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Range -lore
Ruby Mosley,
San Angelo, Texas
A-4
RANGE -LORE
Willie Addison Posey was
born in Burleson County. in 1860.
His father and grandfather were
ranchmion and went up the trail
many times. Ir. Posers father
ankgrandfather were slave owners,
and when their slaves were given
their -freedom they did not leave
their masters. The Posey*, Martins,
and Arch Bateliff vs families came
with their herds to prosta County in
1876. where ranching was continued
on a, large scale
Page one
Posey, grandfather. J. C. Posey,
and Uncle Sam Scott sent cattle up the trail from, William-
Pegs three
he with en other white man and a negro returned to Texas
by water, landing at Galveston. Then they went on to
Williamson County and never went back to Montana.
"When I was a little fellow about 8 years of age
en old cattle buyer came to our house and spent several
days. He put the saddle in the hall where sister and
I played with the saddle begs stuffed rith gold. Men
time came for the cow buyer to leave he had to cross
the Lrazos River which was on a rise and his horse hod
to swim. Vihile crossing, the saddle bags of gold lost
off. Father and a gang dragged the river for several
hours before they located the saddle bags. Only a few
pieces were lost in the river. sister and I felt pretty
guilty as we knew that we had untied the bags from the
saddle.
"Gold was the most common exehange at that time.
I remember when my grandfather accused old Porter (a
negro slave) of taking his money. Grandfather had
filled a shot sack full of gold pieces end put it in
the back of a bureau drawer but when he went to get it
he couldn't find it. They put old Forter on a rope and
pulled him up a tree. Every one gathered around to see
the punishment. They let hia down but he said, 'No Sir,
Larster, I didn't got your money.' They drew him up a-
gain, and he gave the same answer. This act was repeat-
ed four times, receiving the same answer each time. The
next time they let him down he said, 'Yes, sir, I gOt it.'
Page four
He was about gone this time, his eyes sticking out and
he could hardly speak, soon he passed out. The doctor
came and rorked with him a long time before he gained
consciousness. A few days later the shot sack of gold
was found hung on a splinter away back in the bureau
drawer where it had teen all the time. This has made
me a much better men today; I wont accuse anyone of
anythi.:g until I know, first. I wish half of the
people of todey were half as honest and re11,71ous as
those darkies. I was only five years old when they
were set free but all of grandrather's slaves stayed
with hig for years afterward.
"My father had only one slave and he was given
to him for a birthday present from grandfather, as
the slave and father was the same age.
"One time I was over in Milan County looking
for stray cattle. I passed through a little town by
the name of Alan° Junction. The convicts were build-
ing a railroad through there and the old guard premed
around on hts fine steed with guns and black snake in
readiness for anyone shirking his duty. An old fellow
sat down and said, 'I'm sick., I can't hit another lick.'
Pe was pale and week; looked as if he would fsint at
any time. The dammed old guard cane by and gave him
a lick with the black mike and yelled out an oath
that he will never get by with. The old man made it
to his feet arca tried to work. I rode on; this was a
horrible sight for anyone's eyes. Mien I came back
?age five
a little later the old fellow was dead. Who till answer
for suoh crimes? Human beings don't have a chance unless
they have money. What would happen to me if I killed a
man? A men is a man in the eight of God, poor or rich.
This is the only satisfaction we poor devils have.
"4 wife's grandfather, Ur. Baker, and his half
brother, r. Soul, were killed by the Indians about
seven miles from Austin. One morning they went after
the cows; r. Faker rode a mighty fast pony and 14r. Soul
rode a mule. Mien the Indians attacked soul had no
chance to get away. Indications of the surroundings
showed there must have been a terrible firilt. The Indians
killed :r. Baker, took his heart out, took his scalp and
set him up ageinst a tree. Mr. Soul was killed but his
body vas not molested. Li*. Baker must hove shoun some
act of bratery as the position in which the Indians left
him was simificant of some bravery.
"The Poseys and _lartins left Lurieson County in
the spring of 1876 to bring herds and families to Erown
County.
were doing just fine with our herd until we
got down about Eockdale. Papa was on guard and had the
cattle in a little lane. 6amething caused a stampede;
we never knew what. 1-iapa run to saplinp aru stood
as close as he oould for cattle never run over trees.
Vo got the cattle all rounded by the next morning and
ready to continue on our journey.
Range -lore
Ruby Uosley
San Angelo, Texas,
biBLIOGRAPHY
Willie Addison Posey, San Angelo, Texas, interviewed,
January, 195S.