Marcus L. Dalton, a widely known early West Texas cowman, numbered
among the first settlers of Palo Pinto County. During the early days,
Mr. Dalton lived reasonably near, and was closely associated with
Oliver Loving, Charles Goodnight, the Curetons, Ribbles, Dillingham,
Henry Belding, the Bevers, Taylors, Cowdens, Cochrans, Slaughters,
Jowells, Lasaters, Lovings, Lynns, Strawns, Stuarts, Carters, and
many other equally noted cowmen of Palo Pinto and adjoining counties.
November 7, 1870, Hen. Belding, met Marcus L. Dalton in Weatherford.
Mr. Dalton, at the time, was returning from Kansas, where he had moved
a large herd of cattle. He had also made several previous trips over
the trail. Uncle Henry Beldings, at the time, lived on the Belding
Ranch, about thirteen miles west of Palo Pinto, and Mr. Dalton lived
on the Brazos, in the Sand Valley section.
When Mr. Dalton was asked by Uncle Henry Belding to accompany him
home, he replied that he had been away a long time, was exceedingly
anxious to get home, and wanted to take a direct route from Weatherford
to his residence up the river. Consequently, on the morning of November
8, 1870, Mr. Dalton, traveling in a wagon drawn by a span of mules,
left the residence of his son-in-law, Dr. J.P. Valentine, who lived
in Weatherford, and was accompanied by James Redfield, and James McAster,
who were making their first trip to the frontier. Mr. Dalton had his
six-shooter in the wagon seat, and supplies and provisions in the
rear. A faithful little dog that had followed him to Kansas, was also
along. In the upper tray of his traveling trunk, this noted frontiersman
had over $11,000.00 concealed in a shoe. Since Mr. Dalton knew the
road, he led the way, and was followed by a wagon driven by one of
his hands. The third man, on horseback, driving some ponies, followed
in the rear.
Marcus L. Dalton, James Redfield, and James McAster were traveling
along the old Weatherford-Belknap road, and when they reached a point
in Loving's Valley, about three-fourths of a mile east and north of
the present town of Salesville, they were ambushed, and slain by the
same Indians, mentioned in the preceding section. The Indians ambushed
Mr. Dalton and associates about two hours after they encountered the
Jowell brothers, Locke, and Foster. No doubt, Mr. Dalton was killed
instantly, for his pistol had never been moved from its scabbard.
His mules, however, ran with the wagon out to the right side of the
road, made a circle of perhaps 150 yards, then crossed the roadway
to the left. Redfield and McAster were each lying on the ground near
the second wagon. All three were scalped, and their bodies badly disfigured.
Since Mr. Dalton's trunk seemed to be locked, the Indians cut a hole
in its side and removed such articles that were found near the bottom.
Apparently, however, the savages did not know the trunk had a tray;
so they did not find the eleven thousand dollars hidden in a shoe.
This money, in due time, was safely placed in the hands of Mr. Dalton's
family. The mules and a part of his horses, which were carried away
by the Indians, were later found about three miles north.
Late in the afternoon of the next day, Mr. Dalton and associates
were found by Marion, Green, and George Lasater, and Wm. Evans, who
were horseback and returning to their homes in the Keechi Community.
Only the sadly dejected little dog of Mr. Dalton, which lay near the
bodies of Redfield and McAster, was left to relate the fate of the
three worthy citizens. Two of the four that found him, remained and
the others hurried with the news to Old Black Springs. Sam Ham was
one of the messengers who went from Black Springs to notify Mrs. Dalton
and her children who lived upon the river in the northwestern part
of Palo Pinto County. John, who then lived at Palo Pinto, was the
first member of Mr. Dalton's family to arrive. The three were found
late in the evening.
An account of this raid in Smythe's Historical Sketches of Parker
County, printed in 1877, states that Mr. Dalton was murdered December
16, and an account of the killed related by a son, places the date
at November 4, but Mr. Dalton's tombstone, in the graveyard at Weatherford,
bears the following inscription, "Marcus L. Dalton, born Oct.
14, 1819, Murdered by Indians November 18, 1870."
Note: Before writing this and the preceding section, author interviewed
the following: James C. Jowell, mentioned above; C.A., G.L. and R.S. Dalton, sons of Marcus L. Dalton; A.M. Lasater, a brother of Marion,
Green and George Lasater, who in company with Wm. Evans, were the
first to find Mr. Dalton and his associates; James Wood; Mrs. H.G.
Taylor; Jane Bevers; Mrs. Jerry Hart; and many other early settlers,
who lived in Palo Pinto County at the time.
Further Ref: Personal Reminiscences of Henry Belding, published
in the Mineral Wells Weekly Index, during 1910; and Smythe's Historical
Sketches of Parker Co., and Wilbarger's Indian Depredations
in Texas.
