Standard [Clarksville, TX], April 14, 1860
The successive numbers of the Frontier Journal, the White Man, are filled with accounts of outrages by Indians, and the efforts of the worried and impoverished frontiersmen to repel aggression, and punish the aggressors.
Lately Governor Houston has authorized Col. M. T. Johnson, an old and efficient Ranger, to raise 500 men, and act against the Indians, at his discretion. Companies are raising in several Counties. The one in Fannin was complete and ready to organize on Saturday last. We have hoped that this expedition would do much good. We are authentically informed that it is Col. Johnson’s intention to follow the aggressors to their Camps; and if the trails concentrate in the Reserves, to attack and exterminate them. We hope and believe, that if Gov. Houston does not restrain him, he will do much good. The editor of the White Man, however, has no confidence in all this preparation, and says, in his issue of the 5th inst.:–
“The Frontiersman will have to depend solely upon themselves and their friends in the interior for any permanent good effects. Let every one go to work, and work earnestly, for the organization of a force at this place, on the 20th May next, to exterminate the Reserve Indians.
“We have ample assurances of assistance from fifteen counties.—Men will come from any portion of the State, and if Governor Houston will authorize his forces to go with us our troubles will be ended.”
In another column, in an address to his readers, preparatory to leaving home on the expedition referred to above, he says:–
“In conclusion, we cannot refrain giving our opinion (humble tho’ it be) in reference to the grand display attempted by Gov. Houston for protection.
“It is a subterfuge to defeat any popular movement against the Reserve Indians, and virtually aiding the real depredators, by exterminating their enemies, the wild tribes.
“And the whole expedition to ‘repel, pursue, and punish,’ will end in a farsical calico treaty upon the ‘base line.'”