Do you know if
   the horses belonged to William J. or his father?
   
   Answer. They belonged to old man Askins. He brought some mighty fine
   horses here from Shelby County. William Askins was only a small boy at
   the time.
   
   Cross-examination:
   
   Question. Do you know about how many horses old man Askins owned?
   
   Answer. No, sir; I could not tell you.
   
   Question. Do you know what his business was?
   
   Answer. Yes, sir; in the stock business; raising cattle and horses;
   and he owned some sheep.
   
   Question. From what you know of Askins's stock and his business do you
   think he owned enough to have lost as many as 36?
   
   Answer. He owned enough for the Indians to have got that many, but I
   don't know how many the Indians got. He owned a good many horses.
   
   Question. Do you know what Indians got Askins's horses?
   
   Answer. Of course I did not know, but everybody said they were
   Kickapoo Indians. It might have been Comanches, as I know they come in
   here lots of times.
   
   Question. If the Indians went across the Rio Grande, what Indians were
   they?
   
   Answer. I don't know.
   
   Question. If the Indians went out north, do you know what Indians they
   were?
   
   Answer. I do not know.
   
   Question. How far did old man Askins live from old man Hinds, who was
   killed?
   
   Answer. Askins lived a mile and a half or two miles from the Hinds, up
   the river.
   
   Question. Do you remember whether or not the Indians took horses from
   the pens in front of the Askins house?
   
   Answer. No, sir; I do not. I know about Hinds, because he was brought
   to our house.
   
   Question. Do you remember if it was reported that Askins lost horses
   about the time Hinds was killed?
   
   Answer. Yes, sir; it was reported that he lost horses about that time.
   This was 49 years ago.